Arkansas vs Wisconsin Preview

Tomorrow is a big day for Arkansas. The Razorbacks take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the Capital One Bowl at 12:00 pm Central. The game will be televised by ABC.

I keep hearing that the Badgers and Razorbacks are very similar. If that is true, we may see a high scoring game tomorrow with both teams scoring in excess of 30 points. That may be contingent upon the weather. If the field is wet and slippery, the point totals could be cut in half.

The Razorbacks are suffering from multiple injuries which are either keeping players out of the game or at least slowing them down. The biggest of those is fullback Payton Hillis who won't play at all and Darren McFadden, runner up for the Heisman Trophy, who is slowed by an Achilles tendon injury.

I would like to see the Razorbacks win this game if for no other reason than to show that the SEC is not a stepchild in the NCAA. Wisconsin had an easy schedule this year (with the exception of Michigan to whom they lost) and the Razorbacks schedule was fairly difficult.

But come 12:00 tomorrow, none of that matters. What matters is who comes to win and who executes their game plan most effectively.

Gerald Ford: Just What The Doctor Ordered

Gerald Ford did not go down in history as one of our most memorable presidents. He is most noted for his clumsiness, personified by comedian Chevy Chase.

In 1975, it was my first time to see and president in person, when President Ford spoke at the dedication of a new hospital in my hometown. I was 12 years old and only have a few memories of the event, but I still have the official schedule of the day.

Gerald Ford was the solid rock this country needed after the Watergate debacle. Confidence in the presidency and the government was shaken to its core. Ford stepped in a gave it stability. The effects of his tenure may never be known but I assure you they were significant.

Red State Update: Hanging Saddam Hussein

Jackie and Dunlap discuss the hanging of Saddam Hussein. Also revealed: Red State Update's Wishlist of Celebrity Hangmen! Plus, James Brown, Ossie Davis, and Showtime at the Apollo.

Download: QuickTimes iTunes

saddam hussein
hanging
james brown
showtime at the apollo
execution
iraq

Red State Update's Who's Gonna Fill Their (Funny) Shoes

Jackie and Dunlap's solemn salute to comedy.

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hee haw
larry the cable guy
minnie pearl
junior samples
foxworthy
jerry clower

Red State Update: Gerald Ford Dead

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Jackie and Dunlap on the death of President Gerald Ford, why Republicans make the best Former Presidents, and moments of silence.

2001 Ruffino CHIANTI CLASSICO "Reserva Ducale Oro" (Tuscany, Italy)

Infanticide. I committed infanticide. This highly-structured, concentrated wine needs at least 4 or 5 more years to grow up and settle down. I don't think I've ever had a Chianti this structured, backward, and concentrated (and it's already age 5!).

Saturated, youthful black ruby with magenta glints at the rim. Tight nose of spicy cherries, wood smoke, and lemony minerals. Tannic, austere, but concentrated and full-bodied flavors (mostly cherries, stones, and smoky earthiness). Long, tannic finish. A real keeper that will definitely improve with significant bottle age. 88++. Got this on sale at Fiesta (near Reliant Stadium) for $31. Also available at Spec's for $33.

Yuletide Blessings from Red State Update

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This is an outtake from Jackie & Dunlap on The Fizz. Watch it on DirecTV's The 101.

A Holly Jolly Red State Update

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Another outtake from Jackie & Dunlap on The Fizz. Watch it on DirecTV's The 101.

Merry Christmas from Jackie and Dunlap

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Another outtake from Jackie & Dunlap on The Fizz. Watch it on DirecTV's The 101.

Red State Update: Letters to Jackie Claus

QuickTime
iTunes

This is an outtake from Jackie & Dunlap on The Fizz. Watch it on DirecTV's The 101.

2003 A to Z "OREGON CLARET"

A Bordeaux varietal blend, though it doesn't say anywhere on the label how much of what kind of grapes. Interestingly, it's from a state more known for its Burgundy and Alsace varietals (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris).

