Really Dumb Thief

This story really got my morning started off with a laugh!
I guess if you're stealing you're not really smart in the first place.

Mike Huckabee; We're Racists

From the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that he believes he knows what's behind the anti-immigration feelings of some Americans.

"If I were to say some of it is driven by just sheer racism, I think I would be telling you the truth," Huckabee said as he shared sandwiches and salad with close to 20 national and regional political reporters.

"I'm not saying everybody who is very, very angry [about immigration ] is a racist. I want to be very clear about that. But I've had conversations with people, and it became evident what they really didn't like is that people didn't look like them, didn't talk like them and didn't celebrate the holidays they do, and they just had a problem with it."

Mike Huckabee thinks I'm a racist. Just because I want the federal government to live up to its responsibility to secure our borders. I'm racist because I want to increase border-patrol agents, immigration inspectors, and detention beds so that I don't have to worry about terrorists crossing the borders.

I'm racist because I have no desire to continue to pay for Medicaid ($2.5 billion); treatment for the uninsured ($2.2 billion); food assistance programs ($1.9 billion); the federal prison and court systems ($1.6 billion); and federal aid to schools ($1.4 billion). Report

I'm racist because illegals are to be pardoned for crimes, like using a phony Social Security card and drivers license, which would land any American in serious trouble. Instead of facing punishment they are being rewarded with citizenship.

I'm racist because I believe that Bush's "illegals-must-wait-at-the-end-of-the-line" is a con job. Illegals, by remaining in the country and jumping into the citizenship line, rather than the visa line, have jumped way ahead of law-abiding immigrants waiting in their home countries for a visa.

Huckabee's statement is utterly contemptible. His attitude toward the American people really stinks. We have voiced valid concerns. No one has ever said that we must deport all of the illegals. What we want is to first secure our border. After that occurs, then we'll talk about a worker program and amnesty. Huckabee, these are racists.

The Da Vinci Code

Well, I am surprised. I thought this movie would be pronounced great and fantastic by the Hollywood elite. After all, it's a movie that distorts the Bible and the Christian faith. I'd assume it would get wonderful reviews. It didn't. It has been has been described "grim", "unwieldy" and "plodding".

I have read the book. Everyone was reading it so I though it must be good. I was a bit disappointed. The book was so-so. It wasn't particularly thrilling and a bit boring in spots. The final disclosure of the big secret that Jesus Christ marrying Mary Magdalene and having a child by her was a big thud. I've heard this myth before. If the movie follows that book closely it's no wonder it bombed.

The President's speech

Well, I thought that I wouldn't be happy with what he said and I was right. It was nice that he admitted to the cost of illegals and that control of the borders has been lost. It's too bad he didn't take some responsibility for the state of our borders.

I see the National Guards as just a bone to toss to his critics. They aren't going to be there long enough and they're not going to be doing any real enforcement. What's going to happen if the "virtual fence" doesn't get built? What if the additional border guards aren't produced? Will they just withdraw the Guard and hope no one notices?

Stopping the catch and release program sounds great. Will they actually do it or will it be back to letting them go when no one is watching?

He hauled out that guest worker program. I have some questions. Who is going to pay for it? Who is going to keep track of all these workers? This is going to a one bureaucratic mess, full of paperwork and ripe for fraud. Who's going to be responsible for it and how will they monitor it? Who really wants it?

I don't care how many times he says it not amnesty, if it waddles and quacks it's a duck. What he proposed was amnesty. Just another slap in the face of those who are becoming citizens legally.

I'm not even going to think about a guest worker program or amnesty until the President gets really serious about securing and protecting the border. I don't think he is. I no longer trust him.

Goofy and Fun

Did you have a hard day? Need a little pick-me-up? Then check out
Judson Laipply

The Immigration Speech Tonight

I’ll be watching the President tonight but it appears that I’m not going to be happy about what he will say. Reading what has been leaked out, I’m in for a disappointment. The few National Guardsmen being sent to the border would appear to play a minor role in enforcement. Doesn’t that word “temporarily” just frost you? It’s as if he’s hoping people would quickly forget about border security and then “bang” no more Guard.

