Less Construction Hurts Mexico, America's Fault

One of the consequences to the down turn in new home construction is that Mexicans are out of work. These illegals no longer have the money to send back to their families in Mexico and according to the LA Times it's America's fault. Huh! How in the hell are we to blame? Those poor illegals not receiving their illegals wages because the evil, selfish Americans won't build new houses.

Hey! Here's a flash. Mexico's economic woes are not the fault of America. We aren't the bad guy here. Mexico is responsible for its own problems. It has more than enough oil, gas and minerals to make it as rich as any nation. However, it keeps putting in power corrupt socialist politicians and elitists who plunder the country. I can't blame the Mexican people for wanting to escape the failed policies of Mexico, but it is their own fault. They are the ones letting Mexico slide into poverty.

One wonders at the hard work and effort the Mexican people apply to get to and stay in America. Why can't they use some of that determination to better Mexico's economy? All the money and time they spend trying to get to America can be spent making Mexico better. Why can't they build the American dream in Mexico instead of bringing their 3rd world culture to America?

One has to wonder too, what happens if the American economy starts slowing down? What happens when U.S. citizens lose their jobs and start looking into the jobs illegal are occupying. What is going to happen to the employer who has hired these illegals instead of an unemployed U.S. citizen? Things could get very nasty for the illegal workers.

Aching Through the Weekend

I hurt, I hurt! Oh boy! What a weekend! Every muscle in my legs are hurting me. I took Casey out to Lake Fayetteville. I took off his leash, so he could run around. I have never walked around the Lake so fast. I bet Casey walked twice the mileage I did. He did really well. He came when I called him and waited when I told him to hold.

I tried to do some gardening when I came home from the Lake, but my legs refused to move. It wasn't much better this morning. Somehow I managed to get through the agility training. I did get some gardening done this afternoon. It sure was warm though.

Eli, Not Interested In Playing

Look, I don't want to play with that stupid feather. I want to sleep. Will you just leave me alone! Why don't you go and bug the other cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Chicken Feathers to the Democrats

Over at Michelle Malkin these is a suggestion to send to the Democrat House and Senate leaders white feathers symbolizing cowardice. Hell, this is Tyson country! We can send them truck loads of feathers. Heck, there's a chicken farm down the road. I wonder what they'd say if I'd ask for some chicken feathers?

Carbon Offsets Fraud

Well, it was bound to happen.

A Financial Times investigation has uncovered widespread failings in the new markets for greenhouse gases, suggesting some organisations are paying for emissions reductions that do not take place.

Truly, I don't believe those people or organizations purchasing carbon credits really cared if they actually got them. They are mostly interested in the perception that they are doing something to combat global warming without having to make any sacrifices themselves. Hollywood elites like Gore and DiCaprio can buy these indulgences that allow them to continue to live the jet-set life while pretending to be environmentally pure.

There is probably going to be some attempt to have a Federal body oversee the selling of carbon indulgences. Whatever form it will take, it will be certain to waste more resources than the carbon indulgences claim to save.
The bottom line is that if people truly want to make sure they are reducing their carbon footprint, they are going to have to make the sacrifices themselves rather than paying others to do it for them.

For those of you who don't want to change your lifestyle but would like to have a clear conscience, for a small donation, the Bien's Carbon Offset Organization
will plant maple and elm trees to help combat global warming.

Global Warming & Daylight Saving Time

This letter by Connie Meskimen of Hot Springs is making headlines because people have been taking it way too seriously.

As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate.

I guess there are too many people that just don't have a sense of humor.

Earth Day, Bah Humbug!

No, I didn't celebrate Earth Day. I didn't do anything special nor attended any Kumbaya, touchy-feely observances. I'm not participating in what is becoming a trendy fad. I never did do fads. This guy decided I should celebrate Earth Day. He left me a Loblolly pine tree with instructions to plant it. I don't want a pine tree in my yard, thank you very much. I could use a little more compost for my compost heap. Yep, I tossed that little pine tree in that pile. I couldn't toss in the container the tree was planted in. The Earth Day dude gave me a plastic cup that wasn't degradable. I had to throw that in the trash so it can be tossed in a land fill.

