Budda Eli

I'm going to have to name this part of the garden, Peace and Serenity. While the cats lay there, they always seem to be at peace, one with the universe.



Swing by Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

President Bush: Freedom

Most of President Bush's speech was about the Oval Office and the significance various pieces within it have for him. I've heard this speech before. Here, President Bush speaks about one of his favorite subjects.

President Bush Talks Asa Hutchinson

President Bush began his speech by acknowledging Asa's work.

Fundraiser, President Bush and Asa Hutchinson

Oh Yes! It was very crowded! However, it was well worth it to hear President Bush. Asa said that they had raised over $400,000. News reports are stating that over 800 people attended. I have taken a number of photographs and also some videos which I hope to have reviewed and some up by the end of the day. Be warned, I was a few rows back so quite a few have head shots of those in front of me.

Fayetteville, Girls Gone Wild Party

NWAnews reported this:

Fayetteville authorities reported a mild-mannered appearance over the weekend by a Girls Gone Wild crew.

However, residents of this neighborhood and other neighborhoods have complained to Mayor Coody and the City Council. Parties by students in family neighborhoods have always been a problem. It is often a discussion in the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods. Neighborhoods have worked together and with the police to reduce these student parties. Complaints from this party have gone to the police chief and to the deans of the University. The City Council may be looking into adding an ordinance forbidding such parties in neighborhoods.

Arkansas Democrat Platform, Marriage

Let's toss in this Rasmussen poll.

Alabama and Arkansas came out on top as 75% say they believe the Bible is literally true. West Virginia (70%) and Tennessee (68%) are close behind.
In Arkansas, the question proves to be one of the rare ones that doesn't cause divisions along party lines; 83% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats say the believe in the Bible's literal truth. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of women and 69% of men identify themselves as true believers.

Hmmm, maybe it wasn't such a good idea for the Democrats to drop "marriage is between a man and woman". Arkansas did overwhelming vote against gay marriage.

Also during the convention, the Democrats approved a platform for 2006-08 that removed language from the 2004-06 platform affirming that marriage is between a man and woman. Party officials said that was an issue during the election two years ago but isn’t an issue this year.

I'd just bet that some Republican candidate will pick this up and make it an issue.

One additional thought: Now that the Democrats don't consider gay marriage an issue, they believe it is now safe to state what they really believe. That gay marriage is OK by them. If it becomes an issue they'll flip back again. Democrats don't want people to know what they really stand for.

Grow Up, Mike Beebe!

Mike Beebe's childish comment at the state Democratic Party's convention.

"I'm not running for governor because I didn't get the job I really wanted in Washington," Beebe said. "I'm running for governor because there's a job to be done right here in Arkansas."

Asa Hutchinson's qualifications could get him any CEO job or any board position postion in any private company. Asa could make a whole heck of a lot more money than he would as governor of Arkansas. Asa is running for governor for the benefit of Arkansans. Unlike you, Mike, whose flip flopping on issues indicates your selfish desire to get the governorship at any cost. You'll lie and screw anyone to get there.

Fayetteville, A Second Glance

Photographs by Don House

I attended an art party tonight in which I had the opportunity to see Don's photographs before the official opening. It was very nice; snacks, drinks and live music. The photographs showed ordinary people of Fayetteville, in black and white. Three photographs were my favorites; Anabelle and Tom, Kristina and Oden, Genevieve and Renee. The photographs will at the Nadine Baum Studios until Dec. 29th.

While at the party I met Don and he was gracious to do an interview.

Pluto, Planet No More

Working in a scientific field I should be used to changes. Still, it's going to hard to think of Pluto as a "dwarf" planet. Won't the other solar systems look down on us if we only have 8 planets?

I'm not really happy with the term "dwarf". It sounds a bit demeaning. (I probably offended a bunch of small people.) I prefer the term "minor" planet. I think it sounds better for our solar system to have 8 major planets and 3 minor planets (Pluto,Ceres and Xena).

The Tigger

In the Jungle,
the quiet Jungle,
the Tigger sleeps tonight.



Swing by Friday Ark

Trixie, Old Girl

Sigh! Trixie is getting whiter and is walking slower. It's hard to see her grow older.

Swing by Friday Ark

Tomato Sauce

Mmmmmm, you wouldn't believe how good it smells in my house. I'm making tomato sauce from the tomatoes, basil and oregano from the garden. I'll be making eggplant parmesan this weekend. This is why one has a vegetable garden.

