Bow's Exercise Routine

OK! Are you ready! Just Relax For A Minute!


Now Twist! Hold It! Hold It!


Now Relax! Breath Slow!


Alright! Twist Again! Hold It!



OK! Try To Twist Further! Arch That Back! Try To Touch Your Back Foot!

Immigration Poll

Power Line News has put up a poll on immigration. They said:

We've put up a poll on Power Line News. The question is, "What should be our highest priority in formulating policies on immigration?" There are eight possible responses. We tried to make the poll valuable by avoiding the usual pitfall: slanted questions and answers that turn the survey into a push-poll. We tried to phrase the question and all of the answers fairly, so that each answer is a plausible response. Our hope is to get a more meaningful and nuanced picture of conservative opinion on the subject of immigration than is currently available, for the benefit of Congressmen. Especially Republican Congressmen

.

So far "Strengthening control of our borders to prevent possible terrorists and criminals from entering illegally" 50% and "Erecting a wall and stricter border controls to stop non-English speaking immigrants who are not interested in assimilating" 28% are outstripping the rest of the options.

OK, Congressmen, you have been hearing from the American people you are suppose to represent. We don't want to give amnesty to the illegal aliens who've entered our country. We want that border controlled and those criminals stopped from entering the country. We want you to do what you said you were committed to, protecting our country. Once you have done that we'll start considering what to do with the illegal aliens residing in the country. It's time you stop screwing the overwhelming majority of the American people.

Springdale's Violent Crimes Rate

Springdale's Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley released a report projecting that violent crime will increase 13 percent in 2006. It was noted that Springdale's violent crime of 3.6 crimes per 1,000 people was below the national average of 4.7 crimes per 1,000 people. Roger's violent crimes rate is 2.1 and Fayetteville's is 4.2 .

O'Kelly thinks that the crime rate may be higher because a lot of crimes are underreported. She thinks that Springdale's Hispanic population are hesitant about reporting crimes to police because of fear.

I think she may be right. Even though Fayetteville's rate is higher I feel safer in Fayetteville than Springdale. There are area's in Springdale that just aren't safe at night. I won't even dare to shop at Wal-mart. If O'Kelly thinks that the crime rate is going to increase what is she planning to do about it. Is the city going to hire more police officers? Encourage more neighborhood watches? I'd be looking for ideas to decrease that crime rate.

Full Story

The Illegals Among Us

I'm not racist if I don't want a bunch of criminals to receive American citizenship with access to government benefits and the ability to vote. It was a bit of a shock to see demonstrators demanding American citizenship and carrying the Mexican flag. What is going on with that? Seems to me that they're really not all that interested in citizenship but it's all about the government benefits that they feel entitled to receive. "We don't want to be stinking Americans, but we want all the benefits of being a citizen." We shouldn't be offering them amnesty and making them an American citizen.
Don't these Congressman remember any of the previous legislation they passed?Michelle lists them.

There have been seven illegal alien amnesties passed into law since 1986:

·The 1986 Immigration and Reform Control Act blanket amnesty for an estimated 2.7 million illegal aliens

·1994: The "Section 245(i)" temporary rolling amnesty for 578,000 illegal aliens

·1997: Extension of the Section 245(i) amnesty

·1997: The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act for nearly one million illegal aliens from Central America

·1998: The Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act amnesty for 125,000 illegal aliens from Haiti

·2000: Extension of amnesty for some 400,000 illegal aliens who claimed eligibility under the 1986 act

·2000: The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act, which included a restoration of the rolling Section 245(i) amnesty for 900,000 illegal aliens]

Since there are approximately 12 million illegals in the country and they're trying to pass another amnesty bill, it's pretty obvious that these bills haven't worked. Creating another one is just about the stupidest thing to do. It's time to stop being stupid and try something else. Like Enforcing the Border! Oh! How about enforcing current laws and deporting illegals back to their country! All that Congress is doing is undermining the rule of law in the country and promoting more illegals to cross the border. The President and Congress have deliberately cut themselves off from the American people and have embraced criminals.

Extension of Rupple Road

Construction of Rupple Road moves forward. It's great that the Fayetteville School Board agreed to pay about one-third of the bill to extend Rupple Road in front of a new combination elementary and middle school. The city of Fayetteville and Tom Terminella will be sharing the rest of the bill.
Story

Arkansas Legislature, Special Session

Bills that have passed and are waiting to be signed by Huckabee:

FUNERAL PROTESTS

This was to stop protesters at funerals. I have a feeling that this violates the First Amendment right of free speech. I have commented previously that there are other ways to handle this problem.

SMOKING BAN

This will restrict smoking in the workplace and other public places. I've not problem with this, however, I've seen some places take it a bit too far. If you go by Washington Regional Hospital and some of their clinics, you will see smokers out on the street sidewalks. WRMC has forbidden smoking on the entire property forcing smokers to smoke out on the street. It's too bad they couldn't be a bit more accommodating and designate a smoking area.

WAGES

An increase of the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.25. Employers will be passing off the wage increase to the customer. However, with the worker shortage here in NW Arkansas, most people are already receiving more than the minimum wage. It probably will have little impact here.

Trent Lott Ham- Strung

Trent Lott is getting steamed up because of the work of Porkbusters. He's being blasted for using the must-pass Iraq and Katrina bill to advance a home-state project that's a bit ridiculous. Lott vigorously defended the bill and railed against Porkbusters.

"I'll just say this about the so-called porkbusters. I'm getting damn tired of hearing from them. They have been nothing but trouble ever since Katrina."

Awww, you poor thing! You really need to get over it and get use to some one looking over your shoulder. We are tired of Congress wasting our money and we are going to hold you accountable.

Couric

Katie Couric told viewers Wednesday she's leaving NBC to join CBS.

Who cares? I've never watched her and never will. I don't watch CBS(we make up news) and I never will.

Light Blogging

I haven't blogged for several days because I've just been too busy. The weekend was really nice so I worked in the garden and did some spring cleaning in the house. It was perfect weather to air out the house. I even managed to take the dogs for a walk. It was very warm and muggy and just going a few miles wiped them out.

The City of Fayetteville was giving away trees in honor of Arbor Day. I got a holly bush and a tulip magnolia. The Farmers' Market also started back up on Saturday. I've really missed going to the Market.

I saw my doctor yesterday. The first one since I've finished radiation. Everything is fine. My doctor informs me that for the next two years I'll be seeing her every 3 months and then I'll graduate to every 6 months. OH JOY! She gave a new medication to try for my hot flashes. It's actually a blood pressure medication, but she said it can help with the flashes. I got a taste this weekend of how hot flashes feel in warm weather. Not good! I'd have to be changing the bed sheets every day.

I'm thinking that as long as this really nice weather holds I won't be blogging much. I'll be spending time in the garden or out hiking. I need to try to keep my camera close by for any great pictures.

Garden Naps

I was walking through the garden checking to see what was up and what I wanted to do tomorrow. I caught Bows napping on one of the stone walls.

She apparently wasn't happy that I was taking pictures because she stuck her tongue out at me. Naughty Girl!

Good news! The first crop of lettuce is ready to be eaten. Yumm! Fresh baby lettuce salad!

Coming In!

