Election Day!

I am so glad I voted early. I was a poll watcher in Farmington. I arrived before 7 AM to introduce myself and setup. There was already a line starting to snake around the church. Once the poll opened at 7:30 it was non-stop. The lines were long and people were saying they had waited an hour to vote. This polling place had a couple of workers call in sick and they had to adjust. They weren't able to have a third line going. Those ladies at the poll worked really hard. They made sure everyone show some ID. One poll worker even had her own son show his ID. Those ladies were absolutely great and I was glad that a number of people did thank them for the work they were doing.

Late afternoon I joined a number of people lining Wedington Ave holding up signs of their choice. I was there for Craig Honchell. I worked several hours and left just before I got dark. Holding up signs out there is a bit boring so I bought my MP3 player and plugged in to some ABBA. OK, so I had a little fun out there. Yes, I was dancing. You just have to dance to ABBA. Well, I may have looked a little funny, but I sure stood out with that Craig Honchell sign.

I spotted Dan Coody and Lioneld Jorden campaigning out by the polling place on Wedington Ave. Lioneld said he was over at the polling place on Mount Comfort for several hours and he said that it was packed. I didn't talk too long, Lioneld was eyeing a couple getting out of their car. Whew, the polls are almost closed and it would be nice if this election would be over.

Circuit City is Closing in Fayetteville

Circuit City on Joyce Blvd is closing.

Circuit City Stores, Inc.
List of Closing Stores
November 3, 2008
Store # Store Name Street Address City State ZIP
3280 ANNISTON 704 SOUTH QUINTARD AVE ANNISTON AL 36201
829 TRUSSVILLE 3555 ROOSEVELT BLVD TRUSSVILLE AL 35235
3240 FAYETTEVILLE 744 EAST JOYCE BLVD FAYETTEVILLE AR 72703

I think Circuit City was in trouble before the economic downturn so it's hard to say how much the economy pushed them to this move. I do know that I've only been in that store a couple of times. I always seem to go to Best Buy or Amazon for my electronics. I guess I like BB better because they have better customer service than CC. BB's sales people know their electronics and are always hanging around waiting to help (can be a bit annoying sometimes). I must admit that I'll go to BB and ask about something and purchase it on Amazon if the price is better. I wonder how much impact this closing will affect Fayetteville's sales tax collection. Hopefully another retail store will take CC's place real soon.

John Boozman Bus Tour

Would you like to spend two days on a bus with these guys? The Boozman Bus Tour stopped in Springdale for a short rally at the Washington County Headquarters. The bus made stops through out the 3rd district. With all that time on the bus they had time to memorize all the places they stopped. Yeah, they demonstrated the little chant they made up.


I realized that I'm going to have to study up a bit on Arkansas history because they were giving away prizes at each stop to those who could correctly answer Arkansas history questions. Hey, give me a break! I'm from California!


The tour gave local candidates the opportunity to meet with John Boozman and they had an opportunity to speak about their campaigns. Earvel Fraley is a candidate for Washington County Judge.

Name Change

At lunch time I sat down to read the Northwest Arkansas Times article about the candidates for District 89, Gene Long and Jim House. As I was ending the first column I noticed that Jim was now running against some one named Baker. Who the hell is Baker? I continued reading and the article kept on mentioning this dude Baker. Ok, the options are: 1) Gene Long has changed his name to Gene Baker 2) this dude Baker iced Long and is taking over his life or 3) the writer and editor were up drinking all night. At least the on-line article is correct.

Fayetteville Frisco Trail, Hoover Memorial

I didn't get a chance to go to the dedication early this afternoon. I stopped by after work to see it and take Casey out for a walk. What a beautiful day! The Monument is just off of Center street. The Fayetteville Arts Council and Parks and Recreation picked a perfect spot for it. It really fits quite well with the rest of its surroundings and doesn't interfere with the natural areas along the trail. The piece is titled "City Fragments". The Monument is in place to honor the Hoover family who were tragically killed in an accident last year. The estate of the Hoover Family donated a piece of Steve Hoover's artwork. They refurbished and powder coated the piece back to its original orange color.

Help the Fayetteville Library

The Fayetteville Library is facing some budgetary uncertainly because the decline in the stock market has affected the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation. The library may have to ax programs due to cuts in funding from the Foundation. The library was set to ask the Fayetteville City Council for additional funding for an increase in operating hours and more materials. With a difficult economy people have been utilizing the library more frequently. However, there is an opportunity to help the library.

The Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library will host the Annual Silent Auction from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. The group is currently asking residents to donate new and gently used items for the sale. Items being accepted include jewelry, household items, electronics, artwork and furniture.

All right, I know we all have something that we can donate to the library. It'll be a good time to do some cleaning out of your closets, decluttering the coffee table or reducing the number of nick-knacks.

Washington County, Vote at Rodeo Grounds

The closure of the Washington County courthouse parking deck may be an inconvience some early voters may ignore. It certainly can be an adventure riding the Ozark Regional Transit shuttle from the parking deck at Central United Methodit Church. For those of us who really don't want the hassle of finding a parking spot or riding the shuttle there is another option. You can vote early at the Rodeo Grounds Community Center in Springdale. The hours are Noon till 6 PM Mon -Fri this week and next. You can also vote there this this Sat and next (Nov 1) from 10 Am till 2 PM. There is plenty of parking available.

A New Word for Racism

I wonder what history book Lewis Diuguid has been reading. He probably got a hold of one of those alternative history books. Where else could he get such a dim-witted idea that socialism is a code word for being black? Nope, I checked the dictionary and it still says its code for someone who believes in wealth redistribution and total government control. It doesn’t say anything about some one who dares to contradict, challenge or quantify Obama, the One and only Messiah.

Biden Doubts Obama's Ability to Lead

Biden’s gaff stumbles into the truth. Obama’s inexperience and his stated preference to talking rather than action are going to invite some country to initiate an international crisis. It appears that Biden even doubts that Obama and any of his advisers will respond to the crisis that would arouse any confidence in his ability to lead.

"And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."

We already know that Obama is soft on terrorism and that he’s going to abandon Iraq. You can bet that we’re going to have more killings of Americans if not another attack in America. Iran will get the nukes it wants because Obama’s lips will be to busy flapping to act on Iran. Israel would lose the support of America and will be facing Iran on its own. How about we select a leader that no country or organization is going to mess with. Why don’t we have a President in office that’s not going to abandon our friends and will protect us from our enemies? Why don’t we elect a President who has character, guts, courage and loyalty? How about we elect John McCain for President and not worry about an international crisis.

Craft Fairs, War Eagle and Bella Vista

I took time this week to go to a couple of fairs. What a beautiful day! The weather was perfect, cool and sunny. War Eagle was as crowded as ever. I also hit the Bella Vista fair. This one is very similar to what the Applegate Fair was like. I am not going to go 100 miles to go to it's new location at Mulberry Mountain, especially since there are so many fairs closer to home.

