He's Still Around!

I rarely see Tyler, but I know he's still around. He's been eating the food I leave and gives me a gift of poop.

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Carl Rove, Kissing Up to Racists

I listened to Karl Rove's address to La Raza ("The Race"). You know, one of the far-left white-hating Hispanic lobbying group. They're fairly similar to the KKK and the Nazi party.

He was basically spewing the same old crap on Bush's immigration policy. Guest worker programs, iometric ID card, that thing that's amnesty but we don't want to call it that. There was one bit of change, he said we do need to secure the border. (Yeah, it's been 5 years after 9/11, you think we should start looking into that!)
The current system is broken and we need comprehensive reform. (No we don't. We need to ENFORCE the laws we currently have!)
Rove went rambling on about how immigrants have been coming to American and becoming part of it. The point he seems to miss is that our ancestors came to American legally.

What I want to know is why a senior advisor to the President is pandering to an blatantly racist organization such as this. It is positively shameful and appalling.

Go here to listen.

Why Doesn't the Plame Go Out?

I was really looking forward to this finally disappearing out into the wasteland. After all, Novak said that no one intentional leaked Plame's name and that he was the one who sought our officials seeking answers.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, accused Cheney, Rove and I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby of revealing Plame’s CIA identity in seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration’s motives in Iraq. AP

This is a stupid, childish lawsuit, it doesn't have a prayer and it make the Wilsons look all that much more nuttier. You just want to clutch your head and mumble, "make them go away". Sighhh!

Joe Wilson, Blabbermouth

Novak spoke this morning and I've been laughing all day! Bwaaahaaa! Do you hear all the Democrat's balloons bursting? Whoooweee!

Novak adds that he got Plame’s name from Joseph A. Wilson IV’s own biography in Who’s Who, establishing yet again that Ambassador Munchausen was not exactly the sort of husband a cautious CIA would choose for an agent whose identity it meant to shield from public eyes

OK, let get serious. Novak says that Fitzgerald knew all along who the identity of the sources he used in his column of July 14, 2003. So, Clarice Feldman asks the big question we all want to know;

If Fitzgerald knew by January 12, 2004 who the leaker was and that it wasn’t Libby or Rove, why did he later call them to testify before the grand jury? Was it simply to determine whether he could trap them into making perjurious statements, something the law does not permit?

Mmmmm, I hear the crickets chirping.

Hurray for Israel!

Finally, Israel is fighting back at the terrorists that have been attacking it. It's about time! I'm amazed at the restraint Israel has had so far. But I guess Hezbollah's and Hamas' deliberate invasion and killing of Israeli soldiers were the straw that broke the camel's back. Heck, I would have wiped them off the earth long ago. I don't believe in being nice to your enemies. You have peace when you destroy your enemies.
Israel is going to be condemned by the U.N. Kofi Annan has shown that he is a friend of the Arab nations and not of Israel. I hope the U.S. stands firmly with Israel. It looks promising so far.

"This is a terrorist attack and it is clearly timed to exacerbate already high tensions in the region and sow further violence," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said. "We also hold Syria and Iran _ which directly support Hezbollah _ responsible for this attack and for the ensuing violence."

I just hope that President Bush doesn't back down under pressure from U.N.

AP Story

The States, Battle Grounds for Illegal Immigration

Opinion Journal notes that the battle over illegal immigration is moving to the states.

In Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, illegal immigration has become a hot issue not just in congressional races but in races for governor, attorney general and the state legislature.
In Arkansas the GOP's candidate for attorney general, Gunner DeLay, is blasting his Democratic opponent for supporting a bill as a state legislator that would allow children of illegal immigrants to take advantage of a state scholarship program. Democrat Dustin McDaniel calls the attacks against him "inflammatory and inaccurate."

Miniter believes that Republicans are hoping to win elections by running on an anti-immigration platform. He doesn't think that it will work and will eventually turn against them.

For Republicans on the state level, pushing anti-illegal immigration policies is dangerous political strategy that rarely delivers much more than short-lived gains. California Republicans went down the anti-illegal alien road and the party hasn't recovered since.

Miniter has a problem. He uses California as an illustration as to why anti-illegal immigration won't work. California is a liberal Democrat state. The state is controlled by voters in Los Angeles and San Francisco, who are extreme liberals. No way, no how would they vote to stop illegal immigration. However, in the more conservative states, the push to stop illegal immigration would work for Republicans. What will happen is the illegals will be pushed out of states controlled by Republicans and they will move to states controlled by Democrats. Those states will have their social services overwhelmed by illegals, forcing them to raise taxes. They'd have more crime, so they need more police and more taxes. The illegals will start taking over a lot of jobs so there'd be increased unemployment. Lovely picture, isn't it?

Democrats, Ideas and Visions

It looks like the LA Times is admitting that the Democrat party has no visions or ideas. Not only that, it's telling the Party to get off it's duff and stop waiting for voters to get tired of the Republicans screwing things up. This moment is now, they say, for Democrats to offer some breakthrough ideas. They are correct in saying that ideas and visions have driven American history and politics.

The fact is that the parties that have won elections over the long term and have been able to build governing majorities are those that have put forward a vision that both inspires the American people and responds to the concerns they face at the time.

Can the Democrat party come together and formulate some ideas? I have some doubts about that. The party now consists of two large groups - a very vocal left wing socialist group and the traditional Democrat group, the FDRs and John Kennedys. They are fighting to see who controls the party. You just have to see what is happening to Joe Lieberman.

The LA Times misses a point. If the Democrats really tried to run on the ideas they do have, they'd lose. More taxes, more government, less guns, homosexual marriage, open borders and a weakened national security isn't exactly what the American people want.

Slogans, Asa Hutchinson & Mike Beebe

It's time I started looking at our state races more in depth. Let's start with the top office. The governor's race, with Asa Hutchinson (R) and Mike Beebe (D). So, I checked out their websites and they both have a helpful little tab called "Issues". While scrutinizing their pages, I noted they both have a campaign slogan. That's good. Slogans can define who you are and what you wish to accomplish. Hutchinson's was prominently displayed, as if he was proud of it. Mr. Beebe, you might want to dig yours out of the paragraph. It didn't stand out.