Coming In! When the days are nice I leave the window to the porch open. I leave it open just enough so the cats can go out while I'm gone. Casey decided he had to try to get in through the window. Heh,Heh! He's a clown! I had to take Casey to vet to take care of his infected ear. He's nearly completed the antibotics and the ear is clearing up nicely.

ebay - New Orleans Bus

Yup, it's true. There is one of those infamous New Orleans buses on sale on eBay. There are people actually bidding on it too. What would they do with it? As far as I'm concerned, one should just make a monument out of a couple of them. Call it the Monument of Incompetence and Stupidity.

Starting up Your Computer

This is what a computer should do first thing in the morning! Click on the link below and then type in your first name...

Link

It's too bad that the rest of the people in the office don't appreciate you as much!

We are not Safe!

LIZ SIDOTI, AP

I feel very, very afraid. These guys went through official checkpoints. What about all those places on the border that aren't guarded.

Undercover investigators slipped radioactive material _ enough to make two small "dirty bombs" _ across U.S. borders in Texas and Washington state in a test last year of security at American points of entry.

Radiation alarms at the unidentified sites detected the small amounts of cesium-137, a nuclear material used in industrial gauges. But U.S. customs agents permitted the investigators to enter the United States because they were tricked with counterfeit documents

It also makes me wonder what kind of twits they have working at the check points. How come they can't identify counterfeit documents. Also, if those alarms went off, they should have investigated what sent them off. Why didn't they do that? Sheesh, what do we have to do to get the President and Congress to seriously deal with our border problem?

Wal-Mart - Resort?

Story from the Des Moines Register

Skyler Bartels decided to spend his entire spring break at the Windsor Heights Wal-Mart. He wanted to actually live there. He made it for three days. He went in with only a cell phone, his heart medicine, his bank card, two forms of identification, and nothing else.
I admit it's something I wouldn't want to do, but I could see it being a fun idea. If the Wal-Mart is big enough, you could have a really good time. The only problem would be evading security. I've worked at Wal-Mart and it's amazing that people do come in to purchase stuff in the wee hours. They also tend to be some of the more interesting people.

Fayetteville, Republican Headquarters

I attended the opening of the Republican Party of Arkansas and the Washington County GOP headquarters this afternoon.
(Gunner Delay)
The room was crowded. I estimate that approximately 60 to 70 people were there.
(Bill Pritchard)
A number of candidates showed up. I was able to meet quite a few of them, even some of their wives too.
(Drew Griffin)
Of course there was the announcement of candidates running and introducing those that were present. Also, "you need to volunteer" and "you need to donate". OK, now that's over, we can have the featured speaker.

Asa spoke briefly mostly about his Grow Arkansas campaign. He spoke how his ideas were different from Beebe's(he has ideas?) He said we want to move Arkansas forward instead of going back to the days of corruption, broken highways and unaccountablity in schools.


I'm pretty sure Asa is telling Anne she doesn't have enough pins on.


Finally, it's Ralph's birthday. We all sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

Iraq - Three Years

The 3rd year anniversary of the freedom of Iraq has given birth to an abundance of articles reviewing the question of whether it was right or wrong. To get a thoughtful, fact filled review you had to go to the blogs and the magazines on the internet. If you read or watched the antique media one was pitched the same old Bush lied, people are suffering, it was a mistake, we should leave and Iraq is in the midst of a civil war. We would have been treated all week with all that crap if it weren't for Laura Ingraham thumping the MSM on NBC's Today show. Go Laura! For the rest of the week the MSM's biased reporting of Iraq became the news.
I was glad to see the Bush administration go out and start publicly talking about Iraq. Bush and Cheney had excellent speeches. Tony Blair spoke about Iraq too. His was great also.
Gatewaypundit had a great article with quotes from those who predicted doom and what actually happened.
One of the best articles I've read is J.R. Dunn's in the American Thinker. There are 3 parts and I've only read the first. They are a bit long but worth it. I particularly like his description of the U.S. Grand Strategy. Democrats say that Pres. Bush has no strategy to win the war. Dunn, however, lays it out.

What is the distinction between grand strategy and strategy per se? Grand strategy is the strategy of the long view, derived from national policy, involving a nation's long-term goals, its ideals, and its place in the world. As defined by B.H. Liddell-Hart, grand strategy involves

the actual direction of military force, as distinct from the policy governing its employment, and combining it with other weapons: economic, political, psychological.

and

George W. Bush's grand strategy for defeating terrorism is of the same order: to remake the region, replacing dictatorships with democracies in order to deprive terrorists of support – in Maoist terms, drying up the water in which the insurgent fish swim.

It is a bold concept, as sweeping as anything that has occurred in the Middle East since the collapse of the Ottomans. Its execution will require years, if not decades – it's no accident that the administration has taken to calling the effort “the Long War.”

I don't know why people fail to think long term. It's baffling that people expect a nation to just suddenly exist with all the parts of it's society in place. The Democrats I understand. They are just looking at the next election hoping to win it. At the end of the article Dunn say this:

A political solution is necessary to secure the military victories already won. This strategy will require patience, understanding, and willingness to overcome setbacks. Things are going to happen that we do not like. There will be disappointments and failures. These are not products of policy, but aspects of the human condition. None of them will be any reason to turn back or abandon the effort. Errors can corrected, failures can be overcome. And it should never be forgotten that, in the words of Churchill, the ongoing liberation of the Middle East remains “one of the great unsordid acts of history.”

I wish people realized that life doesn't go perfectly. We live constantly with our own errors and strive to press on in spite of them.
I like howIraq The Modeldescribes the US and Iraq:

Now the two strangers had to work together to accomplish a goal Iraqis knew almost nothing about; they knew that America wanted to topple Saddam and secure the oil fields but that's all they knew while America was thinking of a huge transformation for the entire Middle East with Iraq being the key to that transformation.
There was a wide gap between the two but we had no choice but to work together, because in a moment Iraqis didn't choose, America and a group of Iraqi ex-pat leaders were suddenly replacing a regime that controlled everything for too long.

He too asks the question, was it right to remove Saddam? His answer is a resounding YES! He also anticipates the hope for a better future even through the difficulties Iraq faces now.

We had to accept the change and live with all that would come along with it whether good or bad.
The democracy we're practicing today in Iraq is the exact opposite of what we had for decades and until three years ago. This democracy carries the essence of life, the differences, the dynamics and yes, the failures but also the seed of a better future.

Let us not lose hope in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not grow. Galatians 6:9

Saturday Walk

After pulling weeds for a few hours I decided it was time to go for a walk. I took Casey and Trixie to Lake Fayetteville. The sun shines through the leafless trees, making it comfortable to walk through the woods even though it's a bit cool. With it being spring break there weren't very many people on the trail. What a beautiful day! Tomorrow promises to be just as great!

Cats & Gardens

The temperature this morning was in the 20's, but that didn't stop me from working in the garden. When it got a little warmer I started pulling the weeds from the beds in the front yard. While I was hard at work the cats were off doing cats things.
Bows was just waiting for a bird to land on the ground. Here birdie, birdie!

Eli loves nothing better than to roll around on the lawn.

Tigger lives up to his name. Attaaack! KowaBunga!

Arkansas Legislative Seat District 93

The Washington County Republican Women held a special forum of District 93 candidates. Drew Griffin, Jon Woods and Kathy McFetridge.

Jon described himself as a life-long, involved Republican. Drew spoke of growing up in NWA and is planning a family. Springdale issues were his issues. Kathy, apparently responding to questions about running years before as a Democrat, said that she believed in the values and principles of the Republican party

Asked what they considered the 3 most important issues:

Jon: 1) Education 2) Infrastructure (Highways) and 3) Tax reform.