You Are Now Free To ....

Ahhh!The sound of relief as TSA has render the following items non-explosive

*Small amounts of Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling
*Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passengerÂ’s ticket
*Up to 5 oz. (148ml) of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment
*Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly
*Gel-filled bras and similar prostethics
*Gel-filled wheelchair cushions
*Life support and life sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs carried for medical reasons
You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.

I thought that I wouldn't travel by air again unless I was allowed my chapstick, eyedrops and eye solution. I always have these items on hand. I'm also glad to see that solid deodorants will be allowed. Can you image being stuck on a plane without any personal hygiene items. Euwwww!

Paron High, Closed, But.....

NWAnews

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Jay Moody late Tuesday cleared the way for the Bryant School District to close tiny Paron High, dissolving the temporary restraining order he issued last week.

The parents of Paron High may have lost this battle, but their struggle has blossomed into a state-wide debate. Their efforts may lead to changes which will save other rural schools. A new web site (http://www.saveruralschools.com/)has been created to:

To provide assistance and support to rural and isolated schools that are in danger of being closed by informing both the legislature and the general public of the value of rural education in Arkansas, and the negative impact of excessive transportation

Check out their blog too. Web and Blog tip from AR Family Coalition

Hopefully this year, the Legislature will reign in the bureaucracy and restore common sense to the school system. That is, only if Asa Hutchinson and Gunner Delay are elected. Gunner spoke today about Paron at the Washington County Republican Women's meeting.

Stephens Media Arkansas News Bureau Poll

I just wonder where Opinion Research Associates took this poll. One wonders if they actually called anyone. They just made up some numbers and billed Stephens Media for it.

Clint Reed, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, was blunter, calling the poll "laughable" and "lacking credibility."

Gosh, he was being nice. I'd call this a big load of crap! However, Stephens Media may have decided to make lemonade out of a lemon. They may have realized that the poll was worthless, but they paid for it, so why not throw up a provocative headline "Poll shows Beebe Leading Hutchinson by 21 Points". The resulting brouhaha gets them publicity, albeit, bad.

Monday Afternoon Storm

Wow! What a storm! I got over 2 inches of rain. I drove in the storm a bit. When I stopped, the wind bounced the truck. There was a number of trees down around the neighborhood and some minor flooding. Fortunately, my house and the dogs survived.

Fayetteville, Sales Tax Bond Issue

I was at the Council of Neighborhoods where Mayor Dan Coody made a presentation about the Sept 12th bond issues. I have written about it on a previous post. Mayor Coody made a few more points which I feel are pertinent.
The Mayor said if the sewer bond issue failed then the sewer rats would increase 50% for the next 22 years. If the sewer bonds passed, the tax would pay for improvements in 2 years. Hmmmm, do I want to pay 22 years for sewer or 2 years?
The Mayor said that if the transportation bond passes, then all the road improvements could be completed by 2013. If they don't pass, it would be 20+ years before they'd be built. Who's all for driving in the current traffic conditions for the next 20+ years!
The Mayor said that 50% of Fayetteville's sales taxes are paid by visitors to Fayetteville. Hey, I'm all for letting visitors pay half of the road and sewage costs.

More at NWAnews
Note: The news article makes it appear that the Council of Neighborhoods officially supported the sales tax. The Council did not take a vote for or against the bond issues. The meeting was entirely informational.

UPDATE: NWAnews prints a correction.

A story in Friday’s Northwest Arkansas Times may have left the impression that the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods voted to support all four ballot questions on the Sept. 12 city of Fayetteville election. The organization did not take a vote and did not issue an official stance.

Jim Lagrone, The Campaign Train

Saturday, about 80 people showed up to ride Jim Lagrone's Campaingn Train.



We managed to round up a few people for a group photograph just before we boarded the train.



At the Fayetteville stop Jim said a few words from the back of the train.


The train was fully stock with food and drinks and the ride was a good time to talk.





At Van Buren, there were more people and Jim made another speech.
I made a video of Jim's speech, however I turned the camera sideways to fit Jim in the field. I flipped it on my video software but when I uploaded it to YouTube they flipped it back. So, if you want to see Jim rightside up, flip your monitor sideways. Hey, this is the first time I've done this. I'm learning, I'm learning!

Life in the Garden

Tyler crawling through the Coleus.

