Progress in Iraq, Bad for Democrats?

This weekend there was seemingly a paradigm shift in a small part of the Democrat Party. It started with the discussion on the Chris Matthew's show suggesting that maybe we shouldn't leave Iraq.

Matthews: Mike Duffy, you wrote a big piece for Time magazine last week highlighting three dangers Bush is pushing about if we withdraw: sectarian violence; safe haven for al Qaeda, and; a proxy war in Iraq fueled by its neighbors.
Duffy responded: The Administration estimates that we have a thousand Iraqis dying a month at the current rate. That could explode, maybe ten times as many, if the U.S. leaves.

So, we shouldn't leave because of the expected mass execution of Iraqis. However, Barack Obama said

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday the United States cannot use its military to solve humanitarian problems and that preventing a potential genocide in Iraq isn't a good enough reason to keep U.S. forces there.

I guess the panel didn't agree with Obama. I was a bit shocked when I read what Obama said. I had wondered in the Democrat Party was really so heartless that it would actually withdrawal the troops in light of the humanitarian disaster that would follow.
The other event was the op-ed in the New York Times which said that we might just win the war in Iraq. The authors say that the surge was starting to work.

Today, morale is high. The soldiers and marines told us they feel that they now have a superb commander in Gen. David Petraeus; they are confident in his strategy, they see real results, and they feel now they have the numbers needed to make a real difference.

This is old news. It has been reported but not in the MSM. So, the good news in Iraq is bad news for the Democrats. They've already declared that we've lost the war and that the surge was a failure. Harry Reid had said that he was going to keep bringing up the resolution to get the troops out of Iraq. It's going to be really difficult to keep doing that when the MSM is now reporting that the surge is working. While the news of positive progress in Iraq is going to be problematic for the Democrat Leadership, the more moderate Democrats may be releasing a sigh of relief. They see the disaster in Iraq that would occur if they are force to fall in behind the Democrat Leadership. This gives them cover for voting against any further resolutions for a troop retreat.

A Non-Scientist Gets It

Ahhhh! It's refreshing to see an editorial question global warming and Al Gore's part in it.

My opinion of Al Gore, as you may have guessed by this time, would rank in the polls as “ below zero. ” Frankly, he is a fat, pompous gadfly (I had another term, but knew the editor would not like it ) who has found a peg to hang his career on — not withstanding the fact that he does not know what he is talking about, and has surrounded himself with people who also do not know what he is talking about.

Mr Terry may not be a scientist but he has sense enough to do a little looking and come to a conclusion that

If we were to follow Al Gore’s recommendations, we would literally have to stop mining and using coal, get rid of automobiles, and, in short, stop doing nearly anything you can think of except breathe. Stop the foolishness. I heard a truly imminent scientist the other day say that Gore’s predictions were both " foolish and dangerous. " The danger was in the fact that many people will believe his predictions.

I'm really glad that I'm seeing more people question the validity of global warming. In my whole life-time there have been a number of these "ecological disasters". Starting at the age of 9 when I went to "environmental camp", then there were the gas shortages, then global cooling, and then the disappearing ozone layer. There is always news of some new disaster looming, but they never occur.

I reject out of hand the cataclysmic predictions made by Gore and other pseudo-scientists, while admitting that there are some reputable scientists on his side. I just happen to believe they are wrong, as scientists often are.

Amen and Hallelujah!

They've Seen the Lights

Thank God!

After trying multicolored lights last year as the Fayetteville Square’s holiday decorations, officials with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department have reverted back to the traditional all-white light display.

Those multi-colored lights looked just terrible. I'm sure they had a lot of complaints about them.

Jeff Coles, maintenance superintendent for Parks and Recreation, said the colored lights did receive rave reviews, mostly from out-oftowners, but that ultimately he and his staff believed the white lights were a better scheme.

I don't know where they that got those reviews but the one I saw in CitiScapes suggested they never do it again.

From NWA Times

Todays Dow Drop, Disaster or Opportunity

Most people see the Dow dropping as a minor disaster, but I look at it differently.

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street suffered one of its worst losses of 2007 Thursday, leading a global stock market plunge as investors succumbed to months of worry about the mortgage and corporate lending markets. The Dow Jones industrials closed down more than 310 points after earlier skidding nearly 450.

It's a stock sale! I hate it when the stocks rise so steeply. It means that any stock that I would buy would cost me more. I live for the times when the stock goes down. Some people live for shoe sales, I live for stock sales.

