Generations

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gave one hell of a commencement speech Saturday at Butler University. Excerpt:

Which leads me to congratulate you in advance. As a generation, you are off to an excellent start. You have taken the first savvy step on the road to distinction, which is to follow a weak act. I wish I could claim otherwise, but we Baby Boomers are likely to be remembered by history for our numbers, and little else, at least little else that is admirable.
We Boomers were the children that the Second World War was fought for. Parents who had endured both war and the Great Depression devoted themselves sacrificially to ensuring us a better life than they had. We were pampered in ways no children in human history would recognize. With minor exceptions, we have lived in blissfully fortunate times. The numbers of us who perished in plagues, in famine, or in combat were tiny in comparison to previous generations of Americans, to say nothing of humanity elsewhere.
All our lives, it's been all about us. We were the "Me Generation." We wore t-shirts that said "If it feels good, do it." The year of my high school commencement, a hit song featured the immortal lyric "Sha-la-la-la-la-la, live for today." As a group, we have been self-centered, self-absorbed, self-indulgent, and all too often just plain selfish. Our current Baby Boomer President has written two eloquent, erudite books, both about..himself.
As a generation, we did tend to live for today. We have spent more and saved less than any previous Americans. Year after year, regardless which party we picked to lead the country, we ran up deficits that have multiplied the debt you and your children will be paying off your entire working lives. Far more burdensome to you mathematically, we voted ourselves increasing levels of Social Security pensions and Medicare health care benefits, but never summoned the political maturity to put those programs on anything resembling a sound actuarial footing.
In sum, our parents scrimped and saved to provide us a better living standard than theirs; we borrowed and splurged and will leave you a staggering pile of bills to pay. It's been a blast; good luck cleaning up after us.

The Greatest Generation gave way to the Me Generation who is dumping it on the Woe Is Me Generation. I think it's time for people to learn the principles that guided the Greatest Generation. God, Family and Country.

Arkansas' IPhone App to Search Bankrupt America Projects

Arkansas launched an IPhone app today where one can track state projects bankrolled by the "Bankrupt America" funds. I have recently purchased an IPhone so I decided "what the hell, it's free". Surprisingly it's quite good. You have the ability to look for projects by keyword, location (county) or projects near you. You are also able to mark a particular project you are interested in and track it. If you want further information on the project the app will lead you back to Bankrupt America/Arkansas website. Mmmm, looky here! We're going to spend 12.4 Million dollars on a Arkansas Welcome Center in West Memphis. Really, why couldn't Gov Beebe use this money for that trauma center he wants so badly. He could have saved all that tax revenue that walked out of Arkansas.

Intimidating Arkansas Voters

The Democrats have found another way to suppress voters. Now you don't have to go to the voting line and threaten people's kneecaps. Presto! You can do it over the Internet.

A Massachusetts homosexual rights group posted online the names, addresses and zip codes of more than 83,000 Arkansans, who signed a petition to place a proposal to bar unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting or fostering children on the November 2008 ballot, the group said Tuesday.

The group has made a really big mistake. Christians, who comprise the majority of the signatures, are used to being persecuted. Heck, this will just make them more determine to make sure that America doesn't slip further into the cesspool of immorality.
Of course, you could petition Homeland Security because these people are basically making threats against an American voter, but Janet Napolitano has already declared war on those people who signed the petition.

Sen. Gilbert Baker, A Step Closer?

Is Sen. Gilbert Baker employing a publicity stunt that could help him gain more recognition if he chooses to run against Sen. Blanche Lincoln?

A proposed constitutional amendment requiring that union elections be conducted by secret ballots was filed with the attorney general's office on Thursday in an effort chaired by a potential Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
A group calling itself "Save Our Secret Ballot in Arkansas" filed the proposal with Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's office on Thursday. The group, chaired by Republican state Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway, filed paperwork with the state Ethics Commission on Wednesday.

I suppose it's one way to collect names that could possibly be potential volunteers and donors to his campaign. It could be a strong talking point in his campaign speeches.

