Botanical Garden, Replant NW Arkansas

I and a good number of people ignored the rain to attend the replanting program at the Botanical Garden. I'm sure a lot of the people came for the free tree. Most of the trees were oaks but Walt Eilers picked out a really nice dogwood for me. It'll replace a red bud whose top was broken off.



There were a number of tables out with pamphlets on planting and pruning trees. You had an opportunity get to your soil analyzed and there were little workshops which were great because you had an opportunity to ask the experts.



I cornered Greg Howe, Fayetteville's Urban Forester, and talked to him about my elm tree. He outlined the pruning I was going to have to do for the next 4 or 5 years. This year there is nothing more that I can do, but next spring I may need to fertilize the tree. I'll probably pick his brain again next spring. I'm really putting an effort in the tree because this neighborhood has very few mature trees. It also important to the birds and few squirrels that live close by.



It was really great for the Botanical Garden to have this free event. I think they need to repeat it for several years because NW Arkansas is still going to be recovering. They definitely need to do it next year because people are still removing debris and assessing what they need.

New Boat Fees on Lake Fayetteville

On my walks around Lake Fayetteville I've always noted that there were few boaters on such a beautiful lake. It's just really odd that a lake in middle of the city gets so little boat traffic. I guess the current $6 day fee was just too much for most people.

"Every year people have complained since we changed the fees," Connie Edmonston, director of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation, told the council. The reduced costs for kayaks, canoes and others gliding along the water without a boat engine is expected to encourage more users, she added.

Maybe that will change now the the City Council has reduced the fees. The new fee for non-motorized boats will be $3 a day or $20 for a seasonal pass. If you are a canoe or kayak enthusiast the seasonal pass is a really great deal. The pass goes with the person not the boat which will be an advantage for those who have multiple boats. Maybe we'll start seeing more boats on the lake.

I Want ...

There are a lot of things that I would like to have. I won't bore you with a list because you probably have one similar to it. It's nice to have this kind of list because occasionally you may get something from it, but not before your need list is satisfied. I think Mayor Jordan needs to be reminded that needs are to be taken care of first before we start looking at wants.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan has a dream: universal Internet access throughout the city of Fayetteville.

Mayor Jordan has often talked about these needs. The City of Fayetteville currently has a hiring freeze and the employees last year got a bonus instead of a pay raise. We need more police and fireman in addition to their equipment. Mayor Jordan has chaired the Street Committee and there is always moaning about the lack of money. I'm sure every City Department has a list of needs that are more important than having Internet access. I think the Mayor Jordan should look to scale down his dream, maybe have Internet access at City Hall and the Town Center.

Washington County Republicans Welcome New State Chairman Doyle Webb

The new Chairman for the Arkansas Republican Party, Doyle Webb, was the guest speaker at the Washington County Republican Committee(WCRC) meeting. I've never met him before but he sure sounds really laid back and low keyed. He said, based on the calls he's been getting, there was a tremendous enthusiasm for the Republican Party. His intent was to grow the Arkansas GOP at the grassroots level. Sigh, they always say that. He remarked that the GOP at the state and national level has done a poor job of defining who we are. I would add that the GOP has done a poor job of separating itself from the Democrat Party. The WCRC also has a new chairman, Jim Reavis. The new chairs are going to have to work really hard if they intend to get any pickups in the Legislature and the State offices.
Commenting on Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Doyle said that she will vote no on the Card Check but once re-elected she will vote yes when it's introduced again.

Rush to Failure

The DNC has picked a winner for their Rush Limbaugh billboard contest. Oh Boy, what a mistake! President Obama, you really need to get control of your boys. They're making you look like an idiot. Some Republican group needs to rent a billboard near this one or take this one after the rental agreement runs out and put on it Obama smoking his cigarette. The billboard needs to say "but that's what they got".

UPDATE:
From Ed Morrissey

The Price of Gifts

The problem with trying to write sarcastically is some one other than the intended victim may be offended. Unfortunately, John Brummett felt that my “Shameful” comment was directed at him when I was intent on ridiculing a certain Democrat blogger. John’s tale shows the silliness of coloring State Sen. Gilbert Baker as a corrupt politician based on a few presents of plants and cookies. A gift can be such a simple act, but for politicians and reporters it’s a potential bomb. Sen. Baker, if he intends to challenge Sen. Lincoln, will be attacked by the Democrats for receiving gifts. He should prepare for it.

Former President George H.W. Bush to Speak at University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas announced today the President George H W Bush will be speaking on the campus as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series.

George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States, will visit the University of Arkansas on Monday, April 6, as part of the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series. He will speak at 8 p.m. in Barnhill Arena. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required and seating is on a first come, first-seated basis.

I've marked my calender and I'm definitely going to attend!

Arkansas' 2010 Senate Race

I was hoping that there would have a few more months before I'd have to hear about another election. But, no! There is already serious debate about Arkansas' 2010 election. Will Sen. Blanche Lincoln keep her seat?

Roll Call discussed Sen. Cornyn's speech to CPAC. Access to the article too rich for me but here is Sen Cornyn's speech.

And we may even have some unexpected opportunities in places like New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, and yes, even California.

Anyhoo, rumors are flying across Arkansas on who is going to step forward to challenge Sen. Lincoln. Already the Democrats are starting to attack those they think may be possible challengers. A poster at Daily Kos, Senate Guru, is one of the first to engaged in a smear campaign against Republicans in Arkansas. Interestingly, it seems that President Bush is going to be on the 2010 ballet.

Two of the four mentioned possible recruits are guaranteed to turn AR-Sen, in no small part, into a referendum on George W. Bush more than on President Obama or Senator Lincoln.

