Obama's Dollar Bills

Maybe I've been really inattentive lately and the Treasury Department has made some different dollar bills.

Nobody really thinks that, that, that Bush or McCain have a real answer for the challenges we face. So what they are going to try to do is make you scared of me. You know he--oh, he's not patriotic enough. He's got a funny name. You know, he doesn't look like all of those other presidents on those dollar bills.

Nope, I looked. All of my dollar bills still have only George Washington on them. Now, why would Obama want to look like George Washington? Hmmm, maybe Bush and McCain was talking about Obama's ears. His ears are the biggest I've seen on a president. Oh, didn't you know? Yes, Obama is President. Europe elected him.

UPDATE: In regards to the comment.
I was referring to Obama's speech in which he responds to the latest McCain Celeb ad.

Fayetteville's Renaissance Horror

The city of Fayetteville has shelled out $3.5 million dollars and all they've got to show for it is a mosquito farm. With the current credit crunch and the price of gas it's really hard to be optimistic about the Renaissance project ever being completed. John Nock and his partners has built some good projects around Fayetteville. It's just a shame that all of that is going to be overshadowed by the Renaissance. Of course, this attitude doesn't help either.

But owners and developers John Nock and Richard Alexander maintain that when they have paid the last of the liquidated damages to the city, their obligation to the city is over. "In my opinion, we've complied with the contract, done everything we said we'd do, and we still intend to build the hotel," Alexander said.

So there! We've been told to take a hike! I wouldn't think that it would be a very good idea to rub salt in the wound particularly when Nock and Alexander have another development that needs to pass through city council. You wonder if this development is going to be a bigger eyesore than the Renaissance. This one is going to be at the entrance of Fayetteville, so it will be one of this first things visitors see. I would hope that the city council has learned a lesson here and makes sure that South Pass doesn't become like Aspen Ridge or Renaissance.
Nock and Alexander could make things better by realizing they do have an obligation to the city. They just can't let the citizens endure such an eye sore. The Renaissance may take years to build, but in the meantime they could do something with the site. Clean it up a bit, landscape it, put some grass down or even fill in the hole.

The Campaigns for American Energy

Well, you've heard about the campaign Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less. (Make sure you sign the petition) There is another coalition that is organizing, Stop the War on the Poor.

Leaders from the civil rights, African American, evangelical, agriculture and consumer advocacy communities have launched a national campaign to publicly unmask more than 100 politicians and 50 environmental extremist groups that are waging an immoral "war on the poor" by pushing policies that limit America’s ability to produce more America energy and drive energy prices skyward.

I think Democrats who are fighting hard against utilizing our own energy sources are going to have a really hard time fighting this group. I mean, Democrats are supposed to be the ones who really, really care about the poor. Which is why I don't understand the Democrat's obstinate opposition to efforts to make American energy independent. I really like the groups promise to name the politicians and groups "who are helping to lead a War on the Poor by pushing policies that drive up the cost of energy".
So, $4 a gallon gas is America's tipping point. With all the pressure coming from ordinary citizens, legislators will have to do something. The conserve and alternative fuels only route is not going to satisfy people either. We should be getting the comprehensive energy program that we should have had in place 40 years ago. Unfortunately, this program will probably take 10 to 15 years to complete. Until then, we are going to have to deal with fluctuating and higher gas prices.

(h/t to Mark Martin)

NWA Geocachers, Meet & Greet

Whew! I made the NWA Geocachers meeting in Rogers. I zoomed up from the Republican Convention in LR with time to spare. It was great to meet some of the local cachers. Heh! Even meet a couple that live fairly close to me. I learned a bit about a few geocaches that were a little tricky and saw a cute mini ammo box. I found some one else who had a TB on their vehicle. In other geocaching news, my Geo-cat coin made it out to California. What a ride!

Arkansas Republican State Convention, 2008

9:55 AM If this a first? I will attempt to live blog the Republican Party of Arkansas State Convention. I managed to get an internet connection in the meeting room. Yahh! It'll make up for the fact that I left my camera battery at home. Bummer! The Convention is just about to start.