Why is Bush more concerned about reassuring Vicente Fox then he is about the security concerns of the American citizen? Why is it OK to have the Mexican army cross our border but it’s not OK for us to protect it?

"Mexican President Vicente Fox reached out to President Bush this morning to relay his concerns about consideration of a plan by the United States to deploy National Guard forces to the border region. President Bush made clear that the United States considers Mexico a friend and that what is being considered is not a militarization of the border, but support of Border Patrol capabilities, on a temporary basis, by National Guard personnel," Tamburri said.
"The president reiterated to President Fox his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform," she added. Fox's office also released a statement saying Bush assured the Mexican president that any military support would be administrative and logistical and would come from the National Guard, not the Army.

Quite frankly, I feel like Bush is treating those of us who want border security and immigration law enforcement like spoiled children. He’ll give us few toys to play with and sending us off to play. We are being bribe like children so that he can get a historically disastrous, unmanageable, and utterly ineffective amnesty proposal passed. Instead of getting real enforcement we’re going to get condescension.

What Bush should be doing is to stop pandering to employer lobbies, Mexico and questionable future voters and speak to the things all Americans agree upon. No immigration policy is workable without secure borders and enforcement of current laws.

By George, It's Time to Celebrate Cytology

Happy National Cytotechnology Day! Today is Dr. George Papanicolaou's birthday and we take this opportunity to commemorate Dr. PapanicolaouÂ’s contributions to the field of medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou is best known for his development of the "Pap test," for the cytologic diagnosis of cervical cancer. It's also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of getting a yearly Pap smear.


We can't forget the contributions of cytotechnologists to the health care field. We look for early indications of cancer on the pap smear. Pre-cancer lesions are easily treated. We don't want to see this on a slide! Squamous cell Carcinoma! Get your yearly pap smear!

Republican Candidates Forum

There was a good crowd attending the Washington County Republican Committee's public forum in Springdale. All the candidates were excellent and they've never sounded better. The Republicans have been lucky to get such great people to run for office.

First to go were the candidates for Lt. Governor; Doug Matayo, Jim Holt and Chuck Banks. I thought that Matayo was strong and steady throughout the debate. A couple of times I thought that some things Holt was saying would jolt him, but he held tight. Holt kept throwing out numbers. When some one starts doing that I think they're trying to be a smarty pants and I get kinda turned off. He was tossing out too many numbers and my eyes sorta glazed over. I have a tendency not to believe any numbers unless I know them to be accurate. Banks was a live one. As the debate progressed he got a little feisty. He really got heated up about illegal immigrants. I liked it. It's good for a candidate to show some passion.
The most interesting question was what would you do if you became Governor? Banks said he'd continue Asa's "Grow Arkansas", Matayo would build coalitions between Republicans and Democrats, and Holt would get rid of the liberal bureaucrats and advisors within the government.
My impressions: Matayo is the most qualified, Banks is probably the most electable, Holt needs to attach a brain to his mouth. (OK, I probably shouldn't have said that but, well, he needs to think before he speaks.)



The next debate was the State Senator, District 35; Jim Bob Duggar and Bill Prichard. Prichard seemed to be the more experienced but Duggar showed that he was well match with Prichard. It's going to be tough to choose between them, since they agree on most stuff. I think the most helpful question was what would be their priorities if elected. Prichard's was the budget with it's run-away spending and education. Dugger was concerned about roads in NW Arkansas, the utility costs and immigration.