Baker said his work on the amendment has nothing to do with his interest in a potential Senate bid. Baker is one of several Republicans considering running against Lincoln, who is seeking a third term. Sen. Kim Hendren of Gravette is the only Republican who has announced he's running.

Gee, I just find it awfully hard to believe him. Ahhh, don't you just love it? More speculation and gossip to chew over.

Twitter, Go To Jail

Maybe it's not such a good thing to Twitter in court.

Susan Henwood, a mother of four, has been sentenced to 30 days in the Tooele County Jail because she sent a text message about a court hearing she was observing. "She shouldn't be there. She did nothing wrong," her husband, Joshua Henwood, said.

I think people should treat Twitters as they would a phone call while they are in court hearing. Go outside and Twitter.

Twitter, A Flash in The Pan?

Have you joined the Twitter Craze? It seems like anybody who's anyone is Twittering. You have people who share their Twitter List and those who extol the virtues of Twitter. Fayetteville Alderman Matthew Petty, who Twitters during council meetings, is even trying to require the city to use Twitter. While Twitter has enjoyed a recent explosion in popularity just how many people are really using it? From Reuters,

Data from Nielsen Online, which measures Internet traffic, found that more than 60 percent of Twitter users stopped using the free social networking site a month after joining.

I can understand why people drop out it after awhile, it's extremely time consuming. I wonder about all these people Twittering. Do they have a job? Do they work for employers who don't mind that they spend time Twittering? I've tried to follow a few people and discovered that I just don't have the time. There are just too many other things to do and I just don't have the time to Twitter. It seems other people are feeling the same and Twitter may follow the path of many other fads.

But Martin said a retention rate of 40 percent will limit a site's growth to a 10 percent reach figure over the longer term. "There simply aren't enough new users to make up for defecting ones after a certain point," he said in a statement.

Morning Laugh

I just love a good laugh in the morning! From the Morning News.

"You may not agree with me," Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan told the City Council during its agenda session Tuesday. "But we had to start somewhere."
"So I hope you will bare with me and work with me," he added in somber, but sure tones. "We've got to work like a team, and work together."

I think going naked is going a bit too far for most people.

Living With Wildlife

If by chance you are going through Harrison, Arkansas, drop by the Home Depot. It has gotten an unique addition to the store.

A great horned owl now lives in the Harrison store's garden center, looking down on surprised customers shopping for flowers and paving stones.

I always like to see businesses accommodate wildlife. I hate it when development comes through and destroys the wildlife habitat. There were owls near my house but too much development has chased them off. I miss the meadowlarks too.

Rusty Scarborough, the education program coordinator at Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff, said the Home Depot would be a good spot for an owl. Rodents are the predominant food source for a great horned owl and stores with garden centers stock bird seed and crop seeds — big draws for rodents.

President Obama, Repeating History

From Professor Bainbridge


George Santayana famously warned that those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Aldous Huxley quipped that the most important thing we learn from history is that we never learn from history.

On Writing

That God I didn't make the List!

Earth Day Rant, The Rich Are Greener

Much of the foundation of the environmental movement is based on pure lies, distortions of questionable “science” and out and out fraud by politicians and “scientists”. Americans are depicted as evil for developing new technologies and living the good life. In order to achieve our wealth we raped the Earth and now we must be punished for it. We must strip ourselves of all the conveniences we enjoy because they pollute the Earth and we must live that impoverish life that keeps the Earth pure. President Obama and Congress are set to make sure that the American people achieve that Green Lifestyle. They are set to unleash the mother of all taxes on Americans to combat the fraudulent disaster called global warming. The EPA is set to regulate CO2 under the Clean Air Act. Stop Global Warming, Don’t Breath!

