Arkansas Blog

Anybody have any thoughts on what should and will happen to the guys arrested in Florida with terrorist-like plans regarding the Chicago Sears Tower and some other places?

Any ideas of why they were arrested before doing much more than just talking about some thoughts they'd had?

They seem like just big talkers to me, with no likelihood of ever taking any action. I realize that all threats must be taken seriously, but surely they could have waited until they had actually done some real planning, rather than just brainstorming sessions on what potential targets might arise.

Spirit...better keep your day job...............do you work?

New music recommendations - with iTunes links -

Jimmy Thackery & the Cate Brothers - In the Natural State

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Snake Farm

I continue to be amazed at the attention Hillary gets from the rabid right's editorials, books, interviews. The woman must have a chance to garnish all of the attention. The RNC has apparently given its marching orders.

http://webcontent.harpercollins.com/images/large/0060393408.jpg

Spirit - seems they can't find Osama, and they can't find Al Queda and the numbers were falling...what's a Chimpster in Chief to do but nab some tough talking wantabees, without a dime to their name, who couldn't organize a circle jerk? This was all about the bling, bling.
Wonder how much this breaking "investigation" cost us.
They need to be punished, but terrorist - too stupid to be terrorists.

Anon at 10:13 - I agree. There's going to be even more theater from this point on, because that's all they have left. I repeat again, this is the worst month, the worst week, ever for Bush. (good!)

What's a Chimpster in Chief to do but nab some tough talking wantabees...
They need to be punished, but terrorist - too stupid to be terrorists.
Posted by: Anonymous

That's kind of what I thought.

No, that's exactly what I thought.

OK, this is more a complaint for the Doug Smith Words column, but it's going on open line anyway.

Though a Windows man, I've enjoyed the Mac commercials of late. But now they have one where the Mac guy makes a point about the Mac and the Windows guy says "touche", meaning "you touched me" or "you win".

The Mac guy responds, "Uh, I don't think you're using that right. You can only say touche if you make a point and I make a counter point...but you haven't made a point yet."

That's NOT the definition of touche! In this context, touche means "used to acknowledge a successful criticism or an effective point in argument." The PC used the word right. As usual, Mac gets to look so cool, but the PC is right.

OK, who gets to be the first to say I need to get a life.

Well, Spirit, we Mac people are just trying to approach you gently and then take you over!

Anybody seen the new Superman flick?

Have not seen it. I was a dopey teenager for the first Christopher Reeve movie. Hope this film is as fun for today as the original was for its time.

I have seen Superman Returns and it was very good. I will likely see it again over the weekend. I would encourage others to see it as well. be prepared for a long ride, 2 1/2 hours, but it isn't the kind fo movie where you are constantly checking your watch.

And on the Mac commercial, I think it was very subtle. But it underscores the point.

Crash, Anon - does everyone in Arkansas go to bed before midnight? This blog has no night owls tonight!

Speaking of Macs, according to ifoapplestore.com - "Now that Omaha will have a store, Little Rock (Ark.) joins the list of Top 20 metro areas without an Apple store". They say the most likely location for an Apple Store is Park Plaza mall.

I while back someone posted how to get a spell checker added so you didn't have to go back and forth between programs for spelling and grammer - should could use thate (that's a joke)

It would be nice to have an Apple store. The power of the brand is amazing. I have bought them via internet for my entire Mac career and I'm up to about 20 now for home and my business.

I've noticed how the rabid-reich-wing has been going ape dung this last week on the blogs. With the NYT and the decision of the Supremes, they seem close to a frothing freak out of no return. Even the morning Three Stooges on Faux News, featuring E.D. Idiot, act like they are ready for some protective padding.

Spirit:

I wouldn't be surprised if these Sears tower knuckleheads were paid actors. Some people think the Shoe Bomber was a fake, too.

This admin is hurting for successes, and I don't think they are above creating fake ones.

Macs seem to be like black jelly beans (or Bill Clinton) . . . you either love'm or hate'm.

Wow, mag, you go through a lot of computers! For any of you mac users: what's so great about them? (I don't know anything about them, really.)

