Arkansas Blog

I03 F in Western Hills 6.30 pm cst heat index 105.outside temp ..

Hate mail coming my way I'll bet...

Front porch temp is 80 degress with a slight breeze...zero humidity, and actually considered to be "hot".

It's friggin' hot here in Conway. Did a little shopping today, but I couldn't hardly stand getting back in the car afterward. Spent most of the day inside.

On a totally different note, I started the day with a wonderful (though totally unhealthy) homemade breakfast with immediate and extended family members. It was delightful, but it got me to thinking as I have many times before: what's the history of chocolate gravy? How many folks have ever even had it? I'd say about 50% of people I've met (from the South) and discussed it with.

My dad thinks it comes from a poor, rural, southern background due to the fact that our family recipe uses water instead of expensive milk. Anyone have any ideas on this culinary curiosity? Or others?

rosso: How quickly can I get to your porch from central AR, if I leave now?

There is a beer price war going on in NLR. Imagine that, on the hottest day of the year! The two gas station/convenience stores at Camp Robinson Rd & 47th street are battling it out:LITE beer from Miller, Budweiser, Bud Light & Bud Select are all selling for $14.97 for a COLD 30pk. Gentlemen start your engines! You have until midnight to get your Sunday brewskis. Anyone know of any cheaper prices around?

Wes Clark: "Ironic" That Lieberman Is Planning A Potential Independent Run "After He Continually Questioned My Loyalty To The Dem. Party".The Huffington Post

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/07/14/wes-clark-writes-a-thank-you-note/

Thanks to Wes. Maybe in 2 years the electorate will see that war is also too important to be left to draft-dodging chickenhawks (& slimy senators). From Both Parties

rosso.....BITE ME.

Lieberman....BITE ME MORE

It's about 80 here too in our little hollow but if you dangle your feet from the bridge the spring water stays a pretty steady 50 ish. The sun is just setting and I can see 4 big assed carp working the pond. The beaver have moved up stream so the water is kinda low but if it gets hot enough I still could haul a lawn chair out there and leave just my head in a big sun hat above the dragonflies. Man, the Ozarks suck don't they?
Uh, Oh yeah, bite me too!

Still waiting to see AT&T's map of where they plan to provide IPTV. They said Comcast's map was wrong, but they have not shown us theirs.

Show me the map! SHOW IT!

This is an Auto Response Message from AT&T. Please do not reply to this message.

Re: Requests to see AT&T's IPTV Service location map

AT&T is working to make the map available to everyone. We will make the map available as soon as it is technically feasible to do so. We anticipate technical feasibility will occur sometime after we slam our wishes down the Little Rock Board of Directors' throats. Please stand by.

AT&T

Life is so great here while people are being blown to hell in other parts of the world.

Had planned on mowing today but a local shower put the quietus to that. So, will try to do that chore tomorrow afternoon, regardless of the heat.

Several transformers took hits this afternoon in Dogtown during the 0%-chance-of-rain-thunderstorm. Some dawgs are still in the dark at this hour, such as my neighbors across the street. One told me NLR Electric sounded as though they were under seige.

Since it's an open thread and we've pretty much covered the weather, here is a link to some cartoons that will appeal to certain (but not all) senses of humor. The Bush section (the fifth one from the top) is my excuse for posting them here, but the others are pretty entertaining, too. Not for everyone, though, to be sure.

Warning: Some material may not be suitable for young or otherwise sensitive viewers. Some of the cartoons contain "colorful" language. One cartoon in particular deals with sex organs. Other than that, I don't see any danger.

http://www.thetoiletonline.com/cartoons

The AT&T City Board meeting is being repeated right now on the government channel. I've been watching it for the past 20 minutes.

I can't believe these guys are buying AT&T's line the way they are.

There is obviously no regard for the City Attorney's legal opinion. This thing is going to end up in court.

Had to be in Gentry yesterday for business - gas was $2.88 premium unleaded - headed to Bentonville - $2.97 - now that's 20 miles between em - can someone explain 11 cents difference same day same county?

Hilary was great - and the Republicans in the room saw for themselves she is not the devil - Roger's Mayor Womack ditched the event - didn't have the courage to be in a room full of them evil flesh eating liberal blue hair women.

