The AP Needs Midol

LGF has noticed that the AP seems to be suffering from PMS.

It’s the same poll, but the AP’s two stories couldn’t be more different. On December 30: AP poll: Americans optimistic for 2007.

And on December 31, after the editors apparently decided their first take was too positive: Poll: Americans see gloom, doom in 2007.

Lord, don't you just hate those mood swings!

Fayetteville, Graffiti Blues

Fayetteville has been seeing an increase in graffiti. The city and the police are trying to get rid of it.

Fayetteville police and other city officials are looking at how best to amend a city ordinance to make it more effective regarding graffiti and graffiti cleanup.

I don't particularly like the way they intend to clean up graffiti.

Police already have a way to charge the painter. A new ordinance would be about requiring the property owner to remove the graffiti.

I understand the need to quickly remove the graffiti as soon as possible. The longer it is present the more likely that more graffiti will show up. However, I don't think the property owners need to victimized twice.

City staff met this month and discussed using a Springdale anti-graffiti ordinance as the model for a Fayetteville ordinance. It includes a definition and a declaration process for determining the graffiti as unsightly and a nuisance, and it talks about removal and the city's right to action if the graffiti is not removed.

Our neighborhood association has been hit twice with graffiti. It had been report to the police. While they were sympathetic with us they didn't offer any solutions on getting rid of it. I asked them about the best products to use, or if any business were doing graffiti removal. The police didn't know a darn thing. I called several businesses myself and they either wouldn't do it or said they would and didn't show up. I had to remove it myself, experimenting with different products to get rid of it.

Gabbard said the police department is also looking to partner with individuals or businesses to supply graffiti-removal products the department would provide to property owners.

This is the best solution. It would have been nice if the police had given me a list of products that worked or a list of businesses that would remove it. I would think that businesses have insurance to take care of paying for it or just include it their expenses. I see a problem if a household owner gets graffiti. They may not have the ability to pay for the removal. In that event, the police could have a list of volunteers who would do the job. One avenue of help is the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods. I'm sure the police would get plenty of people to help. Actually, since graffiti is a community problem it would be nice to see a partnership between business owners and neighborhoods to get rid of graffiti. I like to see the city go through these avenues first before trying to enforce a nuisance ordinance. There really is no need to violate a victim twice.

The Death of Saddam Hussein

The era of Saddam Hussein has ended. A big milestone for the Iraqi people. They have once again shown that they are a legitimate country with a fair judicial system. I hope the realization that Saddam will never rule Iraq again encourages the Iraqis to create a united and stable Iraq. Saddam's death is a win for justice. A brutal dictator was put to death because of the horrible crimes he committed against his own countrymen.
When will the other brutal dictators of the world be brought to justice? How long will the people of the world allow such evil men to rule? How many millions of people must die horrible deaths before the world stands up and take these evil men down?

Casey, All Mine!

Casey and Trixie got a really big bone for Christmas. I sawed it in half and gave them each a piece. Somehow, Casey ended up with both halves and he appears to be guarding them closely. Not to worry, once his back is turned Trixie will grab one.

More dogs at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Dogs

President Ford, Democrat's Hero

It use to be that President Ford was hated by the Democrats. After all, he pardoned President Nixon and spoiled their fun. Now that Bob Woodward writes that Ford disagreed with Bush about Iraq, the Democrats thinks he's a great president. Woodward seems to deliberately use President Ford's remarks to make President Bush look as bad as possible. Woodward reports that Ford told him he doesn't think he would have gone to war. However, another report by Thomas M. DeFrank has President Ford supporting the war.

"Saddam Hussein was an evil person and there was justification to get rid of him," he observed, "but we shouldn't have put the basis on weapons of mass destruction. That was a bad mistake. Where does [Bush] get his advice?"

President Ford just had a problem with using WMD's as the reason to go into Iraq. Of course, the Dinosaur Media will be going with Woodward's report because the objective is to have another President criticize Bush.
As for President Ford's question, I wonder if President Bush thought the only way he'd get the international community's approval to go into Iraq was Saddam Hussein's WMDs. The only possible justification for toppling Hussein was that he was in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Passports, Protecting Your Privacy

Starting in January the U.S. State Department will be using radio frequency identification chip. The idea is to make it easy for officials to access your personal stats. Which of course makes it just as easy for less than ethical people to get them too.
Wired recommends using a hammer.