Gaylord, you are right. The dittoheads may be getting the first symptoms of the terrible plague that's about to come over them. But don't worry, they'll keep the brave face until November. By then all the air will have escaped.

Only a thought that would improve my appreciation of this blog and I am appreciative.

So many times I've found posts well worth reading buried at the bottom of the page or even off the page. Some of those posts are so lost in history that a reply is a waste of time.

Why not have the most recent post on a thread bump that particular thread to the top of the page? I guess that's not blogish yet blogish is not that reader friendly or user kind. Just a thought.

"By then all the air will have escaped."
Posted by: hugh mann

"Holy Buoyant Moses" Hugh, they are breathless now as it is! Any more so and they will have to sit at their keyboards with paper sacks over their heads to hedge hyper-ventilation. I'd say they should sit with eye ball holes in the bag for sight but I don't think that will help with the "vision thing".

Saw Bob McCord on 'Arkansas Week' last night. He was utterly dismissive of the gubernatorial candidacies of Jim Lendall and Rod Byran, even to the extent that their presumably small totals might affect the outcome between Beebe and Hutchinson. Wrong! There's been ample evidence on this blog, for one, that some normally loyal Democratics are really putt off by Beebe, but won't stay home because they want to vote in the other races. I know that I would go to the polls just to vote for Vic Snyder if nothing else, for example. While there, a vote for Jim Lendall will be forthcoming. That scenario will be repeated many times over. How many, of course, is the key.

I read over the responses so far and had to add this to Max's original posting.

I also welcome your new neighbor to the area. He is one of the true heros that we seldom see on TV. TV )and teh current administration) is giving everyone a false idea of what the term "hero" means. I am sorry that he is going to have to redo his intern year. It sounds like he will be a very caring physician.

Have a great holiday.

Please Clay, do not even contemplate a vote for any one other than the B. Vote against him next time, bitch about him all the time but not this time. We do not need, no way, an Asahole! Give that boy 4, he's likely to get 8. Then what after that? No sir, if we can suffer the huckster for all these long years, Beebe is a cake walk. Plus, ya never know, 4 years from now you might jump at the the chance to re-elect the B.

Well, my girl's swollen neck turned out to be cancer of the lymph glands. I'm sad...very sad 'cause I LOVE my dogs. I'm what you'd call a dog person...and that would be an understatement. But I'm determined to put my feelings aside 'cause I'm freaking her out by all the excessive hugs/love.

Because she's 12 and I'm a believer in the quality of life v. quantity, I'm going to a homeopathic vet (have my first phone conference Thursday). I'm not trying to cure her; I'm trying to make her as comfortable as possible. We've been lucky 'cause she doesn't seem to be suffering. In fact, she's chugging along just fine...except for the crazy woman grabbing her and hugging her all day. I've never been the homeopathic route...so we'll see. I'm not, however, going to completely cut her off the goodies she likes (chicken, chicken and more chicken)...guess I'll try to strike a balance, as always.

On a lighter note: I can't wait for the Pirates' sequel. I loved the first one AND Johnny Depp in it. Nothing like a great action adventure movie for the 4th (well, the 6th actually).

I hope everyone has a great 4th. I'll be right here with my girl.

Sorry to hear the bad news, Zelda. We lost a boxer to lymph cancer last year, so I know how you feel.

...while back someone posted how to get a spell checker added so you didn't have to go back and forth between programs for spelling...
Posted by: Anonymous | July 1, 2006 12:02 AM

http://www.iespell.com/

Zelda,

So sorry about your doggie. Is that homeopathic vet in/near Conway? I've got a 9 year old lab mix that doesn't get around so good any more, and our previous vet constantly tried to "up-sell" us services. We'd go in for shots and come out with kidney x-rays, eye drops, EKGs and a $700 bill...

I have seen Superman Returns, and I loved it. It brought back many wonderful memories, and I thought they did a good job of remaining true to the characters from yesteryear. The special effects were awesome, too. And Brandon Routh is not bad to look at.

Now, my hubby said the plot was thin and Kevin Spacey wasn't utilized enough at the bad guy (he's a great bad guy, insn't he?), but then again, my husband is pretty overly-critical. Nothing much impresses him. I, on the other hand, am very easily entertained. I would make a horrible movie reviewer because I pretty much love everything I see. That said, I think you'd like this movie. Most folks in the theater Thursday night did.