Mike Beebe's: "Believe in Arkansas"
Believe; to accept as true, genuine, or real. It's a passive verb. It requires no action, nor does it require work. You can sit back in your recliner and declare "I believe". It's a slogan that's more emotion based, enticing you to "feel good". I think Mike Beebe had accurately defined the Democrat party. If you read what Beebe says, you realize that he has no solid goals he wishes to accomplish. He states general objectives he wishes to see in Arkansas but no particular steps to getting them done. It's just a wishy-washy, feel good, do nothing, mish-mash of drivel.

Asa Hutchinson: "Grow Arkansas"
Grow; to spring up and develop to maturity. An action verb. It sounds aggressive and demands that something must be done. Growing must have goals; to produce fruit, shade or fuel. Asa Hutchinson did well to choose this slogan. It says that he has goals and ideas that he intents to work hard to see them accomplished. If you look at Hutchinson's Issues page, he clearly defines his goals. Under the Grow Arkansas he's "laid out eight key principles for how Arkansas can accomplish that goal." Republicans have ideas about where they what Arkansas to be. However,unlike Beebe, they have clearly stated what steps and goals they intent to follow to make Arkansas better. Republicans know where they are going, and they have an action plan and a map to get there.

Perfect Summer Morning

It was such a beautiful morning. The temperature was in the mid-60's. Trixie and I went for our usual shopping trip to the Farmer's Market.

At this time of the year, the Market is loaded with flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Since the morning was so cool, it was a perfect day to walk around Lake Fayetteville with Casey. Casey took a couple of dips in the Lake to cool off.

Morning Meditation

There's nothing like a quiet spot to think on a beautiful summer morning.


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A Tough Week

It's nice to lay out in the backyard enjoying a bone. Trixie has had a bad week. Trixie is afraid of thunder and firecrackers. Yep, every night this week she's been hiding in the closet. Trixie can relax now!

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Divinity Hotel Project, Fayetteville

I watched the City Council on television. The Divinity Hotel proposal was passed by the Council. I was very impressed with the council members. It was very obvious that this was a very difficult decision for them. On the one hand, people were concerned that a building that tall would not fit in with the character of Dickson Street. There were also concerns about traffic on Dickson, which is narrow. Shirley Lucas made an interesting point. The city has spend quite a bit of money asking for citizen input about the vision of the city. She said that if this passes, it would be a slap in the face of those people who participated and suggested to limit buildings to 6 stories.
Those for the project mostly spoke of the economic benefits that it would bring. Don Marr said that he could not ask for people to vote for sewer, roads and trails in September and then turn down a $70 million building.
What ever happens on this site the city of Fayetteville will have to deal with it. If this hotel fails, it will be just another business that has failed on Dickson. Something else will eventually come along. Dickson Street will always be changing. It will be different 20 years from now. For better or worse, who knows?

Arkansas' Surplus

Yup, it's already starting. Legislators are making plans to spend the anticipated $ 721 million in surplus funds when they meet in the 2007 legislative session.

“Anytime you’ve got money, sure it’s going to be a topic for discussion because people always want to get their hands on it, that’s for sure,” said Rep. Benny Petrus, D-Stuttgart, who is to become speaker of the House, the House’s top post, in January.

It makes me wonder if they will be seriously thinking about returning some it back to the taxpayers. It'll be something to make sure our legislators do. At least Asa is saying the right thing.

Republican candidate for governor Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday that he expects a “battle” in the next session over how the surplus should be spent.
“I believe firmly that at least — at least — half of any surplus that we have should be used for tax relief for Arkansans,” Hutchinson said. “Starting with the repeal of the grocery [sales ] tax.”

The Democrats are not as enthused to returning at least half of the surplus.

“We’ve got significant needs on the horizon in education and in education facilities and human services,” said Sen. Jim Argue, DLittle Rock, the current Senate president pro tempore. “For now, I think we need to celebrate our stronger-than-expected economy and wait for the budget hearings so we can get a better picture of the expense side of the equation.”
Sen. Shane Broadway, DBryant, said he would prefer to spend the money on schools or a cut in the state sales tax on groceries.
[Rep. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia] said legislators need to consider a rainy day fund first, then prepare to pay more for educational needs.
"Money for improvements to public school buildings and equipment might devour a chunk of the surplus", said Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, who is the chairman of the Senate Academic Facilities Oversight Committee.

It would appear that if Mike Beebe is elected in November, the taxpayers may see little of their money returned to them. One more reason to make sure that Asa Hutchinson wins the election!

AR Democrat Gazette
The Morning News

The Star-Spangled Banner

A lot of people don't know all the words to the Star-Spangled Banner. What is sung is the first verse of the entire song. However, the song has 4 verses. While the first verse is good, the best verse is the fourth.

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand. Between their loved homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

More on the Hamdan Decision

In an earlier post I had said that this SCOTUS decision wasn't as bad as the MSM and the Democrats were portraying it to be. Noel Sheppard at the American Thinker thinks that the Republicans will benefit from this in November's elections.

when combined with another leak by the New York Times of a counterterrorism program just six days prior, Republicans were actually handed a tremendous gift dramatically improving their chances to hold both chambers of Congress in the November elections.

Noel has comments from both Democrats and Republicans and notes the disparities between them.

Amazing difference, isn’t it? On the right came a determination to use this Court decision to create legislation that would not only address the detention centers at Gitmo, but also how captured terrorists should be treated in the future. On the left came the typical castigations of the president and his policies without any suggestion as to how this matter should be resolved

It brings up the debate on the War on Terror. Which party is going to be best on winning that war? Which party to going to make sure that once we capture terrorists, they can't harm anyone again? Which party is going to treat terrorists like U.S. citizens, with full access to our courts?
When the legislation comes up to give President Bush the authority he needs to try terrorists under the military legal system, the Democrats are going to be screwed. They will have 2 choices: 1) Give President Bush what he wants on the military tribunals or 2) Oppose the legislation, still lose the vote and be perceived as wanting to grant U.S. citizenship rights to terrorists. Either way, President Bush and the Republican party win. Come the November election, they will once again have shown the difference between the two parties when it comes to defense and national security.

Fayetteville Taxes

Signs like these are going to start popping up on streets where the City of Fayetteville would like to spend money generated from the tax increase. The idea is let the people visually see where the money would be spent. Nifty idea!