Won't Touch Those Hands

Sheryl is one person you don't want to shake hands with.

Singer Sheryl Crow has said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment. Crow has suggested using "only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required".

Lord knows how she does it, but I'm not going to do it. One of the things I promised myself when I finished school and started my career, I was going to buy the really good toilet paper and not skimp on it. No global warming, rich, twit is going to cut into one of my few luxuries.

Most of the talk radio hosts were making fun of Sheryl and the funniest was Rush Limbaugh. Many callers insisted that using one sheet was possible. He had an on-air demonstration of how to use one sheet of toilet paper. I had a good laugh! What a Hoot!

National Laboratory Week

Today begins the celebration of National Laboratory Week. This week is in recognition of approximately 280,000 medical laboratory professionals and pathologists. We are the people you rarely see but always hear your physician talk about. You know, we are sending this to the "lab" or we got your results from the "lab". We are the people who work in the "lab". We provide the critical testing your doctor uses to accurately diagnose, treat and monitor your health. I have been a cytotechnologist for nearly 20 years and I still find it fascinating to be able to diagnosis cancer or pre-cancer by looking at cells through a microscope. I've probably had over 300,000 patient's test pass through my microscope. Amazing!

Fayetteville's Road Impact Fee, Failed

It's a tie! Which in reality means that the impact fee failed. So, what's next? Well, the city still needs to find money to build roads. I'm thinking they are going to be looking at raising property taxes. Yeah, everyone is going to be really happy with that. I think that the city should do nothing at least for a couple of years. If only 4,030 people voted, then Fayetteville's road conditions must not be all that bad. People have a tendency not to do anything until a situation gets really bad. I figure we just wait until people reach that threshold on the roads. When things get bad enough people will turn up and vote for something like an impact fee.

Casey, AKC, ILP

I've received notice from the American Kennel Club that Casey has been given an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP). The ILP allows Casey to compete at AKC events. They recognize him as being a purebred Golden Retriever.

There are various reasons why a purebred dog might not be eligible for registration. The dog may be the product of an unregistered litter, or have unregistered parents. The dog's papers may have been withheld by its breeder or lost by its owner. Sometimes, it is the dog itself that was "lost."

These are the pictures I sent in to the AKC to get him the ILP.

More dogs at Friday Ark

Cat Food Recalled

Ahhh, crap, crap, crap! The cat's dry food was recalled. I received a notice from the store that my scheduled order was indefinitely canceled.

The chemical, melamine, is believed to have contaminated rice protein concentrate used to make a variety of Natural Balance Pet Foods products for both dogs and cats, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The Natural Balance Venison and Pea has been really good for Bows when she was diagnosised with IBS. Several months ago the vet said that she was doing great and her blood work was back to normal. She has gain enough weight back, that I'm going to have to put her on diet. Anyway, I've order another unique protein and carbohydrate dry food. I hope it works well too.

Maybe Bows can drum up some sympathy at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

Brain Sucking No Longer Legal

The Supreme Court has ban sucking babies brains from their skull, or loving know as Partial Birth Abortion. I hope this is just the first step in eliminating the barbaric custom of killing our babies. Did I just say that? No, I must get a grip. There are just too many people with hatred in their souls and who enjoy nothing more than to killing the innocent. I know that abortion-rights advocates are right now planning their fund-raising efforts. They are going to make sure that they get Democrats elected for the presidency and Congress. This decision will be at the top of every fundraising letter from NARAL, NOW, and the DNC for the next eighteen months.

Arkansas Wines, Leaves a Sour Taste

From the NWAnews. Arkansas legislators have got to stop passing legislation protecting the piddling little wineries of Arkansas. I'm sorry, but I think Arkansas wine taste like crap and I'd never buy it. I have found other wines in my limited travels that taste a whole lot better and I'd like to purchase them. Unfortunately I can't because they aren't allowed to ship it to me in Arkansas.