Medium ruby/garnet color. Interesting nose of herbal cherries, raspberry jam, and some pencil lead. Flavors of cassis and dusty baker's chocolate. Not a blockbuster, but everything in nice balance. Very Bordeaux-like . . . reminds me of a good Cru Bourgeois from the middle Medoc (Moulis or Listrac). Would go very well with grilled or roasted lamb. 87. Will hold a year or two. Was about $14 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.

Merry Christmas From RSC

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I urge you to take a minute to look past the commercialism of Christmas. It isn't about presents and it really isn't about family either. It is about the celebration of the birth of the One who voluntarily came to Earth to die so that we could live.

That is what Christmas is all about and no matter how hard some may try to change it, without Christ there is no Christmas.

2004 Torbreck "Woodcutter's SEMILLON" (Barossa Valley, Australia)

I occasionally have a hankerin' for a Semillon. Semillon, typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux, gives, to my taste, a broad, horizontal palate impression and has a unique aromatic profile.

This is a TEXTBOOK, ripe, fully-extracted Semillon. Light bright, brassy gold. Very assertive nose of waxy lanolin scents, with ripe figs and toasty butterscotch. Full-bodied, concentrated, with low acidity and flavors of bitter pear, butter, and minerals. Long, minerally finish, with a tad of alcoholic heat lingering with the flavors in the back of the throat. A no-holds-barred white wine. 89. Drink in the next several months. Was a very good value for $13.22 at Spec's on Richmond (just outside the Loop).

2004 Trentadue PETITE SIRAH "North Coast" (California)

A nice, relatively accessible Petite Sirah. Dense black ruby, saturated to the rim, with purple highlights. Rich, sweet, earthy blackberry and cassis nose, with pencil lead notes . . . smelled almost like a densely-extracted Cabernet. Medium to full-bodied, with lots of ripe tannin. Concentrated, focused flavors of cassis, pencil lead, and charcoal (again with the Cabernet-like thing going on!). Fairly long finish. Will certainly keep and improve in a cool cellar over the next five years.

Although Petite Sirahs can be overly tannic and require lots of time in the bottle to drop that tannin, this one was clearly made to be friendly right away. Back label says the fruit was from Mendocino and Lake counties. 88+. Was $17.99 at Cova, on Kirby (which, by the way, looks to be an interesting wine bar/tapas joint/wine shop -- I'll have to eat there soon).

Immigration Video

All, I've written about the immigration problem a couple of times recently. This link to a video presentation by Roy Beck will floor you:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4094926727128068265&q=roy+beck&hl=en

One of the key points he makes is that Americans are not hard hearted and immigrant hating people...quite the contrary. The problem is the sheer numbers we are dealing with.

These guys are not right or left wing kooks - they support their information flawlessly. Here's the link to their website so you can verify that they are legit: http://www.numbersusa.com/about/advisors.html

2004 EQUIS "Vinas Viejas" (Tierra de Castilla, Spain)

Too tannic and rustic for my taste. Dark black ruby. Very closed, astringent nose at first, but with an hour of air time, scents of blackberry and lemon juice, with a little cinnamon component, emerge from underneath the scorched earth scents. Full bodied, but with boatloads of coarse, rustic tannin obscuring the ripe fruit and stony mineral flavors. Another year or two in a cool cellar could result in the wine dropping some of this coarse tannin and make the wine more pleasurable. 82+. Was $9.99 at Central Market.

2004 Verasol GARNACHA (Campo de Borja, Spain)

Medium-light ruby color. Lively nose of strawberry, raspberry, and minerally candied lemon peel. Very light, with flavors of minerally red fruit, marred by some bitterness. Seems like a wine made with overcropped grapes that the winemaker tried to overextract to make up for the diluted quality of the juice. Still, I put it in the fridge for a few minutes and a slight chill took some of the bitter edge off. 82. Was $9 at Central Market.

2004 Longwood SHIRAZ "The Sheep Shearer" (McLaren Vale, Australia)

This was really nice.

Deep, rich, saturated ruby. Very pretty, medium intensity nose of fragrant wood smoke, sweet black raspberries, and lemon squares. Round, incredibly soft, and fairly concentrated in the mouth, with flavors of salty blackberry juice, sandstone, and spice. Long finish, with soft, ripe tannins. With hold another year or two. A subtle but impeccably made wine. 89. Was $16.99 at Spec's on Westheimer (near Fogo de Chao).

