Arkansas Blog

jazzy and Goof (and all who love New Orleans): Click my name for a WSJ article of interest.

Thanks, durango. Great review. One-of-a-kind city.

The biggest Arkansas story right now is Stacy Lewis having a 1 shot lead after three rounds at the Women's US Open.

I've requested the book at the library, I love all post katrina stories about New Orleans.

James Lee Burke writes stories about the area in his Dave Robicheaux novels, his last one had a post Katrina story line.

Email I received recently - I had to laugh out loud because I remember my plain spoken grandpa who refused to use a bedpain when he was in the hospital years ago in a ward and he started down the hall to find a bathroom with his gown flapping open in the back and his skinny little hiney shining, giving all who tried to stop him a royal cussing. God bless grandpas!
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I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes. We decided to grab a bite at the food court.
I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him.
The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue.
My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and find him staring every time.

When the teenager had enough, he sarcastically asked, 'What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?'

Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would not choke on his response; knowing he would have a good one.
And in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response.

'Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son.'

Aw, Durango, merci beaucoup....that book will be on top of my reading list........
did I ever tell ya'll how much I HATED that part of the U*S*A for years??? My God, it was
foreign and humid and they drank beer 7 days a week, even when shopping for groceries,
and played football on sunday afternoon, and Fat Tuesday was a school holiday, and Santa
had to have bonfires on the levee on Christmas Eve to find his way to little boys & girls......
everything was wrong and sinful and only 400 miles from Camden, Arkansas???? I couldn't
believe the hell I had fallen into............but........little by little.....SHE started to weave her
magic into my heart,,,and, one day I awoke and could say, *I love this place.*

To all the ladies of the board. Don't let this happen to your life.
Your 30 second video for the night.
Click on Cato

How 'bout some soppy country music for a sat. night??

clicky

Hanoi Hilton Jailed Endorses McCain

". . . "If I were an American voter, I would vote for Mr. John McCain," Tran Trong Duyet said Friday, sitting in his living room in the northern city of Haiphong, surrounded by black-and-white photos of a much younger version of himself and former Vietnam War prisoners.

At the same time, he denies prisoners of war were tortured. Despite detailed POW accounts and physical wounds, Duyet claims the presumed Republican presidential nominee made up beatings and solitary confinement in an attempt to win votes. . . ."

Sounds just like the McBush campaign first, he's for it . . . . 'til he hits the audience that's ag'in it.

click on handle for the full story

Thanks durango, I'll add that to my summer reading list!

HBO is doing a George Carlin marathon on HBO Comedy. Lots of good laughs for a Saturday night.

Went to Lowe's to select some paint for our cabinet guy to use and discovered the confusing and bizarre world of paint colors and types. We actually got one specifically for kitchens. Plus, it seemed like there were at least a hundred different varieties of white color to choose from.

And, apparently you've got to double your order because all mixed versions, no matter what, will be different. Didn't know those white paints could be so damned unmatchable!

It ain't a simple task to remodel and repaint a kitchen!! And, I discovered: that our new wall oven will have Sabbath Mode!! And, little cabinet knobs can be as high as $6 - $8! And there are hardware devices that could just as easily belong in a Sex Shoppe!

Now, I can't remember whether they had any Baby Turd Green or not for the garage door......

When you got nothing else to do click on my name and read about an old AT blogger that got Schlozman-ed by Karl Rove and the Bushie US Justice Department. They drug Robbyn Tumey's company thru the mud, knocked her out of a political race in Benton County, cost her 6 figures in legal fees and cost her who knows how much business since the bogus 52 count indictment.

This is our Federal government kicking the shit out of one of our own. It is serious business and we shouldn't just let the facts fall thru the cracks. A judge finally threw out the whole damn thing because there wasn't a speedy trial. The Morning News tries to get some answers out of the Bushies involved, but oh my....one has retired, one has resigned, one got a boo boo in a car wreck and of course the rest can't legally comment on legally any FK'ing thing. So......so sowey Robbyn but by god keep wearing that flag lapel pin and loving yer country and just be damn glad you ain't living in Cuba where urine comes out of the taps. Read it and weep.

Ci Ci, that's just way TOOOOO funny! :-) )

Thanks!

At least one Stephens Media employee has publicly announced he's been "downsized." Michael Tilley, Business Editor for the Times Record and the Morning News sent out an eblast Friday morning.

Another reporter says he doesn't know if other editorial "downsizing" will occur.

Creative staff say a sales person was also let go and that many staffers have taken pay cuts.

Not unusual in these times. What is upsetting is that the organization sees no need to announce the restructuring or print a story about their own housekeeping. The paper has plenty of news over the years of employers implementing layoffs or restructuring plans.

So much for sunshine and doing business in the light of day.

One more song and I'm gonna shut down, unplug the monster machine and fold my tent
early.....stormy weather in Spa tonight.
My memories are in south Louisiana tonight..........................