In June 2005, Little Rock cardiologist Scott Beau sued in U. S. District Court in Little Rock to have the law overturned. His goal was to force Arkansas to allow out-of-state wineries to ship directly to him and other Arkansas oenophiles.

I am in total agreement with James Tanford, an Indiana University law professor representing Beau.

Tanford supports opening up the state to direct-to-consumer shipment of out-of-state wine. He voiced strong displeasure with Act 668 ’s prohibition of direct-to-consumer shipping. He said the law protects the wholesalers’ franchise at the expense of wine drinkers who can’t get boutique wines at stores in Arkansas.

It time to let those who enjoy wine and pursue it as a hobby buy from other wineries in other state. It's not fair that other states have allowed direct-to-consumer shipping and Arkansas won't because of the wholesalers’ hold on the distribution of out of-state wines, and the Arkansas wineries crying about protecting their small little business. Steve Jones says it all,

Steve Jones, an El Dorado physician and wine drinker, complained that despite the new law, oenophiles will nevertheless be deprived of many choice vintages.
"It’s not a cost-effective situation for small wineries to ship their wines to a small state like Arkansas," he said. "There’s not going to be a grocery store interest in those wines because they’re considered low sale volume."
Jones described his preferred remedy.
"Simply legalize what a lot of people do," he said. "Allow winery or retail outlet shipments directly to the consumer’s doorstep."

In case you're curious, these are my favorite wines, this, this, and the Great White.

Virginia Tech, The Blame Game Started

It didn't take long for the liberals to start blaming Bush, Republicans, and the NRA for what happened at Virginia Tech. All the evil things done in the world and throughout history is the fault of Bush and the Republicans. Sheesh! Get a grasp on reality!

There is just no way to make everyone perfectly safe by getting rid of guns. Killers who want to kill people will have the determination to find some way to do it. Governor Ed Rendall said it best after the Amish school shooting last year

"You can make all the changes you want, but you can never stop a random act of violence by a person who is intent on killing themselves."

I like what Rush Limbaugh said this morning.

Remember this: the two biggest acts of terrorism in this country occurred with box cutters, pocketknives, gasoline, and fertilizer. That would be 9/11 and Oklahoma City, and everybody knows it. I'll tell you something else: killers know that it is a crime to kill people, and they don't care!

The only person responsible for the murders is the killer himself. It was entirely his decision. There are many evil people in this world. While we hope to stop them before they commit such tragedies we aren't going to stop them all. We should learn from the irony of Virginia Tech. From James Taranto

When are people going to stop looking for scapegoats. Appalachian is a private institution, Virginia Tech a public one; and Virginia law prohibits guns on campus. Early last year there was an effort in the state Legislature to change that law, but it died in committee. As the Roanoke Times reported at the time:
Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."

Virginia Tech Shooting

No, I don't understand why someone would decide to murder so many people. I don't understand the depth of pain and hatred that would propel one to so coldly and brutally murder all those studens. No, it just doesn't make sense. In the middle of the big "WHY?", my prayers are with the friends and family of the ones who were killed.

Legends, Done Like Amateures

Wow, they were bad! Friday night I went to see Legends with Linda Evans and Joan Collins. It was hard to believe that these ladies are famous actresses. What I saw last night was a performance one sees with amateurs. Unless you are absolute die-hard fans of Linda Evans and Joan Collins this is one play not to see unless the price is low. The play itself is a nice little story. It's too bad they casted these two as the major characters. The highlights of the play were the 2 actors who played the maid and the producer. Tonye Patano, who plays Aretha, the maid was absolutely fantastic. She was the highlight of the show. I would love to see more of her. Joe Farrell, playing the producer, was really great too. These two deserved better actresses playing the major characters.
At the end of the play, Linda Evans and Joan Collins got their standing ovation. Not because of their acting, but because of who they are.