First up on Senate Guru's bashmobile is Tim Griffin who's biggest sin is that he is Karl Rove protege. Then there's the accusation that he's racist. That'll be nice to sling around.

Little Rock banker French Hill is next and ,get this, he's bad because his name reminds people of France. I don't get it either. I guess the Democrats believe that France is our enemy or something.

State Sen. Gilbert Baker gets a good bashing. It seems he's a loyal friend even to one that does not deserve it. Gee, guess who's a loyal friend to terrorist Bill Ayers, a "I hate America" pastor and a whole host of political friends that have trouble paying their taxes. Oh yeah, our very own President Obama. Senate Guru then delves into the Baker's torrid relationship with former UCA President Lu Hardin.

The credibility of the allegations (particularly as a possible quid pro quo) were furthered when it was revealed that UCA President Lu Hardin used money from his discretionary fund to buy gifts for Baker.

The Arkansas Blog thoughtfully provided a few of those outrageous gifts.

Plant for Sen. Gilbert Baker in sympathy of the death of his father-in-law: $82.22, -Favors for Gilbert Baker/John Brummett luncheon: $56.20

The Arkansas Times own John Brummett accepted a gift from Hardin? Shameful!

An interesting addition is Roger's Mayor Steve Womack.

When the Mexican consulate in Arkansas wanted to discuss the issue with Womack, Womack gave the consulate the cold shoulder:

Oh the inhumanity! Mayor Womack doing all he can to protect Roger's citizens from the violence of gang members who are here illegally. He should be ignoring the illegal immigration violence like President Obama is on the southern borders.

I'm sure there are going to be more rumors of possible candidates. Once thing is for sure, Democrats are going to be spending a lot of money in this state to keep Lincoln in her seat. Any one who plans to challenge Lincoln must be prepared for the Democrats to fight dirty and nasty. They are going to have to expect that the news media in Arkansas is going to be full partners with the Democrats in making sure any Republican candidate is thoroughly trashed.

This Too Will Pass

For politicians, usually the wind comes out the other end!

A simple 'aye' or 'nay' on the motion would have been sufficient!

Point of Odor!

The Council will now come to odor.

You want 'em to cut taxes but instead they cut the cheese.

Gas Tax!

That was probably the most intelligent thing I have heard at a Tontitown City Council meeting.

I wonder what the carbon footprint on that was?

Stop global warming!

Dang! What I want to know was where the hell that microphone was placed!


(h/t Drudge)

Card Check or Get Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart's stock was downgraded by a Citigroup analyst on news that the EFCA/card check would be introduced today. If passed the bill is seen to be particularly harmful to Wal-Mart. It is anticipated to dramatically increase labor costs which in turn will be passed onto consumers.

"We believe that WMT would be the primary target if EFCA/card check were to be passed," analyst Deborah Weinswig wrote in a note to clients. If the unions are successful, the company would have to concede higher wages for more seasoned employees, increase employee benefits significantly, and would experience diminished workforce flexibility, the analyst said.

If it passes, all of us poor working folk who shop at Wal-Mart can thank Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln. Yup, just when people are struggling in a bad economy the Democrats just have to make sure that you suffer even more.

Cuteness in Arkansas

Awww, they are soooo cute!

Opps! Link fixed.

My Cleanup is Complete

It's finished and I hurt, hurt! Toby and Eli have lost their "hills" for their King of the Mountain game. I finished sawing up the tree limbs and placed them out front, no more mounds of debris. I do have a nice pile of firewood. I've gotten quite handy with the chainsaw, another skill to add to my repertoire. Now it's on to the damages, which have been minor, but will probably take another weekend. Another nice weekend wasted, I want to have some fun!

It Looks Like ...

Now I know what a Trillion dollars looks like. Sigh, I'd settle for the Million dollar pile!

AFL-CIO; We Own Lincoln, Pryor and Landrieu

Greg Sargent is reporting that the AFL-CIO is saying that they have the support of three key Senators, Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor, and Mary Landrieu.

On the call today, a reporter asked Samuel: “Are you confident that you have Lincoln and Pryor?”
“Yes, we’re confident,” Samuel replied. Later in the call Samuel was asked the same about Landrieu, and he again replied Yes.

Hmm, sounds like they are very certain they have Sens. Lincoln and Pryor sewn up. Given all the dancing around the issue the Senators have been doing it's not really that big of a susprise. I guess Sen. Lincoln must owe somebody in the AFL-CIO big time to endanger her seat by supporting the unpopular Employee Free Choice Act.

Arkansas Hits Smokers Again

Terry Potter is going to have to add another item to his Missouri shopping list. Let's see, we have booze, cigarettes and cigarette lighters. Boy, all those mini marts in NW Arkansas are going to be losing quite a bit of business.

"If cigarette smuggling becomes a problem, then we would step up, at the direction of our director," said Capt. Lance King, with Troop L of the Arkansas State Police in Springdale.

Yup, we're going to let those vans of illegals go and forget about the speeders and drunk drivers. We're going after those cars with smoke coming out the windows.

Dickson Street, No Historical District

I think the commissioner's argument about establishing a historic district on Dickson says it all.

Commissioners argue that what they're trying to preserve is Dickson Street's personality.

Note, that there isn't anything at all about saving any particular building because of it's historical significance. I recall that Karen Minkel said that there was not a building on Dickson that would considered to be of any historical significance.

"We don't need another layer of government telling us what we can and can't do," Jim Huson, owner of Doe's Eat Place on West Dickson Street, said flatly to the Fayetteville Historic Commission and the roughly 50 people gathered at the UARK Ballroom Monday night. "I don't really want a bunch of self-appointed people, that suddenly wants to have a cause, to tell me what I can and can't do with property that I own."