Adam Wallworth, Northwest Arkansas Times, has a very good article on the taxes. I particularly like the schedule of anticipated bond payoffs:

Dennis Hunt, senior vice president with Stephens Inc., the city’s bond underwriter, prepared a schedule that shows the anticipated payoff of the bonds, depending upon which are approved. The schedule uses anticipated payoff, rather than scheduled payoff, to reflect the expected growth in sales tax.

• The earliest payoff date would be May of next year, if voters only approved the $ 2. 1 million trail project.

• If the two sewer project questions are approved, the $ 42 million in bonds would be paid off in September 2014, about a year later than the current sewer tax is to be retired.

• Bonds on the $ 65. 9 million street projects alone would be paid off in December 2015.

• Approval of the sewer and trails would have a payoff date of October 2014.

• If voters approve the streets and sewer questions, the tax would last until November 2017.

• Approval of all four questions would result in the tax being needed until January 2018.

So, if all bonds are approved they would by paid off in 10 years. I do know that the transportation bond isn't enough for the roads we need now. I wonder if the proposed grocery tax elimination will allow Fayetteville to come back with another bond proposal to put back the projects they've had to cut from the city's transportation proposals.

Game Addiction

I only walked into Office Max to pick up some pen refills. After finding the ones I needed, I walked around looking at stuff and talking myself out of buying those cool paperclips(I have plenty), a fancy new pen (I'd lose it), or a neat post-it dispenser(I don't need it). I walked by a bin of games they were trying to get rid of (they were cheap). There it was, lying on top of all the rest of the games. It was no use, I had to buy it.
I have books of Sudoku in my car, in the bedroom and in the living room. Now, I can waste more time playing it on the computer. Help me!

Jim Holt, Republican's "Extremist"

MICHAEL R. WICKLINE's column takes a look at Jim Holt.

In the race for the state's top executive offices, Republicans portray the Democratic slate as "too liberal for Arkansas" and Democrats paint the Republicans as "extremists."

Michael is right in that Jim will be the polarizing candidate on the Republican ticket. I don't think that it may be a bad thing for the Republican party.

He's the candidate most clearly marked " rightly or wrongly" as the extreme element of the Republican ticket, the link that Democrats hope will hamper GOP gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson in his contest with Democrat Mike Beebe for governor.

Although the Democrats will try to paint the rest of the Republican candidates with the same brush as Holt, I don't think that it will work. Asa has made it clear that he has his own ideas and plans for Arkansas. Based on what Asa has been saying, it will be tough to plant the extremist label on him. It won't stop the Democrats from trying though. That's OK. Let them waste their money.

It may be that sandwiched between Holt's ultra-conservatism and the Democratic liberal slate, Asa will appear to be the moderate, mainstream candidate. That appearance will appeal to most voters.

Arkansas Grocery Tax

I've been hearing this from most politicians concerning Arkansas' really big revenue surplus.

State Rep. Horace Hardwick, R-Bentonville, said he will pre-file a food tax reduction measure for the upcoming legislative session and released a draft of the legislation in an interview Tuesday

Asa made a comment about reducing grocery taxes on Saturday.

Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson's campaign released a statement saying Hutchinson "has made a firm commitment to tax reform in Arkansas that includes eliminating the state sales tax on groceries. Rep. Hardwick's plan is a good place to start the discussion on how, specifically, to get there."

A cut in the grocery tax is a really good idea. It will especially benefit people with lower incomes. There's a lot of stuff we can live without, but food is not one of them.

As the bill reads now, the measure would phase out state taxes on "the sale of food and food ingredients" by 4.5 percent of the total state sales taxes of 6 percent.
The proposed reduction would come in steps. The first reduction would be a 1.5 percent drop beginning July 1, 2007. That would be followed by 1 percent drops each year until the 4.5 percent reduction was accomplished on July 1, 2010

It's nice that the biggest cut comes first. Too bad we'd have to wait a year before it would begin.

Republican, Ice Cream Social

Ahhhh! There's nothing like a rootbeer float after several hours in the hot sun. Asa and Jim Holt doling out the ice cream. Of course, there were speeches.


Jim LaGrone, citing election problems and 2 lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court, said that he intents to get rid of voter fraud in Arkansas.




Gunner DeLay spoke of making sure that the Attorney General represents the legislation and the people of Arkansas.



Jim had to leave but Bobby thanked everyone for their support.





Asa compared the plans he had for Arkansas and the ones from Mike Beebe. Ummmm, we're still looking for them.

Republican, Rodeo of the Ozarks Parade

Washington County Republican Womens float. It was HOT! Most people rode on various candidate floats.


Nearly all the local and state wide candidates were present. Asa Hutchinson.


Cephus Richard with Matt Mendenhall.



The Holts came well prepared. Along with tall Uncle Sam, they had bicycles and a horse-drawn carriage.




What a trooper Jim Lagrone was! He must have run the parade route at least twice meeting people and shaking hands. Did I say it was HOT?

A Sunday Morning

It's an absolutely gorgeous morning. I'm trying to enjoy my books and coffee. Bows decides that I need to pay attention to her. I just take a couple of pictures and go back to my books.





She decides to take a bath. She's not sitting on my books and I'm left in peace. We're both happy.

Carnival of the Cats at Watermark

Eli's Dead Cat Poses

Eli would like to know which one looks more realistic. Is it number 1?

Or number 2? (I was laughing all the time I was taking these.)

Or number 3? (In between these poses he was rolling around and pushing himself across the lawn. What a clown!)

Carnival of the Cats at Watermark

Casey, Building Jumps

Casey is supervising the building of jumps I'm making out of PVC.

Casey trying out the jumps. The agility class he's been in has ended for the summer and will start up in Sept. I'll be doing a few private lessons during the summer. It'll be early in the mornings when it cool.

More at Carnival of the Dogs

What's Tyler Eating?

I'm getting to know what Tyler likes to eat. His favorite is tomatoes and bananas. He likes melon and Cheerios. He doesn't like raisins.

U.N. In Court

With all the attention going to the ruling of the Supreme Court today, this little item went mostly un-noticed. The first federal trial linked to the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food program opened this week. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will not be happy about it, since he's tried to sweep it under the rug and is hoping nobody remembers it.

Whatever the outcome for Park, his trial — expected to last about three weeks — looks likely to provide an unprecedented view into the workings of U.N. backroom politics. Not least, this comes as a timely warning to beware whatever might be going on today in any back channels the U.N. might have opened with nuclear-happy, sanctions-threatened, oil-rich Iran.