What Ever It Takes

I believe by sleeping in my "to do" basket Eli is dropping the hint that I need to pay more attention to him. In order to get to my work I'd have to pick him up. Clever Eli!

Penquin Sightings on Wedington Drive

I've been seeing this penguin at various locations on Wedington Drive. It's an advertising gimmick, but for what? The only thing I can think of is Penguin Ed's. Maybe they are opening a new restaurant on Wedington. Anyone know?


UPDATE:
I received this e-mail:

Dear Valerie,
You guessed right! Penguin Ed's West will hopefully open Tuesday April 17th. Our official address is 6347 Wedington Dr. #6, we're next to the Daycare and "Tickled Pink." Thanks for your interest. Just a note: that large penguin was part of the "March of the Penguins" we participated in a few years back, which raised $ for a new penguin exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo.
Thanks Again,
Liz Knight (Ed's daughter)

Fayetteville, Impact Fee Vote

Wow! This is one election in which every vote is important. The impact fee ordinance was approved Tuesday, 2,015 to 2,014. This is unofficial since there maybe some overseas ballots that might show up. I had a hard time making a decision on this issue. I was a bit concerned that the fee schedule didn't have enough tiering, so that less expensive houses would pay less. I also knew that if this didn't pass they'd be raising property taxes, which I definitely don't want to pay. What made me decide to vote for the impact fee was the Citizens 4 Fayetteville, which opposed the fees. I didn't appreciate their dishonest and deceptive advertising about the impact fee. I also didn't like the fact that they raised $40,000 to fight the fee. If these developers are raising so much money on this little election they aren't really hurting for money, are they?

Imus and Culture of Bitches, Niggas, and Hos

From the NY Daily New Editorial

For the words Imus uttered - "nappy-headed ho's" - were nothing less than hateful, and such talk has no place in this world and should not and must not be tolerated without stern rebuke under any circumstance.

Except for hip hop and rock singers, black politicians, black preachers, any movie or TV show and any person who is deemed part of the socialist elitist culture. Where do people think Imus picked up the very terminology he used? Yup, from the very culture that is screaming bloody murder that he used it. This is the language black people use themselves on the street to refer to one another. If they are OK with using it with one another then Imus is going to assume it's OK for him to use it. No, No, No says Snoop Dogg. Only blacks can call women hos and bitches and only black people can call other black people niggas.
So, Imus gets booted off MSNBC. When are they going to get rid of all the racist, sexist garbage that continually flows from the radio and TV?

Michelle Malkin has a good roundup of the top "artists" works. Warning: offensive language.

Global Warming's Newest Threat

People so darned concerned about global warming have been buying carbon offsets so that they can continue with their current lifestyle guilt free. One of the most common ways to satisfy a carbon offset is to plant trees. After all, trees supposedly help cool the Earth.
But, the latest threat to old planet Earth is all those darn pine forests up north in Europe, Siberia and Canada. A NAS report says those forests may contribute to global warming because they trap sunlight reflected from snow — making the Earth warmer. It says some computer models suggest that cutting forests in higher altitudes may reduce global warming.
Words fail me when these people keep coming up with stupid ideas like this.

Global Warming, Newt Gingrich vs John Kerry

Newt Gingrich and John Kerry debated global warming on C-Span today. I was sadly disappointed in Newt. While Newt had a more sensible position on global warming than Kerry, this debate sure wasn’t his best. Newt agreed that humans were impacting the world's temperatures, and that we were teetering towards a disaster that demanded action. The meat of the debate was that Kerry's approach to solving global warming was through a coercive regulatory litigation machine which would be exorbitantly costly and would transfer a massive amount of power to bureaucrats. Newt took the position that we need to develop new technologies and give people monetary incentives to produce these new technologies. His was the market-based, technological approach.
As far as I'm concerned, when Newt agreed with Kerry that global warming was caused by humans, he lost the argument. I'm thinking that in the coming years Congress is going to enact new legislation to try to curb global warming. It's going to cost us dearly.