I, too, can't WAIT for Pirates 2. The kids have been counting down for the opening. Each week, we keep a list of what new movie we'll go see, and this one's been anxiously awaited. (And just so no one freaks - we're also riding bikes, swimming, and reading books a lot, too...)

I'm really disappointed in Beebe. I wish I had the chance to see him in person again like I did last week. I'd be dang sure to ask him about this opinion. People are people, people.

I don't know about those Miami guys, but I do think the Bush machine is grasping at straws whenever they can. I'm hoping this translates in November. On that note, here's something new from the national Democratic Party:

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/06/the_democratic_2.php

Hey ArkTimes - Have Hathorn and Wooly endorsed Mr. Halter yet? If not, have you asked why not?

ARK. BLOG My recollection is that both graciously conceded and endorsed him immediately after the election.

Zelda,
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I have been worrying and wondering about your baby all week. we just lost our chocolate Lab to liver cancer last year.

He had a mast cell tumor several years earlier, and friends pointed me to the Hillcrest Animal Hospital, where he got excellent care. he was bigger than his vet, and in spite of her tendency to come at him with scalpels and whatnot he was always terribly thrilled to see her. He didnt mind stopping at burge's for supplies for the long trip home, either. They were kind enough to fix him ice cream in a dish and fill up his water bowl for him too.

Just be sure you have exhausted all the conventional options before you give up on that strategy, ok? I dont know anything about homeopathic vet medicine, but I do know they provide excellent care at hillcrest.

Zelda, we all feel for you and your baby. Enjoy her as long as she feels well and give her a hug and some chicken for me.

An additional note to Richard Allin -- can you hear me, Richard?: I didn't know how much of an effect you and your columns had on me but I want to ride the Tibetan Railroad. (And a late, late, late note: fie (original meaning -- none of this modern stuff) on the Demozette.)

Give me a break. First, I could care less about your dog, or any other for that matter. They are stupid smelly lifeforms and when they get sick, the best cure is a quick bullet in the head at very close range.

But, regardless of my opinion of your mutt, does iit really belong here on a political blog? Don't you have anywhere else to discuss this? And to those personifying thing thing by calling it "baby", you have equally pathetic problems.

Finally to the ArkBlog moderators, why are you allowing this crap? What are we a psycology blog for depressed women who can't find human companions so they resort to caging animals that have no choice but to succumb to the manic actions of their owners?

ARK. BLOG I wish I thought this was misguided satire. But I'm afraid not. But here's the rule on content of our blog posts and readers responses to same: there is none. There is a heavy emphasis on politics, yes, because the subject interests us. If I were a NASCAR fan, we'd have more racing items. I am, by the way, a dog person.

Poor zelda and poor baby. I lost my best childhood friend, my boxer, Major, to lymph gland cancer way back in 1970. That dog displayed all the intelligence and courage and friendship that George Bush is lacking. He is still a legend to the few that are still alive who remember him. He is secretly buried in a people cemetery here, headstone and all.

I just want to tell you as his disease progressed he didn't seem to suffer much until the final few days. I was a teenager and couldn't think of putting him down, so the old dog toughed it out. His best medicine appeared to be attention and kind words. He and I both wanted to spend as much time together as was left. So, very sad, but a rather satisfying end for the best dog on earth. Love your baby and it will work out as well as it can.

PS He lived a lot longer than the vet predicted, so you and baby may have more time than you think.

I'm reminded of the story of the 10-year old girl whose family had gotten her a puppy when she was 2 years old. She had grown up with the dog, loved it dearly, and when it died her parents were worried to death about how the child would take it.

They had a traditional pet funeral and, walking back to the house, the girl's mother asked her daughter what was on her mind.

"I want my new puppy to have long hair," the girl said. Can we go to the pet store this afternoon?

Somehow I think coping with death is built into all of us. As they say, it's part of life. We accept, we grieve, we remember, but we move on.