THe new JQ Hammonds convention center is fabulous and could be the premier convention in the state.

After being "bitch-slapped" by the Supreme Court on its handling of terror suspects, the Bush Administration is now seeking a "turnabout in fair play, "by having detainees tried and "bitch-slapped" by Judge Judy.

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=205

And, I suggest Nancy Grace be the Prosecutor.

God it's humid...hot too, but the humidity hurts.

I hate my neighbors more than ever...dogs still out in the open with not a leaf of relief. Two small dog houses that make their crappy pen legal in Conway are the only out-of-sun places they have. I've tried not to hate their so-called owners but...then I walk outside...bastards.

Nice of you rosso to toy with us.

Being from LR I could never imagine NWA being this hot and humid, my back porch temp peaked at 104. Thought the temps up here were supposedly "milder" than central Arkansas. Ozark Electric will be so happy, the AC ran all day long just to keep the place 80 degrees. Speaking of electric rates, what's up with no media picking up on the PSC hearing last week in which our good friends at Entergy explained how rates could jump twenty percent for ratepayers when they become a stand alone company in Arkansas? Maybe it'll be this hot when the Hogs take on USC and they'll wilt in fourth quarter under the heat and humidity (wishful thinking) everyone have a great rest of the weekend.

The self-pity index just hit 110.

Belinda...15 hours.

D...kiss my ass...

Zelda, I promise I did not mean to toy...in my own way, I was hoping that the wash would help help to visualize cooler thoughts. I will be home soon and I will try to bring cooler weather...I promise.

Bassett,
After a long hot day, your comment and link provided welsome relief. The Judge Judy article is hialrious, but is the Ann Coulter article is even better! I am still laughing, Thanks!

Waking early, I decided leave the wife sleeping and steal away to the River Market while things were cool and crowds were light. It was a pleasant morning, but the little plaza was teeming with shoppers as well as small-time merchants. What a mix of cultures - hillbilly farmers rubbing produce bags with black Delta growers, Asians, hippie organic farmers and snappy flower gardeners. Even drowsy middle-schoolers were hawking vegetables, from the Dunbar garden. Shoppers scurried among the booths, some with careful eye, some grabbing the first thing they saw.

Business was good; by 7:30 the growers were already counting their money and folding bills away for safe keeping. My $20 had gone to the cause, and my River Market bag was heavy with blueberries, peaches, tomatoes and okra.

Stashing the bounty in my truck, I set out for a stroll behind the Textile Building toward the Clinton Library. Serenaded by unseen frogs and redwings, I passed along the backwater from the river in only a mild sweat as clouds fought the sun for their place in the sky. The Library loomed majestically, and capering mockingbirds escorted me along the path. One, though, held back in the marsh and swooped on a careless white fly. I passed beneath the Library and headed for the grounds beyond. As I move east of the proscenium, a loud rushing noise disturbed my reverie. It was coming from the Library; perhaps exhaust vents as the janitorial staff flushed the airlocks. Who knows, but it was oddly noisy for such a gleaming structure, an edifice that despite the scorn heaped on the former president by his many detractors near and far, should be regarded as a treasure to our city and state.

The sylvan garden in the land between the Library and the Heifer also broke the mood. Such symmetry of trees instills a sense of the artificial, and I must say the grove of narrow-leaved magnolias were not looking all that keen. And there were a few too many weeds among the saplings of lesser stature.

Returning by the same low path, I was amused to see bass boats plying the slough. No one appeared to be having any luck, but such a beautiful morning carried other rewards. I made past the brackish pool and neared the last little lagoon before the river bank opened up and saw movement by an unidentifiable creature, furry and furtive. I stood for a moment hoping it would show itself and was rewarded. A young, very brown bunny scampering in the weeds, playful in the (barely) dewy glade.

With that, it was back to life, and the daily bran with an admixture of peaches and blueberries.

Good morning, Arkansas.

welcome

Told you I was still laughing...

DcNWa:

Sometime in the last ten years it was 100 degrees at a 6 pm kick off for a Razorback game on Labor Day weekend.

I have long believed that part of the reason the 25 Little Pigs won the Southwest Conference in '54 was the summer and fall were so terribly hot--still see some high temperature records for the date being in '54. Anyhow, the Hogs were so used to the heat that they could go to Texas and win on hot afternoons that year.