Drew: 1) Jessica's Law 2) Medicaid and 3) Tax reform

Kathy: 1)Education 2) Tax reform and 3) Predatory Lending

In regards to Education, Jon wanted to find out where money was being spent and go from there. Drew wants quality teachers, reduced class size and getting the money into the classrooms. Kathy was interested in pre-school programs, strengthening Math and Science and having up to 65% of the money spent in the classrooms.
Asked about illegal immigration, Kathy supported a temporary worker program, Jon wanted Pres. Bush to be more active on it and would like tougher legislation. He said that illegals shouldn't get any scholarships. Drew wanted no guest worker program, crack down on illegals and more border enforcement.
On the question of an anti-abortion bill, they all said they'd support one. On the issue of health care costs, they all agreed that tort reform was needed and they'd support the Patient's Right to Know. (Legislation that would allow patients to know medical costs up front so they can compare prices). The last question was about the Highway Commission which they all agreed needs to be abolished and the highway money spend on areas of the state that are growing and generating revenue.

I talked to Kathy after the Forum. In her beginning and ending statements she talk about having run as a Democrat in a previous election and that she now was a Republican. I asked if she was always going to have to explain her positions then and now. She said that yes she was going to have to. She said even running as a Democrat she felt out of place. She was pro-life and that wasn't accepted within the Democrat party. When she ran against Dugger, some one commented to her that she had more in common with Dugger than the Democrats. I asked her what made her change to the Republican party and she answered 9/11. She said she saw how Pres. Bush and Rudy Giuliani reacted and was very impressed. She didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but voted for him in 2004. She also commented that she didn't like the positions the Democrats have been taking. She definitely doesn't like Howard Dean.

OK, now my impressions of the candidates. Both Jon and Drew are very passionate about the Republican party and want to represent the Republican ideas and principles in Little Rock. I think they'd both do an excellent job. Kathy does not publicly show the same enthusiasm and drive that Jon and Drew do. I think that will hinder her. She is more introverted and reserved. I do think that there is a great story in Kathy. What drew her to the Republican party, what did she see in Pres. Bush and Giuliani, how did the Democrats let her down? I think that would be a compelling story that would interest people.

Gov Mike Huckabee's Job Approval

March's approval rating for state Governors is out. In regards to Mike Huckabee, the demographs of the survey is pretty interesting. Out of 600 adults, 40% identified themselves as Democrats, 27% Republicans, and 31% Independent. Even with an uneven party identification, Huckabee still has a 57% approval rate.
Table

A Cat's Nine Lives

Piper may have used up all of his nine lives. Piper, having been stuck in a tree for a week, elude his rescuers by falling from a tree, striking a branch on the way down. He fell 80 feet, apparently suffering no major injury. Piper, you are one lucky cat!

Video

Daytime TV

I've always thought that daytime soap operas, game shows, and talk shows were pure garbage. I could never understand why people would watch that stuff. I considered those who had to watch their dailys a bit, well, um, dumb. I think I've been vindicated. A study published in the Southern Medical Journal found that:

Older women who say talk shows and soap operas are their favorite TV programs tend to score more poorly on tests of memory, attention and other cognitive skills.

A study of 289 older women without dementia found that those who rated talk shows and soaps as their favorite programs performed more poorly on tests of memory, attention and mental quickness than their peers who cited other types of shows.

What's more, they were at greater risk of showing signs of clinical impairment. For example, compared with women who preferred to watch news programs, those who favored soaps were more than seven times more likely to show signs of impairment on one of the tests, while talk show fans were more than 13 times more likely to demonstrate impairment.

If they did a study of people who listened to talk radio, read magazines and blogs, would we do better?


Article

Spring?

Although the calendar says Spring, the weather is winter. Thunderstorms kept me off the computer last night and tonight is colder than this morning. I worry about my early bloomers such as this Bleeding Heart. I hope they don't get killed off.

Hollywood, Don't Need the Red States

Jason Apuzzo opines that Hollywood doesn't need the Heartland anymore. He says:

But if Hollywood is so pitifully out of touch, how does the industry's economic train keep chugging along? Why don't market forces come crashing in on Hollywood executives?

The answer's in the numbers. The average budget for these five films was about $20 million. Their average worldwide gross? Just over $80 million - and that doesn't even include DVD revenues.

So it would seem that Hollywood will feel no pressure to make movies that are popular and make a huge amount of money. They're content to make movies for their Blue State audiences and make a smaller amount of money.
Well, at least they're not hypocrites. They're proudly promoting their liberal causes and not worrying about making gobs of money. People in the Red States will just have to get their entertainment elsewhere and accept the few movies that will appeal to us.
However, what Hollywood is doing can be done by a conservative production company. "The Passion" is one example of what can be done. Conservatives are going to have to be creative and find those movies that will cost little to make but are appealing enough to get people to the movies.

Cold, Wet Weekend

This weekend is a lost in regards to getting any yardwork done. So, I'm working on projects inside like clean the house, update the budgets, and change my blog page. I took the plunge and changed the template. I hope I moved everything that I should to the new template.

Trixie is doing what all my other children are doing, sleeping.

Faces of Tigger

OK, look straight ahead! Open your eyes wide! Good, Good!
Alright, shift to the right! No, No, my right! Fantastic! You're doing great!
Now, look to the left! Yeah, that's it. You're looking hot! Man, they're going to love you!

Russ Feingold, Comic Relief

Politics for the last few weeks have really fustrated me. I've just gotten tired of all the antics of Congress, the President and the MSM. Then, in steps Russ Feingold. His proposal to censure President Bush for his warrantless wiretapping program was just so stupid that it was funny.
Feingold's stunt made him very popular with the looney left but has further revealed how laughably kooky they are. You know, I just might enjoy the 2008 elections if they keep giving us stuff like this.
This was the best article summing up Feingold's stunt.

Arkansas Funeral Bill Proposal

From the NWA TIMES
State Rep. Jeff Wood, D-Sherwood is proposing a bill which would make it a misdemeanor for a person to picket a funeral in order to disrupt, inconvenience or annoy attendees. The bill would also allow a person to file a civil court action against the protestors. Similar bills have passed in other states.
The proposed bill has come about because of the activities of the Westboro Baptist Church and Rev. Fred Phelps Sr, the church's founder. Members of Phelps' church stand outside funeral services holding signs that say, "God Hates Fags," and "God Hates the USA." They also sing songs with anti-homosexual messages.

While what the church is doing is absolutely disgusting, cruel, and offensive, they have the right to Freedom of Speech. I really doubt that this bill would pass a constitutional review. There are other options to dealing with these people. These Guys!

Patriot Guard Riders are outstanding people making sure that the families at funerals are not bothered by the church members. Part of their mission is to:

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.Mission

Yeah, we have scumbags disrespectful our fallen heroes, but we have wonderful people like the Patriot Guard Riders making sure that they have their funerals with honor and peace.

Probably the best part of the Patriot Guard Riders web site is their letter page. Check it out!

Got Wal-Mart, You're Next

After having passed the Wal-mart bill in January, Maryland has now declared war on every business owner. Story

The bill, sponsored by Delegate James W. Hubbard, D-Prince George's, would force businesses with fewer than 10,000 employees to put at least 4.5 percent of their payrolls toward health benefits for their workers, or pay the difference into the state's Medicaid fund.