We are going to hearing some of the juicy details of how the operation worked and who was involved.

some of the private players who got caught up in the epic scandal that was Oil-for-Food have by now had to tangle with prosecutors, or at least have been required to face inquiries conducted in broad daylight. Also under federal indictment are a number of Saddam’s former business partners, who face trial in the Southern District of New York this November. In Australia, the Cole Commission has been delving in public hearings into misconduct under Oil-for-Food

.
We won't be hearing anything from the U.N. officials involved in the administration of the program. They are hiding under the rock of diplomatic immunity.

Hamdan, SCOTUS Ruling

When the ruling came out this morning, all I heard on talk radio was how bad this ruling was. How could the terrorists be given protection under the Geneva Convention? It was ruled that President Bush did not have authority to set up the tribunals so that they were illegal under both military justice law and the Geneva Convention. This meant that the terrorists were to have trials under the federal law as if they were citizens of the U.S.

Well, people have had time to chill out and digest the ruling. Although the MSM has been hailing this as a failure for President Bush, from what I have been reading it maybe a great gift for him.

Since the Court has declared that it was not questioning the government's power to hold Hamdan "for the duration of active hostilities", the government is not under any obligation to release Hamdan or any other Gitmo prisoner. Which is fine by me! Since this war will be lasting a number of years, I am quite content to let the terrorists rot in Gitmo.

If the government really does what to put the terrorist on trial, the court has said either trial them as ordinary criminal defendants or have Congress establish the military commissions that are needed. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyl have stepped up:

"We intend to pursue legislation in the Senate granting the Executive Branch the authority to ensure that terrorists can be tried by competent military commissions. Working together, Congress and the administration can draft a fair, suitable, and constitutionally permissible tribunal statute."

Really, it appears to be a win-win for President Bush. Give the MSM and the cry-baby liberals a few days. They'll realize that they really didn't win anything today.

Thanks!
Scotusblog
Captainsquarters
Andrew Cochran
Dennis Byrne
Powerline

NY State, Banning Christian Music?

Times Herald-Record

Skate Time 209 offers residents a new wooden roller skating rink and a fancy skateboard park. In its hunt for customers, the business has "tot" skates and "tween" (ages 6-13) skates. There are family nights and adult disco parties.

And there are "Christian skate times" on Sunday afternoons, Skate Time's ad in the April 19 Ulster County Press said. That ad is evidence of a human rights violation, according to the state Division of Human Rights.

The state of New York is going after a skating rink owner because they have regular Sunday afternoons in which they play Christian music. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous? The idea and the advertisement don't discriminate against non Christians because "Christian Skate" only refers to the music that is being played at this event. Non Christians are not forced to attend this event. If they don't like it, they don't have to go to the rink.

"This is crazy," said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, director of the Traditional Values Coalition in Washington. "These people are exercising basic constitutional rights on private property to the exclusion of no one and the state government is treating them like dangerous criminals. "¦ This is political correctness run amok."

If NY state is allowed to discriminate against a roller rink having a skating session featuring Christian music, there is no telling who they will go after next. Will they ban the Christian literature section of Barnes & Noble for human rights violations. Even better, will they force Christian Book stores to close because they violate the rights of non-Christians.

Len and Terry Bernardo own and run Skate Time 209 on Route 209. ...The couple has hooked up with the American Center for Law and Justice, a Washington firm which has argued conservative causes before the U.S. Supreme Court.

It's a good thing the owners have hooked up with the American Center for Law and Justice. If the State of NY gets away with discriminating against the Bernardos you can be sure that liberal activists will start doing this in other states.

LATimes, Justifying Our Crime

LATimes

And we weighed that assertion against the fact that there is an intense and ongoing public debate about whether surveillance programs like these pose a serious threat to civil liberties.

No, you thought that this would make President Bush look bad like the NSA surveillance program did. You had no concern about people's civil liberties. In fact, most people view your disclosure of classified information at a direct threat to the American people both here and abroad. You published it because you could, and damn the consequences.

But we also have an obligation to cover the government, with its tremendous power, and to offer information about its activities so citizens can make their own decisions. That's the role of the press in our democracy.
The founders of the nation actually gave us that role, and instructed us to follow it, no matter the cost or how much we are criticized. Thomas Jefferson said, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government

I thought the role of the press was to offer the news of the day not to govern the government. I'd like to know where in the Constitution does it say that the Freedom of the Press includes reporting American's secrets to its enemies? Can you believe the arrogance of these people? They are going to be the ones to decide what's critical to national security. The last people on earth who I would want making calls regarding the security and safety of the nation are the liberal twits represented by the LATimes.

Coffee Drinkers Rejoice!

Hallelujah!

Drinking lots of coffee cut women's risk of developing diabetes in an 11-year study, researchers report. But it was the antioxidants, not caffeine, in the brew that probably did the trick.

Adjusting for those risk factors, the researchers found that women who drank more than six cups a day of any type of coffee were 22 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, the kind that occurs in adult life, compared to those who avoided coffee

Finally, one of my bad habits has been declared good for me! No more lying about how much coffee I'm actually drinking. I'm going to proudly slurp through my 6 cups of coffee. Every cup I nurse will bring me comfort knowing that I am lowering my risk of diabetes. Viva Juan Valdez!

NY and LA Time, Treachery

Townhall

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee urged the Bush administration on Sunday to seek criminal charges against newspapers that reported on a secret financial-monitoring program used to trace terrorists.

Rep. Peter King cited The New York Times in particular for publishing a story last week that the Treasury Department was working with the CIA to examine messages within a massive international database of money-transfer records.

I really hope that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales does something about the newspapers that feel they can print about classified programs anytime they feel like it. The freedom of the press shouldn't take precedence over national security.
The NY Times and the LA Times have made it quite clear they hate President Bush, the American people and America. I don't think this is about money, because they'd have to know that they would be losing more readers upset about what they've done. No, they are hoping to destroy anything that would help us win the war on terror. It just boggles my mind. We actually have newspapers that are determine to make sure the United States fails.

Paron HS, Closure Temporarily Halted!

Good News!
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Jay Moody has

granted a temporary restraining order halting plans to shutter Paron High School pending a full hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to keep the small rural school open.