9:25 AM In the middle of the administrative business and committee reports . Jim Burnett was elected as the Convention Chair and Jennifer Park as Secretary. French Hill from the McCain Campaign gave an update. He exhorted delegates to turn out for McCain. He said there was too much at stake to remain ambivalent. McCain will be making a visit to NW Arkansas, August 8th. I'll post details later.

11:00 AM We have a special speaker, Governor Mike Huckabee. He said that he was in Rwanda the past 9 nine days. He explained that he was a little late getting back to the U.S. because during take-off the plane lost the engine on right side. Fortunately, they noticed it before the wheels retracted. Mike spoke about the difference between McCain and Obama. He said that Obama was running for President of Europe while McCain was campaigning for the President of the U.S. He spoke of Obama's plan to increase taxes particularly on small businesses. McCain, he said, was for less taxes and less excessive spending. He also chided Pelosi's, Reid's and Obama's unwillingness to have America utilize our own energy resources. The Democrates do not support the Drill Here, Drill Now campaign. Mike said that McCain may not be our first choice (Mike wasn't my first choice either) but it's important that we support him now because we don't want Obama as President. Mike congratulated Obama for being the first black securing a national nomination. He said it was a good thing for America that he won. That being said, we cannot allow Obama to be President because of his liberal, socialist ideas. We need to support McCain, Mike said, because he has the firm, clear, decisive leadership that the U.S. needs.

12:30 PM Interesting debate on proposed Amendment 2, which would have legislators come back the second year for a budget session. Those opposed to the Amendment call it big government, which Republicans abhor. Those who support the Amendment call it open government. Donna Hutchinson said that we don't know who is proposing what stays or goes in the budget. Mark Martin said that some one will be making decisions on budgets, it will either be the bureaucrats or your elected legislator. There was a straw poll and the support for the Amendment won.

1:30 PM Last of the Agenda. Congratulations to the 2008 proposed electors, Jim Burnett, Reta Hamilton, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Phyllis Kincannon, Steve Lux, Kermit Parks. The Republican Party of Arkansas' 2008 Platform was accepted. Asa Hutchinson gave the closing remarks. He repeated that this election was critically important. We are voting for an American President not an American Idol.

Well, it was interesting trying to live blog an event. It is challenging trying to pay attention to what was being said and typing it up and editing it. After it was finished was the hardest. I'm trying to write, people wanted to talk and things are being picked up and put away around you. I enjoyed the experience and learned a couple of things. If I live-blog the Convention again, I'm going to ask for some help with some details from the Party.

Rolling on Lawn

This year I decided to let a lawn-care company take care of all the weeds, crab grass and bare spots in my lawn. The price they charged was what I have been spending in the past and I wasn't getting the job done. I am so glad that I purchased the lawn treatments. My lawn is weed free, nearly crab grass free and is starting to thicken up. Best of all, some one else is doing the work. So, Eli gets to enjoy a good roll on a nice thick lawn. Mmmm, there's nothing like laying on the lawn with all 4 paws in the air.

More cats at Friday Ark

Obama's Berlin Speech, Forgettable

One should never put a small, petty man on a big stage. It just makes him look foolish. Watching Obama I just shook my head, he looked ridiculous. He was no where near JFK standing for freedom against the partitioning of Germany. He wasn't Reagan placing the final dagger in the heart of the Soviet Empire. He's just a political schmuck trying to scramble onto their shoulders. While JFK and Reagan were in Berlin for the cause of freedom, Obama's purpose was essentially self-serving. For JFK and Reagan the great cause was freedom, freedom from Communism. Obama's great purpose was to booster his own presidential aspirations. Not the stuff of history books. Does Obama really believe that holding a campaign rally in Berlin to show how popular he is among Europeans is going to impress American voters? Yeah, like we really care was Europeans think about us!
Parts of his speech were a bit preachy. Frankly, the best sermons are given by those who have lived them and Obama sure hasn't lived his. I had to go back and read JFK's and Reagan's speeches to remove the stench of Obama's from my head.

Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor. Ronald Reagan

The Games Nouri al-Maliki Plays

Max Boot clears up Nouri al-Maliki’s series of statements from the last week. While the MSM is going wild that Maliki agrees with Obama's pull-out plan, Max says

Maliki's public utterances do not provide a reliable guide as to when it will be safe to pull out U.S. troops. Better to listen to the military professionals

Why? Well, Maliki hasn't been all that accurate on the ability of Iraqi forces to take care of the violence.

In May 2006, shortly after becoming prime minister, he claimed, "Our forces are capable of taking over the security in all Iraqi provinces within a year and a half." In October 2006, when violence was spinning out of control, Maliki declared that it would be "only a matter of months" before his security forces could "take over the security portfolio entirely and keep some multinational forces only in a supporting role." President Bush wisely ignored Maliki. Instead of withdrawing U.S. troops, he sent more. The prime minister wasn't happy. On Dec. 15, 2006, the Wall Street Journal reported, "Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has flatly told Gen. George Casey, the top American military commander in Iraq, that he doesn't want more U.S. personnel deployed to the country, according to U.S. military officials." When the surge went ahead anyway, Maliki gave it an endorsement described in news accounts as "lukewarm." In January 2007, with the surge just starting, Maliki predicted "that within three to six months our need for the American troops will dramatically go down." In April 2007, when most of Baghdad was still out of control, the prime minister said that Iraqi forces would assume control of security in every province by the end of the year.

So, Maliki was just as wrong as Obama about the surge. He is also, just like Obama, unwilling to give any credit to the success of the surge to the American troops. When we eventually leave Iraq, it should be when the progress of the Iraqis are solid and shouldn't be sabotaged by an unwise, early departure of our troops. One thing McCain can say is that will we leave at a time when the Iraqis are ready and when they are stable enough that we don't have to come back after we leave.

O-Force-One, O Please!

The MSM is no longer hiding the fact that they are determined that Obama becomes President. This image was captured from the Chicago Sun-Times Web page today. Really, they need to change it to O-FARCE-One.!

Remember When?

Ah, remember the good old days when gas was just $2 a gallon. Now Congress is looking to raise the gas tax.

Pew News IQ

Are you up on current events? Why not take the test? Oh, I got 91%. Can you beat me?

Grand Opening, Washington County Republicans

Washington County Republican's officially opened their office in Springdale. I must say they did a really good job this time. The new office (2576 West Sunset, Skyler Center) is a whole lot nicer than the office they've had the past few years. Local and state officials, candidates and all their supporters gathered to enjoy some really great music and hot dogs with chips. It was a really good time to catch up with the candidates to see what they are doing and what they need.

Summer Rain

Tigger is enjoying the rain undercover of the front porch. Of course he's wondering why I don't have the brains to get out of the rain. By the way, we haven't had any rain this week. It also hasn't been humid, so it's actually a pleasure to be out in the heat.

More cats at Friday Ark

Dan Coody Runs Again to Save Fayetteville

Is Dan Coody taking the credit for everything that is happening in Fayetteville? Does this mean that the citizens, city committees and city council took no part in projects in Fayetteville. Was it all because of Superman Mayor Dan Coody?

Planning like the City Plan 2025 and the Downtown Master Plan; the airport funding itself; completion of Dickson Street renovation and the new senior center; improvements on College Avenue that "will knock your socks off"; a schedule for repaving streets; rebuilding intersections; three new fire stations that came in on time and under budget; forming the Fayetteville Economic Development Council; and improvements on the city's trail system were among accomplishments Coody listed.

It just appears awfully egotistical that the city of Fayetteville would be nothing without Mayor Dan Coody. I just happen to think that there are others who would do just as good as a job as Coody and possibly better. I know one thing. I would like a leader to admit to his/her mistakes instead of blaming others.

He went on to say that a New York Times article explained that major projects - private and public - cost much more than anticipated all across the United States.

When it was revealed that it would come in over budget and behind schedule, Coody assumed the responsibility, although true legal accountability for the troubled project rested in the lap of the city’s entire sewer committee.