We should try to save buildings that truly have some historical significance but to try to regulate buildings because you don't want change the ambiance is another thing. Dickson street is always changing. Stores and restaurants come and go. It's utterly ridiculous to saddle potential owners with a bunch of additional restrictions. Who would want to buy property on Dickson? Fayetteville continues to live up to it's reputation of business unfriendly.

Interestingly, the Walton Arts Center is conspicuously left out of the proposed district. I bet the Commission knew that they were going to ruffle feathers and they didn't want to ruffle the Arts Center because they would just leave Fayetteville.

The Wal-Mart Layoffs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cupid Missed!

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

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

Arkansas, Animal Cruelty a Felony

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

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

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


More cats at Friday Ark

HopeyChangey Flounders?

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

Now a Ronald Reagan Day?

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

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

Apparently they did.

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

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

NW Arkansas Ice Storm, 2009 The Clean-Up

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

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

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

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

NW Arkansas Ice Storm, 2009 Part 2

Boy! What a mess! I stayed home and tried to do a little clean-up. There wasn't much I could really do because with so much ice still on the branches it was dangerous to do much. I did manage pull a few branches down and clean up the branch on the front gate. I'll be cleaning up this mess for weeks.




A bunch a branches fell across the privacy fence into my neighbor's yard. A few may damage their house. I tried to do some of the clean-up with a small electric chainsaw I have. It didn't work well. I'm going to need something bigger. I went to Lowe's to see if a miracle occurred and they actually had some still left. Nope! I order one on-line. It's the only way to guarantee that I get one within a few days.


It was amazing to see how many trees were broken and down. Everywhere you looked there was tree damage. The ice on the trees does look pretty but when it all melts we're going to see the worst of it.

NW Arkansas Ice Storm, 2009

My beautiful elm! The pride and joy of my garden is being decapitated. The ice build-up was just too much for the limbs so they are breaking off. Unfortunately several were above my house and fell on it. I have one more left and I'm just praying that it's able to withstand the ice. I tried to knock off some of the ice from the limbs with no effect. The ice completely encircles the limbs and is about an inch thick. It's nerve wracking waiting for those limbs to fall.


Well, I have my weekend planned out for me. I'll be cleaning up the mess and figuring out how much damaged was done. Everyone else in the neighborhood will be doing the same thing. Just from my house I can see a lot of tree limbs down and I can also hear all the tree limbs cracking and falling. I've talked to some friends in Springdale and out east Fayetteville and they are telling me the same thing is happening there. NW Arkansas is going to be a big mess come tomorrow.

No Half-Ass Road

When Tracy Hoskins first proposed the rerouting of Arkansas 112 it sounded like it was a good idea. His suggestion would remove those really rotten curves off Van Asche and Howard Nickel. Somehow his original proposal of rerouting 112 became making a half of a road which conveniently ended into his developments. Fayetteville would pay for half of a road that may or may not eventually become the new 112. While I found the concept of a new 112 something that would be beneficial to Fayetteville, the half-ass job wouldn't. It could take years before Traci developed his land to a point such that he felt it would advantageous to finish the "new" 112. Well, the City Council shot down his half road proposal. If he really wants Arkansas 112 through his development he's going to have to come up with something that will benefit Fayetteville.

What a Paine!

Liberal Democrat Lindsley Smith is at it again. She is once again trying to make Jan. 29 Thomas Paine Day in Arkansas.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Lindsley Smith, D-Fayetteville, said the measure failed in 2007 because of misconceptions about Paine's writings.

Yeah, as I remembered the vast right wing fruitcakes made a big deal about his anti-Christian beliefs. A bunch of red-necks that can barely read obviously aren't enlighten enough to understand the genius that was Thomas Paine.
Well, Thomas Paine wasn't just anti-Christian. The book Age of Reason was just plain anti-religion.

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

Thomas Paine described himself as a "Deist". Basically you create your own ideal god because the Christian God won't allow you to do what you want.
Anyhoo, that's not the reason Ms Smith is attempting to create a Thomas Paine Day. Paine wrote another book Rights of Man, Part the Second, Combining Principle and Practice which described a government that has numerous social programs to remedy the wrongs (as perceived by liberals) that would be funded by progressive tax measures. He was one of the earliest advocates of social security, universal free public education, a guaranteed minimum income.

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

Barack Obama's New First

U.S. Stocks Slide in Dow Average’s Worst Inauguration Day Drop

Apparently Wall Street didn't get the message that Hope and Change had now taken the "oaf" of office. While BO isn't the first President who come into office with a poor economy, it has to be shocking for the new President and his team to see stocks plummet so much. Not a vote of confidence by any means. The biggest part of the drop, and I mean 200 points of it, came after his speech. Which isn't surprising because his speech was nothing spectacular. What was noteworthy was the promise of more government hand outs. That will not encourage growth.

Racism at Barack Obama's Inauguration Speech

Yesterday, most people celebrating MLK day were declaring that finally MLK's dream was fulfilled. America had finally gotten enlighten enough to elect a Black President. Racism has now been defeated by putting someone of the "right" color into power. Why, even Fayetteville, which fully embraced it's own racist has finally named a street after MLK.

I was listening to the Inauguration and even managed to suffer through the poet but when Joseph Lowery gave the benediction I was shocked and offended.

We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back ... when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man ... and when white will embrace what is right ..

Where in the world does BO find these white-hating preachers? Are these the only preachers he knows? There we have it, the first black President has a racist “prayer” spoken over his inauguration. Lovely,a sign of things to come? So much for Dr. King's dream.