2005 Verget du Sud PETITE SYRAH "Endes" (Rhone, France)

This was disappointing. It's actually been quite a while since I LIKED a red wine by this producer (who makes good, albeit minerally & austere, white burgundies as well.

Dark black ruby-purple color. Somewhat funky, stinky notes (burnt rubber & acetate) pervade the nose when first opened. With air, these off-notes dissipate somewhat, and some blackberry scents emerge. Rather bony in the mouth, however, with tannin and acid taking the lead, but a little flesh and fruit in the form a tart black cherries, and some chalky minerals. 73. Was $11.25 at Spec's on Smith.

No more Verget reds for me (except I have one more in the closet to try soon).

Putin: Someone To Be Afraid Of

Since the first time I looked into Vladimir Putin's eyes, I said that he should not be trusted. But "afraid?" Okay, when I say "afraid," I don't mean that we should cower in fear. I am referring to being afraid of what Putin's intentions are and what he is amassing the power to do.

The images that are beginning to assemble themselves in my mind are speculation but you are probably familiar with the phrase, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck."

Putin isn't walking and quacking like a duck publicly. It is what he is doing in private that has me concerned.

• Does anyone believe the murders of several Russian journalists who oppose the Kremlin are mere coincidence? Does anyone believe they are being arranged and carried out without Putin's knowledge?
  
  
• Why did Russian police raid the offices of opposition leader Gary Kasparov yesterday? Does that sound like the actions of a democratic government?
  
  
• Why did Putin wrest control of the world's largest liquefied natural gas project from Shell?
  
  
• Why are 80% of the political leaders and state administrators former KGB (now the FSB) members?

It is beginning to look like democracy in Russia is in serious trouble. The winds of authoritarianism are blowing. And don't expect Putin to be our friend.

Please Pray For Sen. Tim Johnson

Tim Johnson, a U.S. Senator from South Dakota, was taken to George Washington University Hospital today after becoming disoriented and stuttering in a conference call with journalists. The symptoms were initially thought to be related to a possible stroke but that has been ruled out as of this writing.

When a person's life is in danger, all politics must be tossed aside and we must stand together for that person. We at RSC will be praying for Sen. Johnson and his family, and for a quick and complete recovery.

Darren McFadden Finishes Second In Heisman Voting

Darren McFadden, the Arkansas Razorbacks' outstanding multi-purpose back, finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting despite only being a sophomore.

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith was this year's winner, and deservedly so. Smith led the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a chance to win another national title against Florida. Nothing against Florida which has a good football team, but this probably will not be a close game. I am expecting a spread of 14+ points in favor of OSU.

McFadden finished 10th in the nation in rushing yards and was outrushed by great running backs like Mike Hart of Michigan. The key is McFadden's versatility. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 3 TDs. He caught 11 passes for 149 yards, including a 70-yard TD reception. And he returned 8 kickoffs for 226 yards, including a 92-yarder for a TD. Arkansas Razorback running back coach Danny Nutt believes that McFadden could be an All-American free safety if he was put in that position.

Darren McFadden Wins Doak Walker Award

Arkansas Razorback all-purpose back Darren McFadden was selected as the nation's top running back by receiving the Doak Walker award. McFadden is also one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Troy Smith of Ohio State and Brady Quinn of Notre Dame.

McFadden rushed for 1,558 yards and scored 16 touchdowns against some very tough SEC defenses. In Arkansas' "Wildcat Formation", McFadden lined up in the quarterback position and was 6-8 passing with two TDs. He also returned a kickoff 92 yards for a TD.

McFadden was also chosen as SEC Offensive Player of the Year and will face the defense of the Wisconsin Badgers on January 1 in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Foley Scandal: No Rules Broken

The huge GOP backbreaking story from September/October has turned out to be nothing more than Democrats and their media co-conspirators making much ado about nothing. Imagine that.

Now I'm not a big Denny Hastert fan but that non-scandal cost him his position as Speaker/House Majority Leader. It was all based on conjecture that was fueled by the left.

You may not like Denny Hastert but next time it might be someone you do like. Nobody is better at the politics of personal destruction than the left.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 18

It is finished!!