I stopped by Lori Ellyn's pottery booth. I like her work and I have several pieces of her work. Unfortunately, she had a large platter that looked exactly like Eli so I had to get it. She had a new line of pots that looked cute, but I had already spent too much money.

There were a few new items this year. A lot of the time you start seeing the same old things and you wonder if it's worth it to keep coming to the fairs. The one thing I didn't see were primitive Christmas ornaments. I decorate my Christmas tree with them and I usually am able to purchase several. I may have to go to the Christmas fairs to pick some more up for my collection. Shopping was successful. I stayed on budget and purchased most of my Christmas presents.

Grand Opening, Scull Creek Trail

Bikes, bikes everywhere and bikes of every type. While there were some walkers who showed up for the opening it definitely was a day for the bikers. There were a few more exotic bikes and a couple of homemade bikes. One of the homemade ones was an adapted water paddle boat. People were talking about the ability to bike to shops and restaurants. They were showing off their bike baskets and bags to store their shopping purchases. Wade Colwell was really pleased at the turnout and kept saying "Wow".

They were serving up hot dogs, vegi hamburgers, cookies and drinks for several hours with live music in the background. The Beaver Water District handed out free water bottles, which I really needed because I forgot to bring mine. Dot brought some really delicious red/white and blue cookies. Mmmmmm!

Mayor Coody and Matt Mihalevich drew the names to win the "trail" prizes. Dang! I didn't win anything. The City construction crew did a really great job in getting the trail completed for the Grand Opening. The Fulbright Tunnel was free of water and gravel and it was lit. They solved the seepage problem by carving gutters on the side. I hope it works when there is heavy rain. Judging by the number of people on the trail I'd say that the event was wildly successful. Matt and the construction crew have done an absolutely wonderful job!

The Staycation

I am on vacation this week. With money being tight this year I'm taking the opportunity to repair the rock wall and brick patio I put in over ten years ago. I didn't know what I was doing when I first put up the rock wall so the rocks were falling down. Also, the truckloads of dirt I put in had settled down so it needed to be re-leveled. When I saw the rocks I had originally put up, I can't believe I did such a bad job of it. Oh well, live and learn. Before I started putting the dirt back in, the supervisors, (Eli, Bows and Toby) inspected my handiwork.

I've been using more appropriate rocks this time and putting in gravel and rocks behind the wall to re-enforce it. I even put down a concrete bed on the one corner to help stabilize it. Toby has been a real pain in the butt while I've been working. He's either been chasing all the bugs I've disturbed or running up the hills of dirt or along the trench. I've had to keep checking where he was before I threw in some dirt or gravel. Oh, the life of a kitten!

More cats at Friday Ark

From Joe the Plummer

Interview Excerpts

You start giving people stuff, and then they start expecting it – and that scares me. A lot of people expect it now. They get upset when their check’s late, they get upset when they don’t get as many benefits as they used to, or when different government agencies are cut or spending is cut here and there for whatever reason – people get upset at that. And that’s because they’re used to getting it and they want more. I mean, everyone’s always gonna want more. People work the system left and right to get more out of welfare, to get more out of state assistance, federal assistance. And if government’s there for them, they’re gonna keep on trying to manipulate it to get more out of it. You got people that come along and say, “Hey, I wanna help you people,” I mean, they’re all ears! They’re like, “Hey, you can help me more, I don’t have to work as hard, I don’t have to do as much, and you’re gonna give me this?

Oh, gee! He's describing the people in the Democrat party.

There’s a lot of things I wish McCain would say. As far as this, yes, I would like him to speak. Not so much about small businesses, but just people in general that make this money. It’s not up to them to help America, I mean – let me rephrase that. It’s not – they shouldn’t be taxed more because they’ve succeeded. That’s envy and jealousy. Get off your butt and go work. Don’t sit there and expect the government to give it to you.

Democrat's class warfare. You need to punish those who succeed and take their money away and give it to those the Democrats deem more worthy to receive it.

The GOP and Squirrels?

From their blog.

Welcome! We are a group of concerned squirrels traveling around the country in an effort to highlight Barack Obama’s relationship with ACORN, a group that is being investigated for wide-scale voter fraud.

The Internet, Good for Your Brain

Thank God!

For middle-aged and older people at least, using the internet helps boost brain power, research suggests. A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulated centres in the brain that controlled decision-making and complex reasoning.

It's certainly good news considering the amount of time I spend reading on the Internet.

Wall Street Ow!

Here we go again, down! What a roller coaster!

Retail sales fell sharply in September as consumers shunned department stores, auto showrooms and shopping malls, ratcheting back spending for a third consecutive month. Economic activity slowed across the country,

Well, we knew that was going to happen. People have been spending much more on gas, so of course we're spending less on other things. I was balancing my checking account this weekend and boy was it easy to do. Not that many checks and ATM withdraws to clear. I have definitely been spending less. It's strange that the Dow went down so much on the news that we're spending less. It's not a surprise.

Reveal Obama's Character, You're a Racist

From Melanie Phillips

You have to pinch yourself - a Marxisant radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshipped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it's considered impolite to say so.

No! You are a racist! A flaming racist!

Judge Hunton, Tossing in Eminent Domain

Why? Why would you purchase a building knowing that the parking that's needed hasn't been found yet? Judge Hunton is going to end his career as a county judge on a dumb-ass decision of using eminent domain to get parking. Judge Hunton wants to destroy homes and businesses for a stupid parking lot? I'm sure the city of Fayetteville is going to be happy to lose the taxes they've been getting from those properties. It's just too bad that the Quorum Court did not plan out the parking before they bought the Terminella Building. Interestingly, Judge Hunton's plan may cause trouble for his son, Earl Hunton, who is running against Mark Martin for State Representative. Eminent Domain is extremely unpopular with voters, so Earl will have to distance himself from his father on this issue. It's possible Mark can make an issue of it. You know, "like father, like son". It must make interesting talk around the Hunton family dinner table.

Wall Street Wow!

Holy Cow! What a week! Boy, there are a lot of people who are sorry they sold their stocks last week. I was wondering why the stock market was diving last week. I was told that many people were panicking and selling off. Many mutual funds were selling their holdings to pay the people who wanted out. Today,I bet many people saw that there were many companies who stock is now undervalued and snatched it up. I sure hope that whoever is managing my funds were smart enough to do the same. LGF reminds people of the message from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Obama, Spread the Wealth Around

A plumber confronted Obama in an Ohio neighborhood, this weekend. The man asked Obama, "Why do want to raise my taxes? My business makes more than 250k a year." Obama told him he needed to "spread" the wealth to those who don't have what he has. Yeah, that guy probably worked his butt off and made a lot of sacrifices to own his own business. The Three Amigos; Obama, Reed, and Pelosi, will take it away from him to give it to some one who refused to work hard to be successful. It's against all the values America stands for. This is socialism, pure and simple.