Barack Obama's Inauguration Speech

Tomorrow America celebrates the peaceful passing of one leader to another. No matter how we feel about the current President or the incoming President, the leadership transition is done without bloodshed and it is only tears that are shed. Tears of those who rejoice in new President and the tears of those who see the damages to the American people this President and Congress will do.

Tomorrow, BO will be giving a speech that is said to be soaring in rhetoric and will go down in history as one of the greatest speeches given. Do you know that I helped BO write it? Yeah, there is this handy Inauguration Speech Generator. This has apparently been very helpful to the Obama speech-writing process, so have at it if you wish. Here's my go at it:

My fellow Americans, today is a silly day. You have shown the world that "hope" is not just another word for "finger", and that "change" is not only something we can believe in again, but something we can actually piss.

Today we celebrate, but let there be no mistake – America faces grossly and wrinkled challenges like never before. Our economy is dry. Americans can barely afford their mortgages, let alone have enough money left over for diapers. Our healthcare system is orange. If your elbow is sick and you don't have insurance, you might as well call a dentists. And America's image overseas is tarnished like a rock rope. But fishing together we can right this ship, and set a course for mountain.

Finally, I must thank my slowly family, my yellow campaign volunteers, but most of all, I want to thank mothers for making this historic occasion possible. Of course, I must also thank you, President Bush, for years of melting the American people. Without your soft efforts, none of this would have been possible.

Arkansas' Sin Tax

Ouch! A ton of bricks are hitting smokers! Not only is Gov. Beebe considering a 56 cent tax increase on cigarettes but Congress is now in the process of increasing the federal tax on cigarettes.

in the House on Wednesday, 40 Republicans joined Democrats in passing a spending increase for the children's health program. The bill would raise the federal excise tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1-a-pack to pay for the SCHIP expansion. The bill before the Finance Committee also calls for the tobacco tax increase.

The federal tax is to fund the SCHIP program for children 30 years and younger while the state tax is to fund a trauma system in Arkansas. There may be a little problem with both the federal and state's desire to raise revenue. They may be taxing cigarettes too high that enough people may have to quit. The revenue the politicians were counting on may dry up and the health program lose funding.
I quess the politicians are forgetting that the ideal sin tax is high enough to pay for your program, but not so high that people will actually quit the vice. It would be really inconvenient for Gov Beebe's profits from the cigarette taxes to die out because he killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

Feeling the Pinch

Everyone has been waiting for it to happen. Actually, I'm a bit surprised that it didn't happen a few months earlier with gas prices being so high this summer. Hopefully, since gas prices dropped before Christmas people had a little more money to spend and the HMR tax increased a bit. The Fayetteville City Council should be keeping a close watch on how money is spent and try to curb their impulse to raise property taxes to make up for the HMR tax loss. Increasing taxes will just make people spend less. Less spending means less taxes collected, a vicious cycle.

The Clintons', Loyal to Us or Their Banking Account

AP reports that Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton has interceded at least six times in government issues directly affecting companies and others that contributed to her husband's foundation. A large number of foreign nations have given quite a bit of money to the Clintons. Many of them might be considered less then a friend to the USA. I would like to know in any given crisis, who is she going to be more loyal to, the people of the United States or any unfriendly nation? I fear that the Clintons' greed is going to win over their loyalty to us.

Eating Your Vegetables

Yup, that's broccoli Toby is eating. You could have knock me over with a feather when I caught him sneaking some from my plate (my fault for leaving it unguarded). So now when I cook it I save a little for him. Hey, veggies are good for cats too! I did find out that Toby isn't unique. Other kitties like broccoli.



More cats at Friday Ark

Global Cooling Power Play

We know that Gov Beebe is just another sucker that has fallen for the global warming hoax. He and his global warming commission are more than willing to burden a poor state with legislation that will tax and fine industries in Arkansas and make the poor in Arkansas suffer.
"I've read some pundits lately who say, 'oh, this is just a hoax, global warming's not really a serious threat.' I don't subscribe to that theory," Beebe said on his monthly call-in radio show. "I think it is a threat, and I think global warming is occurring."
Another leader is taking a different approach. Joe Bastardi, long-range and hurricane forecaster for Accuweather.com’s notes that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s recent cut of gas flows to Europe via Ukraine may have been done so in anticipation of a global cooling cycle.
"The thing I want to bring up here – very interesting – most of the solar cycle studies that we know about and that guys like me read have come out of the Russian scientists," Bastardi said. "But when Glasnost developed, the Russian scientists, a lot of their ideas on the coming cool period that a lot of us believe is going to occur – ice, rather than fire is the big problem down the road here 2030, 2040, and the reversing cyclical cycles of the ocean – it came out of the East."
The scientific evidence so far is proving that Putin's gamble may pay off. The earth's temperature has been cooling for the last ten years and solar activity has been disturbingly quiet. Putin has been listening to his scientists and we, unfortunately, have been listening to a washed-up politician. But, the forecast is for the next 20 years. Enough time for us to knock some intelligence in our political leaders and get some coal and nuclear plants built.

Another Pig Waddles Up to the Gov Trough

Well, everyone else has been asking for a bailout why not the
porn industry?
There is a lot of stiff competition for the bailout money. I'm sure the Democratically-controlled Congress can come up with an appropriate stimulus package. You can be sure that Barney Frank isn’t going to let the porn business fail. There is something a bit strange about their reason for a bailout.

But according to Flynt the recession has acted like a national cold shower. “People are too depressed to be sexually active,” Flynt says, “This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex.”

Somebody out there is having a lot more sex. The CDC has just
reported that births and fertility rates increased for most states, age groups, and race and Hispanic origin groups. Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia round out the top ten based on the final 2006 numbers.