I finally took the time today to watch the FRONTLINE Dark Side.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darkside/view/

I'm mad, but really there were no big surprises in it for me. I was a bit surprised, though, that the administration wasn't as evil as I thought they are. That is, it really surprises me that they don't just make stuff up. They try to have a grain of truth before they blow it out of proportion. They press people to give them a grain of sand, which they then they build it into a full-sized desert. It seems they at least try to have some basis in fact for most of their assertions, probably to cover themselves for the inevitable investigations to come.

Not to say that they aren't worse than Satan in my estimation. It amazes me that people like Colin Powell and George Tenet are mainly wanting to be seen as a team player when, by doing so, they are sending thousands to their deaths and spending over a trillion dollars.

Powell, alone, had the prestige, once, to have shut the whole thing down. He could have come forward and said that, as an honorable American, he could not play along with the lies. Instead, he wanted to follow his leader, like a good soldier, regardless of loss of honor and loss of life and loss of treasury.

Pray pray pray that the Republicans lose at least one house of Congress in November so the investigations can begin.

I can't believe the electorate gave this bunch a second term. Michael Moore told them, quite beautifully, and they were just to apathetic to listen.

Global warming anyone??
I recently read an article about Chicago buildings installing gardens and grass on their roofs. Lowers the temps in downtown areas, reduces polution, and is great insulation. As an added bonus, you get lovely green roofs instead of ugly tar, when looking out from taller buildings or flying over. Attractive!

Best invention ever? - other than electricity - AIR CONDITIONING. Makes it possible to live in the South.

Are you old enough to remember sleeping out on the front porch or on the lawn in July and August, just trying to find a breath of air? We didn't worry about snakes or other varmits.

We went barefooted all summer. The first weeks of school found lots of barefooted kids in those seats. Our feet were so tough we could walk through briar patches without flinching. Only winter made us don the leather shoes.

We would hurry home after to school to catch SKY KING, SGT. PRESTON OF THE YUKON AND HIS DOG KING, BOBBY BENSON AND THE B-BAR- B RIDERS (didn't know until years later that Don Knotts played the character Windy). At night we listened to INNERSANCTUM, CRIME BUSTERS, GUNSMOKE and THE SHADOW. Great entertainment that wasn't limited by a 17 inch screen.

Saturday was always a great day because we got to go to the LIL Theater to see Hoppy, Red Ryder, Gene, Roy, The Durango Kid, Lash LaRue and a host of other good guys clean up the cattle rustlers and the card sharks. And they did it without drinking one ounce of alcohol or smoking or playing
cards. The bad guy behind all the trouble was easy to pick out. He always wore a mustach and a black hat. We never could figure out why Gene couldn't figure it all out although all of us little boys on the front row had it figured from the beginning.

There was only a hint of romance with the rancher's daughter (who usually had a father but no mother) and the good guy would get wounded, but not seriously, just bad enough to go to the daughter's ranch to heal up.....just in time for the wedding.

Would I like to go back to those days? Nope. They weren't good old days at all. Lots of things wrong with those times. We live in the best of times right now. We would not want to change places with any generation. At least that's my opinion. What's yours?

North Little Rock is bound and determin to run off all the business they can. Here is what we have done or tried to do in the last year.

First we tried to ban smoking in restraunts in only NLR. Don't you know if that passed Sherwood would have been lining up to build new restraunts. Then we decided to build a baseball stadium for a minor league sorry as can be designed to move their best players on up long time loser team. Just to make sure the 1% taxt would pass we added a couple of million in to build a new wheelchair ramp on the "Pat Hayes" senior citizen center. Then after all the smoke had cleared and Hayes had a place to build his future statue we suddenly discovered that we had an electric problem coming up next year. The answer was to raise our rates a year ahead of time and save MY money so it would be easier for me to pay my bill next year.

Hayes is an IDIOT and is far past time for him to go. Because of his poor planning I will have the pleasure of paying 50% more on my electric bill the next 3 years. So will all NLR businesses.

Gotta check out the Pritt movie:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2fZwNXgtb7M&search=arkansas%20politics

Ho hum. Another telltale misspelling-- "Bound and determin". Same stupid guy. Pay no attention to him.

Did Pritt get the credits even though he didn't run?