So the reasons he mentioned this time were familiar: The project’s original cost had been unrealistic, inflation had driven the cost much higher, as had unusually high price increases on everything from cement to steel and copper. Finally, the response to Hurricane Katrina had pushed construction costs up on other projects all over the country.

Coody, as Mayor,is responsible for overseeing all the projects in Fayetteville. I guess he was off napping somewhere or off on one of his trips.

Obama's Black, Vote for Him

It's now official. Those of us who aren't going to vote for Obama are racist.

Governor Paterson, delivering a speech today at the NAACP's 99th annual convention at Cincinnati, suggested that the defeat of Senator Obama in the presidential election would be a victory for racism in America.

We are suppose to vote for the leader of the Free World based solely on his skin color. None that other ridiculous stuff like Obama's lack of character, his snobbery, his elitism, his enormous ego, his lack of personal substance, his racist pastor and church, his poor education, his anti-Americanism, his extreme liberal, socialist philosophy, and the fact that nothing in his life qualifies him to be President. He's black, vote for him.

Arkansas' Broke School Districts

Why are Arkansas school districts having a hard time financially? Education takes up most of Arkansas' budget and has even gotten a good portion of the state surplus. Schools keep asking for more money, we give it to them and they turn around and ask for more. Why isn't possible to find out how and where the money is spent? For school districts to keep being financially distressed there has to be some management issues. Earlier this year the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette had an article about coaches salaries. I bet none of the school districts made any changes in regards to the excessive salaries of some coaches. An editorial suggest fewer school districts.

Like cutting the number of school districts in this relatively small state to a manageable number. Say, to 75—one for each county.

Yeah, that might work in some places, but not all. I'm not particularly keen because that would probably close a number of schools causing many students to endure long bus rides. I did that for 4 years, 2 hours a day. I consider that cruel and unusual punishment to the children. Adding more and longer bus runs also means a big gas bill. At the gas prices today, that's going to eat up a school's budget really fast.
What ever the Department of Education and the school districts are doing now, it isn't working. Some one really needs to take an in depth look at were the Education money is being spent from the administration of the Department of Education to the individual school districts.

My First Geocoin

I finally dropped on my first geocoin. I picked up a Purr-fect Geo-cat coin. I sometimes take Casey out with me when I go geocaching so I decided to have something for the cats. I found the purr-fect spot for it to start it's journey. It sure would be great if it found it's way across one of the oceans.


More cats at Friday Ark

Secure Arkansas, Next Year

I know a lot of people worked really hard to get the signatures needed to get the Secure Arkansas Act on the ballot. There is always next year. Secure Arkansas has some experience under their belt now. I think they will be able to get it on the ballot next year. Gov. Beebe can try to hinder Secure Arkansas' effort to stop illegal immigration. But sooner or later he has to deal with Arkansans who are tired of illegals mooching off the taxpayer.

Terror at the Pump

My tank was nearly empty so I gassed up this afternoon. After filling it up I felt like this:

Bicycles on NW Arkansas Highways

I really admire those who ride bicycles as a mode of transportation or recreation. They have to deal with ignorant nitwits like this guy Where bicycles aren't allowed. Actually, I had to read it twice because I couldn't believe the colossal idiocy of the letter.

These men, dressed in the clownlike uniforms of the human powered two-wheeler, made obscene gestures and shouted at me, but they did move to the side of the road to allow my passage (a loud truck horn tends to get one's attention ).

I, of course, had a quite a few more choice obscene names for Mr. Tittle and his ilk. Police officer friend of Mr. Tittle, you need to tell him that bicycles under the Arkansas Code are considered vehicles. You had better do it pretty fast before that arrogant, selfish little prick runs a bicyclist over.

27-49-111. Use of bicycles or animals. Every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway, shall have all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this act which by their nature can have no applicability.

Bicyclists have every right to be on the road as Mr Tittle does. I, however, believe Mr. Tittle's license needs to be revoked. Mr Tittle, you and your good friend, Don Bright had better get use to bicycles on road. With the price of gas you are going to see a lot more of them. You had better avoid driving into Fayetteville in the coming years, because Fayetteville is determined to be a bicycling community.