Congratulations to the people of Paron who brought the lawsuit. Their efforts not only kept Paron open for another year, but it could lead to some changes for rural schools. It's time the Arkansas Legislature looked into how children in these rural areas are affected. They need to decide how long should a student be on a bus during the day. They also need to develop distance learning classes for students at rural schools like Paron. The technology is available so that students aren't limited in instruction to only what can be taught by teachers at their schools.

Lap Dog, Not!

Casey is much too big to be a lap dog, but he keeps trying.


Want more? Check out Friday Ark and Carnival of the Dogs

Family Portrait

Enjoy it while you can! This doesn't happen very often. (Left to Right) Eli, Bows, and Tigger.



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What Goes In, Comes Back Out

Tyler is getting quite comfortable around me. I see him every morning now. There is one thing I didn't think of when I started to feed him. Just like the cats and the dogs I have to pick up his poop. He does it close to his feeding spot so I have to clear it out. {Sigh!}

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Paron School Closing Case

Debbie Pelley has a great post on the Paron School Closing Court Case.

After reading what she wrote I can't help but wonder what in the world were the State Board of Education and the Arkansas Department of Education thinking. Obviously not about the children. Spending 4 hrs a day on the bus! Debbie described the convoluted method by which the students had to make. OMG!

That is a long, long grueling day for elementary and kindergarten students

There was absolutely no reason to close Paron. It was a excellent school and they could have used long distance learning to make sure they offered all the required subjects.

Testimony was given by superintendents that distance learning can be used for courses that will provide interactive learning where students can see the teacher and other students in other schools and even get college credit. Superintendent Smalley at Alpena said some of his students obtained 30 hours of college credit at his small school by time of graduation through distance learning.
The Paron attorney pointed out that there is zero discipline problems at Paron, there are no students requiring college remediation, there are no drop-out problems, and the students are scoring above state average on tests. Several parents testified about their involvement with their children at school activities on a daily basis. They all related that they would not be able to be involved with their children's activities if they moved to Bryant because of time and the transportation financial burden

Back to the question of why close this school, especially since the reasons they gave to close it were invalid?

Superintendent Abernathy admitted that they had enough money to keep the school open for now. Bryant school district received $838,000 from the State in "consolidation incentive funding" as well as fund balances and other property from the Paron School District for a total benefit to the Bryant School District of more than $1,000,000.

Yeah, somebody's pockets get lined with money. These administrators were more concerned about getting money than for the welfare of the students. Sheesh!

Democrats Surrender to Terrorists

Breitbart

The Republican-controlled Senate rejected one resolution, proposed by former presidential candidate Senator John Kerry, calling for combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by July 1 next year, by a vote of 13 to 86.
The second bill, calling for troops to begin moving out of Iraq this year but without setting a hard timetable for final withdrawal, was dismissed 60 votes to 39.

I can't imagine getting up in the morning and thinking "Things have been difficult in life, however, there has been some improvements lately, so I'll just give up." How can the Democrats just discard all the hard work the United States has been doing in Iraq. What about all the sacrifices our troops and the Iraqi people have made? How can they just toss out all the good things that are happening in Iraq? How can they trash the hopes and dreams of the Iraqi people?
Here's a history lesson for the Democrats. Those who stick to a job and a vision will win. In the words of Winston Churchill:

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffer. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpasssed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road many be, for without victory there is no survival. May 13, 1940

Arkansas, City and State Taxes

NWAnews
The Fayetteville tax vote has been set for Sept. 12th. On the ballot will be the extension of the current ¾-cent sewer tax and adding a ¼-cent, bringing Fayetteville’s sales tax to 9.25-cents.
The extension of the sewer tax comes because the mayor and city council did not keep on eye on the project. Now the sewer project is 3 years behind schedule and is about $63 million over budget.

[Mayor] Coody took the lead in trying to shape the debate over the sales tax, trying to play down the problems associated with the sewer project and instead play up the transportation projects that could be financed by increasing taxes to the level they were in 2001.
Although Coody took some blame for the fact that the sewer project is about $ 63 million over budget and three years behind schedule, he did not offer a detailed explanation of where the project broke down.

So, residents will have to pay for it either by taxes or a rate increase. I hope the mayor and the city council have a good explanation for the public. People aren’t going to be happy about paying for such a big mistake. It may endanger the ¼-cent tax that would go for city streets. Fayetteville desperately needs the tax to widen, expand and extend existing streets. Traffic is one of the biggest issues people complain about, so they may go ahead and vote for it. The mayor and city council will really have to get out and talk to people about these taxes.

While I’m on the subject of taxes, let’s look at what the state has. NWAnews

By June 2007, [Governor] Huckabee said it is estimated the state will have more than $ 600 million in surplus funds.

That’s a whole lot of surplus money. It means that Arkansas is collecting too much money. While the rebate being proposed would be nice, I think politicians should be talking about lowering our taxes. The state could just lower the sales tax ¼-cent so that Fayetteville residents won’t feel the pinch. I have heard more about a tax rebate rather than tax cuts. I'm worried that the politicians will think that it's more money for them to budget with. They may think they can increase the next budget because there is more money coming in. It would be a qood question to put to the candidates running this year.

Rising Global Stupidity

ABC News has taken the "global warming" to a whole new level of stupidity.

Witnessing the impact of global warming in your life?

ABC News wants to hear from you. We're currently producing a report on the increasing changes in our physical environment, and are looking for interesting examples of people coping with the differences in their daily lives. Has your life been directly affected by global warming?

We want to hear and see your stories. Have you noticed changes in your own backyard or hometown? The differences can be large or small — altered blooming schedules, unusual animals that have arrived in your community, higher water levels encroaching on your property.

Isn't ABC News suppose to be the part of the intelligentsia and yet they're falling for junk science? I can't figure out if they really know that global warming doesn't exist, but it make good headlines, or they aren't as smart as they claim and have been duped by poor science.

Hey, ABC! A few days ago it was nice, temperatures in the low 80's. Now it's up in the 90's, and really uncomfortable. I have to water my plants because it's so dry. I think it's that global warming. What should I do!

Sheesh! What a bunch of twits!