One wonders why the legislators can't conceive of the financial burden it would place on business owners, many of which employ less than fifty.

Amy Weaver, president and director of the Daily Discoveries, said that her business, which already provides healthcare to its 40 employees, would be forced to pay an additional $16,000 per year under Hubbard's bill. Imposing another payroll tax would be devastating," she said. "I'm not willing to pay my employees less. Childcare is already an underpaid industry."

The Employment Policies Institute sent out a press release which described what effect the bill would have.

Research from economists at Dartmouth University and the University of Michigan found that healthcare mandates increase labor costs for employers, which they must pass on either to customers in the form of higher prices, or to employees through reduced hours, lowered wages, or other cutbacks in benefits.

One thing is for sure, companies are not going to be willing to come to Maryland. Businesses look for states which are going to help them reduce costs. If this bill passes, Maryland may be looking at losing business. Companies may decide it costs too much and go somewhere else. The people of Maryland had better wake up to what their legislature is doing.

Hollywood - Clueless

The New York Times reports on the annual ShoWest convention this week. The convention was aimed at movie theater owners to get them excited about the coming summer movies.

The slide in American moviegoing was an open wound at the ShoWest convention, and was addressed with unusual directness by John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners, and Dan Glickman, chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, in their speeches here. The decline in attendance for three consecutive years "is a trend that must be reversed," Mr. Glickman declared in his address Tuesday.

OK! How about a hint! STOP MAKING CRAPPY MOVIES!

The future of the industry, many here seemed to agree, lies with understanding consumer behavior toward what has been a leading entertainment choice for almost a century. "That's the real question: What do you do to stir attendance, to get people in theaters?" asked Peter C. Brown, chairman of AMC Entertainment, which has 4,400 screens across the country.

Hey! Another hint! STOP MAKING REALLY CRAPPY MOVIES!

I found it interesting that no one had any idea of what was happening to the industry and maybe if some one did, they sure weren't discussing it.
Alright, I have some suggestions:.

1. Make movies that are purely entertainment. Ones that are funny, adventuresome, and just good old fun. Ones like Narnia, and Harry Potter. Heck I've read a number of books that would make great movies.
2. Don't make movies that politicize, bash Christians and Republicans, and don't make fun of our family values.
3. I am not going to a movie for $10 apiece. I'm more than willing to wait to rent it or buy it cheaper.
4. I am not going to pay the ridiculous prices for food. I can eat at home a lot cheaper and have better food.

I hope that they figure this out because they're going to keep losing money and go belly up if they don't start listening to us.

Promoting Pap Smears

This is an odd way to remind women to get their yearly pap smear. Hey, it's getting people's attention so, Shimmer go for it!

Globat.com(R in a very unique effort to raise awareness to cervical cancer prevention, today announced the world's first sponsorship of a gynecological visit for Shimmer, a long-time eBay celebrity from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Shimmer will be riding to and from her gynecologist in a limo, will undergo a gynecological exam and will be promoting Globat.com and cancer prevention throughout the day.
During her visit to the doctor, she will be wearing a temporary tattoo of the Globat.com logo on her chest, and will then hit the clubs handing out St. Patrick's Day-themed Globat.com t-shirts, hats and stickers and, of course, promoting the necessity for women over 18 to get tested frequently.

Shimmer sells advertising on her body on e-bay. It appears that her favorate place to put the tattoo is on her chest.

Arkansas Athletic Spending

This was briefly noted on 40/29 tonight and I decided to look further into it. I have found very little information on it, just a few articles and this is the best.

A report on athletic spending was released the last week of February. This was a report mandated by law, passed during the 2004 special session and sponsered by Rep. Betty Pickett, D-Conway. The report said that Arkansas public schools spent at least $85.9 million for athletic programs last year, amounting to about $190 per student.

"I think we're getting closer to a realistic figure on what's actually being spent," Pickett said. "Still, the whole report is wrought with inconsistencies. Some of them are just flagrant."

Picket is angry because she thinks that athletic spending is high in light of the continuing battle over public school spending. Because of a state Supreme Court decision legislators are looking at increasing the amount spent per student. Currently, $1,152 per student is set aside to pay for all items outside of curriculum and instruction. About $190 of that goes to athletics.

Pickett said 10 percent of that amount is too much to direct toward athletics."I think it bothers me more now than when we first started looking at this because the school districts now have come back to us ... saying they don't have enough to operate," she said.

State Education Board member Ben Mays of Clinton, a longtime crusader for accountability in athletic spending, said he suspects districts are raiding funds intended for education to pay for sports programs. Mays contends that most districts did not fully disclose their athletic expenses. He estimates districts are spending at least $3,500 for each student involved in varsity sports. The Department of Education figures are "horribly underreported," he said.

The report doesn't say where the rest of the money goes to. If 10% is spent on athletics were does the rest go? What are the schools spending our tax money on. Athletics are the most visible program so it's easy to pick on. I'm not big on athletics myself but I do see it benefits.

I'm not sure that we're going to get any answers. Even if they figure out what money is actually spend on athletics and that it gets more than its fair share, no one is going to do anything about it. The way I see it, the legislature will raise taxes somewhere to get the education money they want. They certainly aren't going to cut any school's athletic programs. After all athletics are more important than test scores or debilitated buildings.

Safe

I stayed awake most of the night with the TV on. There was a tornado about 30 miles to the north of me. I myself was ready to duck into my safe place when the TV showed an area of rotation heading towards me. I had already thrown the cats in and was watching to see if and when I had to. But it passed just south of me and no reports of a tornado sighted. The TV this morning has been showing the damage in Benton County. They've also show hail the size of baseballs. Whew! I'm glad I didn't get hail that size.
So far no deaths or major injuries. Thank God!

Problems Working at the Computer

Why do the cats seem to think that my working at the computer is the time to be sociable?



First, there is Bows in my face trying to give me kisses.


Then, there is Eli who goes for blocking the whole screen.



Finally, there is the falling asleep on my arm while I'm typing.

Stormy Weekend

It's a busy weekend. I'm keeping the weather channel on because of the possibility of tornados. It's really windy right now and very warm and muggy. Sure doesn't feel like winter. Saturday morning I managed to begin cleaning up more of the yard. I put in potatoes and added a second crop of lettuce. It rained last night so the ground is too wet to do anything today.


The dogs are enjoying themselves. Casey is running around with his toys and bones. We started intermediate obedience Thursday. We were both overwhelmed. All of the other people have been in the class for awhile. Casey and I will have to work hard to catch up with them.



Trixie is just enjoying the sunshine.

Dubai, Congress' Mistake

Well, the Dubai terminal deal is kaput. Congress threw a hissy fit and the DPW people decided that it would be best if they withdrew. I hadn't made any comments until now because I was willing to wait for information about DPW, port operations and port security. I was apprehensive at first about the deal but as I gathered more information I was willing for DPW to run the terminal(not the port as most people report). Spurning DPW might have some long term economic and foreign policy ramification, but it certainly did not make our ports any safer.

Unlike me, Congress went nuclear without even bothering with data. I understand Democrats trying to appear as if they're concerned about national security unloading their guns, but Republicans?

It appears that Republicans were more concerned with politics and protecting their backsides. They saw how the polls were going , how it appeared that the Democrats were getting some footing on the Republican's top issue and they freaked. They made decisions base on the emotions of the issue instead of the facts. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!