People out there are still having sex they are just not giving Flynt his cut of the action. Anyway, make way for a nationalized porn industry. I did hear that Pres. Clinton volunteered to be the new Porn Czar.

Innovative Ways for the Government to Tax Us

This really stinks! Obama and Congress are going to be spending tax payer money like crazy the next few months. Somehow, someway they have got to pry more money from the taxpayer's wallet. The EPA is going to provide Congress the opportunity to tax a totally normal activity.

The ANPR, released early this year, would give the EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gas for not only greenhouse gas from manmade sources like transportation and industry, but also "stationary" sources which would include livestock. The New York Farm Bureau assigned a price tag to the cost of greenhouse gas regulation by the EPA in a release last month.

Yeah, the EPA is going to tax livestock farts. Is the earth warming up so fast that we must regulate cow farts?

The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would upwards of $20 per hog,” the release said. “Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits

What the hell is the EPA thinking? Tax the meat supply to such an extent that you essentially eliminate it from the American diet? Is America going to be forced to become vegetarians? Why stop at livestock? Why not start taxing people's gaseous emmisions? After all, 6+ Billion people passing gas is not good for the environment and greenhouse gas levels.

The EPA calls talk of a tax on cow flatulence a bunch of hot air.
Those ranchers should relax, said the EPA’s Whitley. "The fact is, there is no proposal right now. We’re in the public comments phase (on greenhouse-gas emissions rules), and the public can say anything. The EPA is obligated to consider all comments, but this is not a likely change. "This is a great example of Internet viral folklore," he said. "But there’s not a whiff of truth."

Then again, if there is a tax that can be implemented in a practical manner by bureaucrats they'll do it.

15 'Normal' Jobs You Can't Pronounce

Whadda ya know? I made the list.

A Good Start to the New Year

I finally figured out what was wrong. I was tired. Mentally, spiritually, and physically tired. These past few weeks I've paid little attention to what was on the news, let the writing slip and just didn't think about anything. Oh, there were a few projects that I completed but for the most part I just left everything else go. I went to bed really early with a book and listen to some good jazz. The holidays brought House and Monk marathons on TV. I've enjoy watching episodes I've not seen.

Hiking has always been refreshing and I've done as much as I could. I've discovered Lake Lincoln. What a beautiful spot! Easy hiking and wonderful views, what could be better. Today I went to pick up a couple of geocaches. It was a beautiful day and a lot of people had the same idea of enjoying the lake and the day. I even met some fellow geocachers. One hiker gave me directions to a private hiking/biking trail on his property. I've definitely got to try that one out. Casey, of course, had a ball running around and greeting everyone we met. One repeller commented that Casey was quite a people person.

I guess I need more of these down time weeks. The earth is chock-full of problems and sometimes it gets overwhelming. One should step back and realize that God is sovereign and He holds the earth in the palm of His hand.

Living in New York State, Ahh Shit!

Put New York State as one place you do not want to live or visit. Gov David Paterson is planning to tax just about anything he can. The only thing he forgot to tax was the air the New Yorkers breathe, but give him time. It's really hard to feel sorry for them though. They are getting exactly what they voted for, tax and spend liberalism. You'd think they'd learn, but they keep putting their hand in the fire and getting royally burned. Well New Yorkers, start learning to live with less. Work hard and pay your socialist masters.

Fayetteville, Two New Bridges

Fayetteville is replacing the wooden bridge on Mud Creek trail with the iron ones they've place on Scull Creek. The wooden bridge has that little bump that is a real jolt to bikers who try to ride over it. The wooden bridge will be reused somewhere else in the parks or trails.


The bridge in Wilson Park is part of the walking trail renovation on N Park Ave. The trail will be removed from the street sidewalk. That sidewalk was so narrow you had to walk in the street if you walked with some one or pass people.

The Mud Creek bridge will be finished real quick but the Wilson Park one will take a little longer because they need to complete connecting the trail and finish the parking lot. I think people will be really please with the new bridges.

Wal-Mart, The Good Bully

Wal-Mart consider by many to be evil because they say it operates in a way that increases government welfare spending. It contributes to suburban sprawl and drives local companies out of business. It discriminates against workers and gives its workers bad health care. Finally, it get goods from countries who employment standards are terrible.
But here Wal-Mart is getting praise for it's "heavy handed practices" in protecting the environment and helping the poor. What in the world is going on?

What's changed? Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott, who announced last month that he will step down in February, has led an ambitious sustainability campaign, opened up to critics and promised to behave more responsibly. One of his last acts as CEO was to convene a summit of Wal-Mart suppliers in China to tell them that they had to adhere to higher ethical and environmental standards.

This is a win-win situation for Wal-Mart. They get good PR for being socially and environmentally responsible and if they can make it profitable so much the better. Of course, there are going to be people who'll hate Wal-Mart not matter how much they help the poor and the planet.

To be sure, not everyone is buying into Wal-Mart's sustainability work. The International Labor Rights Forum, an activist group, has an ongoing campaign against Wal-Mart, saying its "ethical sourcing" program is ineffective. Some environmentalists argue that Wal-Mart's business model - selling cheap stuff made all around the world in big-box stores - can never become sustainable.

Basically, they think Wal-Mart needs to be destroyed even if it harms the poor of the world.

Gov. Beebe, Tire Plant Yes, Electrical Plant No!

While Gov. Beebe is working with Texas to convince that nasty, dirty Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. to keep its tire plant in Texarkana open, the Sierra Club and Audubon Society are trying to keep a coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County from being built. Gov. Beebe is working hard to keep those jobs and income from taxes in Arkansas.

Texarkana's plant has 1,400 workers. Local officials say Cooper Tire annually pays between $90 million and $100 million in direct wages.