Construction on Wedington Drive

I am so ticked off at the Arkansas Highway Department. They are going to do road construction at NIGHT! This is a residential neighborhood! What twit would build roads at night when families are trying to sleep? I didn't get any sleep at all last night. They had dump trucks coming in all the time, the generators were right by my house and noise they made rattle windows and dishes.
I call the Highway department, and they told my Jeff Stroud was in charge. I asked that he call me but I don't think he is. The people I spoke with didn't really seem to care. Their attitude was "we don't care" and "screw you".
I need to figure out how to get some sleep while they're working. Somehow I've got to drown out the noise. I have ear plugs, but they didn't work. I'd sure welcome any suggestions.
There might be a positive side to all the construction. If I get mad and irritated about it, I'll be energized to do what I need to move out of here.

Our Opinion

I finally got the camera that I've been wanting. It took me awhile to save the money, but it sure is sweet to hold it in my hand. It is so much better than my Kodak EasyShare. It's a lot more complicated. I have to actually read the manual. I've been using the cats as my test subjects. As you can see Tigger and Eli are not at all impressed.

Maybe the other cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats will be impressed.

John Doe Amendment

I really couldn't believe that the Democrats killed the John Doe amendment. It defies all logical sense. People need to report suspicious behavior, but they don't have to fight law suits just because they do. It seems as if the Democrats are doing everything possible to endanger us. People won't report something suspicious if they have to face the costs of lawsuits. Well, the Democrats must be getting a earful about this. From Audrey Hudson

"Democrats have been backed into a corner by public outrage over their efforts, so we are seeing these Democrats publicly say they support it in principle, but behind the scenes they are working to kill it," said one Republican leadership aide close to the conference process.
Some Republican aides are attributing the mounting pressure to support the provision to press reports and the blogosphere, where bloggers turned bloggyists are posting phone numbers of Democrat congressional leaders and urging readers to call in with their support.

O yeah! Power to the People! It's time once again to save the American people from the Democrat Party.
Tip MM.com

Unlikely Partners

Now, why would Wal-Mart and the Rev Al Sharpton come together for a love-fest?

Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton and Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott became unlikely allies Tuesday in their call to revive immigration legislation as they spoke before the largest U.S. Hispanic civil rights organization. "Congress needs to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill now," said Scott, who heads the world's largest retailer.

Why of course! Wal-Mart needs to cut it labor costs even further and what better way than a part-time "guest worker".

Wedington Drive, Links and Woodstock Development

Well, both the Links and the Woodstock developments went through the Planning Commission. Woodstock is to go before the City Council, but will undoubtedly sail through. I did say something to the Commission about it. I'm particularly concerned that a 4 story commercial building is being put up right next to my house. In fact, just looking out my window now, I would be seeing a 4 story building. I know that it doesn't matter to the city how many neighbors don't want this development in the middle of their neighborhoods. People have complained about this kind of development before and the city still approves them.
Anyway, I've decided that it's time for me to move. There is just way too much development near me and I especially don't like the idea of people looking down into my house. I also don't want to deal with the traffic and noise of shops and stores. If I had wanted to live in a city, I would have stayed in L.A. I never planned on moving. I really like my house. I'm going through the emotional roller coaster people have when they lose some one or something. Anyway, it might take a year or so to swing it financially. By that time all the construction around here should be complete and it'll be easier to sell the house.

My Margarita!

We have got to stop this Madness! This is going way to far! This global warming swindle is starting to hurt where it really counts.

Tequila is key to a great margarita, but many farmers in Mexico are now ditching the blue agave plant used to make the liquor to cash in on corn and the demand for alternative fuel — and some say that could lead to the great tequila shortage.

Time to hit Macadoodles and stock up! Curse you Al Gore!

Alcohol in NW Arkansas

At last! Sam's Club has finally gotten it's liquor permit. Yeah, yeah, people complained because they think Sams is going to undercut the local liquor stores. They may lose some customers, but they were really sticking it to people because they had no where else to go. Now they do and liquor prices may become more reasonable.
Benton County on the other hand is dealing with a different liquor problem. It's battling bootlegging. Can you image that? People selling beer out of their homes. Why are people doing that? You just have to go few miles north to Missouri to get your liquor.

Rodriguez, a Tyson Foods Inc. employee, told officers through a translator that he supplements his income by selling the beer for $ 1 a can, nearly doubling his profit from the cases he said he purchased from Macadoodles liquor store across the state line in Missouri.

It may be a good reason for Benton County to go "wet". If they have liquor stores at least they can monitor who's buying liquor. Of course, teens are always going to try to buy liquor any way they can.