4) The best approach? Hammer time. Hitting the chip with a blunt, hard object should disable it. A nonworking RFID doesn’t invalidate the passport, so you can still use it

The hammer might be the easiest but there are plenty of interesting ways a passport can accidently be smashed. It got dropped in the driveway and it got run over with the truck. I dropped a brick on it. Just make the accident plausible. Tampering with a passport is punishable by 25 years in prison.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a blessed day with their families. Christmas has been cold, windy and damp here. Perfect weather to stay indoors with the fire burning. Eli has staked out the rug in front of the fire. Yes, Santa has been very good to me today. Lots of books and CD's. The cats really appreciated the solar powered, lighted bird feeder. So much easier to catch snacks when you can see them better. (Just kidding, sis!)
Also, best hopes and wishes to our wonderful troops away from home. May God bless those that are keeping us safe.

More cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Christmas Eve

Brrrr! I'm a bit disappointed. I keep hoping for a white Christmas. Fortunately there was a hard freeze and the frost appears almost white. It feels like Christmas. I let the cats out as soon as it was light. The little buggers wanted in after only a few minutes outside.
All the Christmas shopping is done, I got all the cards out in time and all the Christmas goodies I baked are out of the house. I get to relax and enjoy myself.
I pick this up from Rita and decided to join the fun.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. Wrapping paper for family or it's going to unwrapped at Christmas. Bags, if it's opened as soon as I give it. Mostly used at work.

2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial, real is too messy and I hate cleaning.

3. When do you decorate? Thanksgiving weekend.

4. When do you take decorations down? New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Absolutely! Especially with a dash of rum.

6. Favorite gift you received as a child? Mmmm. We didn't have much money growing up so presents so few. I mostly remember the stockings. They were fill with nuts, oranges and chocolate candy. Treats we rarely got.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yup, it's one of the first things I unpack.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My mother. It seems like she has everything she needs or wants.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My co-workers. Food always works.

10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? Mail. It's like sending a Christmas present. They get the pleasure of opening it.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Well, I have received some that I've not been able to use.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Mmmm. The ones I probable watch every year is "Scrooge" and "It's a Wonderful Life"

13. When do you start shopping? I start picking up gifts and decorations at the craft fairs in October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. If it's a gift that I'm not going to be using I'll pass it on to some one who will.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Walnut Puffs and Hot & Spicy Pecans.

16. Clear or colored light? Definitely clear!

17. Favorite Christmas Song? "O Holy Night" and "Carol of the Bells"

18. Travel at Christmas? No, stay home, play carols, eat and build a fire.

19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeers? I have a hard time trying to remember people I've just met.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning with music and a good cup of coffee.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People trying to eliminate the meaning and symbols of Christmas.

23. Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas? I am always grateful for the gift of Jesus in my life.

24. What would you like for Christmas? A travel trailer.

Eli, Santa Kitty

Merry Christmas to my purr-fect feline friends! Give me lots of catnip or I'll leave coal in your litter boxes.

All of Santa's good boys and girls visit Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Dogs, Christmas Shopping

Oh boy! We're shopping for our Christmas presents! We meet a bunch of people who like to pet us. Which is only natural because we are so sweet and cute.

How about one of these tasty looking gerbals. Mmmmm. I bet they're fun to chase!
Ok, nix on the gerbals. How about a big juicy bone? They smell terrific. Here, I'll just go ahead and choose one. Aaah, man! Mom picked out collars. How come we always get clothes for Christmas?

Merry Christmas to all of our doggy friends. Santa's good boys and girls visit More dogs at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Dogs

Robots Have Rights Too?

I'm glad some one is thinking ahead. As robots get more sophisticated, acquire artificial intelligence and develop personalities, we should afford them the same rights that humans enjoy.

