The Wal-Mart Layoffs

It's an interesting coincidence that Wal-Mart cuts a large number of jobs just as Pres Obama gets his Porkulus Bill passed. Maybe it's not, Wal-Mart probably knows that this Bacon Bill isn't going to help the economy and they are preparing for a deepening recession.
It's probably shaking up NW Arkansas mayors who have always relied on Wal-Mart tempering the threat of a recession in NW Arkansas. Everyone probably sighed with relief on the news that Wal-Mart reported a sales gain in January. I sure would like to know what Wal-Mart Chief Executive Mike Duke thinks about the Bacon Bill and what he thinks people should be doing to survive it's implementation.

Gov. Jindal, Washington County Republican's Lincoln Day Dinner

The Washington County Republicans had a very successful dinner. It looked like they had pretty much sold all the tickets. I went to the reception and ,glory be, there was actually food, drinks and tables to sit around. I get so tired of those receptions where you stand and wait for your turn with the photographer.

Gov. Jindal started out by saying he wasn’t going to give a political speech. He suggested that after 2 years of political campaigning those that wanted one should seek professional help.

He did comment on the Republican Party. The country in 2006 fired the Republican majority and with just cause he said. The country didn’t stop being conservative, the Republican Party did (Big Applause!). Gov Jindal offered that we shouldn’t concentrate on fixing the Republican Party; rather, we should concentrate more on fixing the country. I’m assuming he means that we should be applying the Republican principles to dealing with our problems. We should remember to focus outward rather than bicker and complain among ourselves.

Most of his speech dealt with an issue that is important to him as Governor of Louisiana, the focused effort of protecting children from predators. If you want a state where your child is safest, move to Louisiana and if you’re a child predator stay out of Louisiana. They aren’t kidding about keeping kids safe.

Gov. Jindal ended by describing the beauty and promise of America. He noted we have a great economic and political system with a superior military; however, America’s greatness is our culture. There is respect for the rule of law, we share a common view in the dignity of all mankind as God’s creation and we are people who care for one another.

I can see why people are looking at Gov Jindal as running for President. Gov Jindal does understand the vision and dream of America and he does articulate it well. He’s very concerned about the very basic problems that people are dealing with and based on the stories he tells he understands them. He kept returning to the fact that we needed a foundation where people need to share a common commitment to doing the right thing. I like what I’ve seen and I will definitely be keeping an eye on what he does in Louisiana.

“America is the light of the world” he said. “It’s time for the Left to recognize and admit it. The American dream is the hope of free people across the planet.”

Cupid Missed!

The weirdest thing happened as I was getting ready to leave for the Washington County Re publican's Lincoln Day Dinner, Saturday night. I was walking out of the back door through the garage to my truck (sitting outside the garage). I stopped walking because I saw something whizz by me and thunk, hit something on my left side. I looked down and saw the arrow. I was almost hit by an arrow! Holy Crap! Shocked and incredulous at what I saw I called the police. They responded pretty quickly and was just as mystified as I was.

There is an abandoned house and field just to the right of my home. Some one was probably practicing and really, really missed their target. They hit the inside of my garage window instead. At least they were lucky enough not to hit me. The arrow was low enough not hit any major organs but it would have hurt hitting any of my lower extremities. Thank God! He really had my Guardian Angels working overtime that night.

Arkansas, Animal Cruelty a Felony

Finally, Arkansas has passed a law that has made torturing a dog, cat or horse a felony on the first offense. Toby would like to thank the people of Arkansas for caring so much for animals. Their persistence has made it quite clear that Arkansans will not tolerate torturing animals.

The bill, which had no emergency clause to make it law upon getting the governor’s signature, becomes effective 90 days after the end of the legislative session making a conviction for aggravated animal cruelty punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The legislation also includes a five-year sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of torturing an animal in the presence of a child.

Toby would especially like to thank Sen. Sue Madison for working so hard to get a law passed. A special paws up to her!


More cats at Friday Ark

HopeyChangey Flounders?

Is there a Democrat political appointee who is NOT a tax cheat? The Obama administration is but two weeks old and well on their way to become the most corrupt and incompetent group of nitwits ever to serve. What Pres Obama needs is a Republican scandal. I bet he has the Secret Service looking into every public toilet for a tap dancing Republican.

Now a Ronald Reagan Day?

Umm, I didn't expect anyone to take me seriously.

Gee, that sounds awfully familiar. Oh yeah, it mirrors all the social bills that Congress and P BO is going to be dumping on America. Thomas Paine is a hero to these socialist Democrats just as Ronald Reagan is to conservative Republicans. So, Ms Smith wants a day to honor her hero. Fine, I propose that we let the Democrats have their Thomas Paine day as long as Republicans get a Ronald Reagan Day.

Apparently they did.

NOW THEREFORE,
20 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
21 STATE OF ARKANSAS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
22
23 That the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives
24 recognize February 6, 2009, as “Ronald Reagan Day”.

I admire Pres. Reagan, but don't our legislators have more important issues to be working on then setting aside special days. I don't see the importance of Arkansas having a Thomas Paine or Ronald Reagan Day.

NW Arkansas Ice Storm, 2009 The Clean-Up

I made small progress on my clean-up. I made a small pile of the the limbs I could pick up but there were a fair number that were too heavy to lift. The chainsaw I order came today so I will be a having a ball the rest of the week cutting up those limbs. I climbed the roof Saturday to see if I could lift the limb off my house. Nope! Too heavy and still attached to the tree. I called in professional help which surprisingly enough called this morning and I've made arrangements to have the tree trimmed. My neighbor came over to apologize for their tree falling on the fence and they weren't able to lift it off. They are renters and the owner isn't real good about doing repairs around the house. The renter has a poor back so I'll probably be cleaning up their yard as soon as mine is done.

I pass by Ozarks Electric on my way to work and there are lots of trucks pulling out on their way to work. I noticed this morning that they are still hauling poles.

"We are rebuilding a system that took decades to build,” said Mitchell Johnson, president and chief executive officer for Ozarks Electric Cooperative. “Some linemen here from the Gulf Coast who are helping with power restoration in Arkansas are saying the damage is as bad here as it was in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. So, I can’t stress enough what a mammoth task we have before us." Damage to the cooperative’s distribution system includes about 1,200 downed poles and hundreds of miles of downed power lines.

I am really thankful that I've got electricity and that I've only been without it for a few hours. Some of my co-workers still didn't have it on as of today. You know, people weren't whining or complaining that they've been without electricity for the past week. They've been telling stories on how they've adapted, how they been taken in by family or friends. No one was demanding that the government has to do something. No one was wondering why Pres. Obama hasn't shown up or how can Pres Obama stay toasty warm, eat wagyu steak ($100 per serving), and watch football while people have died and half a million go without power, water, heat and food. Nope, I haven't heard any one say that. Yup, we gun toting, Bible thumping Rednecks take care of ourselves and don't expect the government to burp us.