Fayetteville's Parks and Trails

People want more parks. Parks with more baseball and soccer fields. Parks with playgrounds for the kids and walking trails for the adults. How about the dogs? We need a park for them too. What about the city's Alternative Transportation and Trails Master Plan which has 129 miles of future trails that will connect parks, neighborhoods and citizens for years to come. The Community Park in the Southpass Development is expected to have at least 20 baseball and soccer fields. The City Council has passed ordinances in order to establish parks and have even encouraged people to vote for the passage of the Trails Bond. I guess the one thing they have failed to do is plan for the care of the parks. The City Council praises our parks and trails and yet fails to hire people to take care of them. The Parks and Recreation Department is already easing up on the upkeep of the parks.

"But the surrounding areas, sometimes, we're mowing less and less just because we're trying to protect the active-use areas," Edmonston said. Another change has been reducing the mowing on the sides of the trails.

I really disagree with Shirley Lucas and Lioneld Jordan on this. People love our parks and trails and we really don't want to see them get shabby. Amazingly, I agree with Mayor Coody.

"As Fayetteville continues to grow in population, we need to make sure our city stays green," said the mayor, who added that the city's park system is "by far the number-one favorite"in the city survey. "Especially when we are trying to encourage more dense development and encourage more infill and walkability and livability, if we start cutting back on our greenspace, then over time we will cut back on the quality of life for our community," Coody said.

It's time for the City Council to look at not just acquiring and developing parks and trails. It also has to provide for the maintenance and upkeep of them now and for the future.

Story

Cohan "Bruno" Pranks Arkansas

I'm not a particular fan of Cohan but I must admit he has pulled off a good prank. Still, I don't think Arkansas' image will suffer because of a bunch of rednecks got violently outraged when they saw a silly, fake “gay” display. Particularly, when they thought they were going to be watching oh-so-wholesome, um, CAGE FIGHTING!

Saying "Yuck!" is Racist

I grew up saying "Yuck"! occasionally. What child hasn't? As I've grown up I've been fairly adventuresome and have try other foods that I haven't grown up with and ,yes, I've said "Yuck" to some of them. I don't know one single person who has liked every single food they've tasted. So, to declare that a child who dislikes a certain ethnic food may be "racist" is the pinnacle of stupidity. What happens if that child refuses to eat food from their own ethnic background? Do you call them self loathing? I, for one, am going to continue with my "culinary discernment". To you political correct liberals out there "YUCK YOU"!

Fayetteville's Farmers Market, Gone to the Dogs

Saturday morning the Farmers Market featured a Dog Parade. The parade was organized by Walt Eilers, candidate for Fayetteville Mayor. The purpose of the parade was to get dog owners organized to get Fayetteville an appropriate dog park. Walt said that he want each quadrant in Fayetteville to have a dog park. I really doubt that is a possibility but Fayetteville does need a really nice dog park. The one at the Animal Shelter is too small and is mostly used by the shelter for their rescue dogs.
I myself would like to see an off leash dog park. I went to the one in Lawrence, Kansas. It was very nice with open spaces, a forested area and steams. There have been efforts in the past to get a dog park, but every area suggested for a park was rejected by non dog owners. It sure would be nice if Fayetteville dog owners got organized this time and made the dog park a reality.

Wedington Speeders Beware!

Saturday, Captain Casey Brown asked me how I felt about the traffic on Wedington now that it is widen. I told him it was easier to turn on to it and that the back-up by the Catfish Hole and Westwood Gardens was gone. He said that that open stretch on Wedington was causing some problems. It appears that people have decide that part of Wedington is a race course. Captain Brown said that the Police Dept was making extra patrols to catch the speeders. So, if you are driving down Wedington, slow down! The Police are watching!

Nancy Allen, No Re-election

I am so sad to have Nancy Allen decide not to seek re-election. I really appreciated that she was willing to ask questions. Maybe her questions irritated the Mayor and some on the Council, but when she didn't understand something, she asked. Far too many people would just keep their mouth shut. I think that people on the Council need to be challenged more on their past and present actions. Maybe if enough people encouraged her, she might change her mind.