"There will be people who can’t distinguish that so we need to have ethical rules to make sure we as humans interact with robots in an ethical manner so we do not move our boundaries of what is acceptable."
"If granted full rights, states will be obligated to provide full social benefits to them including income support, housing and possibly robo-healthcare to fix the machines over time,"

But at what point in time will a robot be classified as a "person" instead of an object? Who will be the one to decide when a robot reaches "personhood"? The biggest question I have is, why are they ready to grant robots rights which they denied to our unborn children? We are truly a really sick society.

Jobs Americans Will Work

Well, it's good to know that the Swift plants are not going to be suffering a worker shortage because ICE rounded up their illegal workers.

GREELEY - The line of applicants hoping to fill jobs vacated by undocumented workers taken away by immigration agents at the Swift & Co. meat-processing plant earlier this week was out the door Thursday.

There must be something wrong. I thought these were the types of jobs only illegals would work. How about that! It seems that Americans don't mind working as a slaughterer. I guess President Bush is wrong.

God Bless Laura Bush

Unlike the Washington press corps who have been whining about not being notified about Laura's skin cancer, I wish her a speedy and full recovery. I swear, the press get more obnoxious every day. You know, I didn't hear them asking why they haven't been properly informed about Nancy Peolsi's face lifts or John Kerry's Botox shots.

Global Warming Denier

This from the group who named "macaca" (what the hell does it mean?) the most politically incorrect word

In second place on this year's list was "Global Warming Denier," for someone who believes that climate change has moved from scientific theory to dogma.
"There are now proposals that 'global warming deniers' be treated the same as 'Holocaust deniers: professional ostracism, belittlement, ridicule and, even, jail," Payack said.

I really don't like my questioning of global warming being equated with holocaust or genocide deniers. The Jewish Holocaust is an established historical fact. The mass murders of millions of human beings is well documented. The scientific evidence for global warming however is in flux. There are scientists on both sides with competing studies and computer models. I am well versed on how to read and analyze scientific papers. Right now, I am skeptical about the highly speculative data on global warming. There is just no way you can compare my thoughtful analysis of global warming theorys with some one who is delusional or contemptible enough to question the Jewish Holocaust.

Target on My Back

I swear I must have a target on my back. The "Powers That Be" must be out to get me. Friday, I was driving out of Sam's Club parking lot when a lady ran a stop sign and ran into me. The damage was minor and she had insurance, but I'm irritated because I've got to go through the process of getting it repaired. Arrrh! I did feel kinda of sorry for the lady. She was a bit shaken. I had to repeatedly tell her it was going to be alright. She must have been zoned out or distracted when she ran the sign. Now, I a bit worried about my trip to Little Rock today. My boss is driving and I've already been in a accident with him. I'm definitely going to be praying for traveling mercies.

The Tub is Ready

Casey and Trixie are getting a bath. Eli scopes out the "torture chamber". Actually, the dogs like their bath. They'll climb into the tub by themselves. Eli jumped out of the tub as soon as I turned on the water. No like water!

More cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Bath Time

Both dogs got a bath last night. Casey looks like it pooped him out.

Poor Trixie. Her hair is longer and thicker. It takes longer to dry.

More dogs at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Dogs

De-Annexing Paron

Bryant:"You take it!" State: "No! You Take it!" How about a game of hot potato? I guess the Bryant School District isn't so enamored with the Paron district after all. It wants a divorce.

The state Education Board has temporarily rejected the Bryant School District's effort to de-annex the former Paron district, saying it would prefer an alternative that didn't involve a state takeover.
De-annexation would move control of the ex-Paron district to the state. The Education Board voted today to table the proposal for 60 days. It also directed the Education Department and Bryant to develop an alternative.

Well, I suppose the State could decide to take Paron. Wouldn't that mean that the Bryant School District would have to return the consolidation money they received? I would assume that the Paron parents would then be suing the State instead of Bryant to get their school back. (Thanks Mark )

Women's Sports on Islam

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Gateway Pundit had this great photo of what women's sports would be like under Islam. To all you vast left wing feminists who sympathize with terrorists, it this how you wish to live?