More at Friday Ark

The Joys of Styrofoam Packing

Tigger has nabbed it to sleep in/on.

Bows has decided to play with it.


More at Friday Ark

Eli and Bows, Computer Hogs

Aaak! It's hard to get any work done with one cat at the computer, impossible with two!

More at Friday Ark

Why Terrorists Love Democrats

Reuters

Judge Anna Diggs Taylor said the controversial practice of warrantless wiretapping known as the "Terrorist Surveillance Program" violated free speech rights, protections against unreasonable searches and the constitutional check on the power of the presidency.

Since the founding of our nation, presidents have always had the ability to spy on our enemies. One of the primary functions of the President is to keep the nation and it's people safe. Judge Taylor, a liberal Democrat and Carter appointee, have joined the rest of the Democrat party and made sure that the government can't utilize the Surveillance Program to get us safe. It's weird that Judge Tayor claims that this ruling is protecting the rights of Americans afforded them under the Constitution. There are apparently exceptions, like the right to life and liberty which terrorists would like to rid us of. Amazingly, her ruling comes just one week after the British foil a massive terrorist plot using this type of program. The Democrats are so blind.

Press Release

The Justice Department will seek an immediate stay of the opinion and appeal. Until the Court has the opportunity to rule on a stay the parties have agreed that enforcement of the ruling will be stayed.

Fortunately the decision likely would be overturned by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. In the meantime, the Democrats will see this ruling as a victory over President Bush. What they won't see is that people keeping identifying them as the Party that will not protect American.

Fayetteville, Clabber Creek Trail

Waaaah Hoooo! Finally! The west side of Fayetteville is getting a trail. There was a ground breaking ceremony for the first section of the Clabber Creek Trail.

It begins by the Rupple Road Bridge and goes west to Wildflower Meadows. The trail will .7 miles in length.

The trail will be constructed of asphalt, but they bush hogged it so that anyone who wished could walk it.

These guys are part of the trail construction crew.

Wal-Mart, Fighting Back Against Democrats

Wal-Mart is going after some Democratic politicians running for president. It has sent out to it's Iowa employees a "voter education guide" which criticizes those Democratic politicians who have joined up with "Wake Up Wal-Mart."

"We believe it's wrong for these political candidates to attack Wal-Mart and the transformation under way at our company," the letter said. "We would never suggest to you how to vote, but we have an obligation to tell you when politicians are saying something about your company that isn't true."
"We want you to know that your voice matters when these political candidates attack your company. We urge you to talk with your friends, your family and your neighbors about the good Wal-Mart does," the letter said.

I don't think it's really smart for Democrat politicians to attack the largest employer in the U.S. If the Democrats keep attacking, Wal-Mart may do more than just print voter guides.

Story

Fayetteville, Sales Tax Bond Election

The city of Fayetteville has put on their website documents handed out to the City Council during a presentation on the bonds. The proposed sales tax goes to fund the completion of the Wastewater System Improvement Project (WSIP) and to complete Phase I of the transportation Improvement Project (TIP).
I've particular noted within this document that if the bond issue for the WSIP failed, then the City Council would have to increase the sewer and service charges.

the average user pays $56.25 per month for water/sewer/solid waste services, and that bill would increase to $63.54 after the rate increase.

So, damned if you do and damned if you don't. It no longer becomes a decision of whether or not you'll pay, but how you'll pay. Me, I think I'd prefer the tax. This way everyone who shops in Fayetteville will pay for WSIP not just Fayetteville residents. Hey, spread the pain around.

The proposed TIP will cost approximately 68 million dollars and

If these questions fail, street improvements will be paid through the annual street CIP (about $2.5 million per year compared to $68 million in bond issues over 8 years)

Yeah, do the math. It would take about 27 years to get those roads paid for. I don't think I want to wait that long. Traffic in Fayetteville already sucks. With all the new housing developments, just think what the traffic will be like in 27 years. I'd rather pay the pain of taxes than to endure the current roads for the next 20 years.

This table shows the taxes for other cities in the area. The proposed taxes will give Fayetteville a tax rate the same as Springdale and Fort Smith and just ¼ ¢ more than Rogers and Bentonville. I can live with that.

The Terrorists Have Won!

The ceasefire resolution cobbled together by the U.N. is a disgraceful piece of crap. What was President Bush thinking? What happen to the President who was tough on terrorists? Why have a ceasefire that you know is doomed to failure?