It's Tough for the Democrats

It’s amazing how things can change in just a few weeks. Democrats were sensing victory in the air. They were looking at taking back the House and Senate. Nancy Pelosi, anticipating her new position as House Speaker, was checking out color schemes for her new office. President Bush’s approval ratings were sucking sewage and rumours flew that Karl Rove was about to be hauled out of the White House in handcuffs.
Then one after another the bomb shells went off. Over the Democrat mantra of “Culture of Corruption”, Rep. William Jefferson’s congressional office was raided by the FBI. The Republican and Democrat temper tantrums made sure that Jefferson’s “cold cash” stayed in the news for awhile.
The Democrat’s planned House takeover was dashed by Republican Brian Bilbray’s defeat of his Democrat opponent. Supporting the “enforcement of the border” helped Bilbray defeat his opponent. This was a defeat of the Democrats amnesty and guest worker programs.

In one day, the Democrats were hit with 2 blows. While the Iraqis were finishing forming their new government, a precision air strike killed Abu Musab Al-Qarqawi. It made for a huge boost for the Bush administration and made the Democrats gnash their teeth in frustration. To make it even more frustrating, Bush makes a surprise visit to the new Iraqi government. It’s going to be hard for the Democrats to make the case that the war is going badly.

The Democrat’s mouth watering tidbit of an indictment against Karl Rove turned to sour-lemons as Fitzgerald said that he would not seek an indictment. Bush’s Brain is back in business and ready to get the Democrats with a new vengeance in 2006.

Do I feel sorry for the Democrats? Hell, no! I'm having a good laught at their expense.

U.S. Soldiers Bodies Recovered

Breitbart

The bodies of two U.S. soldiers reported captured last week have been recovered, and an Iraqi defense ministry official said Tuesday the men were "killed in a barbaric way." The U.S. military said the remains were believed to be those of Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, and Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore.

Of course, my prayers and thoughts go out to the families of these soldiers. I am always thankful for soldiers such as these who give their lives for us.
I wonder if the human rights groups and the Democrats will condemn the terrorists responsible for the way the soldiers were "killed in a barbaric way." They've been bitching and complaining about "Club Gitmo" and Abu Ghraib so their sensibilities must really be offended by this. See Koscomments:

The bodies of the two captured U.S. soldiers were found in Iraq - bearing signs of "barbaric torture."
How quaint.

Our torture policy brought the chances of our captured troops being tortured in turn from "likely" to "guaranteed". Mark H

If my brother, friend, or wife is tortured by the US for information I won't show a lot of compassion for the American soldiers. This is basic human psychology. Dauphin.

Apparently, not. It's all Bush's fault, we shouldn't be in Iraq and since the US is "torturing terrorists" we got what we deserved.
The terrorists are barbaric and evil. What the terrorists did was horrendous. Yet, there are people who support these evil people. To them, American is evil and barbaric. This people are well and truly sick, sick, sick!

Dixie Chicks on Patriotism

It would appear that the Dixie Chicks have no desire for an American audience. You would think that they'd learn to keep their mouths shut if they want to entice the Country Music fans.
Emily Robison

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism."

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don't see why people care about patriotism."

Ok, the Dixie Chicks don't understand patriotism. It even appears that they hate patriotism. How dare people honor and love their country! The Dixie Chicks have a problem. Patriotism is one of the core values in Country Music. Insulting Bush is one thing, but insulting Country Music is another.

FundRaiser for Cephus Richard

I've had errands to run in Fayetteville, so I was able to stop in at Cephus' fundraiser at Applebees. It was very nice, just sitting around and chatting. Cephus is a charming young man. I really love that name, Cephus.

Relaxing in the Garden

Eli has found a spot under the Tiger Lilies.

Bows had decided that the rock wall is an ideal place to lie.

Carnival of the Cats

Friday's Dog Pics

Boy, it's hard to get a picture of Casey. He just doesn't stand still.

Trixie, on the other hand, poses quite well.

Carnival of the Dogs

Turtle Time

I've seen it a few times in the back and front yards. I decided to see if I could see it more often if I fed it. I left out some fruit, vegetables and cereal with a saucer of water. What do you know! It's been coming out in the mornings to eat. I've named it. Tyler, Tyler the Turtle.

Enforcing the Border, It Works

KVOA News
It's getting tougher to cross the Arizona border since the National Guard has come. Illegals are finding it's not as easy as it once was. Just the few Guards on the border is starting to have an effect.

None of the Mexicans hoping to reach the United States could pay the $3,000 the smugglers demanded to hide them in a car and drive them across the border, a trip that just weeks ago cost $2,000.
The sharp increase in smugglers' fees is due to the arrival of National Guard troops at the border and plans by Washington for even greater border security, all of which will make the sometimes deadly trip into the United States even more difficult and dangerous.
The higher fees have persuaded some to cancel plans to sneak into the United States, while others have decided to go it alone.
Mexican and U.S. authorities are already seeing a drop in illegal migration, although it isn't clear if that will last.

Hopefully Congress is watching what's going on. The illegals crossing the border can be reduced if they just put in the National Guards and more Border Patrol. Once people realize how hard it is to sneak across, maybe they'll consider coming to the USA legally. However, I'm just waiting for some Democrat to propose some kind of program for "smugglers assistance".

A Word of Warning for Wal-Mart Bashing Democrat's

Thomas Riehle has a warning for Democrat candidates.

For the Democratic candidate who has the idea of making Wal-Mart the issue, ding! No Sale!!

You see they did a poll and found

results from a recent RT Strategies poll indicate such a campaign strategy would be counterproductive. By a 3-to-1 margin, 62% disapprove and only 21% approve of "Democratic candidates making Wal-Mart an issue in November's elections," in the RT Strategies poll conducted June 1-5 with a representative sample of 1,209 adults nationwide. !

Thomas is really warning those Democrats who are not in tune with Middle America. These Democrats more than likely don't shop at Wal-Mart and frankly shudder at the idea of doing so. They believe that those who shop at Wal-Mart are those red-necked, gun toting, God fearing, trailer trash hicks. Thomas cautions these Democrats,

By staying out of the stores themselves, anti- Wal-Mart Democrats might have missed the fact that:

· 84% of Americans shopped at Wal-Mart in the past year, probably because 81% say it is a good place to shop, according to a December 2005 Pew Research Center poll; · It is not uncommon for thousands to apply when a few hundred new jobs open up at a Wal-Mart, provoking comparisons that Wal-Mart's hiring team can be more selective than Harvard undergraduate admissions or the high-IQ organization MENSA in choosing which candidates to hire. · For the average family of a Wal-Mart employee, the company represents opportunity: The vast majority of Wal-Mart store managers rose to that post from hourly jobs on the floor. · For the average family of shoppers, the savings at Wal-Mart are over $2,000 per year.