Ukraine, Killing Babies for Stem Cells

Via BBC

Ukraine has become the self-styled stem cell capital of the world.
There is a trade in stem cells from aborted fetuses, amid unproven claims they can help fight many diseases.

It was only a matter of time. We now have the killing of babies solely for the purpose of harvesting stem cells. What's even more incredible is that the practice is so lucrative that mothers must now be afraid for their own babies.

In its report, the Council describes a general culture of trafficking of children snatched at birth, and a wall of silence from hospital staff upwards over their fate.

We started by justifying the destruction of embryos for stem cells. It has now turned into kidnapping and murdering babies. You give in to just a small evil and it turns into a tidal wave.

Day by Day, Too Sexy?

Captain Ed is asking whether Day by Day is too sexy for his blog.

Conservatives have a reputation for stultifying puritanism, and Chris wants to make conservatism provocative and help it to compete by breaking down stereotypes.

I enjoy DBD because it is a little more edgy then other cartoons. His characters are thought provoking and intelligent. Chris is right on top of most current issues. I go to his site every morning. Sometimes I think Chris's use of lack of clothing is a bit gratuitous. But really, I'm reading him for the ideas and the points he's making.
Occasionally, the lack of clothing contributes to the point he's making. The most recent being Sam's modeling for guns. I do think that a lot of newspapers will not carry him because of the scant clothing.
As for me unless he really goes overboard with full nudity I'll keep reading him. Although, now that I think about it, I have yet to see the guys in a thong. How about some equal time for us women?

Every Day Has Been Monday

Remember Garfield's catch phrase "I hate Mondays", usually because something bad always happened on Monday. Well, I've been having Mondays for the past week.

To start, I still don't have heat. The part that was suppose to be in on Thurs. didn't show up until today. Once the part was installed the repair guy says that my gas pressure was still too low and I'd have to call the gas company. So, call the gas company and hope they'll able to fix it tomorrow, then call the repair man back to finish the repair. Arrrrgh!

Thursday I had an appointment at the orthopedic clinic to see why the thumb I sprain in August was still hurting. The doctor told me I had tendonitis in the thumb. He called it a "trigger finger". He gave me a shot of cortisone, which really, really hurt. Yeah, I did scream. Well, it hurt! He told me if it didn't heal in a month he'd have to do surgery. Ahhh, Crap!

Saturday I finally got to replacing the wiperblades on my truck. I had taken off the old blade and was getting ready to put on the new one when the arm slipped from my hand. Yup! It hit the windshield. Made a nice crack in it too. I so wanted to sit down in my driveway and cry.

Now, I keep waiting for something else bad to happen. I'm starting to get frustrated at even the smallest little thing going wrong. Uggggh! I hate it when too many things go wrong at once.

Tigger's Pillow

Hmmmm, a nice warm jacket to lay on. I don't care if Mom complains about all the cat hair on the jacket. That's what you get when you let it lie around.

Visit more cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Gov. Huckabee, White Guilt

What the heck is Gov Huckabee talking about?

"One of the great challenges facing us is that we do not commit the same mistakes with our growing Hispanic population that we did with African Americans 150 years ago and beyond. We're still paying the price for the pathetic manner in which this country handled that," Huckabee said

Ahh, Mike, you might want to brush up on your history. African American's came over as slaves. The majority of Hispanics have come to the U.S. voluntarily and illegally. I don't see how giving illegals a free pass will some how make up for slavery and bigotry of blacks? Totally insane!
Hey, I tell you what. I promise not to buy an Hispanics for my plantation if you go read this.

Fayetteville, Light of the Ozarks

Have you see the new look of the Light of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville Square? Oh my God! It's hideous! Some one decided that the lights in the trees needed to red and green. It looks awful! Put red and green lights in some of the smaller shrubs but leave the trees white. I'm doing some complaining. Hopefully, next year it will be back the way it should.

The Heater is Broken

Bad news! Yesterday I came home and noticed that the heater wasn't working. I managed to get some one to come out today and look at it. Unfortunately, I need a gas value which I have to wait until Thursday to get. I'm not without heat. I have a couple of heaters which I've been using in the bedroom and office. I have a good fire going in the fireplace. It's heating up the living room really well. The cats have taken over the recliner which sits beside the fire. The house is actually quite comfortable.