Thanks for posting Robbyn Tumey's story DBI. Everyone should read it. It has strong links to Bush's total
politicalization of the Justice Department. Now the Bush monkeys see no evil, hear no evil. But that special investigation is still going to happen and perhaps it will drag out till the Bush Corruption Machine is turned out in Jan. Wonder where Mark Pryor stands on this case of Justice Department corruption?
Oh. Wait! Mark only gets involved when they install a US Attorney who may go after HIM. What a patriot Mark is! Bet he wears that Made-In-China-Flag-Lapel-Pin.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Grand Jury investigation pointed to Boozman's hand being in this thing...helping out his fellow Rwingers in Benton County!! Ah, justice. Just dreaming of course.
.

Leave us not leave out a finger pointing at the Hutchison family, eLwood. No one ever got their hands on Asa's email. This case stinks every bit as much as the one against the ex-Gov of Alabama who was done in by the very same slimeball Republicans. I hope the Morning News will keep digging! If they can stab a Tumey in Benton County, they can get you in NWA, me in Fort Baptist, Max in LR.....you name it...no one is safe....no one.

Poor Robin Tumey. Her case brings to mind Archie Schaffer and what he was put him through after being convicted of trying to bribe Mike Espy by inviting him to a Tyson gathering back in '93 or '94. Never mind that Espy was acquitted of any wrong doing early on and that a federal judge also wanted Schaffer acquitted. The appeals court wouldn't hear of it, and Schaffer was hung out to twist in the wind for the next five or six years before Clinton finally pardoned him. I don't know how people complicit in such sleaze can look in the mirror every morning.

Durango, I remember that well.
They can look at themselves in the mirror because they have no soul, no compassion, and no remorse.
They are rotten to the core, money is their idol, and they delight at defeating their "enemies" at any cost.

Meanwhile, to Max and the rest of the bloggers, I'll be away for a while........health problems. I hope the treatments work. I have enjoyed spending time here. You guys are a really good group of people and it's nice to have a place to vent. Hope to be back sometime soon!

Kizzy

The best to you, Kizzy, while you are away; and know that you depart us with every wish for a full and speedy recovery. I agree with you about this blog. It's sort of like Jane Howard, the writer, once said: "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

Durango

EY--Don't get HBO but did get to see George Carlin on Saturday Night Live. In memory of him they ran the very first SNL show from October 11, 1975 where he was the host. I'm not sure I saw the first show back then but do remember watching some of the early shows. Interesting to see how the program evolved from that first show where Carlin didn't participate in any of the skits--just did several stand-up segments throughout the show. They had 2 musical guests--Billy Preston and Janis Ian and each performed twice. For a great performance of "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian click my blue name. What a great song and voice!

Gee kizzy....hurry back and good luck! Come visit when the warden gives you a day pass. We'll keep doing what we do, but don't be gone too long!

And lordy.......32 and 1/2 years later......George Carlin on Saturday Night......not even SNL yet. At the risk of sounding like a lesbian trapped in a man's body....Janis Ian was just fabulous...she's never had the career or got the credit she deserved. I loved Billy Preston too and RIP to him.

I quit counting dead people in this 1st episode when I got to 5...... but imagine.....a girl child born that night would be one of those white Tahoe driving soccer mom's always picking up kids at the junior high today. What in the hell did I do with the last 32 years of my life. Whooosh.......time flies! You young'uns get jiggy.....you'll never believe how quickly you'll be puttin your teeth in a jar every night.

NVR, I caught the last 45 or so minutes of SNL (or "Saturday Night" as it was called then). In one of his stand-up segments Carlin said something that really struck me as poignant. He was talking about religion and God when he said that "everything He makes dies". Carlin was about 38 at the time and I doubt the notion of his own death even crossed his mind. What a brilliant wit we lost this week.

We went to the rain delayed Travelers game tonight, as Swifton native George Kell was honored. Kell spoke, along with Brooks Robinson. Pretty cool to see those guys. Unfortunately the rain kept the stands from being very full, but we did get to catch a couple innings before Junior turned into a pumpkin. We had fun watching a couple old cartoons (baseball themed Goofy) on the jumbotron, and listening to the guy play the organ. The choreography of folding up that giant tarpaulin was a sight, too.

Note to DBI, Baber, and whoever else commented on a shocking episode of The Sopranos way back when HBO was airing it. (We were watching it on DVD and I was a little miffed when you discussed a certain big event.) We finally got to that episode tonight, and knowing what I knew didn't spoil anything for me. It totally caught me off guard. We only have 3 episodes left and I'm already hating that it will be over.

kizzy, best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Friday night in Helena I watched a United States District Judge share barbecue and camaraderie seated at a table with six young black men who appeared to be under 40, while a white couple romped joyously on the dance floor to foot-stomping down-home blues. It was so different -- and so similar -- to a half-dozen Heights patio parties I've attended in the last 20 years.

I left thinking about the wondrous, diverse, challenged-but-capable country we share, and how blessed I am to be here.