Have there been a number of Democrat candidates attacking Wal-Mart? I know of Hillary Clinton's attempt to erase it from her past.

But in recent months, as the company has become a target for Democratic activists, she has largely steered clear of any mention of Wal-Mart. And late last year, Clinton's re-election campaign returned a $5,000 contribution from Wal-Mart, citing "serious differences with current company practices."

Then there is Maryland's Wal-Mart bill.

Hmmmm, I need to remember. If it's good for the American people, the Democrats are against it.

UPDATE:
RCP reports that

Thomas Riehle's recent article failed to properly disclose a business relationship between his polling firm, RT Strategies, and the pro-Wal-Mart group, Working Families for Wal-Mart. The data cited in Riehle's article on Wal-Mart is derived from questions Working Families for Wal-Mart paid to have added to RT Strategies' monthly omnibus poll

Thomas Riehle has acknowledged the mistake of not disclosing the relationship and has apologized.

Out to Get KFC

Watch out! The Food Police are at it again. This time they are after the Colonel.

A doctor and a consumer group have sued KFC in an effort to stop the chicken chain from cooking with high-fat partially hydrogenated oil. Dr. Arthur Hoyte, a retired physician from Rockville, Md., and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, want a judge to order Kentucky Fried Chicken to use other types of cooking oils or make sure customers know about trans fat content immediately before they make a purchase

How about exercising your free will and not eat at KFC, if you don't like the oil they use for cooking? Holy cow! Everyone knows that the food at KFC has a ton of calories and not particularly healthy.

Hoyte said he is suing to force KFC to change its cooking practices "for my son and others' kids, so they may have a healthier, happier, trans-fat-free future."

Why in the hell should KFC change their product? If you want a healthier, happier future, eat at home. Dr. Twit, if KFC wants to fry their chicken in Pennzoil, it'd still be their business and your choice not to eat it.

Illegal Rally, Voter Registration

I have an update on the illegal immigration rally post I did in May. This is in regards to efforts to register voters at the rally. It was report that approximately 30 people were registered. I call the Washington County Voter Registration today to ask about them. Boy, are they really nice there! I found out that they received 9 of the registrations. Only 1 was found to have problems. They were not able to tell me which party people joined. As for the rest of the registrations I'm assuming they went to Benton County.

Cleaning Up the Voter List

Arkansas is cleaning up it active voter registration list. So far over 20,000 voters have been found to be duplicated on the list.

Election officials attributed the problem, revealed in an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette examination of the new statewide list, to people who registered to vote upon moving to a new county while their old registration remained active.

This is just a start to correcting the voter rolls, but it is a good start.

Since the system became operational and began using data from those agencies, the counties have removed the names of 3, 835 dead voters and 1, 299 convicted felons who have not completed their sentences and remain ineligible to cast ballots, according to the secretary of state’s office.

Once the list is cleaned up it should be easier to keep it up to date and accurate.

Article

What Did Happen in Haditha?

What really happen in Haditha? Before the Pentagon could finish it’s investigation of the incident, Time has already painted the Marines as revenge seeking murders, slaughtering innocent children and women. But now Time is starting to backpedal. They have added corrections to the very bottom of it’s two blockbuster exclusives on Haditha in their current online versions.

sweetness & light has been investigating and finds that there are questions regarding the veracity of their sources. Clarice Feldmen at the American Thinker has a narrative piece on the so-called massacre.

That something really terrible happened in Haditha everyone agrees. Just what exactly happen is the question. Greyhawk says

The accounts given are actually consistent - on the broader story - with reports from Iraqi civilians (houses were entered, non-combatants were killed). But the Devil's in the details, as they say, and in this case (as with most such cases) that's where divergence occurs

It appears that Time got a hold of what they thought was a great story. A story that would make the Marines look really bad. They gave no thought to investigating the information they got or who was providing it to them. They ran the story because they really wanted it to be true. Time is now on the hot seat. They are going to have to do better than their current “TIME regrets the error”. If they hope to survive, the mainstream media needs to think again before they rush to publish. They also need to make corrections or less damning information in a more prominent place in their publication, not hidden in obscure place where no one will see it. Thank God we have bloggers and other alternative media who make an effort to look for the truth without a hidden agenda.

HPV Vaccine

Last week, the FDA approved the first vaccine that protects against most cervical cancer. The vaccine, Gardasil, prevents infection by 4 strains of HPV, two of which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer. The other two cause most cases of genital warts. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus.

The vaccine needs to be administered before a person has been exposed, that is, sexually active. The suggestion is to vaccinate females ages 9 to 26. The vaccine will not be effective on those who already have those 4 strains.

The vaccine does work and it's really great news. However, it could be a number of years before we see its true effect. Cervical cancer can take as long as 20 years to develop. How long the vaccine is effect is still not know.

Still, there are some issues. The vaccine is quite expensive, from $300 to $500. The people most at risk for developing cancer are the poor, who can't afford the vaccine. Gates Foundation have announced they will provide some free vaccines and Merck & Co. have said they plan a patient assistance program. I'm sure there will be a few government programs in place. Not all who need it will be able to get it.

There are biological issues. There are at least 50 strains of genital HPV and like all virus, they mutate. This vaccine only works on 4 strains, so one can still get pre-malignant changes and cancer. One concern is that a woman gets the vaccine and continues risky sex thinking she is protected. So, while deaths from these 2 strains decrease, we may see an increase of cancer from the other strains. This is why some groups support the vaccine but prefer that is doesn't become mandatory. They'd rather teach not having sex before marriage. This way, a person is protected not only against HPV, but from all other sexually transmitted diseases.


Resources:
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
Merck
E-mail Reminder to schedule a pap smear!

Hijacker Roommate, Flying Lessons

From Jihad Watch
This just sends a chill up my spine!

Rayed Mohammed Abdullah Ali, who lived in Phoenix with Hani Hanjour, who piloted American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, went to New Zealand and was...taking flight training.