Sam's Club Broke Ground

Finally, Sam's Club has broken ground in their new location in Fayetteville. I can't wait. It's on my way home from work so it'll be easy to stop by. It will definitely be more convenient than Springdale. It will probably cause some traffic problems on I-540 and 112. I hope it won't be too bad.

Arkansas, Go Hogs!

There are just some people that shouldn't be standing together.

Fayetteville, Dave Brubeck Quartet

What a fantastic night! Dave Brubeck is one of my favorite jazz artists. It was so great to see him perform. Yes, he did play "Take Five". Bobby Militello , alto sax, was hot! When he played you could feel it vibrate deep within. He was so good he brought tears to my eyes. His sax solos were so hot the crowd burst into applause every time. I only wish they could have played longer.
The Ramsey Lewis Trio played after the break. I've not heard about Ramsey. He is a great pianist. His style was more relax and laid back, more reflective of a classical pianist. This is the type of jazz I usually put on when I want to fall asleep.
One thing I hate. People who leave their phones on. During one of Ramsey's solos a man's phone rang, he answered and started a conversation. It didn't last long. His neighbors made sure of that.
I sat next to a woman (Julie) who had driven down from Iowa City with her husband just to see Dave. He teaches jazz and is a musician in his own right. Dan Knight I mentioned that I have gone to Iowa City a couple of time for pathology lectures. Julie said that one of the pathologists, who I know, was actually taking lessons from Dan. Small world!

Mike Beebe's Tax Cover Story

Mike Beebe is building a story to cover himself when he doesn't get the grocery tax phased out. He's going to blame it on "others" who are opposed to it.

Attorney General Mike Beebe, the governor-elect, said Thursday that he expects a fight in his bid to phase out the state sales tax on groceries

Beebe was never in favor of cutting the tax and only come out for it when it became an issue in the election. Now he's looking for ways to renege on his promise to phase out the tax. Beebe and his pals are already pawing through the budget surplus and they don't want to share it with Arkansas taxpayers. Beebe is counting on the tax surplus to court a lot of new friends and power.

It's Snow!

Casey really likes playing in the snow. We didn't get that much, but he enjoyed what we had.

Forget Talking, Fight!

Boy, I can dream that the Bush administration would take Andrew C. McCarthy's advice. I never could see the logic of trying to talk to people who make no bones about hating you and wishing that you were destroyed.

For our own sake, we need to respect the enemy. That means grasping that he's implacable, that he means us only harm, and that he must be subdued, not appeased. Negotiating with such evil is always a mistake, for any accommodation with evil is, by definition, evil.

History is littered with people who try to get along with evil. It never works. Overcoming evil can only be done by destroying it.

Those Flying Imams, Its a Stunt

From Pajamas Media

Now new information is emerging that suggests it was all a stunt designed to weaken security

Yeah, but the Dinosaur Media has been treating them as victims. Poor, innocent Muslins who were just quietly praying. Victims of Islamaphobia from those evil Americans. One of the passenger's account showed why is was so frightening.
Pauline's account

Quite frankly, if I saw this happening on a plane I'd walk off the plane.

I can only determine two possible scenarios:
Either they were planning to use the seat belt extenders to subdue hostages
and take over the plane and were caught by their suspicious activities
Or, it was done intentionally to induce suspicion and make a big public fuss to
intimidate security at the airports.

I wonder if the airlines are going to be intimidated so that they are not likely to confront passengers who do act suspiciously. I also wonder if the Imams can be charge with making terrorist threats? Naaah, I'm sure they will sue the airline and the airline will settle out of court.

Dust Baths

I was cleaning up the garden this weekend. Time to put it to bed for the winter. The weather was perfect. Bows decided it was a good time to take a dust bath.

After rolling around a bit, she decided to rub a bit of it off on me and deposit the rest of it in the house.

More cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Supervising the Break

I'm taking a break from cleaning up the garden. Bows is in front of me taking her dust bath. Casey was just watching us.

More dogs at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Dogs