So sorry about your doggie. Is that homeopathic vet in/near Conway? I've got a 9 year old lab mix that doesn't get around so good any more, and our previous vet constantly tried to "up-sell" us services. We'd go in for shots and come out with kidney x-rays, eye drops, EKGs and a $700 bill...

Yes, the vet's in Conway (Pat Bradley--329-7727); because all her business is conducted via the telephone she has clients from all over. From the research I've done, I'd recommend that anyone with an animal that has a chronic condition consider alternative options. One book that will help: "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats."

Thanks for all warm thoughts; they are appreciated and as necessary as today's headlines.

Give me a break. First, I could care less about your dog, or any other for that matter. They are stupid smelly lifeforms and when they get sick, the best cure is a quick bullet in the head at very close range.

No...I'm not going to give you a break 'cause your words indicate that crappy attitude's been coddled too much already.

As with all blogs you're free to pick and choose what you read/respond to. But the depth of arrogance that allows some one to lecture others because they don't subscribe to their life tastes, is, as always, astounding. Basically...who the fuck do you think you are lecturing us about how animals should/shouldn't be treated. BTW, we're all smelly lifeforms.

But, regardless of my opinion of your mutt, does iit really belong here on a political blog? Don't you have anywhere else to discuss this? And to those personifying thing thing by calling it "baby", you have equally pathetic problems...

This is an open line and you're not the boss. And, we all use different words to express ourselves and what we're feeling. For example: I think you're a self-centered jerk who's been lead to believe that any world outside of your's is of lesser meaning.

zelda, I'm betting your dog hating detractor lives alone and his parents won't even return his phone calls. Maybe a bear will bite him in the near future, while he's out putting up yard signs for Asa!. For sure he or she is destine to die alone and lonely. Good!

Zelda,

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling it might be Pat that you were taking about. While I don't know her personally, a good friend of mine does, and she speaks very, very highly of Pat.

The dog-hater posting here on the blog obviously has not been reading this thing very long. Over the past year the topics have ranged widely, and we readers are better for it. Plus, it's called an "open" line for a reason, right?

I hope that animal-hater doesn't have children seeing as how he/she has such a cold, cold heart (like the Grinch pre-Whoville-love-fest).

Best wishes to your pup. And, along with DBI (glad to see ya here today) keep up the good blogging.

Zelda,
I have a friend in Alabama that has a rottweiler that was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and given six months to live two years ago. She has pursued an aggressive treatment program, but believes that the success of the treatment is due to the fact that she refuses to allow the pooch to stay at the vet's overnight. The treatment makes him nervous and woozy (the dog, not the vet), so she brings him home.

That was two years ago, and Dutch is still alive, still active, and still the light of her life--despite the fact that he was an old dog when diagnosed. He appears to be suffering not at all. She's spent a lot of time and money on him--just like anyone would when their best friend is in trouble. Find a good vet and keep a good attitude.

Zelda, I too am so sorry about your baby. I echo tina about Hillcrest Animal Hospital. I had a dog with a mast cell tumor, and they took such wonderful care of her (and of me). While everybody knew the thing was incurable, she stayed comfortable -- they let me know when the time came that the cancer was more powerful than the medication, and then she went peacefully with her head in my hands.

The idiot who thinks that dog talk has no place on this blog just serves to remind me why I like dogs better than I like most people.

Zelda:

So sorry about your pup. I have two of my own now, but several years ago had a very sweet girl I'd gotten from the Humane Society. Long story short, she had to be put down.

It was very sad and was hard to think about then, but when the time came, I was with her until the very end. When she ever so gently slipped away I experienced a peace I had never before known.

Oh . . . and for "please 11:42am": you put the ass in class.

mr please @ 1142 a.m.:

I wouldnt let my dog bite you, but I'd be happy to do that myself.

A day late on this, since I don't usually read all the way through the Open Lines, but in the very first sentence, "Please" demonstrates all we need to know about him/her by expressing exactly the opposite of the intended point:

"I could care less about your dog," is what is written, when what is meant here is most certainly "I could NOT care less about your dog."

Seriously, if you're going to foam at the mouth and post an evil-minded rant, at least take some care as to your choice of words so you're not blatantly contradicting YOURSELF. Just a thought.