Of course, President Obama and Congress are absolute idiots and their plans to save Earth aren’t going to work. The real problems in the world are largely tied to poverty and the oppression and corruption that facilitate it. John Tierney

In dozens of studies, researchers identified Kuznets curves for a variety of environmental problems. There are exceptions to the trend, especially in countries with inept governments and poor systems of property rights, but in general, richer is eventually greener. As incomes go up, people often focus first on cleaning up their drinking water, and then later on air pollutants like sulfur dioxide.
As their wealth grows, people consume more energy, but they move to more efficient and cleaner sources — from wood to coal and oil, and then to natural gas and nuclear power, progressively emitting less carbon per unit of energy. This global decarbonization trend has been proceeding at a remarkably steady rate since 1850, according to Jesse Ausubel of Rockefeller University and Paul Waggoner of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

Instead of impoverishing the rich in America, President Obama and Congress need to take steps to make the poor rich. If they continue on their current trend more people are going to be impoverished and they aren’t going to care about polluting the earth. They are going to live in cheap houses that aren’t energy efficient, they are going to drive their cars until they fall apart and they aren’t going to buy those more expensive “green” products.

CNN's Roesgen, After the Report

This is so great! All day I've been hearing about the shameful actions by Susan Roesgen, the CNN reporter who harassed attendees at yesterday's Chicago Tea Party. Instead of accurately reporting on the Tea Party, Roesgen picked people out of the crowd to confront and argue with, before signing off her report by labeling the tea party movement as "anti-government", "anti-CNN", "highly promoted by the right wing conservative network, FOX" and "not family viewing." The Founding Bloggers were there and shoot footage of what happened after the CNN camera was turned off.
These people can no longer be considered journalists. These people are activists out to spread the socialist propaganda and to destroy any one or anything that stands it the way of establishing America as a socialist country. From Drudge

FOX RATINGS SURGE ON PROTEST COVERAGE
8-11 PM ET

FOXNEWS 3,390,000
MSNBC 1,210,000
CNN 1,070,000
CNN HEADLINE 909,000

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,980,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 3,239,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 2,947,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,740,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 2,401,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 2,185,000
COMEDY DAILY SHOW 1,777,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,499,000
COMEDY COLBERT 1,446,000
CNNHN GRACE 1,336,000
CNN KING 1,292,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,149,000
CNN COOPER 1,021,000

Susan Roesgen revealed the soul of CNN, but guess who America is watching.

Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, Fayetteville Tea Party

Absolutely Wonderful Speaker!

Rolf Wilkin, Fayetteville Tea Party

You remember Rolf? The pizza guy who took on Gov. Beebe and won.

Tea Party Fayetteville, WOW!

Those of you who couldn't drag yourself out to the Tea Party at the Town Center in Fayetteville need to slap yourself across the face, several times. This was a historic day and you missed a fantastic event!






I got there early and there were already several hundred by my count. (Yes, I can count that high!) As time progressed the crowd got bigger. More people stated arriving after 5 PM. Those hardworking people who came after work.



I turned around after a speaker finished and WOW!
People had filled in the courtyard and in some of the stairways and even a few across the street on the Square. They were saying that about a Thousand people had come out. It's difficult to count because the Square has so many nooks and crannies.


The MSM, Congress and the President may just want to write this whole movement off, but they do so at their peril. The people here weren't Democrats and Republicans they were coming together as Americans. Americans that were sick and tired of an unresponsive, overspending, wasteful government. The biggest frustration I heard was people trying to contact their Congressmen and being given the brush off. People were no longer going to be ignored.


Nearly every speaker spoke about doing the next step. Yes, it's great that people were at the Tea Party, but they needed to do more. Everyone was encouraged to join other groups to change the government from the Congress to city governments. People were encourage to action, do something, anything. Nothing was going to change in Washington unless they did something.


Laurie and the Tea Party Committee did an absolutely wonderful job! Everything went smoothly and there were no disruptions. The speakers were not elected officials even though there a few of the state representatives and Washington Country JP's present. I have a few videos that I hope to get up soon. They need a little bit of editing.

UPDATE: Little Rock pictures!

I'm Baaack and Ready for the Tea Party!

Blogger has set me free and I am ready to go! I will be at the Tea Party in Fayetteville. I'm planning to be there early taking pictures and videos. A very special THANK YOU to David Kincaid for offering the use of The Arkansas Project in case I was still down. By the way, there is a nice overview of the Tea Party by Glenn Reynolds in the Wall Street Journal today for those who want to know what the heck it's all about.