Scull Creek Trail, Getting Ready

Today a few volunteers joined Matt Mihalevich on a tour of Scull Creek Trail. These will be the volunteers who will be leading guided tours of the trail. Yeah, yeah they are all riding bikes but there will be people doing guided walking tours. The grand opening is Oct. 18th starting at 11:00 AM. There will be food, music and a drawings for prizes. You just have to come to officially open up Fayetteville's most significant trail! See the flyer and map for parking directions.

One of the highlights of the trail will be the Fulbright Tunnel. You can go through it now but it still needs some work. There is a problem with water seepage, which at this point can't be solved but will be managed. Matt is pointing out where the troll likes to hide and scare people. OK, OK, there really isn't a troll that lives there. The tunnel does have great acoustics and there is a spooky feeling walking under the freeway.

Grand Opening Flyer and Map

Computer Lessons

This is not good for me. Eli has been teaching Toby the kitten the finer points of distrupting my ability to work at the computer.

More cats at Friday Ark

What Voter Fraud?

ACORN is doing an absolutely wonderful job! Indianapolis has registered 105% of it's population to vote. Absolutely amazing!

Investigate and Prosecute Barney Frank and Chris Dodd

Hit em and Hit em hard, John! We demand that justice be done!
via Breitbart TV.

"The fact is that the same people claiming credit for this rescue are the same ones that were willing co-conspirators in causing this problem that it is. And you know their names. And you will know more of their names. Congressman Barney Frank and Senator Chris Dodd are two of them."

Whores for Obama

CBS News' Dean Reynolds had better hope that he doesn't get re-assigned back to the Obama plane.

The McCain folks are more helpful and generally friendly. The schedules are printed on actual books you can hold in your hand, read, and then plan accordingly. The press aides are more knowledgeable and useful to us in the news media. The events are designed with a better eye, and for the simple needs of the press corps. When he is available, John McCain is friendly and loquacious. Obama holds news conferences, but seldom banters with the reporters who've been following him for thousands of miles around the country. Go figure.
The McCain campaign plane is better than Obama's, which is cramped, uncomfortable and smells terrible most of the time. Somehow the McCain folks manage to keep their charter clean, even where the press is seated.

Dean figures that the Obama campaign is just to busy to focus on mundane thinks like reporters. Dean, the truth is, you and your fellow reporters are whores from the street. Obama has bought you. You are going to do what ever he says and put up with everything he does. He bought you really cheap, so he's going to treat you like the cheap sluts you are. McCain is treating you with respect even though he knows that you've been slutting for Obama. He's like those mission people trying to get you to clean up, get off the street and respect yourself.

Potecting Criminals

Government stupidity in action.

A gardener who fenced off his allotment with barbed wire after being targeted by thieves has been ordered to take it down – in case intruders scratch themselves.

Mr Malcolm's plight comes just weeks after Bristol council angered allotment holders by urging them not to lock their sheds in case burglars damaged them breaking in.

Would this same policy apply to prisons too?

Committ Suicide, Vote Obama

I don't understand this. The thought is that Democrats are better at economics and that is the reason why Obama is gaining in the polls. However, Obama's tax and redistribute policies will not resurrect jobs, wages, or the price of stocks in American retirement accounts. Ordinary Americans who have to earn their livings outside the ivory towers of Wall Street will be not much better off two years from now. In fact, Obama's policies may make economic conditions worse. It's even odder that people would vote for Democrats whose socialist policy in regards to Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac caused the current economic disaster. Why would people let Democrats have even more control to do further damage? Why give them the chance to really screw up Social Security, Medicare and health care? Are Americans an a suicidal binge?

Criticize the Democrats, You're Racist

"Let's be honest." If Barney Frank had a shred of integrity, he would resign. No, instead he utters the most contemptible of dodges.

"They get to take things out on poor people," Frank said at a mortgage foreclosure symposium in Boston. "Let's be honest: The fact that some of the poor people are black doesn't hurt them either, from their standpoint. This is an effort, I believe, to appeal to a kind of anger in people."

Gee, you're racist if you criticize Obama, you're racist if you criticize Democrats and you're particularly racist for calling out the Democrats for pushing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into buying bad loans. What was racist was the legislation that allowed this to occur. People like Frank and his ilk were the racists. The poor were promised home ownership which was yanked away when they were lied to about being able to afford it.

McCain, Unveiling the Real Obama

It's about time McCain started discussing the hidden Obama. You know, the one the MSM has been trying to hide from the American public. He's doing a good job of it and I hope he continues it in the debate.

This crisis started in our housing market in the form of subprime loans that were pushed on people who could not afford them. Bad mortgages were being backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and it was only a matter of time before a contagion of unsustainable debt began to spread. This corruption was encouraged by Democrats in Congress, and abetted by Senator Obama.
Senator Obama has accused me of opposing regulation to avert this crisis. I guess he believes if a lie is big enough and repeated often enough it will be believed. But the truth is I was the one who called at the time for tighter restrictions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that could have helped prevent this crisis from happening in the first place.
Senator Obama was silent on the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and his Democratic allies in Congress opposed every effort to rein them in. As recently as September of last year he said that subprime loans had been, quote, "a good idea." Well, Senator Obama, that "good idea" has now plunged this country into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
To hear him talk now, you'd think he'd always opposed the dangerous practices at these institutions. But there is absolutely nothing in his record to suggest he did. He was surely familiar with the people who were creating this problem. The executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have advised him, and he has taken their money for his campaign.
He has received more money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac than any other senator in history, with the exception of the chairman of the committee overseeing them.

If McCain really wants to win the White House, he needs to come out swinging like this EVERY, SINGLE, DAY. Just ignore the whining from Obama about how mean the Republicans are being to him. And racist! Gee, I mustn't forget the racism!

The War of the Water Bottles

Earlier this year Mayor Coody declared war on bottled water. He joined the national movement to reduce the consumption of bottled water because they were filling up the landfills. He said he was not going to purchase bottled water with public funds. Of course, I poked a little fun of his joining the kool-aid crowd. If Mayor Coody believes that the lowly water bottle is evil, why he is excited about not just one, but two bottling companies who are considering moving into Fayetteville?

Bruarfoss exports bottled water and small, medium and large bulk water from Iceland's most pristine water sources, according to its Web site. The company sells water that melts from the glaciers in Iceland and is hoping to become a supplier for Wal-Mart, he said.
On Friday, the Fayetteville Economic Development Council and Global Java announced another water company, this one from Sweden, is also considering a move to Fayetteville.

I wonder what changed his mind about those bottles? Oh, wait a moment, he's up for re-election and the one of the biggest issues for Fayetteville is economic development. I guess when there's a choice between going green and economic development, green loses. Bless his little global warming heart.
I did get a little bit “holier than thou”, because I said that I filtered my water instead of buying those bottles. Apparently I’m not as green as I thought I was.