And will he ever get to be a Pike?

LexisNexisT Academic

Copyright 2006 Little Rock Newspapers, Inc.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock)

February 14, 2006 Tuesday

SECTION: ARKANSAS

LENGTH: 489 words

HEADLINE: UALR lets candidate earn credits

BYLINE: BY MICHAEL R. WICKLINE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

BODY:

In a unusual arrangement, Drew Pritt is in line to earn three internship credits this spring at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from his campaign for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Pritt, a 29-year-old political consultant from Warren, is taking 16 credits as a sophomore and hopes to graduate in the next few years. He previously attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the University of the Ozarks at Clarksville and Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia.

"It's a unique situation and a great way to earn credit towards [a bachelor of science] in political science," Pritt said.

Art English, a professor of political science at UALR, a professor of political science said the university has had several other students who worked in government and have been able to successfully complete the requirements for an internship.

While Pritt's case is unique, it is not unparalleled, he said.

A student interning for the state Republican Party, Gene Nobles, filed for lieutenant governor at the party's behest at the last minute in 1986 so that a candidate with "an extreme ideological point of view" who filed as a Republican would be opposed in the primary, English said.

In the primary, Nobles defeated Ralph P. Forbes, who was a former member of the American Nazi Party and Arkansas campaign manager for former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke's 1988 bid for president.

Nobles wrote his internship paper about the experience, according to English.

Pritt, who's said he wants to become Arkansas' first openly gay elected official, also said he has been denied a bid to become a pledge at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity's Zeta Eta chapter at UALR. He said he tried to become a pledge because "all my life I have sought to find a group to be part of, rather than being a loner." Pritt said he's disappointed that fraternity members decided Sunday not to offer him a bid. He said his supporters in the fraternity told him that some of the UALR graduates who belong to the fraternity threatened to withdraw funding for the fraternity if he was given a bid.

Ace Hendrix, president of the chapter and a senior studying technical writing, said the fraternity's members discussed Pritt's schedule, age and sexual orientation before deciding.

But Hendrix said none of the alums threatened to withdraw funding, though some members worried they might.

"Unfortunately in our society we still have some extremely closed-minded people because they can't get past a person's sexuality. I look forward to a day when we can grow past that," Hendrix said.

Besides Pritt, the other Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor are former Rep. Mike Hathorn of Huntsville, Rep. Jay Martin of North Little Rock and Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould. The Republican candidates are former U.S. Attorney Chuck Banks of Little Rock, Sen. Jim Holt of Springdale and Rep. Doug Matayo of Springdale.

This article was published 02/14/2006

LOAD-DATE: February 14, 2006

Damn that freedom of speech on an open thread.

"Art English, a professor of political science at UALR, a professor of political science said the university has had several ... "

Did the D-zette really publish that sentence that way? Tsk.

Huckabee video worth watching...

Max, you'll like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzolAuV88I&search=huckabee

Actually, it's not hot enough. Bring on the global warming.

Cato,
Some of my memories are the same, even though I think I am a little younger than you.
Looking back, I loved my carefree childhood. I loved high school. I lived in a violence-free home, with parents and siblings who had friends of all kinds of colors, religions, beliefs, and yeah, my best friend for six years was a boy who was gay.
It really did not dawn on me that "liberal" would become a dirty word. That was just my family and my life.
Ah, wonderful memories, but
No, these are not the best of times.
We have an arrogant, know-it-all, smirky POTUS who has surrounded himself with back-patters who happen to be cooks, liars, and thieves. This same person led un into an invasion of a country which posed no threat to us and has resulted in 2,600 deaths, untold civilian casualties, and the destruction of the country we were supposed to be liberating.
Compounding this and many other atrocities committed by this administration, now we have full-blown war breaking out between Lebanon and Israel. Iran, North Korea, and at least 10 other countries building WMD's.
World War III, anyone?
Cato, I think this is a very bad time to be living in America.
Our future is so uncertain.

Do this: Ask the next 25 people you encounter to express his or her view on whatever political topic you feel is important. You will get the shock of your life. Some won't be able to identify which party Bush belongs to. Others won't know where Iraq is located. None will be able to name Arkansas' senators and represenatives, let alone know what they stand for.

