Updates

Okay, forgive the posts below that have really strange formatting. It has to do with a different program that I was using, thanks to the spyware attack. Since that has been fixed, I’m able to reinstall my favorite blog program and things should be back on track. Hey, it’s one step forward on a sick day.

Target: Eureka Springs

There’s a marvelous community in northwest Arkansas, nestled in the rolling mountains (such as they are), called Eureka Springs.  It’s filled with wonderful old hotels, great places to eat, local crafts and great people.  We go up there for a special weekend as often as we can; our son and his wife picked Eureka Springs for their wedding. That’s why it really gets under my skin that some are using Eureka Springs as an example of something they consider “bad” – homosexuals managing to get themselves elected to the city council. Gasp! Have we every felt uncomfortable during our visits?  Has anyone been anything but friendly to us?  Nope on both counts.  That’s why this campaign is so upsetting to many.

Right-Wing Video Warns ‘Gay Activists’ Are Plotting To ‘Take Over The Cities Of America’

Recently, Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) came under intense criticism for making a host of incendiary remarks toward gays. For example, she said gays are a “bigger threat” to our nation than terrorism. She also warned, “Gays are infiltrating city councils.” As an example, she cited the town of Eureka Springs, AR, whose [...]

Sick Day and Cable News

I just MUST be feeling better by tomorrow. I can’t take another day of watching the cable TV folks bring up a single event, over and over and over.  This debate over Obama’s use of the word “bitter” to describe folks in rural America is getting WAY too much play.  Every hour – sometimes every half hour – MSNBC would have a couple of pundits on to debate whether it’s a bad thing for him.  Clinton and McCain have jumped on it and are still pounding away.  I grew up in about as small a town in rural America as you could find.  I’m not offended.  But, I can feel a bit bitter about the entire situation in America right now. I guess it’s the fact that he used that term in conjunction with comments about how rural America holds on to things like guns and religion that rankled some.  Are you among them?

You Bitter?

I’ve gotten asked by a lot of readers what I make of this whole “bitter” controversy. So a few thoughts. In cases such as this I think it is always crucial to distinguish in our own minds between what we [...]

Clinton Pulling Away in Pennsylvania

Monday. Already.

Well, I joined the group of folks who have been nailed by something ugly, health-wise.  Woke up this morning just feeling horrible.  And the day hasn’t offered much in the way of improvement. So, I’m thinking the posts will be light tonight.  Plus, it’s tough to find much other than pessimistic posts to link to.  An example:

Food Riots Skyrocket, World Leaders Have No Solutions

Finance ministers gathered this weekend to grapple with the global financial crisis also struggled with a problem that has plagued the world periodically since before the time of the Pharaohs: food shortages. Surging commodity prices have pushed up global food prices 83% in the past three years, according to [...]

Food Prices Rise At Fastest Rate In 17 Years

Steve Tarpin can bake a graham cracker crust in his sleep, but explaining why the price for his Key lime pies went from $20 to $25 required mastering a thornier topic: global economics.He recently wrote a letter to his customers and posted it near the cash register listing the [...]