But some of those spots are being lampooned by people who point out that water filters cannot be recycled, at least in the United States. "In order to give up bottled water, you have to switch to another plastic product that’s not recyclable," said Beth Terry of Oakland, Calif., who has started an online campaign to try to persuade Clorox, the company that owns Brita, to start recycling the filters.

Dang, I so enjoyed that moment!

Thoughts on the VP Debate

I must admit that I was anxious about Sarah Palin's performance at the debate Thursday night. I should have known. Sarah did remarkably well. She was definitely more personable than Biden. There were times it appeared she struggle a bit and appeared to be vague. I guess that just comes from not have any national experience. Yet, she held her own for some one that didn't have Biden's Washington experience. I must say her "doggone it" and her winks just endeared her to me. I liked her line "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again pointing backwards again." I think she needs to keep reminding people that Obama and Biden seem to be running against President Bush.
Biden was doing well for awhile then he started throwing alot of bunk on foreign policy. I wish Sarah had the foreign policy experience to call him out on it. As the debate went on Biden's performance started to get disturbing. He was throwing around a lot of statements that just sounded like a lot of bull shit. Several statements I knew absolutely were wrong. I knew Obama had said he'd sit down unconditionally with M A of Iran, that McCain voted for troop funding(sans timeline), that $42,000 tax raise Obama voted for, and Biden's own stated opposition to clean coal. I must say, he showed himself to be an exceptionally liar. He made stuff up with great passion and conviction you would believe him if you didn't know better. Of course, people kept track of those whoppers. I think he showed that he knew he lost the debate when he started flinging his bull shit. I guess Biden's gravitas is derived from his ability to lie so well.

Nations Fear Russia More Than Global Warming

Russia's invasion of Georgia has caused a six nation bloc to sign a pact to fight a proposal designed to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

While Poland currently relies on its domestic coal reserves to meet 90 per cent of its energy needs, other countries in the block fear they will be trapped in permanent dependence on the Kremlin. "We are dependent on Russia for 97 per cent of our gas and more than 90 per cent of our petrol," said Jan Skoda, Slovakia's foreign ministry spokesman. "We're caught with a double-edged sword. We are concerned that dependence of any kind is not good for our or anybody's strategic interests."

These countries realize that giving up the ability to produce affordable energy exposes them to the Moscow's tyranny. Lord knows what Moscow would do to these nations if their stranglehold on the European energy market intensifies. Russia is finding they don't need nuclear warheads to threaten nations. They just have to manipulate their energy supply. What's more important? Fighting global warming or retaining the security of your nation?

Trek For Trig

I stopped in on the Trek for Trig fundraiser at the Fayetteville High School. They were having a couple of people walk the track while they were taking donations and selling T-Shirts. The T-Shirts were really nice but I didn't get one. I way too many T-Shirts as it is. I did leave a nice donation to make up for it. It was a very pleasant day to walk the track. It was cloudy so it wasn't that hot walking the track. There was a football game in progress while people walked, so they were able to tap the game attendees for donations too.

Fayetteville, Do Adults or Children Run The City?

Children, if you don't stop fighting and play nice I'll take away the toys and you can stand in the corner. Bobby sounds like a child who's going to hold his breath until he gets his way. OK, OK, I know it's just politics but it just appears childish. With this being an election year the Mayor and the City Council are not going to pass a budget before election day. They'll hold meetings and snipe at each other but they'll not do anything because it looks like they are going to be raising property taxes this year. Those running for office aren't going to have a tax hike hung around their neck.

You Can Get Credit Too Easily

I had an interesting conversation today at work. I explained that I had been to the BBB and I was wishing I could get a motorcycle. My co-worker asked why I didn't, to which I said I bought what I could afford. My co-worker thought I was nuts and that I could just go to the dealer and get credit. The dealer would be glad to work out a deal he said. I think his attitude reflects the financial problems that's occurring today. Too many people buy on credit and abhor the idea of saving your money and then purchasing what you want. People insist on instant gratification and refrain from discipline. It's sad to think that I may be part of a minority.

Gov Beebe's Global Warming Commission, Screw Arkansans

Last week the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming decided that we, the working people trying to make ends meet, can go to hell.

By an 11-10 vote, the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming recommended Thursday that no new coal-fired power plants be built in Arkansas until at least 2020, when new technology could reduce carbon emissions.

The Commission really meant to say was that coal plants will never, ever, ever be built in Arkansas. They are part of the environmentalist terrorist group that has determined that America is never going to produce the energy it needs. If the poorest in America has to suffer, it doesn't matter because they have to save the earth from global warming, a fraudulent hoax perpetuated by corrupt scientists and politicians.
If Gov. Beebe is going to go with the Commission's decision, I want him to make the announcement in front of these people.

(Jon Woodward) He said most of the calls for food are from people who are "near homeless"and facing dilemmas such as choosing to pay the electric bill, buy gas to go to work or buy food.

Gov. Beebe, I want you to stand in front of us that are struggling and explain why you are not going to provide us with coal plants that will give us affordable energy. Explain to us why you would deny a company that would provide us with jobs. What are you going to tell those who can't pay their electrical or gas bills? What are you going to tell parents whose children are shivering from the cold because they don't have the money to provide them with heat? Are you going to tell them they should go hungry instead? Do you have dreams of a higher political office? What are you go to tell the American people that are clamoring for an energy policy that makes sure we have affordable energy? What about ensuring we have enough energy that makes us independent of foreign nations that hate us? Who are you going to serve, the ordinary citizen trying to make a living or the environmentalist wackos?

Obama's Most Offensive Ad

Last week an ad by a political group headed by James Dean, the brother of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean insult survivors of cancer across the spectrum of America. This particularly vicious political commercial attacked Sen. McCain over his bouts with cancer. Wow, people who've dealt with cancer can't seek any political office because the cancer may kill them. Living 3 years still cancer-free, I find this personally offensive that having cancer diminishes my abilities to work, play and live. Most people dealing with cancer are determined to make the most of life and deliberately step up to more challenges to defy cancer's ability to destroy life. Thankfully, MSNBC has pulled the ad and kudos to CNN for refusing to run it.

Sen. McCain's New Ad

Finally, Sen. McCain is getting the truth out about his effort to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Democrats successful effort to block it. Guest star is President Clinton admitting the Democrats were at fault. Sen. McCain needs to keep hammering on the Democrat's culpability on the failure of Fannie and Freddie. There's more than enough documentation on the Democrats determination to keep Fannie and Freddie going and their own ill-gained financial benefits.

Gov Sarah Palin Radio Interview

Boy, it was so nice to listen to her being interviewed by some one who's not going for the "gotcha". I hope she does more radio interviews. It's just so refreshing to hear some one who can succinctly describe what we ordinary people are going through.

Bikes, Blues & Barbecue, Scooter Style

I made it this year! I've always avoided going to the Bikes, Blues and Barbecue because I knew that parking and driving around it would be hell. This year I have my scooter. Yup, I drove that thing around the BBB. I imagine there were a few people chuckling, but I had a blast. Friday night I was down on Dickson street. You could just sit down with food, drink, music in the background and watch the parade of bikes and people. Man, I had a pork sandwich that just melted in my mouth.