I'm going to go to the Sonny Rollins concert after the Party, so I'll be posting very late tonight. I'm wearing my Tea Party T-Shirt to work and I have my sign and canned goods in the truck. I am so ready! How about you?

NW Arkansas Tea Party, Fayetteville

America is getting ready to get really Tea-ed off April 15th. NW Arkansas has two opportunities to let Washington know that we intend to end the tyranny of the big spending politicians. You still have a couple of days to make your signs. Laurie has sent out this press release for Fayetteville.

Subject: Tea Party Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas
For Immediate Release

The Fayetteville Arkansas Tax Day Tea Party citizens will be assembling in Downtown Fayetteville around the Fayetteville Square and Town Center plaza on April 15th at 4:00- 7:00 p.m.
The Fayetteville Arkansas Tax Day Tea Party is an informal demonstration organized of, by and for citizens who are no longer willing to tolerate an irresponsible, unresponsive government, Republican and Democrat alike. They do not agree with any form of government that continues to rapidly encroach on individual liberties while creating enormous and financially bloated government programs that are amassing crippling economic burdens for America’s future generations. Let us be clear in that we are not Anti-government, to the contrary WE are the government, as is stated in our founding documents by those who founded this nation in liberty.
The gathering is intended to send a firm and respectful statement: ENOUGH! Our mission is to unite the state of Arkansas district by district, so that we can affirm our state Constitution, confirm our sovereignty as a state, and enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Then to extend this sentiment state by state, to defend our national Constitution and our God given liberties. We will encourage attendees to become informed and significantly engaged so that they can defend and protect their individual rights, using the rule of law clearly set forth in our sacred Constitution.
Participants will depart with an informational sheet on how to stay involved united and determined in unbending resolve to effect the needed changes and recommitment to our founding documents.
There will be citizen speakers, patriotic music, voter registration tables and a canned food drive. Everyone is asked to bring some canned foods to help those people and families in need.

Elected officials from any political party are invited and welcome to attend. However, this is not intended as a forum for politicians to speak. Citizens of varied backgrounds who are organizing this informal protest of ongoing governmental policies ask:

That everyone attending please maintain an underlying spirit of civility and respect. We want a peaceful, unifying demonstration.

That anyone displaying signs please ensure they are not threatening or vulgar and that they focus on the issue at hand, overburdening tax debt of future generations caused by the out of control spending and our freedoms and liberties being usurped.

That everyone please clean-up after themselves and others when they see debris or trash. Downtown Fayetteville is a beautiful treasure and we want to make sure we leave it exactly as we find it.

Tax Day Tea Party Events are being held across the nation in 2,000 U.S. cities, at least 36 of which are in Arkansas. To be added to the Fayetteville Arkansas Tax Day Tea Party update/info list please email Laurie Masterson at laurie@mtconstruction.com

The Tea Party at Rogers will be from 530 to 730PM at the Frisco Stage. They don't have a Facebook Group but email sjohn0327@gmail.com for more information.

Governor Sanford, No More Debt

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is pushing back the tax and spend fever that is running through Washington. From his press release,

Governor Mark Sanford will be featured in a new television ad released tomorrow, the purpose of which is to educate South Carolinians/(AMERICANS) on the need for government to live within its means, not go further into debt,

Preach it, Gov.!

Casey and Oreo

Oreo is on vacation again and I caught up with him today at the Westwood Gardens. As you can see I am ready to chow down on some delicious ribs. Mmmm, I can just taste Penquin Ed's Bar-B-Que sauce and the nice crunch of those rib bones. Oh great! I'm slobbering over the tablecloth. I was so disappointed that I didn't win a prize last year. I really, really hope I win this year. Heck, even if I don't win this year, Valerie is still going to have to pick up some ribs when she goes to enter the contest. I'll leave a little gift on the bed if she doesn't.