Congress' actions were disgraceful but the Bush administration deserves a great share of the blame for the way the deal blew up and got out of hand. He should have been out there explaining the deal, how port operations run, who DPW was and what they were doing for us. The Bush administration needs to revamp their PR philosophy.

It's interesting to note that some are already saying that Congress had made a mistake.

From Real Clear Politics

One more note from McCain's speech last night. Among the "straight talk" he offered to the delegates was the view that killing the Dubai ports deal was a mistake. McCain talked about depth of our relationship with the UAE, especially with regard to how much logistical assistance our Navy receives from Dubai, and how it was harmful to America's effort to win the war for the hearts and minds of the Arab people around the world. He said he felt the decision to kill the deal was premature and not handled particularly well by Congress: "The president deserved better," McCain said to a smattering of applause

Retire in Fayetteville

According to a press release from the city of Fayetteville, Where to Retire magazine, has selected Fayetteville to profile as a top retirement spot in its March/April 2006 issue. I never knew there was a magazine just for promoting places to retire. Within the next 5 to 10 years there are going to be a lot of people retiring so I suppose it makes sense.

Mayor Dan Coody said "Any time we receive national recognition like this it reinforces what those of us in Fayetteville already know - this is wonderful place to live. Where to Retire selected Fayetteville because of the high quality of life our citizens enjoy, and we are fortunate to have so many amenities and assets that are attractive to folks looking to relocate."

The editor, Mary Lu Abbot, noted that Fayetteville has many of the qualities that are important to today's retirees. "Home to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville enjoys amenities such as collegiate-level sports, opportunities for continued education and a lively cultural scene. The Walton Arts Center presents exhibits, musical and is home to the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Among other attractions, great medical facilities, a new library and bountiful natural beauty help draw retirees to this scenic city in the hills of the Ozarks," Abbot said.

Welcome y'all to Fayetteville!

Wal-Mart and Bloggers

The New York Times begins this article about Wal-Mart feeding news and information to bloggers who have written favorable of Wal-Mart. The idea being that having done so, they might continue to blog favorable. The NYT also noted that other companies have utilized bloggers also.
The majority of the article is about the bloggers posting the information given to them, in some cases word for word, without citing where they got it.
It appears that the NYT would like to ream Wal-Mart for using bloggers, but because other companies utilize them, they're trying to make an issue about the bloggers.
Alyce Lomax has managed to thump both Wal-Mart and bloggers.

Wal-Mart's strategy to repair its public image through the blogosphere has resoundingly backfired. News like this makes the company sound sneaky and underhanded, out to launch the equivalent of a corporate propaganda campaign, which of course fires up Wal-Mart's detractors even more. Meanwhile, bloggers who don't disclose their relationships with certain entities or individuals lose a heck of a lot of credibility, tarring the entire blogosphere by association, and making blogs seem that much less reliable as a source of information.

I know that reporters do not reveal where they get their information when they write an article. I'm pretty sure that they get phone calls and e-mails from the PR departments from all sorts of companies. It appears that bloggers are going to be held to a higher standard than the MSM.


Jeff Jarvis has some advice.

So my first reponse{response} is to help bloggers with advice:

If you write a post inspired by what you get from a company or its PR agent, say so. If you use facts or quotes from a company, politician, PR agent, or press release, say so (better yet, link to it). If you get anything from a PR agent — things, business meetings, social events — say so. Your public has a right to know where your information comes from so they can judge it accordingly.

And then you know what? You will be way ahead of the press

.

Disclosure: Wal-Mart has not contacted me with any news and information. They have not invited me to any meetings. My feelings are hurt! I live just next door and I've not been invited to the party!

UPDATE:
Proud Conservative has received an email from a spokesman for Wal-Mart concerning the New York Times article.

Stopping the Leaks

Sometimes, you get what you ask for. Throughout the Valerie Plame leak scandal, the MSM has been demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of the individuals who were responsible for such a dastardly deed. So, with the far more damaging leaks about secret prisons and the NSA's surveillance program, the Bush administration has been busy launching initiatives targeting journalists and their possible government sources. The administration has been doing exactly what the MSM wanted. However, they don't sound all too happy about it.

"There's a tone of gleeful relish in the way they talk about dragging reporters before grand juries, their appetite for withholding information, and the hints that reporters who look too hard into the public's business risk being branded traitors," said New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller, in a statement responding to questions from The Washington Post. "I don't know how far action will follow rhetoric, but some days it sounds like the administration is declaring war at home on the values it professes to be promoting abroad."

You remember Bill Keller. He led the fight for the Valerie Plame CIA leak investigation, cheering the appointment of a special prosecutor with powers that exceeded even the old independent counsels.

We'll probably start hearing about the Plame leak was much worse because it was the administration getting even. The NSA and prison leaks were because some poor government worker couldn't stand the terrible things the administration was doing. They were whistleblowers, not criminals.

Cry, baby, cry! You aren't getting any sympathy. The Plame crap didn't hurt anyone. The leaks about the NSA and secret prisons have damaged our national security and left us more vulnerable.

The Bush administration has the MSM by the balls and are starting to squeeze. I hope they squeeze until they crack a few.

Story

Wal-Mart Good News

Sam's Club got some good news. The lawsuit filed by the Arkansas Beverage Retailers Assoc. was dismissed. The Sam's Club that will be built off of Highway 112 was put on hold because of the lawsuit. Now, they can begin construction.

The Retailer's law suit claim that allowing Sam's to sell alcohol would hurt their business. Judge Ellen Brantley said "It(the current law) appears to me to indicate that economic competition is not an interest that is protected."

Cry me a river! These liquor stores have been gouging the people of Fayetteville for years. Everyone has been cheering for Sam's because they can finally can get liquor locally at a reasonable price.
Story

Cat Pics

Tigger looks all pooped out from a hard day. I wonder what these cats do when I'm gone?
Eli sneaked into the garage and I didn't find him until a few hours later. He didn't seem bother at all. He just found himself a place to sleep.
Bow's is meditating in the morning light or just counting all the dust particles.

Gardening

Oh Boy! Am I really sore! I started to clean up the garden. I have more work this spring. I wasn't able to do a fall clean-up because I was recovering from surgery. There are leaves to mulch, shrubs to trim, beds to turn up and new beds to make. The daffodils are really blooming. I wish they'd bloom all year. I love having bouquets of them in the house.



I did find a surprise when I cleaned out some leaves in a bed. My ginger is blooming! I just love spring!

Neat Sign

Since I'm on the subject on dogs, this sign is just the cutest thing. I'm sorry I don't remember from whom I stole it from.

Too Tired to Rant

I'm too tired tonight to go on a rant about the Democrats and the MSM. I've got one in me that's just dying to get out. So I've put up Casey instead. Casey is set to graduate from beginning obedience next week. I've signed him up for Agility training, to be started in April(I hope). In the meantime we'll move on to immediate obedience training.
Casey has got himself an infected ear. I've been cleaning it for the past couple of days. I don't like cleaning ears. That gunk is the nastiest thing. I can pick up poop or vomit without any problem, but ear crap, EWWWWWWWWW!

Wal-Mart is but the Beginning

Brendan Miniter at Opinion Journal interviewed Maryland's Delegate James Hubbard, a Democrat from Prince George's County about the Wal-Mart bill. The plans Mr. Hubbard revealed should send a chill down the spine of any business owner.