*Shuffles in just in time for last call*

Kizzy, you take care and keep in touch. We keep candles burning for all friends in tough times around the ol' AR blog.

As for the continuing revelations of out department of fascist justice.. Why and how does a Missouri office circumvent the AR office like that? And the fact they did this at all, much more to such a small nit picky level is nothing but pure evil.. we need to empty out 70% of all our prisons and jails and refill them with the real so called white collar criminals ( man of whom seem to be those who are supposed to look out for us) for a change. Imagine what we will never know about and imagine what will come to light after Bushco pardons his favorite folks and runs to Paraguay. WHo knew the fall of our empire would be both so tragic and predictable... and yet it seems only about three to five percent of all Americans are engrossed in watching it all happen.

On a lighter note... Jazzy below with Zelda and Ci Ci above... y'all crack me up...)

Is it still Spring in AR? It's as wet and mild around Eureka Springs as many a late Aprils I remember.. We have forecast lows in the upper 50's this week.. I have yet to leave the AC on overnight this year. Gotta love it.

All this to say to my fellow Arkansans, consider getting out to your favorite clear AR Ozarks river/stream... they are all looking mighty fine, especially for this time of year.

TAP.....if we'll ever learn to stop being afraid of each other....the world would be such an interesting place to live. I've started taking note of the moment when I'm scared...no wait....I'm scared all the time thinking about Cheney and illness and poverty and the kids in an accident.....

What I should say....I've been keeping track of people who scare me. I've found that yeah....if I'm somewhere and hear someone and see a black guy heading for me.....scares me! But also....as often as not, if it's a white guy I don't know heading for me....same reaction. I think that's progress....some progress. And I think oh great.....now it's not going to be skin color.....it's going to be the fear of anyone young! Ya just can't win!

Glad the hugh mann group enjoyed the Soprano's...I sure miss em. But if you want to have a 1/2 to 3/4 of the same experience go rent or buy the first season of Mad Men and catch up before the next season starts on July 27th. Man oh man...if that show had been on HBO as originally planned, it would be the next Soprano's......it's wonderful as is.....it's a complicated show, so don't let the first 3 or 4 episodes throw ya....they got to set up the characters, ya know. The last couple of episodes of the first year are Soprano's quality......just knocks yer socks off.

Gee....I hope the coming week isn't sheer hell! Please Allah!

My better half recently brought home a new release from the bookstore that proved to be a very good Summer read: 'Touching History" by Lynn Spencer (airline pilot & flight instructor). It is a very detailed and well researched account of what went on in the skies across the USA on the morning of 9/11.
Highly recommended...if you are looking for a good yarn this is it.

We've all been there.
40 seconds long.
Click on Cato

kizzy, be courageous and face whatever condition you have with soul and purpose. The worst thing about my hospital stay last year was doing without my computer and AT blog, plus Iconoclast, kos and friends' emails. I did have several vistors so that lightened my spirits.
This last computer replacement I bought a laptop with built-in wireless just in case another hospital trip beckons.

Have a speedy recovery, follow doctors reccomendations and godspeed on your return kizzy.
Send us a word on your situation. I'm sure Max will post it.
LW

2008 State Technology and Science Index

2008 Overall Ranking
State Overall Ranking
State Rank Average Score
Massachusetts 1 82.61
Maryland 2 80.04
Colorado 3 78.32
California 4 74.62
Washington 5 72.09
Virginia 6 70.33
Connecticut 7 70.18
Utah 8 69.21
New Hampshire 9 67.90
Rhode Island 10 66.69
Minnesota 11 64.06
New Jersey 12 63.44
Pennsylvania 13 63.23
Delaware 14 62.30
New York 15 62.22
New Mexico 16 61.86
Arizona 17 61.34
North Carolina 18 59.63
Vermont 19 58.78
Texas 20 57.78
Illinois 21 57.19
Wisconsin 22 57.12
Oregon 23 56.17
Kansas 24 54.18
Georgia 25 53.30
Michigan 26 52.27
Idaho 27 51.37
Hawaii 28 51.23
Alabama 29 49.99
Missouri 30 49.62
North Dakota 31 48.92
Montana 32 48.15
Indiana 33 47.75
Nebraska 34 47.52
Iowa 35 45.90
Ohio 36 45.25
Florida 37 43.76
Oklahoma 38 41.85
Maine 39 41.82
Tennessee 40 40.32
South Dakota 41 39.64
South Carolina 42 39.12
Wyoming 43 38.38
Alaska 44 37.68
Nevada 45 37.02
Louisiana 46 35.58
Kentucky 47 34.67
Arkansas 48 32.96
West Virginia 49 30.49
Mississippi 50 29.81

Except for Utah, the top 15 tech-savvy states are for Obama.

Almost all of the bottom 15 are for McCain.

Does the bottom 5 surprise anyone??

Yeah, me neither.

/sigh

ps- good luck kizzy