Fayetteville Forward, Saturday

Saturday’s sessions were definitely better than the previous sessions. I didn’t have to walk out on this. The day started with a breakdown of the topics that people felt were important to them, something they had placed on their “dream tree”. The topics were eco-tourism, public education, green economy, creative economy, history heritage, alternative transportation, media communication, no growth economy, accessible health and economic incentives.
Thank you, Eva Madison and Rick Stroud, for leading the economic incentive group This group was probably the largest of groups and there were a good number of business leaders present. In the morning session the group just threw out ideas and there was a general discussion of the state of the business community in Fayetteville. The group narrowed its discussion to 3 items. 1) What infrastructure does Fayetteville have in place 2) What sources of Funding are available 3) What kind of businesses do we want to go after?

The afternoon session focused on the 3 items that was developed in the morning. But first, we focused on the concept of do we really want growth? No, I am not joking. There was a morning presentation which explored the concept of no more businesses and no more people. The one thing these sessions have produced was a gigantic “I Want” list from a majority of the participants. How in the world do these people think they are going to get their “Christmas List”? Do they think they’ll just magically appear? No! All the stuff that people want depends on sales and property taxes to fund them. More people and businesses mean that more taxes can be collected. Oh goody! That means there is money available to fund the “I Want” list. So, do we want economic growth? HELL, YES!

Any way, now that we got that bit of stupidity out of the way, let’s get to the concrete suggestions from the group. The group decided it was good to expand existing businesses like the Green Valley and the UA Genesis Technology and try to recruit medical, pharmaceutical and a non-profit’s headquarters. It was suggested that a citizen’s group be formed to help developers with taking their projects through the city’s onerous development review process. The idea is to streamline the process and make it quicker. The group finished with the suggestion to give the Mayor a $5 million dollar quick action closing fund.

The ideas, suggestions and comments from this group were very informative. I really think the Mayor needs to tap into this group. If you can get this group working together more often I believe Fayetteville could really see some solid economic growth. Some of the discussion was filmed and I recommend that you view it once it becomes available. I'll link it if it's possible.

Fayetteville Forward

It didn't feel like it was a group of people coming together to brainstorm about getting businesses to come to Fayetteville. It was more like one of those personal growth seminars which ask that you get in touch with yourself, your desires and feelings. The terms flung around were dream, imagine, care about, and envision. The big question was what did you what to have a high quality of life in Fayetteville?

I felt like I was in either a psychiatric self-esteem group or in a middle of a mystic "share and care" exercise. I've been in these types of seminars before and I've hated every minute of it. I'm not the type to do those warm, fuzzy, touchy, feely exercises. What I really want to know is; What The Heck Does This Have To Do With Getting Businesses Located In Fayetteville?
What people were presenting was big giant Dear Santa Christmas Wish List. They were like petulant children demanding that they be given presents. I want! I want! Waaah! Do they really expect businesses moving in to Fayetteville to provide them with their Wish List? What the seminar was focusing on was the demands of the citizens of Fayetteville rather than the needs of a potential employer. The demands weren't new either. If you've been to any of Fayetteville's "Vision Quests" you would be hearing the same old thing. The people at the seminar presented nothing new.


The most disturbing desire was that Fayetteville be a "Green City". That it have a reputation of being a sustainable city. It was implied that the environment had a bigger priority in the city than anything else. If I was an employer I heard that Fayetteville, in order to achieve it's "Greenness", will have policies, regulations, guidelines, fees and fines that ensure that any company operating in Fayetteville achieve "sustainability". I would see a big chuck of my profit down the tubes trying to obtain Fayetteville's "sustainability". Why aren't they finding ways to reward companies locating to Fayetteville. These are our stars. They should be treated like dignitaries. They are the ones that will bring more money into the city. With that money the city could begin to fulfill some of the desires of the citizens.
There's another seminar on Saturday. Hopefully it will answer my question. Why have this seminar? I don't want to feel like I'm in a middle of hippie commune with the people holding candles, singing Kum By Ya and eating vegetable quiche. If that's what they are going to do I'm ditching out for the afternoon.

The 2009 Tea Party Map

Sometimes the visual says it all. Play with the map here.