I don't know what was more fascinating the people or the bikes. People were wearing so many different T-shirts, leather and tattoos. I did buy myself a leather vest. Heh, Heh, I'm going to look really hot riding around on the scooter with a leather vest. The variety of bikes was just awesome. Boy, did envy rear it's ugly head. I'd really like to have a motorcycle, but you can only buy what you can afford.

So, here I am in the middle of the parade waiting for it to start. Yeah, I rode in the parade. It was so great! What a blast! The best part was on Dickson Street. At the beginning of Dickson up on the University you could see the line of motorcycles all the way down to College Ave. As I came further down by Arkansas Ave I saw that the sidewalks and streets were crowded with people and bikes. What a thrill! I am definitely going to do it again next year!

Did You Really Have a Bad Day?

The next time I think I'm having a bad day, I'll just think about Dale.

"This is what we have concluded," Olds says. "Dale was burning trash out by his garden area and chopping some weeds. He saw the rattlesnake, went to get the shotgun. As he was walking to go kill the snake, the yellow jackets came up out of the ground and warmed him. When he turned to run, the gun went off. When he fell, that's when the snake got him."

Although, I do wonder about a Ranger running with a loaded shotgun.

Bailouts, Who's Next

We're heading toward bailing out the financial institutions to a tune of nearly a trillion dollars. GM, Ford, and Chrysler now have their own bailout

A bill set to be passed by Congress and signed by President Bush as early as this weekend—separate from the controversial Wall Street bailout plan—includes $25 billion in loans for the beleaguered Detroit automakers and several of their suppliers.

So, who's next in line to get a bailout from the American taxpayers? Oh wait! Here they come!

The Financial Crisis, Democrats To Blame

I have no idea if the bail out is a necessary evil or an impending disaster but my whole gut screams NO! at spending nearly a trillion dollars to bail out Wall Street and the twits stupid enough to get loans they couldn't afford. You shouldn't take money away from the taxpayers who've been fiscally responsible with their money and give it to financiers who squandered it and people who couldn't manage it. We are in this stinking mess because socialist Democrats forced banks to give mortgages to people who shouldn't have gotten them. The Democrats made the mantra "affordable housing" a must for everyone and made having a house and credit a civil right.
I swear I just want to throw up every time I hear Christopher Dodd or Barney Frank spew their false self righteousness drivel. How in the world can they stand up in front of American and blame Bush and the Republicans? Of all the Democrats who are responsible for this disaster, they shoulder most of the blame. Alan Greenspan in 2005 told Congress how urgent it was for it to act because Fannie and Freddie were heading for a disaster. Democrats led by Christopher Dodd voted against the bill that would have stopped the meltdown that’s happening today. One would hope that these Democrats would get booted out of office, but I guess people like returning corrupt politicians to Washington.

Trek for Trig, Down Dyndrome Awareness Month

The University of Arkansas College Republicans will be fundraising the entire month of October on behalf of Down Syndrome Connections of Northwest Arkansas. DSC has a goal of raising $10,000 in one month, and the College Republican are going to help them reach it!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and they'll be kicking it off with a "Trek for Trig." They'll be taking pledged donations from around the community for how many laps we walk in honor of Sarah Palin's youngest son, Trig, who has Down Syndrome. The walk takes place Sunday, October 5th from 2-5pm and they will be taking donations, selling tees ("Trek for Trig" on the front and "McCain/Palin" on the back), and have a silent auction. Throughout October, the College Republicans will be taking up donations at the football games. The Greek houses on campus will be competing to see who can raise the most money for DSC of NWA. They are currently trying to bring a guest speaker to campus to help with the fundraising. They are also making plans to conclude the fundraiser with a Halloween party. The theme will be "dress up as your favorite Republican." Wow! That sounds like it will be a really fun party! The College Republicans plan to present all the money they have raised to the Down Syndrome Connections of NWA during halftime of the U of A's homecoming game, November 1st. They are encouraging chapters across the state and across the nation to do the same.

"Sarah Palin has brought attention to special needs children, and the Collge Republicans wishes to honor her and her son with our "Trek for Trig.""

UPDATE: The Trek for Trig fundraiser will take place at the Fayetteville High School Track.

For more information or to participate contact:
Rachael Davis, UA College Republicans Chair
(501) 428-0161, collrep@uark.edu

National Day of Encouragement

Rats! I missed it! The idea was created at Harding University and spread nationwide with President Bush taking part along with
resolution signed by the U.S. Senate.

"It was amazing that the high school students at last year’s National Leadership Forum came up with this," said Nancy Retherford, a National Day of Encouragement volunteer at Harding University. "Each group agreed that problems facing teens include peer pressure, sex, drugs and alcohol. While discussing these, they came up with negative criticism as what the cause of all those problems and decided that what they needed was positive encouragement."

It's not easy to offer encouragement. It's much easier to criticize. I've heard it takes 10 encouraging moments to counter 1 criticism. It's great to see some of our local students efforts lead to a National Day. They just didn't complain about the problem they did something about it. The real challenge is to encourage some one more than once a year. To encourage some one every day would be a great habit to cultivate.

National Day of Encouragement

Fayetteville Arts Festival, Time to Evaluate

Did the City Council know when they voted to give the Fayetteville Downtown Partners a donation for the Arts Festival that it was so poorly managed? Would Lioneld Jordan be in such a rush to suggest giving them $32,500 if he had any idea that the leadership of the FDP was so inept? In the few years the Arts Festival has been in existence it has seen dropping attendance and dropping sales. When the City Council gives a non-profit group a donation I expect to see good management of the money and the group to show success. If it fails, then I don't want to see any more money wasted on it. I would rather it be used for a more worthwhile organization such as the Fayetteville City Library. It's been showing tremendous success and the Library has shown that it makes the most of the money it receives. The Iconoclast notes that the Arts Festival was saved due to the efforts of Sarah Lewis and Dede Peters. If there is to be future Arts Festivals, more people like Sarah and Dede need to step up and not rely on the City of Fayetteville to pull their chestnuts from the fire. The Iconoclast also calls for President Daniel Keeley to step down. I would also note that if he doesn't the FDP Board of Directors needs to remove him. Next year, if the leadership isn't in place that would apply for funding from the Advertising and Promotion Commission and get more people to donate to the Festival then the City Council should reject any requests for donations. Sarah Lewis is running for the Ward 4 Alderman position. I hope she understands the need to be careful of the taxpayer's money, particularly when the City's budget is tight and the Fayetteville citizen's is even tighter.

Chart from Northwest Arkansas Times.

From Beef to Beans

The fact that the rising cost of food is the result of Congress’s moronic mandate for ethanol production is old news. I do find that Tyson's projection of a skyrocketing chicken consumption a bit alarming. I'm in the same boat everyone else is; beef have just become too expensive. I get a shock just looking at the price of hamburger. I've been eating more chicken, particularly the less expensive parts such as thighs and legs. What concerns me is how much the demand from China and India will affect prices.