He(Mr. Hubbard) began our conversation by pointing out that the Wal-Mart bill--which forces companies with more than 10,000 employees to spend at least 8% of their payroll on health care or pay the state the difference--was always intended to be just the first step.

It appears that Mr. Hubbard has been trying for years to force employers to provide health insurance using the tax code. He would use the tax collected from these businesses to expand Medicaid eligibility. In other words, he is trying to push socialized medicine. The first company that was targeted was Wal-Mart.

It passed last year and was enacted last month, when the Legislature overrode Gov. Robert Ehrlich's veto. Two weeks ago Mr. Hubbard was at it again, this time introducing a new bill to mandate that companies with at least 1,000 employees spend 4.5% of their payroll on health care or pay the state the difference. Once this piece is in place, Mr. Hubbard told me, the next step will be to create a similar mandate--perhaps 2% or 3%--for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. Each year, Mr. Hubbard hopes to expand the mandate to include ever smaller companies with the ultimate goal of "health coverage for all Marylanders."

You have to give Mr. Hubbard credit for being honest. He makes it plain that every business is going to be made to pay for health care or pay the state. If Mr. Hubbard gets what he wants will he stop there? Is the 2-3% going to be enough? I'm pretty sure that something can be found to justify a bigger increase. And why stop at health coverage? How about retirement, child care, senior care, the homeless? Socialism will never be satisfied.

Already a dozen other states are seeing what Maryland is doing and are getting on the bandwagon. They are introducing their own Wal-Mart bills. The business community needs to get behind Wal-Mart because if Wal-Mart fails to get these bills defeated all businesses will suffer.
Article

Wal-Mart Fights Back

Wal-Mart is intensifying its efforts to improve its image. It has been attempting to counter criticism from unions and other groups(Democrats) who say it pays poverty-level wages, provides insufficient health benefits and discriminates against women. Wal-Mart has tapped civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young to serve as chairman of Working Families for Wal-Mart Web Site
Working Families for Wal-Mart are customers, business leaders, activists, civic leaders, educators and many others with first-hand knowledge of Wal-Mart's positive contributions to communities according to it's web site.

"The critics have it wrong," Young said in a statement. "For those who care about the poor it is time to step up, speak out and join this national discussion."

I think Andrew Young to serve as chairman is an odd choice. He is a well-known liberal. I'm surprised he's going to defend Wal-Mart in the face of the Left's onslaught. I'd thought he take the side of the Unions.

Full Story

This Doesn't Jive

From the AP,

LITTLE ROCK AP About 81 percent of Arkansas households are "food insecure," meaning they don't have reliable access to food, according to an anti-hunger group in Arkansas.

The national rate is 70 percent, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance says

.
OK, this just doesn't sound right. I see too manychunkyy people walking around for this to be true. There are too many people at work constantly on diets. Since our governor has lost a bit of weight and has been promoting a healthy lifestyle I check out his web site

* Arkansas has seen a 77% increase in
obesity from 1991-2000.
* Over 60% of Arkansas adults are at an
unhealthy weight and 37% of these are
obese.

According to a press release from the National Governors Association. The first two days of the meeting were dedicated to Gov. Huckabee's chairman's initiative Healthy America. Huckabee said "nearly 129 million adults in the United States are overweight; of these, more than 60 million are obese and 9 million are severely obese."

Yup, what do you know! Corrective: US-Hunger-Ark story

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- In a Feb. 23 story about hunger in Arkansas, The Associated Press reported erroneously that 81 percent of Arkansas' households and 70 percent of the nation's households did not have reliable access to food.

A report by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance said food banks provide assistance to about 10.6 percent of the state's population and that, among their clients, a survey showed that 81 percent did not have reliable access to food. The national figure is 70 percent among food-bank clients

.
I still don't understand why 81% of food-bank clients have trouble getting food and yet 60% of Arkansas adults are at an unhealthy weight(FAT!) What does "reliable access to food" mean? What do they mean by "food"? Could it be that "food insecure" is the liberal left's lingo for "we can't say 'hunger in American' anymore because people would laugh at us. We still need to extort money from the government so let's change the language and the argument to 'fear of being hungry occasionally' or 'at risk of being in fear of being hungry'. We'll just keep coming up with new terms to confuse people, so that they won't look too closely at the truth of what it actually means to be 'poor' and 'hungry'".

I think this is one bogus study. There is not a single place in the entire U.S. that a person can live and not have access to free food for the asking, made available by government programs as well as private charities.

Saturday's Cat Tales

I caught Eli and Tigger together again. I wonder about all this togetherness. I think they may be up to something.


Bows is looking really good. She has gained back all her weight since she was sick. I'm now a believer of her having a food allergy.

She is playing again. I snapped her playing with her favorite toy, a ball of paper.

Terminella's Attorney Wars with Fayetteville's Attorney

Some aldermen relayed their concerns about Tom Terminella's attorney Robert Ginnanven attempting to contact them regarding issues which may led to a lawsuit by Terminella. Kit Williams sent a letter to Mr Ginnanven reminding him about the rules of ethical conduct. Mr Ginnanven took issue with the letter, describing it as a veiled threat. Upon reading the letter by Mr Williams LETTER , I suppose if you were easily offended it could be interpreted as a threat. However, I see it as the aldermen bringing up legitimate concerns that Mr. Ginnanven is attempting to influence them in regards to his client. As such I think it's appropriate that Mr. Williams relays that concern to Mr. Ginnanven.
I find Mr. Ginnanven's response LETTER to Mr Williams to be a direct threat. In fact, I find that Mr. Ginnanven's letter is an attempt to bully the city council and I am not at all happy about it. Mr Ginnanven writes:

"The bigger question here is, who among you have complained to the City Attorney about my effort to communicate with you" and "I have already made a request, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, demanding that Mr. Williams identify those of you who have so complained" and "For those of you who are willing to communicate with me, please let me know so I may expose the cowards who are engaging in a secret campaign against me"

I interpret this to mean, that I will find out who you are that ratted me out and I will make sure you don't do it again, because I'll get you. I don't know if Mr. Terminella knew what Mr. Ginnanven was doing or if he approved or order it, but I do not like a developer's lawyer threatening the city council in an attempt to influence them. I hope the council stands together and lets people know that they will not be threaten or bullied.

Arkansas Republican Lt Governor Candidates

The Washington County Republican Women held a forum of the Lt Governor Candidates, Chuck Banks, Jim Holt, and Doug Matayo. The candidates had opening and closing statements and a number of questions asked by a moderator.

Chuck Banks called himself a Ronald Reagan Republican and says he brings experience and electability.
Jim Holt said he has experience as well as being trained in critical thinking.
Doug Matayo said that he was pro-life, pro-gun and was for shrinking and streamlining the government.

Lt Governor is considered by some to be a step down in Arkansas' politics, what did they think of that? Banks stated that when it comes to a job you make it what you want it to be. Holt said it was another way for him to serve. Matayo wanted to use the office to do more economic development for the state. He'd also use the office as a bridge between the governor and the legislature.

The candidates were asked about eminent domain within Arkansas. Doug Matayo stated that there were areas within the current legislation that needed to be tighten up. Parts of the TIF legislation needed to be clarified. Banks echoed what Matayo said and Holt commented on judges over-reaching.