The Queen's iPod

Surely the news that Pres Obama gave the Queen of England an iPod as a gift was an April's Fools Joke. Nope! He really did give one to her. I wonder if he gave her the correct electrical plug for it. Anyway, Pres Obama did save himself from total disgrace by also giving her a "rare songbook signed by Richard Rodgers".

The Geithner Tax Break Act

I think one of our own Representatives should introduce this in our legislature.

Rep. Dockham's bill would allow North Carolinians who owe $50,000 or less in back taxes on their state income tax to also avoid a penalty fine. "If he got that benefit, I think the average citizen should get the same courtesy," Dockham said.

Pres Obama is always whining about things being fair and equal. What could be more fair than ordinary citizens getting the same breaks politicians receive.

Smuggling

The new tax on cigarettes have Arkansans driving to neighboring states to purchase their cigarettes. Why not? Missouri is just a short trip up and it has one of the lowest state cigarette tax in the country. Tomorrow the federal government will be raising its cigarette tax by 62 cents per pack across the country. Definitely an incentive to drive to Missouri. Arkansans may legally possess one carton plus one pack of cigarettes that don't have an Arkansas cigarette tax anything more than that is a crime, a Class C felony.
Well, Arkansans need to look on the bright side. Consider Spokane, Washington residents. They are reduced to smuggling dishwater-detergent.

The quest for squeaky-clean dishes has turned some law-abiding people in Spokane into dishwater-detergent smugglers. They are bringing Cascade or Electrasol in from out of state because the eco-friendly varieties required under Washington state law don't work as well.

The environmentally safe detergents just aren't getting the job done. It really is a pain to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and have them come out dirty. What is particularly disturbing is the fact that this ban may go nation wide. The detergents that work may be banned. What's the point in having a dishwasher when you can't by soap that will work? Then there is the unintended consequences that seems to follow the eco-friendly conversions.

For his part, Beck has taken to washing his dishes on his machine's pots-and-pans cycle, which takes longer and uses five gallons more water. Beck wonders if that isn't as tough on the environment as phosphates. "How much is this really costing us?" Beck said. "Aren't we transferring the environmental consequences to something else?"

Yup, we are so good at creating another bigger problem when trying to solve the first. I wonder if anyone has considered that these eco-friendly soaps failing to clean dishes may lead to an epidemic?

American Tea Party Anthem

Yup! The Tea Party Revolution now has it's own song!

Tax Day Tea Party in NW Arkansas

The Tea Party Revelution will be brewing here in NW Arkansas. People fed up with the out-of-control government spending can join thousands in a nationwide tea party on April 15th. Tea Parties are being organized in Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville.

City: Fayetteville
When: April 15, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Fayetteville Town Square
Contact: EMAIL
Facebook Group: Coming Soon!

City: Rogers
When: April 15, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Downtown Rogers, Frisco Stage
Contact: EMAIL
Facebook Group: Coming Soon

City: Springdale ~ NW Arkansas
When: April 15, time TBA
Where: TBA
Contact: EMAIL
Phone: 817.757.3944
Facebook Group: CLICK HERE

Keep track of the Arkansas Tea Parties here!

Sen Blanche Lincoln, Hiding Obama in the Closet

Beeep! Beeeep! Beeep! That's the sound Sen Blanche Lincoln makes as she backs away from President Obama. An AP reports that, with her seeking another term, she is making sure that Arkansans know she disagrees with some of Pres Obama's proposals. She's trying to walk the very fine line of trying to keep the Arkansas conservative vote while voting for her liberal ideas.

I think President Obama has taken some good steps. I think his budget, although I disagreed with it in places and have been very vocal about that, I think it's also a very realistic budget

Now isn't that a fine dance. On the one hand you hear "disagree" which perks up your ears but on the other hand it's a very realistic budget. I'd be interested in knowing what she disagrees with in the budget.
During the campaign she going to say she's against Card Check, taxing employer provide health care and global warming's Cap and Trade. Once she's elected she will be free to vote for them and join Pres Obama as he tries to turn America into a socialist country.

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.