When America was attacked we went after and took down 2 terrorist nations. Why can America guard it's right of self-defense so dearly, yet is willing to deny it to the state of Israel?

This resolution has severely damaged our war on terrorism. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, not a country. The resolution that was signed addresses it as if it were a country. The resolution treats Hezbollah and Israel as if they were equals.

Well, this resolution will give Iran and Syria the opportunity to regroup and reload Hezbollah. The feeble and compromised mix of U.N. peacekeepers and the Lebanese army, if they manage to organize it, will fail to stop them. Israel will once again be attacked by Hezbollah, who will be better prepared for the Israeli forces. I hope that Israel uses the ceasefire to decide whether they are really going to wipe out Hezbollah or just slap it around a bit.

Playing With Arkansas Job Growth Numbers

John Brummett is making the same mistake as other Democrats are at the national level; the current occupant is no longer running for office. I know he is trying to say that since Mike Huckabee, a Republican, isn't so good at job growth as other Democrat governors, another Republican governor would do the same.

every Arkansas governor from Ben Laney in 1946 onward held office during periods in which the state's job growth outpaced national job growth on an annualized percentage basis -

Since 1946, Arkansas has had 14 governors of which 3 were Republican. It's not much to make a comparison with.

The late Frank White, another Republican, actually lost jobs in his two years as governor, but not by as big a percentage as the recession-laden nation lost them at the same time.

A time when it would be difficult for any governor to create job growth. I remember trying to get a jobs in California at that time, it really sucked.

Annualized job growth under Winthrop Rockefeller, the other Republican, was 2.8 percent, better than the national rate of 2.1 percent, but barely half of Bumpers' and Pryor's rates

Maybe Rockefeller set the pattern so Bumpers and Pryor had to do better and of course the economic climate may have been better.
Brummett just went too far on this. Yeah, Huckabee should have concentrated more on job growth and it will not look well for his bid for the Presidency. Asa Hutchinson, other the other hand, has recognized the importance of job growth saying that

bringing more and better-paying jobs to Arkansas will be the number one issue for his campaign and the guiding focus of his administration as Arkansas Governor.GROW ARKANSAS

I've never heard Asa say that he'd run the state of Arkansas just like Mike Huckabee did. Democrats, just remember, President Bush and Governor Huckabee aren't running for office this year.

Tigger and the Laundry

Is the laundry done? Here, I'll help! Just put it on the bed and don't bother with folding it just yet. I need to take a nap. Come back when I've finished.


Swing by Friday Ark

Casey and Tyler

Yesterday's afternoon shower brought Tyler out of hiding. I brought him in the house to feed him. Casey followed Tyler around as he explored the kitchen.



Swing by Friday Ark

Darn, No Walk!

Casey and I are watching it rain from the garage. With the heat comes unexpected thundershowers.


Swing by Friday Ark

Banned!

Everyone one is dumping anything liquid in all the garbage cans in the airports. What is airport security thinking? Why are they putting all these explosive liquids into a garbage can in a crowd of people?
Seriously, just think of all the stuff people are tossing in the trash. They're going to have to call out Hazmet to cart that stuff out.

Sleep Study

I did a sleep study last night because I've had trouble waking up several times during the night. It took the technician about an hour to hook me up to all of the wires. Wouldn't you know it, I couldn't get to sleep. I managed to doze a few hours, but not my normal sleep. I don't know why I couldn't, because I was/am really tired. Sheesh! I'll probably have to do the test over again.

Fayetteville, Rupple Road Error

From NWA News:

A part of Rupple Road is going to be narrower than what was planned because of an error on the construction plans. They are saying that the problem orignally started with plans from the architect and engineering firm. Then the error was missed by Fayetteville's engineering staff. The narrowing of the road will not cause any traffic problems but they will be leaving out space dedicated to bicycles. I think that is a mistake. The new school and the Boys and Girls Club are located on this part of the road. There will be a lot of children from the neighborhoods traveling to both these places on bikes. The lost of a bicycle lane will make it less safe for them.
This has been a second mistake coming out of the City of Fayetteville. People are not going to willing to approve bond issues if they see the City making these big mistakes. Why does the city have such a difficult time making sure the people they contract with do they job they're suppose to be doing? Mayor Coody and the City Council need to get their act together. They need to either find more competent companies or supervisor them better.