Growing up, I thought everyone voted, because it was so important to my family.
Now people are proudly stating that they don't vote, don't care, don't watch the news, and don't read.

We live in a scary time, but I guess until gas prices shoot up to $20.00 a gallon, most of America won't wake up.

No one commented on the question: 'what's the history of chocolate gravy? How many folks have ever even had it? I'd say about 50% of people I've met (from the South) and discussed it with.
My dad thinks it comes from a poor, rural, southern background due to the fact that our family recipe uses water instead of expensive milk. Anyone have any ideas on this culinary curiosity? Or others?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 15, 2006 06:49 PM'

Can't help much with the history except to add memories of eating it for breakfast often as a youngster in the piney woods of south Ark. Actually, chocolate gravy was considered to be a great treat.

This comes from one of my most vivid memories of some very hard times when our family of four kids was forced by lack of finances to have biscuits and white (water) gravy for breakfast (and often supper) for about six months. We bought flour and lard in bulk. Thank God for the small garden and limited amount of wild game.

Old saying - some things never change. Look around your city and state. There are many families in a somewhat similar situation today. They eat a little better but still do without many of the essentials. As a side issue -three dollar gas really helps them along.

I tasted chocolate gravy once... and that was enough--YUCK. Guess it's an acquired taste.

I use to go barefoot all the time; now I see nasties everywhere...even on my own floors. Ah the blessed ignorance of youth.

And, Drew Pritt should be much further along in his political career than he is 'cause he's evidently pissed off enough people to be governor. At least he's irritated people who're funny.

I agree on placing air conditioning right under electricity on the best inventions list! I have friends in the north and in Sweden who scorn it, say it's unhealthy. They just don't know. They just don't understand.

My generation of the family never slept on porches, but I've heard my parents talk about it with great fondness. We got our first window air conditioner, for the living room, when I was 10. But even then, we switched it off at bedtime and turned on the attic fan. I'll never forget the joy of the cool night air it pulled in.

TV for me was Sky King, a show about a black horse named Fury, Superman, Astroboy, Flintstones (in prime time), Rocky and Bullwinkle. I hated Lassie. Always scared me. Every week it was another horror show as terrible things happened to that family!

I never went barefooted outdoors. Afraid of honeybees and glass. Timmy on Lassie went barefooted and awful things resulted.

I WOULD like to go back to those days, if I could keep my knowledge of what happens with IBM, Microsoft, and Wal*Mart stock.

Well, well.....

In today's Dem-Gaz, you have an editorial about Beebe flipflopping on gays rights- Warwick you got a nice shout out on that one- and you have a huge article filled with idiotic quotes from McDaniel as he tries to backtrack on his "pro-choice" stance that he took with certain voters during the runoff.

If you tell the truth the first time you don't have to worry about the lies coming out later. I hope they both get hell for their shameless pandering. Stand up for what you believe in and let the cards fall where they may.

Mike, you still have a chance to keep my vote because I have seen some of the good things that you are capable of doing. Dustin, you have not done one thing that impresses me, and from what I have heard and briefly seen, you are a pompous ass. You had better start making some ground- quickly.

This is from a post further down, but I needed to say it. I've slipped on my bullet proof vest and await the abuse I'm fixin to take - but it's America, I'm a Democrat and I needed to say it - Shut up.

Beebe can sit on the fence on issues and walk around with a picket fence up his ass as far as I"m concerned. If he needs to be moderate about social issue - then so be it - if that's what it takes to convince the moderates and independents for Beebe to win SO BE IT one more time! Your other choice - Asa Hutchinson - cause that won't work for me.

I don't want to hear from his own that Beebe is not a real Democrat because he won't take a beating for social issues that we've been losing elections over for years. For 20 years, he was one of the most effective legislatative leaders we've ever had.

He needs to run on good government - cause he knows what it is - Hutchinson wouldn't recognize good government because the entire time he's served he's either been pandering and whoring for his masters or he's been part of the worst Adminstration in our history.

How the hell we gonna change anything until we get control and the votes? I know you "liberals" and I'm one want to take the high ground...well folks, there ain't no high ground with the Republican. They been beating us like yard dogs on social issues, we respond in defense, and all the while as we let them distort our message, we've let in crooks, liars and theifs who now control our country.