(Richard Greubel)He said that growing middle classes in China and India will push demand for processed chicken there beyond what those countries can produce locally, thereby increasing demand for export chicken in other parts of the world.

I am not going to start eating hot dogs and Spam. I ate that while I was a starving student and I swore that once I started earning a salary I was rarely if ever going to eat them again. I may have to start eating more beans. Ozark Natural Foods does have a really great dried curry split pea soup. I wonder if other people will be doing the same thing. Mmmm, maybe I should look into the Beano stock.

Renaissance Parking, Temporarily

Thank you so very much John Nock and Richard Alexander for listening to the complaints of the public.

For the temporary lot, commissioners required bike racks, repair of the curb on Mountain Street and College Avenue along the project frontage, that damaged pavement on Mountain Street be repaired to provide two striped lanes, removal of all construction debris, grading, planting seed or sod and evergreen shrubs as a buffer, and removing the existing foundation pit.

The developers have been very good in developing other projects around Fayetteville. I am please to see that they are still considerate of the citizens of Fayetteville. I know some people have been extremely harsh in their criticism of the Renaissance Tower, but I am glad that they have been able to show good faith that they are still pursuing the project. I’ve always understood that the developers were subject to economic issues over which they had no control. I’ve been hopeful that the developer’s stated commitment to the project meant that the project would eventually be completed. I just didn’t like to have such an eyesore at the southern entrance to Fayetteville, particularly just off the Square. I hope that the income they receive from the parking lot compensates for filling in the hole and putting in the lot.

Fayetteville's Lake Wilson, A Dog Park?

It's really great the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation has decided to make Lake Wilson a no-leash dog park. Unofficially, Lake Wilson is already a no-leash park. This hidden park is rarely visited. It's a bit difficult to get to and it has limited facilities (the toilet is any tree you can find). It's been a secret spot that a few dog owners have enjoyed. Lake Wilson is a small lake and the hike around it doesn't take long. It's a perfect spot for those whose dogs enjoy water.
While Lake Wilson has it's positives, it also has it's negatives. The hiking trails are at best hazardous and aren't for the casual walker. They are composed of rocks and boulders so you need to really keep on eye on where you walk. There are some problems with erosion, particularly at the northeastern slope. You must have good verbal control of your dog. The lake is surrounded by hills with rocks and forest and you can easily lose sight of your dog in seconds. You aren't going to be able to run after it. A perfect recall on your dog is a absolute must or you'll be searching for that dog for hours.
I don't know if the park will see more people with dogs. I guess if the people fishing start complaining then we'd know that it's being used more. Fayetteville still needs a dog park that people can let their dog run and not worry about it running off and getting lost. Dog owners need to join together and really push their Aldermen and Mayor to get a really good dog park that Fayetteville can be proud of.

The History of the Financial Crisis

On Friday Mark Levin gave the most serious and intelligent explanation of the current economic crisis I have heard or read anywhere. He gave a dead on description of the political and legislative history going back several administrations, but concentrated in the Clinton Administration, where the major changes that led down this road were initiated. Oh yeah, he's royally pissed at the Democrat Congress who allowed this to happen and we should be too.
The day the government decided that banks refusing to give loans to people who couldn't afford it were 'racist', was the day this crisis began. It use to be that the poor should have a roof over their heads. Now the government is advocating that the poor should be able to buy a house. It doesn't matter that they don't have to money to buy houses.
What we have now are Americans who purchased homes that they couldn't afford, banks that were forced to make loans to those who they shouldn't have, financial institutions that made hay with the system -- they're now all off the hook. And the bill will be paid by responsible working class Americans who either paid their mortgages.

Toby and Casey

Toby the kitten is getting bigger! He still loves Casey. Casey is the only animal in the house that will tolerate playing with him for any length of time. The other cats are well into adulthood and they really don't enjoy rough-housing. It doesn't stop Toby from trying, but the cats eventually evade him. They probably wouldn't agree with me, but Toby's running around has saved them from being old fogies.

More cats at Friday Ark

Palin Gets It, Obama Still Looking For An Answer

Good Lord, Gov Palin understands the financial crisis while Obama is speaking gibberish. Palin said that she was “Dissapointed that taxpayers are called upon to bailout another one. Certainly AIG though with the construction bonds that they’re holding and with the insurance that they are holding very, very impactful to Americans so you know the shot that has been called by the Feds its understandable but very, very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one.”
She is exactly right. This bailout is very bad, but letting AIG go down would be catastrophic on the financial system. I don't know how much of AIG problems are it's own fault, but letting it fail would freeze the credit market.
Meanwhile Obama's statement is so confusing you have a difficult time figuring out if he thinks the bailout was a good or bad decision. Well, I guess that makes him a good politician. Say something, anything, but don't make a decision.

Barack Obama, Too Smart For You

The Pew Research Center has noted that "Palin's Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, has become the virtually forgotten candidate, registering at only 5% last week." The Obama campaign probably wishes he would just disappear all together.
At a rally in Flat Rock, Michigan, Biden slammed ordinary Americans by letting us know that

"All this stuff about how different Barack Obama is, they're not just used to somebody really smart. They're just not used to somebody who's really well educated. They just don't know quite how to handle it. Cause if he's as smart as Barack is he must not be from my neighborhood."

Biden's comment really lets us know how the elites in the Democrat Party feel about the ordinary American. No wonder they are bound and determined to have the government control our lives. We are just too stupid to take care of ourselves and only people like Obama can be allowed to be in control of the government. Note also that Gov. Sarah Palin was described as a "bucket of fluff". Boy, women across America are going to really appreciated being insulted like that.

New NW Arkansas Blogger!

Go and welcome another blogger to our growing Arkansas family. Joseph Wood is the current State Treasure for the Republican Party of Arkansas. He has made a few comments about Senators Obama and McCain along with his impression of Gov Sarah Palin. He was at the GOP convention and has a few observations and pictures. Joseph is also welcoming any comments about his blog and any hints to make it better. Happy Blogging, Joseph!

Arkansas, Make It A Felony!

I have never cried over the opinion pages much less a cartoon on the opinion page. There was, at first, the absolute shock of such a graphic picture and then the understanding of what emotions Harville was producing. I applaud the editors of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for actually putting the cartoon on the page. There may be some that would object to such a vivid picture, but there is no denying that it produces extremely strong emotions.
We have monsters living among us. They know that they can go on a killing spree and only be slapped on the wrist. What is in the minds of these people that would take small, sweet defenseless kittens and kill them in such a horrendous fashion? What about a state that would make it acceptable that such barbaric acts deserve only a slap on the wrist. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial remarked that it's time for legislators to do their duty. Actually, it's time for Arkansas citizens to hound their legislators to act for the helpless animals that God has given us to care for. It's time for us to stop the lies of the Arkansas Farm Bureau and to make sure that our legislators listen to the people instead of the unfeeling monsters of the Farm Bureau.