Of the three candidates I was most impressed by Doug Matayo. He was very knowledgeable, has more political experience, and had very clear objectives. I was least impressed with Jim Holt. He has no clear idea what he wants to do as Lt Governor(other than putting in cameras) and he come across as being full of himself. Chuck Banks is a real nice guy and he seems like he's a real charmer. He's a little weak on ideas, but I'd chose him over Holt.

I talked to Doug afterwards and asked him about economic development in Arkansas. He said we needed to lure industry into the state, to make manufacturing incentives. Arkansas needed to update and go global. He mentioned a white paper by The Murphy Commission, An Arkansas Policy Foundation Initiative Here He said he supported the ideas within the paper. I asked him about illegal immigration to which he responded that the current laws needed to be enforced. It's too bad that he didn't vote no on HB1525.

As I left I was given a hand-out which, when I spoke with the woman, I was under the impression it was by the American Family Association. Later, when I looked at the hand-out, on the very last page at the very bottom of the page was the web site for Jim Holt. The paper was a list of bills that Holt voted against and Matayo voted for. I think Jim Holt should make it plain that it's his campaign that's distributing this hand-out instead of the AFA.

Fayetteville - City Plan Work In Progress

Monday night Dover, Kohl & Partners summarized the results of the workshops and then showed several draft designs.

They found that the people of Fayetteville wanted

1. Increased green areas
2. Diverse, mixed and complete neighborhoods
3. A walkable and bikable city
4. Improved connectivity between neighborhoods
5. Anticipate transit.

They noted that 69% of people wanted a walkable/bikable city, 62% wanted mixed neighborhoods, 79% more parks, and 100% wanted growth to occur within existing developed areas. The areas where most wanted densification to occur was College Ave, 6th Street, The Mall, Rupple Rd and Southpark.

A draft of the proposed action plan for Fayetteville was handed out. It had 5 points:

1. Make infill and revitalization a highest priority
2. Discourage suburban sprawl
3. Make traditional town form the norm
4. Grow a livable transportation network
5. Assemble an enduring green network.

We were treated to several draft designs Drafts Here where we were able to visualized what we were asking for. I thought their concept of changing College Ave and the Fulbright Express into multiway boulevards was absolutely wonderful. The audience really liked Dover & Kohl's ideas and were excited at the prospect of what Fayetteville could become.

Snow Day!

There was a snow storm last night. We woke up with several inches on the ground. Eli was the only cat that was brave enough to go out. He didn't like it much.



He much preferred to sleep in the chair with Bows next to the fire.



Casey, on the other hand, was in Dog Heaven. He loved the snow.



The birds were grateful for the extra food thrown out.

City Plan 2025 - Neighborhoods

I attended the Council of Neighborhoods where there was further discussion about the City Plan 2025. Most of the discussions centered around the impact of growth on neighborhoods. Victor Dover summarized what people were concerned about.

1. Green Spaces
2. Walkable neighborhoods
3. Keeping the Natural Landscape
4. Densifying and Renovating the Main Traffic Corridors, especially College.
5. Becoming Transit Ready
6. Affordable Housing

Victor said that Fayetteville has suffered under bad, ugly, dysfunctional and inefficient growth. People are now asking for growth so that neighborhoods are compact, complete and connected. There is a final meeting Monday. I am looking forward to seeing the complete project.

Ann Coulter Speech

Just got back from seeing Ann Coulter. She was very good and very funny.
There was a fair bit of security. Bags were examined before going into the theater and no one got into Walton Arts Center without a ticket. Police were noticeable everywhere. While Ann was speaking there were three guys on stage, one near her and two in the wings. I didn't get any pictures because they were confiscating any they saw.

It was nice having all that security but there weren't that many protesters or hecklers. There was one protester outside holding a sign "Ann Coulter - role model for Barbie Dolls and Stepford Wives everywhere". Poor thing, I felt so sorry for her that I didn't bother to take her picture. Inside, the liberal opposition mostly held up "Hate Shield" signs. Their purpose was to deflect things that the holder would find offensive. I think they should have named it a "Shield of Hate" as that is what they were projecting. I suggested to one person that maybe they should be projecting love towards Ann. I was ignored.

Ann talked about a variety of topics mostly from current events. She spent a good amount of time on the Democrats not taking the defense of the country seriously. Here a few comments she made that I enjoyed:
1. Bill, Hillary and the Democrat Party are meeting to find a way to make Dean's death look like an accident.
2. We need to keep liberal talk radio, it keeps the moonbats busy while the Republics run the country.
3. We finally have a war on Fundamentalism and now the liberals don't want to fight it.
4. The Republican Party is winning elections because the liberals are insane not because the party is a well organized machine.

Ann had a question and answer time. One person remarked that Ann was the feminist idea of what a woman was to be, intelligent, well- educated, and with a very successful career. Why do they hate her? The best question I thought was about Bush's doctrine of democracy in Iraq and other Arab countries, idealistic or realistic. Ann answered that she though it was a bit of both. Realistic, that a democratic Iraq makes us safer in the U.S. Idealistic, she hopes that democracy spreads, but has some doubts.

The evening was great. Most of the people in the theater were fans of Ann. She got a very warm reception and several standing ovations. Finally, since this is Arkansas, we treated her to the Calling of the Hogs.

Fayetteville - City Plan 2025

Photo curtsey of City of Fayetteville
This weekend I participated in a hands-on design workshop where we were asked to determine where the projected population growth for 2025 should go. There were about 6 groups of us sitting around a map of Fayetteville. We had to agree on where on the map we should place a dot which represented 125 people. It was a lot of fun working with everyone.

It was very interesting seeing all 6 maps together. There were a lot of similarities and also a lot of good ideas. Thursday, there is an open house at Nadine Baum Studio where the maps from all the workshops are available. A definite must see for anyone interested in the growth of Fayetteville.

Reporters, Throwing Temper Tantrums

Note to the Press: Get A Grip!
Dick Cheney shooting a fellow hunter was an accident. Accidents happen. He did the right thing in making sure that Whittington had medical assistance and visited him in the hospital. I am sure Cheney profusely apologized. Cheney and Whittington are adult enough to sort things out between themselves. This incident is good for a few jokes, but shouldn't be that big of a deal. Who cares that you "The Press" weren't immediately informed. Maybe Whittington didn't want everyone to know that he stepped in the way and got shot. For a hunter that's pretty embarrassing. You "Press" think way too much of yourself. You're really not all that important and right now you're making an ass out of yourselves. Instead of having a few jokes at Cheney I'm seeing more about your temper tantrum. Big Cry-Babies!

Pair-O-Cats

Tigger and Eli are keeping watch, making sure no evil intruder storms the castle. Especially that sneaky little cat across the street.
They know I getting ready to sit down and do some work. It's their duty to sit or lay on any of my papers or books.

Reviving an Old Clinton Scandal

A new Hollywood film, Blood Trail, is in the works. It will dramatize the story of how contaminated blood from Arkansas prisoners found its way into the veins of thousands of Canadian hemophiliacs, killing many.

Elizabeth Fowler of Clear Pictures Entertainment, one of two partners in the project said it will feature some prominent characters: Bill Clinton and Paul Martin. She purchased rights to the life stories of Michael Galster, an Arkansas doctor who raised alarms about the prison blood program, and Michael McCarthy, a Canadian hemophiliac who became infected through tainted blood.