Pfc. Adam Watkins, Benefit Concert

(Adam with Phil, Susan and Elizabeth also on Graduation Day)
There is going to be a benefit concert for Pfc. Adam Watkins, Saturday Aug. 4th, 3 to 9 PM at the Rodeo Community Center Bldg. (Parsons Rodeo Grounds off Emma Street in Springdale) Individual armbands will be available at the door for $10. Concessions will also be available. This is being organized by friends of the Watkins family in the poultry industry and at the University of Arkansas. From the NWA Times

Pfc. Adam Watkins, 21, was seriously injured May 21 when the Army Stryker vehicle he was driving ran over an IED (improvised explosive device ).
Adam received second- and third-degree burns to his arms, back, head and buttocks as well as some second-degree burns to his face. He also sustained a compound fracture of both tibia bones in his lower leg and broken bones in one foot.

Adam's recovery is going to be a long one. Everything we can do to help him and his family is something we owe them. Adam has made a huge sacrifice to make sure that we are living free and safe. Please come to the concert and show Adam and his family how much we care. The family has a web page for Adam. One of the best features is the "Recovery Status" which gives nearly daily updates on Adam. You can even drop him a note. NW Arkansas, come out strong for a hometown boy!

Update: The U of A's Department of Poultry Science information and downloadable flyer for the concert.

Catnip Pusher

Yes! I am still the cat drug pusher in the neighborhood. That patch of catnip really brings the neighborhood cats around for a visit. This guy is really inhaling the stuff.


Oops! He noticed me! Oh, wait, I think he's too high to really care that I'm close. I wonder how long he's been laying there sniffing that stuff.

More cats at Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats

NWA Times Editorial, Getting it Wrong

I had to read this editorial twice because I could believe what I was reading. How could a newspaper editor get it so wrong?

There has been talk recently of converting a south Fayetteville locale — where environmental contamination remains a major worry of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality — into yet another city park.

He's talking about the former R&P Electroplating Inc place in south Fayetteville off Armstrong Road. Hugh Earnest sent a letter to the Fayetteville Parks and Recreational Advisory Board informing them that he was working with a development company that could possibly give some of the land to the Parks. In particular he mentioned the "possible construction of a trail head as well as improved access to the West Fork of the White River." This is all very preliminary and no plans were submitted. Who knows, things may not work out for the company. Hugh was kind enough to keep the Advisory Board informed. The Advisory Board took no action whatsoever on that property.
There was no need for the editor to go ballistic and complain about too much green space and not enough commercial development. I'd really like to know where this "talk" has been coming from. As far I know it hasn't been coming from the City of Fayetteville.

Cruelty to Animals

It's when people do this, you really wish the penalty for torturing animals was stiffer.

Seattle, Table Scrap Police

I kid you not. This is real.

The city of Seattle said the recycling of food waste will become mandatory for residents by April 2009.

Can you image the police showing up at your door and arresting you because you don't recycle your food. Do people really like living like that? Having the government tell you what to do in every minutia of your life?

The Eyes, The Eyes

This is sooooo funny!
The story from Boing Boing is here, but the photoshopped versions are here. Hint, scroll down.

Fayetteville, Woodstock Community, Neighborhood Meeting

Well, I went to the meeting for the residents concerned about the Woodstock Community development. Hank Broyles had the whole team there to answer any questions. Boy,were there a lot of questions! Everyone got to really look at the development and address their own particular concerns. I was impressed that the development team was patient with everyone's questions.
I'm not really happy about living across a commercial development. Particularly one in which the buildings are going to be 4 stories high. The first floors are going to be businesses and the remaining floors condos. That means people will be able to look down into my backyard. Ugh!
Even though I'm not happy with this development something worse could have been put in, a strip mall, gas station, or a Lindsey apartment complex. We'll see what happens. Once it's built and I don't like it, I can move. Maybe this development will increase the value of my home enough for me to be able to afford the house I'd really like to live in.

Clearing a Room

I don't know, Bill, if I should believe your story. If it's true then there a few places that I like to clear out. How about Wal-Mart? Won't have to worry about lines. Of course, the cashier might bug out too.

Fayetteville, Woodstock Community

I went to the Subdivision Committee meeting on Thursday to get a look at the Woodstock development which is going up next to me. I was really surprised at the number of neighboring residents that were not happy in the fact that a big commercial development was going up in the middle of a single family residential neighborhood. I, myself, am not happy about living next to a commercial development. However, I realize that there is not much that can be done to stop it. I am going to make sure that we don't have problems that occur on Dickson street. I am going to make it plain that I have no desire to see what's happening between the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse and the Dickson Street Neighborhood Association occurs on Wedington. There's a meeting Monday night with the residents and developer. We'll see what reassurances they can give us.