Remembering 9/11, The Sacrifices

On 9/11 people woke up to the fact that there are people who wanted to destroy America. They detested the freedoms Americans enjoyed. The freedoms we enjoy today has been paid for in blood by thousands of patriots through out history.

This is my Son Joe Cook. He has two other brothers who have both served in Iraq. I am proud of all three of them. I am so proud of all our brave young men who have served their country.

(h/t BloodSpite)

Mayor Dan Coody, Leadership Moment Lost

The Fayetteville City Council has asked Mayor Coody to submit a budget that doesn't spend more than the collected revenue. There is an anticipated shortfall of $535,400. Paul Becker, finance and internal services director, reported:

Most of the increased expenses are for personnel costs, fuel increases and increases in technology contracts, such as computer program updates,

Mayor Coody, who is running for re-election, decided that he wasn't going to be the bad guy. There may be cutting of some services or programs which may make some people unhappy. So, Mayor Coody took the coward's way out. He pushed it onto the City Council to make the cost cutting decisions.

"That's the job of the City Council, is to amend and approve the budgets. We will present to you what we think is the best. You can go back through there and cut programs, raise taxes, change things around. By law, that's your job,"said Coody.

One of Mayor Coody's mayoral opponents is Lioneld Jordan. Lioneld will be one of the aldermen who are going to have to make those decisions. Mayor Coody will have an opportunity to attack Lioneld for any cost cutting measures he proposes or supports. Lioneld could turn it back to Mayor Coody, by noting that instead of stepping up as a leader in hard times he delegated it to the City Council. It was the City Council who took on the leadership role that Mayor Coody abandoned.

Obama's Lipstick on a Pig

Obama should either entirely give up trying to make jokes or find himself a better joke writer. I don't think Obama really meant to call Sarah Palin a pig, the whole comment was just a really bad attempt at humor. Obama needs to be really careful about speaking when he's not chained to a teleprompter. Sarah is a whole lot better at making jokes and speaking off the cuff. Obama is trying to copy her personality and it's not working. He's making unbelievably stupid remarks. I think the McCain folks need to be careful about responding to Obama's gaffs. They shouldn't overreact and just let Obama continue to melt down.

They're A Gift From God

Rich Lowry wrote a column on Trig, Sarah Palin's son. Rich said

The national stage she’s now been given means her choice could have much wider significance and constitute an enormous symbolic leap ahead for children with Down syndrome and their parents.

Rich printed several e-mail responses from his article. One of them was from NW Arkansas:

I appreciate and agree with your article about how Trig’s life could have an enormous impact on changing how many pockets of our society look unfavorably upon children with special needs. I am happy to say that in Northwest Arkansas, we are not one of those pockets. We have a 9-year old, Caleb, who was born with mental and physical disabilities due to Hydrocephalus. He is an inspiration to his family, his therapists and everyone else that spends two seconds with him. He was our first child, and we have had four more children since, each two years apart. The reaction we get from people, wherever we go, is not one of disapproval, but admiration. I cannot remember a single time anyone has ever approached my wife or me to question whether we made the right decision.
As an example, after Caleb was born, my work associates at Tyson Foods, Inc. threw us a baby shower. There were so many people that showed up to show their support, folks were spilling out of the large conference room and were lining the halls. As soon as my wife and I stepped into the hall with Caleb in her arms, everyone began to cheer. I have seen the same reaction with others that have brought special children into the world.
I believe God has a special plan for each of us, and can use children with disabilities to give perspective and inspiration to others like no one else can. Perhaps God blessed the Palin family with Trig for the very purpose of bringing perspective and inspiration to a Nation in desperate need of both.

Bravo, NW Arkansas! One of the jobs I did while I was in college was to take care of handicapped people. One of them, Norma, was getting her degree from Berkeley one class at a time and she wanted to be a writer. She was so much fun! I always remember her laughing. She was truly an inspiration. Then there was Michael, who I tutored. That guy would chase girls down the hall in his wheel chair. Yup, and the girls would love to ride on the chair with him. He was always laughing too.
I don't understand why people would want to rid the world of people like Norma and Michael. They made a positive impact on the people around them. We didn't care that they couldn't walk, or they had difficulty speaking. They enjoyed life and that enjoyment rubbed off on us. Heck, if they could laugh through their life in a wheelchair, then I can also go through life's hardships laughing.

Joe Biden, Know Who You're Praising

The Democrat liberal left and their co-horts from the MSM are going through the state of Alaska hoping to find some moose shit, ahem, smears and scandals in hopes of getting Sarah Palin off the McCain ticket. They really need to rethink Joe Biden. Victoria McGrane:

Biden had an awkward moment during a rally in Columbia, Mo., Tuesday. At the start of his remarks, he pointed out several state lawmakers in the audience for praise. When he got to Chuck Graham, a state senator from Green Meadows, Biden urged the lawmaker to "stand up Chuck, let 'em see ya.” But Graham, who is in a wheelchair, can't stand up - a fact Biden quickly picked up on.

I don’t know, but maybe that funny looking chair he was sitting in might have been a clue? Maybe next time Biden should actually meet the lawmakers he attempting to suck up to.

Sensible Fayetteville, Losing Brain Cells Due To Smoking

So, a few people got the marijuana-priority question put on November ballot.

Sensible Fayetteville was formed in 2007 as a coalition made up by members of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology, the Green Party of Washington County, the University of Arkansas student branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and the Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas Inc.

Yeah, what does a little marijuana do? Just watch this little girls. So the twits from Sensible Fayetteville wants us to ignore people high on pot. They look like they may be old enough to drive. Do you feel like sharing the road with them? What a bunch of Dumb-Asses!


Film "very high in a park near lowell, saundras first"

Crying Over Spilt Olive Oil

Do you know how hard it is to clean up spilt olive oil from the floor? Not just a little bit but a whole freaking bottle? Arrggh! I'm baking eggplant Parmesan and I dropped a glass bottle of it on the floor. I had Dawn dish soap to help clean it up, but it's still a really, really messy job. Of course, Casey the vacuum cleaner, is trying to lick up the stuff which has bits of glass in it. Dumb dog!

Fayetteville & Springdale Mayoral Forum

The Washington County Republican Women will host a Forum for the Mayoral Candidates of Springdale and Fayetteville on September 18th (Thursday) at the Jones Center Chapel. There will be a reception at 4:30 outside the Chapel to give people an opportunity to visit with the candidates. At 5:30 the meeting will begin in the Chapel with the Springdale Forum starting at 6 PM and the Fayetteville forum following at 7 PM.
The WCRW is requesting questions from the public. A committee will review all submitted questions and set the actual questions for the forum. Please submit your questions to Brenda Pond at bpond31053@wildblue.net. Deadline to submit questions is Tuesday September 9th.