Last was the State Rep. District 93; Kathy McFetridge and Jon Woods. These two are different. Woods is a true, die hard, conservative Republican. McFetridge is a Republican, but more toward the liberal side. On the issue of returning tax money, Woods said it's taxpayer's money, return it to them. He made a pledge that he would not vote for tax increases. McFetridge spoke of finding a balance. I'm not quite sure what she meant by that other than not to give the money back. She did say she wanted the tax on groceries eliminated. One additional comment she made in regards to school vouchers; she support tax increases to fund them.
Another area they differed was toll roads. McFetridge said she supported toll roads while Woods opposed them because he felt that NW Arkansas shouldn't pay twice for our roads.
How you vote for McFetridge or Woods is going to depend on what type of Republican you are. The Republican Party encompasses a range of ideas. Although we may have some different views we do have some core values. We need to embrace and promote those values. I hope that the Republican Party is more accepting of some different points of view from their fellow Republicans. We should not follow the hypocrisy of the Democrat Party who say they are tolerant and yet thrash those who do not accept the more liberal ideas of the party. Republicans should be able to say we have disagreements but in the end we are still Republicans.

Previous entries on candidates:
Lt Gov

Senator Dist 35

Rep Dist 93

Between the Storms

Eli is enjoying the sun on the patio after a series of storms.






Tigger has decided to enjoy the sun on the porch in a nice comfortable chair.

Dog Sports

I found another dog sport. This video is just so cute!
Video


Carolyn's Home Page

School Bus Hell, Paron High School

Lord, I feel really sorry for these students. They are going to have to spend several hours a day on a miserable school bus. You know, they need to force the school board members to make the same ride these kids face. They should feel the horrendous sentence they've fostered on these kids. They would sing a different tune if they had to ride a school bus several hours a day.

I really hope that Ron Crawford, head of a group that fought the Paron closure, pursues that lawsuit. Sitting on a bus that long is cruel and unusual punishment! It's torture! There's laws against that!

Well, this is good! Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas' 2006 Republican candidate for Governor, said today in a press release that, as Governor, he will require the state Department of Education to set reasonable standards for bus rides for students living in rural and Delta communities.

Speaking to the El Dorado Civitan Club, Hutchinson also urged the Dept. of Education to move forward on a study of isolated schools and the impact of excessive transportation times, which was mandated by the Arkansas Legislature over a year ago but has yet to be undertaken.

I wonder what Mike Beebe's thoughts on this are?


Story
Asa's Press Release

Bill Clinton's Tainted Blood

A Clinton's Arkansas legacy resurfaced when he was in Scotland to address a business conference. Scots infected with HIV and hepatitis protested outside the meeting. They said that he is responsible for their illnesses.

"I needed Factor 8 because I was in pain, but in being given that treatment I was given a death sentence," a protester in Glasgow told BBC.

As a result of the tainted blood product, the man, who did not want to be named, was infected with both HIV and hepatitis C at age 14.

The British network quotes protester Andy Gunn discussing the blood scandal: "They were making a lot of money. In fact, blood was worth more in weight than gold at the time.

"They knew the blood was infected with HIV and hepatitis and the prisoners were themselves dying of these conditions. It was actually illegal to use the blood in America and they secretly sent it up to Canada where it was turned into Factor 8 and punted around the globe."

Bill Clinton was at the center of a scandal in Arkansas in the 1980s involving the sale of AIDS-tainted blood to Canada, which was distributed through the Red Cross. Last year the Canadian Red Cross pleaded guilty to distributing blood tainted with HIV and hepatitis C which has killed more than 3,000 people. It paid a fine of $4,000 for causing more than 1,000 Canadians to contract blood-borne HIV and as many as 20,000 to become infected with hepatitis C. Clinton has never been prosecuted for his role in scandal. I don't imagine Clinton really cares about these people. It's more garbage he's had to step around on his quest for money and power.


Storys here and here
See also the film Factor 8

Why so Much Longer?