Was Rayed just an innocent bystander who didn't know what Hani was planning?

The minister referred the Weekend Herald to excerpts from the US Government's 9-11 Commission Report on the attacks regarding "Rayed Abdullah". The report says Abdullah lived and trained in Phoenix with Hani Hanjour, the Saudi Arabian believed to have piloted Flight 77 into the Pentagon. Abdullah was a leader at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Phoenix where, the FBI says, he "reportedly gave extremist speeches at the mosque".

Ohhh, I don't think so! One would hope that authorities would make sure they'd be able to keep track of Rayed. Especially since he seems to be following the example of his roommate.

He has been expelled from the country and is back in Saudi Arabia, which of course, as everyone knows, is our Friend and Ally and will not allow him to get into any mischief.

Ahh, Crap! How stupid can New Zealand get? We now have a Islamic extremist free in Saudi Arabia who knows how to pilot an airplane. "SMACK!" Just plastered a TWIT award upside the head of New Zealand!

Gulley Park Concert

Thursday night was a beautiful night for a concert. Ultrasude was absolutely great! Casey enjoyed all the people. He play quite a bit with the children sitting behind us.



Trixie was content to lay on the lawn, but she got her share of attention from the kids.

Mom's Little Helpers

One of the many yard chores I did last weekend was to trim the limbs of a tree. Bows is checking out the cut branches.

Eli decides that the branches make a perfect place to take a nap.

More cats at this week's Carnival of Cats

al-Zarqawi

I have never been happier to see some one dead. I feel like dancing and singing in the streets with the Iraqis. I hope his death enables the Iraqis to step up the reconciliation between its fractured ethnic and sectarian groups.

U.N., Stop the Criticism

U.N Deputy, Mark Malloch Brown sniped at the U.S. over withholding support(money) from the United Nations. He griped about

Washington's tolerance of what he called "too much unchecked U.N.-bashing and stereotyping."

Mr. Mallock Brown was especially critical of the U.N.'s conservative critics.

He lamented that the good works of the U.N. are largely lost because "much of the public discourse that reaches the U.S heartland has been largely abandoned to its loudest detractors such as Rush Limbaugh and Fox News."

Hey Mr. Mallock Brown! It's called the "Freedom of Speech". The United States has a Constitution that protects our right to criticize our government and to speak and publish the truth. I know those of you in the U.N. keep forgetting about things like that.

I'd like to hear about those "good works" the U.N. does, but its hard when you keep tripping over:

1. The U.N. child sex scandals

2. The oil-for-food scandal in Iraq

3. The cronyism of Annan, his son and aides

4. The ridiculous practice of naming tyrannical dictators to the Human Rights Committee

5. The anti-Semitism of U.N. resolutions

6. That stupid wealth redistribution scheme called Kyoto

7. The willful disregard of American laws by "U.N. Ambassadors" and their staff

I agree with John Bolton:

Bolton said Malloch Brown's "condescending, patronizing tone about the American people" was the worst part about the speech.

Newsmax and NYTimes

Arkansas Schools, Not Teaching History

Somehow this story doesn't surprise me at all.

In the study, Arkansas is one of 33 states to get a D or an F, earning a numerical score that ranks the Natural State 36 th out of 48 states

It's common knowledge that history is not being taught in schools anymore. A number of stories have been written on how little students know about history and geography.

"Rather than asking students to look at the birth of Christ or the fall of the Soviet Union, for example, students are encouraged to evaluate major turning points in history," the study said about the standards. "Rather than mentioning the struggle for a balance of power in the wake of the Napoleonic wars, students are encouraged to "probe the interdependencies of nations." This approach does nothing to ensure that students learn world history," the study said

"probe the interdependencies of nations" really means that students are being taught the good old leftist, socialist program. I pulled this out from a search of "interdependencies of nations":

Demonstrate awareness of interdependencies of nations and cultural pluralism within your community and an attitude relating to the importance of helping students become responsible citizens in the community of nations and in their multicultural environment.

This is not history and it's why American students are so ignorant of history.

Canada, Playing Nice Doesn't Work

Canada had hoped that being perceived as a friend to Islam, they'd be left alone and not face a terrorist attack. Well, Canada has learned that trying to ignore or placate evil doesn't immune you from it. Canada is a fine example of how trying to be "nice" and making sure one doesn't do or say anything to offend Islam just isn't going to work.
The problem is that the elitist, left view of appeasement and political correctness makes it impossible to criticize any perceived minority even if they clearly violate laws, traditional mores, and values that are critical to Western civilization. Muslim extremists are not be held responsible for their evil and those who dare to criticize Muslims are declared racist. If we don't have the courage to stand up and declare that the extremist Muslim is wrong and evil, we are going to lose values inherent in our civilization. Already, Europeans are losing the freedom of speech(thought and inquiry) and expression (art and music), and the freedom of religion(to change religions or profess no religion). It's time to tell the elitist intelligentsia to go stuff it.

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NARTI's 17th Annual Celebration of Life

I've been extremely busy this week, so blogging has been light. Sunday, NARTI celebrated National Cancer Survivors' Day. They had a one-mile walk, a luncheon, guest speaker, and drawings.


It was great to see so many who have survived cancer. It struck me that most were in great health. Cancer wasn't debilitating to any of these people. We were having fun and enjoying life.



This is Don Pryor, the World's Worst Waiter. He provided the entertainment during lunch and was the "guest speaker". He was really funny! I had a nice time in spite of not winning any prizes. I did get a great T-shirt!

A New Resident in the Garden

Casey has found our new resident in the back yard. A turtle! Since the backyard is enclosed I don't know how it got into the yard.

Of course, since I was taking pictures and making a fuss over Casey, Trixie(left) and Eli(center) decided that they needed to be included.




Need more cat pictures? Stroll over Sunday to the Carnival of the Cats hosted this week by TacJammer. If it's dogs you want, head over to Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings
For animals, any animal, check out Friday Ark.

Cat Got Your Tongue!

I'm taking a picture of Bows because she looks so cute. She decides to spoil it by sticking out her tongue. Don't you just hate it when your kids do that?




Need more cat pictures? Stroll over Sunday to the Carnival of the Cats hosted this week by TacJammer. If it's dogs you want head over to Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings
For animals, any animals, check out Friday Ark.

God's Promise.

A double rainbow after tonight's storm.