Gov Sarah Palin's Speech

Gov. Sarah Palin exceeded my expectations. Her speech was absolutely amazing, even more so considering she was dealing with a faulty teleprompter. No, she doesn’t have the oratorical style of Obama, but she has the ability to connect with middle class America, an ability that Obama doesn’t have. Gov. Palin has a friendly, open face that welcomes people. Nothing like Obama’s stern, sour-puss face. Her description of her family makes it plain she is one of us. She represents the life I and my neighbors lead. She also faces the hardships that we have too. Tears welled in my eyes when she told the special needs families that she would be their advocate in the White House.

I like how she deftly and humorously attacked Obama. Humor is acutely absent from Obama’s campaign. When I listen to Obama’s speech last week, I couldn’t believe how depressing it was. I swear if the country was as bad as he said it was most people would be committing suicide. We’ve all have had bad times, but we work hard and keep at it and eventually things get better. America’s history is rich with the hard and good times. Obama has turned the “I Have a Dream” speech to “I Have a Grievance”. I like how, with a sense of cheeky fun, Gov. Palin ripped into Obama’s lack of executive experience, his egotism and vanity, his utter emptiness hidden beneath his eloquent speeches. Her sense of laughter and fun is in direct contrast to the Obama’s campaign of gloom and doom.

Together, Govs Giuliani and Palin painted a different picture of America. One that works hard overcomes adversity and looks with hope to the future with laughter, joy and sense of optimism.

You Can't Touch That

An interesting comment was caught by Kathryn Jean Lopez

I'm at a Tribute to Cindy McCain lunch in Minneapolis. Elizabeth Hasselbeck from The View is emcing and she just announced : "Unlike the wife of another political candidate who shall remain nameless, [Cindy McCain] didn't come [to cohost The View] with a list of topics we weren't allowed to touch."

So, the Obamas have a list of topic that the MSM can't ask. Anybody have an idea what is on the list? On the other hand, the MSM can comment on anything about Gov. Palin. Heck, they're even gone so far as to create rumours and smears to discuss.

Water Park

We have a water cat in the house. Toby has discovered running water and tries to play with it every chance he can. The bathtub has become a place he can jump in and play. Well, the bathtub is next to the toilet, so he figures that if you're sitting there you can play with him.

More cats at Friday Ark

A Word to Add to the Dictionary

Victor Davis Hanson has created a new verb. Palinize: to slander and caricature a working-class female public figure for the noble advancement of liberalism.

Being a mother of a Down syndrome child, raising five children, rising, without money or family influence, to the governorship on an anti-corruption and commonsense platform, in addition to trying to run the largest-sized state in the union, critical to both the energy and defense security of the nation, all that should have made liberals and feminists, if reluctantly, nevertheless appreciative of her success in a mostly male political world.

All of my life women have been fighting to be able to do this. Some of Helen Reddy's song "I am Woman" keeps running through my mind. "I can do anything, I am strong,I am invincible". It would seem that according to the liberal Democrats, is doesn't apply to all women. It's just for the select few they have chosen. Sarah Palin is not one of their chosen.

Democrats And Their MSM Mouthpieces Sink to A New Low

I'm just so disgusted by the Democrat's and the MSM's atrocious treatment of Gov Palin's 17 yr old daughter. It's simply appalling and outrageous that they would use any politician's child and her personal problems to try to destroy the parent's candidacy. It's just sickening what currently passes for journalism. I'm even pissed at Fox for allowing Alan Colmes to write such an insulting diatribe about Gov Palin. You need a hazmat suit if you even think about going to the Daily Kos to read their comments.
Frankly, there probably isn’t a family alive in America that has had to deal with this issue within their immediate or extended family. Churches across American constantly deal with this issue. You raise your kids the best you can and pray hard but kids will make their own choices. James Dobson said it best

In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing. We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way. That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances. Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have. The media are already trying to spin this as evidence Gov. Palin is a 'hypocrite,' but all it really means is that she and her family are human. They are in my prayers and those of millions of Americans.

If the Democrats had any brains they'd stop the MSM's insanity because the more they spew this garbage the more it endears Gov Palin to the public. There is only a small minority that are getting their jollies from such horrendous drivel. The majority of American are sick to their stomach at the treatment of Gov Palin and her daughter. Heck, the conservative base is getting spitting mad and they are making donations and signing up to volunteer. The Democrats may find that they are spitting in their own eyes.

McCain's VP Choice, Yahooo!

I was driving on I-540 when I heard McCain's announcement on his VP choice. OK, I nearly let go of the wheel because I was screaming, yelling and pounding the air with my fist in joy. Heh, I probably scared a few motorists. I really don't know all that much about Gov. Palin. Her name came up a couple of times as a possible VP candidate but it sounded mostly like she was a long shot. Newt Gingrich and William Krystal have supported her from the beginning. The names I keep hearing were Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge. If McCain choose any one of those two, there was just no way I was going to vote for him. Yup, I'd just not vote for anyone for President.
I'm so excited about McCain's choice and it will be a pleasure to work hard to get him and Gov. Palin elected.

Geocaching Labor Day Weekend

What a great weekend I had! I took Friday off and spent most of the day in Devils Den hiking and doing some geocaching. One of the first thing I saw entering the park was this truck stuck on the corner. I had to cross into the ditch to get around it. It took them several hours to get it unstuck.
I took Casey with me because he enjoys running around while I'm looking for those caches. A number of really great caches have been placed in Devils Den the past week. I highly recommend any geocachers to look for them especially if you have children. There are a lot of trinkets in the caches for them.
Today I took a friend with her kids geocaching. They were so excited to find the caches and get a trinket. I took the opportunity to present them a Travel Bug in their name in appreciation for helping me when I sprained my ankle. They came over and mowed the lawn, weeded the flower beds and cleaned the house. I really hope their TB travels far and long.

Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; 'Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another's tears. Pass it on." -- Rev. Henry Burton

Republican Convention, To Act As Americans

When I heard comments from Democrats gleefully happy that the Republican Convention is being disrupted by Hurricane Gustav, I think of this verse

As for you, it was in your mind to do me evil, but God has given a happy outcome, the salvation of numbers of people, as you see today. (Gen 50:20)

It isn’t such a bad thing that we don’t have 4 days of the Republican Convention. No one really pays attention to any of it except for the nights when the principle people speak. Frankly, people are probably releasing a big sigh of relief and thanking God that we aren’t suffering through non-stop convention coverage. One thing is definite. No one is ever going to forget the 2008 Republican Convention.
Adversity has the ability to bring out the best in people. This hurricane gives the GOP the opportunity to showcase Senator McCain and the Republican Governors in the states affected. Gov. Jindal will really be under the microscope. Based on the news that is coming out of New Orleans, Gov. Jindal is going to be given high marks for how well he has performed. Let the Democrats chortle gleefully about the shorten GOP convention. While they are laughing, the Republicans are getting to work and making sure that Hurricane Gustav isn’t the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. The GOP will be living its convention statement, "Country First".