Have you ever noticed projects take much longer than you think they will? I don't know if it's the actual project or all the little piddling things you do to get ready to do it. Maybe it's all that little extra things you do while taking a break. I'm in the kitchen getting a drink, which leads to cleaning the dishes, sweeping up the floor, writing out a grocery list, playing with the dogs, petting the cats, and folding the clothes. It happens every time I take a break, I start doing other things. I'd stop taking breaks but all that bending, digging, kneeling and hauling really starts to hurt after a bit.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

I gave myself a 4-day weekend to get some projects done around the house. Well, I also did some shopping at the craft fairs. Then, I took a road trip to Joplin, taking a western loop through Grove along the Grand Lake of the Cherokees. It was a beautiful drive.

I mostly ignored the news and the blogs I usually read via my web feeder. So, I finally checked out my reader. Oh my God! So many entries! It's going to take awhile to go through everything. I'd seriously think about dumping some of them, except I'm addicted to blogs. Maybe I should join Patrick Kennedy in Rehab. Hello, my name is Valerie and I'm a blogger addict.

Wet Farmer's Market

It was only sprinkling a little bit when Trixie and I hit the Farmer's Market. One of the first things we do is say "Hi!" to Addy. She is always excited to see us.

As we walked around Trixie made sure that she got in her required pets from people.

In spite of the rain there were a few musicians.

I see more flowers every week. This time I pick up a bouquet myself. By the time we've finished it was raining. I decided to spent the rest of the day at the craft fairs that were held in-doors.

Cruising

Come on! Let me out! I'll be a good boy! Pleeeeease!

Wow! Look at that babe! Boy, is she hot! Come over here and give me a pet, sweetie!

Wadda ya mean "knock it off"! I'm not doing nothing!

Oh man! What a spoilsport! I'm just trying to have a little fun!

Guarding the Door

Tigger does seem to take the job of guarding the house seriously.

Let Freedom Ring, National Day of Prayer

Words and Music by Phil Laeger, Rebecca St. James and Ted T.

Music Video



This land is built on freedom, Life and liberty for all, We've declared our independence, So we will depend on the One who made it all.



(chorus)
Honor God, America
The land of the free
Honor God, America
O land of liberty
Honor God

So let justice flow like water, And let mercy fall like rain, Those who honor Him, He'll honor; Together let's raise up the One who has made us.





(chorus)
Honor God, America
The land of the free
Honor God, America
O land of liberty
Honor God

(bridge)
From the mountains to the prairies, From the desert to the cities, From the heartland to the coastland, Let our hearts turn to the Lord's hankd, From the moutains to the prairies, From the desert to the cities, From the heartland to the coastland, Let our hearts turn to the Lord.



(chorus)
Honor God, America
The land of the free
Honor God, America
O land of liberty
Honor God

National Day of Prayer, Fayetteville

AMERICA, HONOR GOD
Those who honor me I will honor. 1 Samuel 2:30



The program opened with the sounding of the Shofar. Jim Hightower and his band provided the music.


Rev. Ronnie Floyd spoke on the great need for spiritual revival and renewal. He defined honor as giving esteem and preference. He laid out the spiritual law of those who give first to God, he then reciprocates it. If we honor Him, He honors us. If we humble ourselves, He lifts us up.

Dr. Floyd told of the 5 Centers of Power Christians need to be praying for.
1) Government
2) Media
(Gene Fulcher, praying)





3) Education
4) Church

(Houston Nutt, praying)






5) Family

(Tom Hodges, praying)

In your grace and mercy, Lord,
draw us back to You.
Return us back to Your
ways once again.
You have promised that if we
honor You, You will honor us.
Turn our hearts back
to honoring You and giving You
the esteem and admiration You deserve.

National Day of Prayer

I arrived at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville bright and early to enjoy the breakfast provided by Atlanta Bread. They laid out a wonderful breakfast.







People enjoyed the breakfast and visited.



This is Duncan Campbell(close my eyes when my picture is taken), the coordinator, and Jeanie Nance, a volunteer.




Melody Miller from KLRC was broadcasting in the lobby.



We are ready for the program to begin.