I know again, ya'll are gonna say we can't be as sneaky, liars and deceptive as the Republican - you know, Bush running on small government and peace - lies of course, waiting for the win to steal our country. Guys, they set the rules of the game - and we been taking a water pistol to a gun fight -
So, shut up - let's get our candidates in office and the things we care about socially will come - if they don't, we throw the scoundrels out - the alternatives - lying, cheating, decieveing Kool-aide carring Republcians.

And they will change - rembember a little history - who would EVER, EVER, EVER thought our Texan Cowboy, tough guy, shoot 'em dead Democratic President LBJ would have EVER been the architect and mover of our civil rights legislation?
Shut up about gay and abortion - our party is so much more - these issues are designed to divide (see this blog) and take the focus and our efforts to tell everyone we are the party of good goverment and the people. The rest will come when we get the G...Damn vote.

I'm Blue Ticker

I heard from some one who knows the family that WinRock was on life support and they were getting ready to turn it off and let him pass.

Anyone else heard this?

Blue Ticker-

I don't have problem with Beebe or McDaniel being more conservative than I am on issues. In fact I voted for one candidate in the primary that I consider to be conservative and one that I consider to be moderate. I did that because I thought they were both good people and the most qualified for the offices they were seeking.

I will in all likelihood still vote for Beebe because I have worked with him before and know that he is the most qualified person to be governor. But damn it Mike, just tell me the truth. You're not going to lose my vote because I disagree with you on one or two issues.

I am strongly considering not voting in the Attorney General's race. No one in my group of politicos is excited about McDaniel. He says a lot without saying anything and he just rubs me the wrong way.

demvoter,

Thanks for you imput - here's my take - we as democrats - the supposed big tent folks - have let the Thugs drive us - paint our candidates to their presumed and dishonest "moral standards". And we are losing because of it.
McDaniel and excitement in the same sentence - nope, not in my book - but why is the Atty Gen candidate being asked these questions - does he have any say - he's required to follow and defend what the state has on the books and what the ledge hands him...by the law.
The social issues faced by our Atty and other candidates are designed to divide - am I a Dustin McDaniel fan - frankly no - I know Gunner Delay and son, he ain't the sharpest hook in my tackle box - he's also mean - and he would use his Atty Gen postion to dutifully spread the Kool-Aide - no doubt in my mind. He's already doing it - so, I ask for you and your fellow politicos - if ya don't vote - that's a vote for Delay - if ya have to, hold your nose - McDaniel will take over a very efficient AG's office and he'll be good for Arkansas - Gunner - Holt - Hutchinson - nothing could be worse for our state - we can't go lower than 50 - but these guys might make this statistical impossiblity a reality.
I'm Blue Ticker

The sad truth is, you're correct Blue Ticker. If Beebe had come out adamantly supporting the recent court decision regarding gay foster parents...it could've cost him the election. My in laws, for example, are as Arkansas Baptist/conservative as it gets...but they hate Bush and much of what the Repubs have done the last five years (and A$a is tainted by Bush et al). One thing, however, that pushes all their otherwise reasonable buttons are those 'gay' issues. And if it comes down to a sound bite that says 'Beebe's for gay marriage' the actual truth will have a hard time cutting through that noise.

So, yeah, go for the fence-straddling Beebe...if it keeps A$a's sorry Bush-lovin' Republican ass out of the Governor's mansion, I'll live with the compromise.

The reason that McDaniel is being asked these questions about abortion is because he made it a huge issue in his runoff race with Paul Suskie. I am pro-choice, but the way he used the issue made me sick.

Now he wants to run from it because it's not convenient for him in the general election. I say- too damn bad. If it was an issue in the runoff, it is an issue now. If he didn't think it was relevant, he shouldn't have brought it up.

The one time I tried chocolate gravy you could have told me it was warm pudding and I wouldn't have known the difference. Although I probably would have asked why it was served for breakfast and with a biscut.

I agree BlueTicker and Zelda. I do have a little fear that Beebe isn't just saying this stuff to get elected though. I think he believes it to a certain extent.

Whatever. My vote will be against Hutchinson and Delay and for candidates who have a real chance of beating them.

This particular election is very important. It's not the time to "send messages" and make protest votes, unless you LIKED having Frank White as your governor.

BlueTicker is right, and his sentiments were echoed by none other than Hillary Clinton.
I am voting a straight Democratic ticket. Period.