Repeating History

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905

Apparently the world has not learned the lessons of WW II. I am watching the World's inability to see and condemn evil. The World has embraced and is now becoming part of the evil. The World should be condemning the terrorists who have started wars, killed civilians and expressed their desire to destroy Israel and the United States. The World has chosen instead to go out of it's way to accommodate the Islamic terrorists. The World has, in fact, decided that Israel and the United States are the perpetrators of evil. The World has taken to calling evil, good and good, evil.
There is still a chance that the World can turn from the destructive path that led to WW II. Let us pray that it does.

Ispired by Victor Davis Hanson

Do We Want to Win?

Nearly 2 years ago,

In a speech to the national convention of the American Legion, Bush said, "We meet today in a time of war for our country, a war we did not start yet one that we will win.

"In this different kind of war, we may never sit down at a peace table," Bush said. "But make no mistake about it, we are winning and we will win."

Is attempting to create a cease-fire with Israel and a known terrorist group, Hezbollah, winning the War on Terror? Why is the Bush Administration and the United Nation dealing with Hezbollah as if it were a recognized nation? Hezbollah should be treated like Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. After all, Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any jihad group except al Qaeda. We should be supporting Israel in it's efforteliminateinate Hezbollah. President Bush needs to stop muddling up the War on Terror and stop the politically correct language that fails to define Hezbollah as terrorists. If President Bush allows the U.N. to bar Israel from destroying Hezbollah, we start losing the war on terrorism.

Summer Weather

Wow! Friday night there was a thunderstorm which dumped 1½ inches of rain within a hour. It flooded the front sidewalk. The rain was much needed. It saved me from watering this weekend. They're forecasting a really hot week. ICK!

Sleeping Bows

I don't know how she can sleep like that!

Stop by Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats for more cuties.

Pure Heaven

Ahhh, it doesn't get any better than this! Fresh, warm laudry to sleep in or on.

Stop by Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats for more cuties.

Summer Days

One of the best things about summer is tomatoes fresh from the garden. I picked a big bowl of them last night and made salsa tonight. I'm going to surprise my co-workers tomorrow. That is, if I don't eat the whole bowl tonight. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Democrats Rally Against Wal-Mart

I had written in a previous post on warning Democrats that they bash Wal-Mart at their peril. A majority of the people they claim to represent shop at Wal-Mart. They did not heed the warning. U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman and opponent Ned Lamont showed up at a rally stop from a cross-country tour sponsored by WakeUpWalMart.com, a anti-Wal-Mart union-backed group.

"We're all together today in wanting to wake up Wal-Mart and say, 'Treat your workers fairly,'" Lieberman told several hundred people gathered outside in stifling heat. He later added, "It is time for the American people to get together to support Democrats who support working people."
"This is about waking up Wal-Mart and this is also about waking up corporate America," Lamont said.

Are more and more Democrats going to come out bashing Wal-Mart? I wonder if this Wal-Mart bashing will start being seen in the any of the national elections?

Mike Beebe's Education Plan; Spend and Spend

Mike Beebe's education plan is nothing more than spending more money.

proposed a $40 million expansion of voluntary prekindergarten classes
Beebe, Arkansas' attorney general, would support the expansion through revenue growth, using money from the state's estimated $487 million budget surplus

I'd like to know what the total cost of Beebe's education program will be. Looking through all the programs he's proposing, it looks as if they will cost quite a bit of money. Is he eye-balling that budget surplus and expecting to use it to pay for his programs. It looks as if Beebe is going to keep Arkansas taxes high. What happens if Beebe sets up these programs using money from the surplus and that surplus drys up? He'll have to increase taxes further to keep the programs going. We definitely need to defeat Beebe in November!

Paron HS, Again

Paron High School is about to be closed again, unless the Paron patrons can get another injunction.

Chris Heller, an attorney for the Paron patrons, said the Supreme Court’s decision was just a temporary setback.
Attorneys for Paron on Wednesday are expected to ask Moody to hold another injunction hearing, Heller said.

I'm glad they are going to keep fighting. They've brought the issue of rural schools to the Arkansas public. Hopefully this starts the trend of parents getting control of their schools back from the elitist Education Commission in Little Rock. Asa Hutchinson has already said that

he will require the state Department of Education to set reasonable standards for bus rides for students living in rural and Delta communities

Great job, you folks in Paron!