It's the second film that has been made about the scandal. The first, Factor 8, is a documentary of a reporter’s search for the truth. He discovers that his home state knew it was dealing a dangerous product, yet put profits over public safety while federal regulators looked the other way. Charges of cronyism and cover-up reach all the way to the administration of then-Gov. Bill Clinton. Factor 8 has never been distributed in North America although it has won some film festival awards.

Blood Trail, is expected to be released in about a year.

Full Story

Yuck!

Ahhhh, living in Arkansas! Where else is some one going to save a chicken by giving it mouth-to-mouth. Let me tell you, I know people who would do it. But not me! Chickens are food, not pets!

Stupid Things on eBay

Why waste your money? She's so desperate for attention she'll do anything for free.

Trash Talking at a Funeral

You know, after the fall-out the Democrats suffered after the Wellstone memorial you would think they would have learned their lesson. Instead, they've ratchet it up to a higher level and took political swipes at President Bush while he was sitting just behind them. What they did was wrong and in very poor taste. Apparently their mamas didn't teach them manners.

It's such a tragedy. Instead of remembering the accomplishments of Mrs. King, we were assaulted with the rantings and ravings of the Democrats. Considering they have all of the MSM as their mouthpieces, why do they have to used funerals as a political platform to spew their poison? Are they so hungry for political power that they have to trash Mrs. King's memorial? From now on, we will be remembering the Democrats antics instead of the memory of Mrs. King.

In the future, when planning a memorial service, don't invite a Democrat to speak.

Cartoon Riots

The cartoon riots would seem not to be about the depiction of Mohammed, but about Islam wanting to impose it's religious tenets on the Western World. That anything like a cartoon,first published in September 2005, would trigger such a crazed reaction - riots, death threats, burning and looting of embassys - indicates that there is something more going on. Indeed, the news is now that the riots have been stroked by well-organized radical Muslims.

What the world is seeing is how Muslims are going to deal with issues regarding Islam. There will be no discussions, no compromise, no attempt at understanding other points of view. They are going to deal with it by intimidation, death threats, and violent mobs burning and looting.Pictures

This is going to cause problems to those who insist that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. The world is watching the violence and intolerance of Muslims in many countries and it sees the disparity of what Islamists are saying(we are peaceful)and what they are doing(violent revenge). Muslims who wish for the peaceful Islam are going to have to confront the extremists in their midst. They are going to have publicly denouce the Mosques, clerics and Arab countries which harbor these extremists. If they don't they will be caught in the backlash from the Western governments.

The Western governments are going to have to stop wimping out when dealing the extremist Muslims. Governments need to force the Muslims to adhere to the law of the land instead of pampering them. Governments have got to stop this ridiculous political correctness and multicultural sensitivity. If a government kowtows to radical Islam they will find they have lost the values that a free society holds dear; freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of travel and the freedom of religion.

What the extremists are doing is a form of terrorism. Either submit to Sharia law or be a target of violence. What is the World going to do?

Remembering Steve Wilson, MD

I went to a friend's memorial service this afternoon. Steve was such a wonderful guy. Steve was a talented musician, playing piano, banjo and bagpipes. He loved telling jokes. A fan of ice cream, Steve held the Guinness world record for owning the most ice cream makers. Steve was diagnosed with cancer a few months before me. Unfortunately, it had gone to his liver and lungs by the time it was discovered. I was able to talk to him about issues I was dealing with myself. Both he and I knew that he was terminal and my prognosis was very good. He left me with the challenge to embrace life and not sit it out. His final gift:

A Note From Steve

No one has ever lived on this earth who appreciated the gift of life more, or has received more forgiveness, or more blessings from God than myself. I am deeply and eternally grateful for this. I have cherished life and have tried, in spite of my many failings, to walk with God every step of the way, as based on Micah 6:9, and along the way, I have learned to expect miracles and I have never been disappointed.

People have always been a big part of my life, and I celebrate the people who have been in my life, and who have honored me by allowing me to be part of their lives as well. I have truly enjoyed my career; which I have always viewed as a calling and mission from God. I can honestly say I have learned far more from my patients than I have ever taught them. Many of them have unkowingly helped heal me as much as I have helped them. As for friends and family, I don't have the words to express my gratitude for just having been in my life, because I've had the best friends and the best family a person could ever hope for. I love them all dearly, beyond description.

I face my death as I have faced much of life; it's just another adventure to be experienced. While I do not welcome it, I do not fear it. My pain is the pain for those I must leave behind.
I have always been moved by the fact that all through the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as sitting at the right hand of God. There is one exception to this, and that is at the death of the martyr Stephen, when Jesus is depicted as standing at the right hand of God. To me, this has always been an indication that the death of a believer, one of God's children, is a significant event to Jesus, so much so that he rises from the throne at the death of His faithful.

This service is not about me, it's about God and His mercy and blessings and the gift of life to be celebrated by all. The greatest praise to God is a life well-lived, forgiveness humbly accepted and joy and praise to God for unbelievable and countless blessings. I have had far more blessings than any reasonable person could ever hope to expect and for this I am humbly and eternally grateful.

Morning in the Sun

Bows
This morning there was frost on the ground. It feels good just to stay inside and soak up the sun. The east window is the best place. Val understands and placed a nice stand right next to the window.

Eli
Bows took the best spot! Oh well! At least I'm near the computer to make sure Val spells everything correctly.

The Twits Among Us

via WorldNetDaily

Civil rights activist and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond delivered a blistering partisan speech at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina last night, equating the Republican Party with the Nazi Party and characterizing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her predecessor, Colin Powell, as "tokens."

"The Republican Party would have the American flag and the swastika flying side by side," he charged.

Why do these people keep saying Republicans are Nazis? Haven't they studied any history at all? Either they were too stupid and failed history or the school they were attending was teaching how to be stupid. Yeah, just keep on calling Republicans Nazis. You just show what an ignoramus twit you are.

Ohhh! Don't you just love it when a prominent black leader makes racist remarks against other blacks. How do they expect to fight discrimination and racism when they're a bunch of racists? What a bunch of hypocrites!

President's State of the Union Speech

The President's speech was good. Most of what he said was pretty much what I expected. The National Security part was very good. I did like his stab at protectionism and isolationism. When he got to the domestic issues it kinda slowed down. I didn't like his comment on energy. That we were "addicted to oil". I don't think we are addicted to oil. We are too chicken and lazy to take on the leftist environmental wackos. It's so much easier to get it from other nations then to get back control over our own oil.

The most intriguing part of the speech was watching the reactions of the Democrats. Didn't they know that what they were doing spoke volumes? When the President called for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, Republicans stood and cheered, the Democrats sat and sucked lemons. When the President defended the terrorist surveillance program, "because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again", the Republicans stood and cheered, the Democrats sat and smirked. Congratulations Democrats! You have just reinforced America's perception that you will do nothing to keep America safe. Security in the number ONE issue for Americans and you're on the wrong side.

The one time the Democrats stood and cheered while the Republicans sat; the defeat of Social Security reform. Why in the hell are you cheering? You twits just cheered your success at keeping Social Security insolvent! What a bunch of idiots! Hey, you're safe with your congressional retirement plan and won't need Social Security, but the rest of us haven't got such a cushy plan. I'm not going to get Social Security. I'm going to have to work until I'm 70/75 yrs old. When elections come around I'm going to remember who screwed me.