Re: So, yeah, go for the fence-straddling Beebe...if it keeps A$a's sorry Bush-lovin' Republican ass out of the Governor's mansion, I'll live with the compromise.
Posted by: zelda | July 16, 2006 10:04 AM

Agreed. However, there is much more at stake than the AR gov. Ass$A in the gov office will support and build upon the dishonest incompetent leadership we currently "enjoy". Everyone should look beyond Arkansas and 2006 on this.

Like I said, I will in all likelihood vote for Mike because I think he is the most qualified and I do think he will be a good governor. I would like for someone to give me a reason to vote for McDaniel, other than the fact that he isn't Gunner. At this point, I'm not sure that Dustin is the lesser of two evils.

Imagine George W. or Mike saying the following"

"Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need, not as a call to battle, though embattled we are, but as a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle - a struggle against the common enemies of man - tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself."

John F. Kennedy

They can't say it because they can't think it.

Jake

I would like for someone to give me a reason to vote for McDaniel...At this point, I'm not sure that Dustin is the lesser of two evils.
Posted by: demvoter

If you feel like that, sounds like your mind is made up and there's no reason to speak further about it with you.

Spirit, no one has spoken at all to me about it. The only thing that has been said so far is that he isn't Gunner Delay. Is it too much to ask to get one solid reason that I should vote FOR McDaniel? Should I just blindly vote a straight ticket and not listen to my conscience? McDaniel is from your neck of the woods. Surely you can give me something to work with. I won't vote for someone just because they have a D by their name.

Spirit, no one has spoken at all to me about it. The only thing that has been said so far is that he isn't Gunner Delay. Is it too much to ask to get one solid reason that I should vote FOR McDaniel? Should I just blindly vote a straight ticket and not listen to my conscience? McDaniel is from your neck of the woods. Surely you can give me something to work with. I won't vote for someone just because they have a D by their name.

Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller has passed away. This is a sad day for our state.

Ark. Lt. Gov. Win Paul Rockefeller dead at 57, office says

My heart goes out to Rockefeller family. May peace be with them.

Oh, man.

The state of Arkansas has lost a leading businessman, philanthropist, and politician. Lt. Governor Winthrop Paul "Win" Rockefeller, Jr. is dead at the age of 57. His office says he died peacefully surrounded by his family at 10:37 am at UAMS. Funeral services will be announced later.

Sorry I forgot to attach my name to the 12:18 post.

Maybe it's old news here, but I just saw that Win Rockefeller has died, posted on Roby Brock's blog @ www.talkbusiness.net
a good man, and so was his father.

i just now got an email from channel 5 about Win Rockefeller. Such a sad day for all of us. may he rest in peace.

My heart goes out to Win Paul's family - having lost a member of my family recently I know the pain and the void it brings.

demvoter - Gunner Delay - first off - not a respect attorney in his own community - in fact, those who find they are facing him in a court of law are delighted, knowing that he'll be ill prepared - if he brings that work ethic the AG's office - it won't be good.
Secondly - Delay is mean - he has no problem throwing flames and saying just about anything to chum the waters - he'll use this office - despite the fact that the AG's office has no place to drive policy - to do just that - he'll happily carry the Koolaide for his party - grandstanding on SOCIAL ISSUES when his office should be advising and defending our state. He'll have no problem giving the nod to some piece of God Squad legislation, which he should KNOW, but probably dosen't would not pass the Constitutional test which in turn we as a state would half to defend - resources we don't have.
If this doesn't convince you, take a look at his legislative record - he was and always will be a one trick pony - and he does not have the depth to our next AG.
Hold your nose if you must - McDaniel will come into an efficent well run AG's office - if Delay comes - it'll be imcompentent croynism at it's Republcian finest. I hear he's already making promises to his new team. That scares me shitless and I'm a McDaniel man - period.
I'm BlueTicker

Blue Ticker-

I understand why I shouldn't vote for Delay, but can no one tell me why I SHOULD vote for McDaniel? Y'all are starting to make me think that all the bad things I hear about him are true. I have thrown out numerous opportunities for someone to make the case FOR McDaniel and no one has done it yet. I will NOT vote for someone because the guy from the other party is a loser and our guy is just less of one.