The Sierra Club and Audubon Society are working to further impoverish the people in southwest Arkansas.

But Turk (plant) represents an economic boost to supporters in southwest Arkansas, where it would generate about $38 million in sales- and property-tax revenue and an annual payroll of $9 million.

Isn't this just rich! Gov. Beebe is working hard to keep a tire manufacturing plant (think oil product) in Arkansas because of the devastation the lost of jobs will have on Texarkana not to mention the loss of tax revenue. I don't imagine that a tire manufacturing plant is any less polluting than a coal burning electricity plant. Why isn't Gov. Beebe working just as hard to get the Turk plant built? Not only will it bring jobs and tax revenue but it will keep electricity inexpensive for customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Ahh, global warming! The biggest scientific hoax in history is once again going to devastate the poor.

No Wind, But A Lot Of Hot Air

A listener from Fayetteville got in on the Rush Limbaugh show where Jason Lewis was subbing for Rush. The caller mentioned an article in the NW Arkansas Times about the wind turbines at St Thomas Episcopal Church. The caller also mentioned Stephan Pollard who he said had declared in a discussion about energy that we need to "eliminate all forms of carbon." That doesn't surprise me because deep down the environmental extremists want to eliminated all life from Earth, particularly human. Anyway, Jason went off on wind turbines. He bluntly said they are a mis-allocation of resources.

I grew up hearing about how we needed to convert to solar and wind power. After 4 decades wind and solar still need government subsidies because they aren't viable. They are not going to be able to replace coal and natural gas plants. Jason mentioned some health hazards that the news article didn't feel obligated to print. There is the noise of the turbines, the flicker of the blades which interfere with drivers and pilots. Ice can form on those blades and fling them off. Do you want to be driving by those blades when they do that? Of course, we all want to see those visually offensive turbines on all of our mountain tops. I'd like to see them try to sticking one of those up on Mt. Sequoia or Mt. Kessler.

Jason finished off by quoting Christopher Booker in that 100,000 acres of wind turbines produce the amount of electricity as a 15 acre coal plant. Well, I couldn't find that quote but I found this

Mr Obama floats off still further from reality when he proposes spending $15 billion a year to encourage "clean energy" sources, such as thousands more wind turbines. He is clearly unaware that wind energy is so hopelessly ineffective that the 10,000 turbines America already has, representing "18 gigawatts of installed capacity", only generate 4.5GW of power, less than that supplied by a single giant coal-fired power station.

It's too bad you can't talk cold, hard, common sense science with these environmentalists. The wind/solar thing makes them feel like they're doing something for the environment. Feelings are more important than facts.

The War Against Peanuts

The health Nazi's are at it again. A Washington lobbyist group is attempting to ban peanuts from all schools. It's not only eating peanuts, it also touching them. You got to be careful in the halls of schools because you might get peanut cooties.

"Just a small amount of food on your hands can get on desks, books, playground equipment," warns the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

The CDC's data shows that food allergy affects only 4% of children and about 1% of those are peanut allergies. So, why are these people trying to eliminate a food that has wonderful health benefits and affects only an extreme minority of children? With today's tough economy it doesn't make sense to eliminate an excellent low cost protein source for children. I grew up in a low-income family and PB&J sandwiches were something we ate for lunch nearly every day. We couldn't afford anything else.
Banning peanuts is unjust, even mean, to the 99 percent of students for whom peanut butter is the most practical source of protein they will eat. It is cheap, delicious, and won't spoil as meat or cheese might. For the sake of a few students, thousands are seriously inconvenienced. For Gods sake, if your kid is allergic to peanuts, have the school stock epinephrine. Don't deprive all the other children of peanuts. We don't need to be tyrannized by the minority.

Lioneld Jordan, New Mayor of Fayetteville

Channel 5 and Channel 40/29 have declared Lioneld the winner in the Fayetteville mayoral run-off election. Congratulation Lioneld!

An Epidemic of Ignorance in America

No, it's doesn't surprise me at all that most people failed a basic test about history, government, and economics. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute reported the results of its study on American Civic Literacy.

More than 2,500 randomly selected Americans took ISI’s basic 33 question test on civic literacy and more than 1,700 people failed, with the average score 49 percent, or an “F.” Elected officials scored even lower than the general public with an average score of 44 percent and only 0.8 percent (or 21) of all surveyed earned an "A."

What's really disturbing is that elected officials who make decisions about education are failing too. How can we expect our kids to learn when our leaders aren't learning either? The study sure explains why our leaders are making such lousy decisions. Congress is making major decisions on the economy and they are demonstrating how ignorant they are about history and economics. I swear we don't have learned men and women making informed decisions. What we have is the Keystone Cops, the Stooges and a circus of clowns running America.

"The most expensive commodity we have in the United States is ignorance." (Rush Limbaugh)

It's your turn. Take the test. Yes, I did get an A, but I sure don't know anything about philosophers. Hey, they are boring! I'm surprised I got the ones on economics. Well, multiple choice questions are easy to answer right because most of the time you can easily eliminate the wrong answers.

CQ Press, Metropolitan Crime Rate Rankings

According to CQ Press the Pine Bluff Metropolitan area ranks number 1 in its Metro Crime Rate Rankings. The Pine Bluff Metro area includes Cleveland, Jefferson and Lincoln counties. CQ Press says it's using an index that was once used by the FBI but has discontinued it because there were flaws in the data collection.

It was concerned that the Crime Index was inflated by a high number of larceny-thefts, which account for nearly 60 percent of reported crime, thereby diminishing the focus on more serious but less frequently reported offenses, such as murder and rape.

CQ Press also indicates other limitations in the data.