Casey, A-Frame Action

Brrr! What a cold weekend! I made it to the Farmer's Market but we didn't stay too long. There weren't that many vendors and it was really cold. I got my trees but I think they've been damaged a bit by the cold. Well, they can join the rest of the trees, shrubs and plants that got damaged around my house. I had every available sheet, pillow case and towel out but I couldn't protect everything. I'll see in the next few weeks what got killed.
Casey was suppose to have a 9 AM training session, but our trainer, Mari, changed it to 2 PM. That was fine with me. I didn't want to brave the cold and the afternoon session made sure that I didn't take a nap. Mari took Casey over the A-frame a couple of times so I could get a picture of him.

Fayetteville, Farmer's Market Opening

I am going to brave the freezing temperatures tomorrow morning to pick up a tree and a shrub at the City of Fayetteville's tree give-away. I've already killed 2 dogwoods. Here's hoping the third time's a charm. Later I'll be taking the dogs to the square to peruse what's available. Hopefully some one has onions. If you are up to braving the cold, come and say hi. I'm the one with 2 golden retrievers, one old and one young. You can't miss us.

Dog Biscuits from Wal-Mart

Dog treats sold at Wal-Mart made by Sunshine Mills Inc is being recalled.

The recall included specific brands like Wal-Mart's Ol'Roy, as well as a portion of Sunshine's own Nurture, Lassie and Pet Life dog biscuit brands.

I forgot about the dog biscuits. Yep, I have the Pet Life biscuits I bought at Sam's. Right on the label the first ingredient is wheat. Arrrgh! I just bought that box several weeks ago, now I have to toss the whole box. However, I still need treats to bribe Casey. I pulled out the Quaker Oats cookbook and modified the oatmeal cookie recipe and made some dog biscuits.

April Snow

I can't believe it! It's snowing! This morning the sun was out and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. I wanted to be outside instead of at work. Weather sure can change fast here.

Waco Taco

The new Taco Bell on Wedington Dr. had it's grand opening today. Boy, the parking lot and the drive-thru was really crowded! They had a taco out front. I couldn't resist taking a picture of it.

Fayetteville, Trail Ribbon Cutting

The City of Fayetteville officially opened the Town Branch Creek Trail today. I took the dogs with me as I attended the ceremony. Casey was a bit embarrassing as he tried to goose Mayor Coody. I even got to cut a portion of the ribbon.

Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator, announced a new trails guide brochure. It has all the current trails and also trails that will be built in the coming years. After the ceremony I walked the trail. It's nice but not very long.

Vet Trip and Dog Food Scare

Casey and Trixie went to the vet today. Trixie needed all her yearly shots and Casey needed just the Bordetella booster. Of course we talked about the food the dogs were eating and the contaminated food. The vet told me that Alpo had just been listed on the recall list. Arrrgh! I checked the Purina web site. Safe! The canned Alpo I get was not listed. Whew! I then went through all the pet food checking for the wheat gluten. None, all safe! What a relief!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Whew! It's been non-stop here since Saturday. The garage sale went pretty good. Eli did a good job supervising the garage sale. I was able to get rid quite of bit of stuff. Make it cheap enough and people will buy it. It wasn't the best day for it. It was really windy. There was only 1 very brief shower but I was able to pull everything in the garage. I spent the rest of the day cleaning up the garage and boxing up what was left from the garage sale. I'll be making a trip to the Salvation Army this weekend. I now have more space in my cupboards, garage and attic.

Casey started up his agility training on Sunday. He did really good. He didn't forget any of the obstacles. We're going to now concentrate on getting him running ahead of me and without me. That dog is too darn fast for me to follow him through the course. The rest of Sunday I spent working in the yard. I got nearly everything cleaned out and weeded. I did get all the early crops planted, lettuce, onions, potatoes and swiss chard. Tigger supervised the work under the lilac bush next to the thyme. Needless to say, Monday I woke up really, really sore.