Because he's a better man than Gunner Delay.
I'm BlueTicker

Dustin McDaniel has taken many courageous stands in the legislature-supporting clean water and not Deltic Timber, pushing hard for seniors to be able to afford to buy prescription drugs, fighting for full funding for pre-K, and standing up for choice. His views on choice may not be exactly mine, but they are light years ahead of DeLay's. Dustin's from a family of longtime Democrats who have stood up for the middle class as opposed to special interests. When he makes a mistake, he isn't so arrogant that he holds firm in the face of good evidence or ideology. He isn't afraid to admit his shortcomings. He's smart, well informed, and does his homework (as opposed to Delay, an idealogue). Anybody running for statewide office has to be confident in their abilities, and Dustin is no different in that regard. But he listens, knows he can learn from other points of view, and is available to those who want to discuss issues with him. There are a couple of things we don't see eye to eye on, but count me as an enthusastic supporter. He will be a great Attorney General.

Ok anonymous. I'll research what you said about issues, scrap the personal fluff and make my mind up. Thanks for a least giving it a shot.

Blue Ticker, I hope that in the future when you are touting a candidate that you can at least come up with one redeeming quality about that person independent of them not being their opponent. Your argument almost convinced me to not vote in that race.

Sorry if you got the impression I was touting McDaniel - but as a realist - and you got Gunner on the other side of the ballot - and I only got one reason to vote for McDaniel - and that was, he's not Gunner Delay - well, it is what it is. If McDaniel was Suskie - I'd be a happier man - but he's not, and he's also not Gunner Delay.
I'm BlueTicker

I agree with Blue Ticker. McDaniel may be a snake, but he's our snake. Vote for McDaniel and spend the next four years grooming a better candidate to replace him.

Well I did a little playing around on the internet and couldn't find anything about Dustin fighting Deltic. Not through votes or in news articles. His prescription drug plan has even been implemented yet and doesn't have funding.

I'm glad that he, along with many other legislators, supported Joyce Elliot's pre-k legislation. As far as Dustin's view on choice, that is what got me so riled up to begin with. The article in the paper today was ridiculous. He danced around questions, refused to answer them or said that they were irrelevant. Just answer the damn questions.

Blue Ticker and Pavel, I am yet to be convinced but I appreciate your efforts. The fact that he is our snake is hardly reassuring but maybe at least the reins can be pulled in when he starts the hissing. And Blue TIcker, I agree with you. I would be a much happier man if Paul Suskie were the nominee but since he isn't, I'll either vote for McDaniel or not vote at all. I can't bring myself to vote for a Delay.

Dustin McDaniel has taken many courageous stands in the legislature-supporting clean water and not Deltic Timber, pushing hard for seniors to be able to afford to buy prescription drugs, fighting for full funding for pre-K, and standing up for choice. His views on choice may not be exactly mine, but they are light years ahead of DeLay's. Dustin's from a family of longtime Democrats who have stood up for the middle class as opposed to special interests. When he makes a mistake, he isn't so arrogant that he holds firm in the face of good evidence or ideology. He isn't afraid to admit his shortcomings. He's smart, well informed, and does his homework (as opposed to Delay, an idealogue). Anybody running for statewide office has to be confident in their abilities, and Dustin is no different in that regard. But he listens, knows he can learn from other points of view, and is available to those who want to discuss issues with him. There are a couple of things we don't see eye to eye on, but count me as an enthusastic supporter. He will be a great Attorney General.

Why would anyone want to answer a ton of irrelevant questions about choice, when you know that the goal is to try to make you look bad? Especially when you have said, like McDaniel did, that he supports choice-safe, legal and rare? If it wer me, I wouldn't take the bait-pro-choice, that's simple, that's my message!

There were many things that happened in the legislature around Deltic timber/water issue that happened behind the scenes. From a conversation with a longtime progressive legislator, whose word is good as gold, I know Dustin did work against Deltic.

If Paul Suskie were the nominee, you'd have a hard time distinguishing his stands from DeLay's. Nice guy-way too conservative.

As a liberal and someone who voted for Paul in both elections, I respectfully disagree. Other than abortion, what other issue would you consider him to be too conservative? I probably had a half dozen conversations with him during the course of the campaign and I felt perfectly confortable casting my vote for him.