Although law enforcement agencies collect common information on crimes reported to and discovered by them, each state has slightly different criminal laws, and each law enforcement agency has its own policies and procedures for recording activity. This makes it very difficult to compare statistics across agencies, and to classify criminal activity consistently

I find it hard to believe that Pine Bluff has more crime that New Orleans, unless Hurricane Katrina forced the criminals to relocate to Arkansas. Of course, my experience is limited in that I've never visited South Arkansas. CQ Press's rankings would make one reconsider a visit to Pine Bluff. Can you imagine trying to get businesses or companies to relocate there?
Other Arkansas notables. QC Press has the Little Rock Metro at 10th , Texarkana Metro at 24th, Hot Springs Metro at 35th, and Jonesboro Metro at 113th.

Fayetteville's Development Blues

I'm afraid that the Renaissance Tower and the SouthPass developments have pretty much killed any future public/private deals. The Fayetteville City Council has demonstrated that they aren't up to making any real estate deals. Somehow the concepts that large developments cost a whole lot of money and the good times sometimes end just did not cross their minds.
I was thinking the same thing as Doug Thompson

My check into the SouthPass issue reached an early conclusion that nothing else shook: The City Council's resolution to let the mayor make this deal was vague enough to authorize just about anything.
I'm no lawyer, but I have hindsight and no scruples about second-guessing. Some phrase in that resolution that any deal was "subject to further council approval" would have been nice.

How did they ever let anything like this pass without getting an idea of how much it would cost and would it be possible for the city to afford it? The City Council is complaining that it might cost over $26 million dollars but they've had nearly 4 years to get some estimates and start to plan for it. Fayetteville Parks and Recreation have made plans such that they already have the money for the first phase of the park and have ideas on how to raise money for the rest of the park.
Sigh, why is it when it comes to big projects the City of Fayetteville somehow manages to screw it up?

Comparing the Snoopers

I guess that Ohio's inspector general doesn't take improperly accessing people's records as seriously as the St. Vincent Health System. What I find interesting is that those at St Vincent got fired because they just couldn't curb their curiosity. The little slap on the wrist by Gov Ted Strickland is really sickening. What he has done is made it plain that any citizen that makes a comment on any candidate will have their entire lives a subject of intense scrutiny. Anyone who investigates a citizen solely for the purpose of destroying them for a political purpose isn't going to be punished.

When someone speaks out, "Their government should then not try to discredit them and ruin their reputation by releasing information," [House Speaker Jon]Husted said. "You shouldn't want the government under anyone's control to do those kind of things to individual citizens."

Thanks, Ohio, for helping to kill free speech.

Agility Trial in Springfield

Casey and I went to an agility trial in Springfield this weekend. I had hoped that we'd pick up where we were earlier this year before I sprained my ankle. Boy, was I wrong. Casey acted as if this was his first time at a trial. People were so nice about it. "He's such a happy dog!" and "He looks like he's having a lot of fun!" Dang dog went ADD on me! He didn't Q on most of his runs because he was losing time greeting the bar setters and running around the ring instead of the course. Still, he came home with a mess of ribbons and the judge gave me some ideas to help with training.

More dogs at Friday Ark.

The Cup is Half Full

Doug Thompson nicely explains why I voted for annual legislative sessions.

Adjusting to too much in state tax collection was bad enough. Now the economy’s going to pot. Adjusting to too little won’t be fun. Another session in 2010 will come in handy. The new law requires every other session to focus just on budget matters. It’s hard to argue against giving more focus to budget matters.

I'm constantly monitoring my budget especially now that the Democrat's economic manipulation has caused an economic disaster. My budget is a minuscule fraction of Arkansas's budget but I think they should devote the same time and effort I do.
As for Doug's bitching about having to drive more often to Little Rock, it's call job security. Newspapers are laying people off in droves so Doug should be thanking Eric for the extra work. Heck, after awhile Doug may be able to ask for a raise.

Lioneld Jordan and Dan Coody at Republican Women's Meeting

Lioneld Jordan and Dan Coody spoke and answered questions at the Washington County Republican Women meeting today. Lioneld noted his open door, transparent government and that he intends to properly manage taxpayers money. Lioneld asserted that he would be a better mayor. Lioneld when asked about his rejection of the SouthPass Development answered that he was concerned that the city of Fayetteville couldn't afford a project that could be in excess of $25 million dollars. He stated that he was wrong to vote for the original resolution in 2004.

Dan responding to the same question about SouthPass noted that there was a contract and the resolution passed in 2004 was binding. To rejected the contract would subject the city of Fayetteville to lawsuits. Dan said that the current cost quote was negotiable. Dan went on to explain that he was trying to get a number of smaller business into Fayetteville to partner up with existing businesses. He noted that a number of companies from Sweden were looking into moving to Fayetteville.

I went back to the city council meeting minutes from 2004 to see what really happened. The resolution clearly states that it would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with the SouthPass Development Company. Later on in the minutes Kit Williams noted that "if the Council passes this resolution tonight, they will be authorizing the Mayor to sign the contract." I didn't noted much discussion about the cost of the project in the minutes. They spent more time talking about the landfill and the park. I think they should have paid more attention to a comment by Barbara Moorman who said "the city was committing themselves to a large subdivision and all the costs of the roads, sewer etc. She questioned if this developer has anything in his past that has been successfully completed." Well, what's done is done. Now it's time for the city council to get the best deal they can for Fayetteville.

In other news, Lioneld slipped in that he had a press conference later today to announce that he had gotten Steve Clark's endorsement.

Google The Flu, Maybe?

It seems like it might be a good idea. After all, Google is the most popular search engine and if you're sick chances are you're going to check symptoms and a diagnosis.

Tests of the new Web tool from Google.org, the company’s philanthropic unit, suggest that it may be able to detect regional outbreaks of the flu a week to 10 days before they are reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The data that Google is collecting may not be that accurate. According to Google, Arkansas is experiencing a moderate flu outbreak. However, the Arkansas Health Department says that there hasn't been one confirmed case of flu.

Dr. Sandra Snow, medical director of communicable diseases, and Dr. Haytham Safi, senior epidemiologist, both of the Health Department, said the recent mass flu vaccination effort in Arkansas could be behind the high number of flu searches from Arkansas on Google. "We just finished doing our mass clinic, with over 108,000 people getting the flu vaccine. It's very possible that while we were doing this, people were looking up (sites related to the) flu on Google" Snow said.

They were offering flu shots everywhere. There was a lot of publicity to get people to get a shot. My employer gave us free shots and I even saw that Sam's Club was offering shots for $20. All that publicity generated people's interest so they Googled for more information. Google's new tool registered interest in the flu because of publicity not because people were feeling the symptoms. At least the Arkansas Health Department did note the trend and were able to explain it. It would be interesting to see if the Google tool will be able to identify a real flu outbreak.

SouthPass Regional Park Landfill Update, The Whole Truth

The Iconoclast has posted a letter from Mike Robinson of the ADEQ to Connie Edmonston the Parks and Recreation Director. Wasn't that just the sweetest thing to do for us! But wait, I have that same letter in my fat little hands and there is something different. The Iconoclast left something out, something very, very important. Now why wouldn't The Iconoclast publish the whole thing? I mean, The Iconoclast wouldn't deliberately try to manipulate information to his own selfish ends, would he?

The need for corrective action at the old landfill has not yet been determined. Likewise, a corrective action plan has not been developed. However, efforts are continuing every day toward a decision on this project. The site closure assessment will be finalized in the near future, and the ADEQ Director will determine whether there is a need for corrective action. Should it be decided contaminants pose a hazard to public health or contaminants endanger the environment, corrective action may be deemed necessary. The Arkansas Landfill Post-Closure Trust Fund (A.C.A 8-6-1001 et. al.) is available for the prevention and/or abatement of releases to the environment. This fund specifically exists to address contamination of the environment from any certified closed landfill. The Department uses this fund on other closed landfill projects and monies from this fund will be expended on this project if and when a corrective action plan is put into place as determined necessary by the Department.

What The Iconoclast conveniently left out was that whatever is in that landfill will eventually be cleaned up. There is money already available to accomplish it. The ADEQ has noted that there is some leakage but they haven't completed their studies to know exactly what is leaking and just how extensive it is. It doesn't matter. Nothing is going to be built on or near it until it gets cleaned up. It's time for people to stop running around like Chicken Little declaring a disaster and stop getting your tidy whiteys in a bunch. I know how much you want to take down Mayor Coody but this is not the way to do it.

Fayetteville's Regional Park, A Step Closer

After 4 years it's finally coming together. Fayetteville is very close to getting the land for the Regional Park. The City Council voted to annex 855 acres into the city and then voted for the SouthPass PZD. There were a few residents present to make comments on SouthPass. I found the comments by those opposed to the development a bit disturbing. Barbara Moorman, I think represents the critics of the development quite well when she said that it was “too big, too costly and too disruptive”. Then there that’s old dump that’s appears to be quite toxic and is supposedly contaminating the whole site. Sitting there and listening to the comments made by the Council and residents I realized the biggest problem facing everyone was FEAR.
One of the biggest election issues in the mayoral race has been about economics. How is Fayetteville going to overcome its business unfriendly image and bring more businesses into Fayetteville? We aren’t going to get any large companies to come into Fayetteville when the City Council is afraid that a project is too big and too costly. I don’t see how Fayetteville expects to grow with that kind of fear. How are we going to succeed when people complain that a project is too big? How about we get some perspective about project size. The Louisiana Purchase was 524,800,000 acres and the Alaska Purchases was 375,303,680 acres. You know, 855 acres is pretty piddling. How about the cost issue? If we considered costs then we shouldn’t have built the Walton Arts Center, the XNA airport, the NWA mall, I-540 and a whole host of projects and buildings. Disruptive? This project is not going to be anymore disruptive than any other project. Of course, careful planning and addressing issues as they come up will alleviate most problems.

Interestingly, it was fear that pushed the City Council to vote for SouthPass. Kit Williams reminded the Council that the developers have complied with all the legal obligations and ordinances in bringing this development forward. The developers have worked with city staff and have been approved by the planning commission. If the City Council decided to deny the project solely based on the perceived fears then the developers could sue the city of Fayetteville for millions of dollars. Alderman Adella Gray summed it up nicely. She said the city asked for a partner to develop a park, the city needed the park, and the developers have jumped through all the hoops the city required. She said the City Council has an obligation to honor its contract with the developers. I restrained my desire to clap.

D’oh-bama’s Gaffe

The Republicans got shellac by the Democrats Tuesday. While I am somewhat disappointed and very concerned about the future I am hearten by the fact the next 4 years will be bringing in Obama's and Biden's notorious gaffes. President-elect Obama at his first press conference, answering a question about whether he had spoken to any previous president:

In terms of speaking to former presidents, I have spoken to all of them, uh, that are, uh, living ... obviously, uh, President Clinton, uh ... [laughter] ... hey, I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan, uh, thing about doin’ any seances...

An extraordinary cheap shot at Nancy Reagan, who is currently recovering from a fall in which she broke her hip. Isn't Obama Classy? Tag! You're next Biden! I tell you the next 4 years are going to be a hoot.