The topsoil was brought in today and leveled. The pool is still filling with water but should be completed by tomorrow morning. If I could have just gotten that special wrench and fire hose from my brother the pool could have filled up in a couple of hours. ;-)


My cousin is coming out Saturday to help me put our privacy fence back up. I still have to order the waterfall kit and install it.

Final Thoughts:

1. The pool is larger than I expected. We have a fairly small back yard and this pool (including the decking) took up about 75% of it. So if I could start over, I would choose a smaller pool. On one end the decking is about two feet from our privacy fence. On the other end it is about five feet from the privacy fence. The front side comes all the way to our house and the back side is 15 feet from the privacy fence. That is the utility easement.
2. The shallow end of the pool is very small. It looks like it is about 10% of the pool area. There are a lot of small children in our family and it would be nice to have more room for them to play.
3. I would have preferred not to have the pool installed in the rainiest time of the year but that is when the sales are running and work is typically slower. It was pretty muddy around here for a couple of weeks and we have more rain on the way. The worst part is letting the dog out and then back in.
   
4. If I could start over again, I would still choose Burton Pools & Spas. Everyone has been very courteous, professional and knowledgeable including: Mark, our salesman; Jesse and Terry, the project guides; Jeremy, the builder, and his crew; and Daniel, the electrician. Thanks guys. You did a great job.
   

2004 Calina CARMENERE Reserva (Valle del Maule, Chile)

This was an excellent value. Carmenere is a varietal that used to be grown in Bordeaux in the 1800s, but was largely wiped out when the phylloxera "plague" struck Europe's vineyards, and then not re-planted after that. But it had already been brought to Chile by then, and was thriving there even more so than in Bordeaux. So Chile is really the only place left on earth where this varietal is planted in commercial significant quantities.

Deep, purplish black ruby. With an hour of air time, exhibited a great, high-toned nose of ripe mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries), sweet cream, and mocha. Medium to full bodied, with tight flavors of scorched earth and cassis, with lots of stony minerals on the finish. Some tannins to shed, though they are ripe and soft. This wine will only get better over the next 2-3 years. 88+ Can't remember precisely where I got it, but I distinctly remember it was in the $7 - $8 range. Outstanding value. (I'll update this entry if I see it in a store somewhere.)

UPDATE (12/11): I saw this yesterday at Whole Foods on Bellaire for $8.99.

2004 PILLAR BOX RED (57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Shiraz, 11% Merlot) (Australia)

A terrific buy in a big, full-flavored red. Fully saturated opaque black ruby color. Intense nose of cassis and hot sandstone, with some spicy cigar box scents. Concentrated, deep flavors of salty scorched earth and dry blackberry extract. Tightly wound and very dense, but with light, soft, tannins, and a lengthy, balanced finish. A somewhat lean, but muscular and athletic, full-bodied wine. It will keep nicely, and round out and soften, for at least another year or two. 89+ A great value at $9.59 at Richard's on South Shepherd.

2003 Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley ZINFANDEL "Reserve"

Disappointing. I've had many bottles of RZ's regular Sonoma County "Heritage Vines" Zins -- which are cheaper -- that have been better.

Deep ruby color. Tart lemons and spicy raspberries and brambleberries on the nose, with cold steely minerals underneath. Lean and somewhat austere in the mouth, with more structure and acidity, but less fruit and flesh, than I want in a Zin. Feels overmanipulated by the winemaker. 83. Was $15.77 at Spec's on Holcombe.

The Greatest Generation Remembered

65 years ago today America was shocked by a vicious attack on our military base at Pearl Harbor. It is truly a day that has lived in infamy.

Today, we remember and honor those who survived, and those who did not survive this attack. The people from America's greatest generation. Those who understood that dying for freedom was greater than surrendering to tyranny.

On December 7, 1941, there were no Republicans and Democrats. There were no liberals and conservatives. There were only Americans who united to stand against the common enemy. It was on this day that isolationism died. No longer could we say, "It doesn't affect us so it doesn't concern us."

How quickly some forget. Critics of the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict, and now Iraq are not familiar with Pearl Harbor. I heard that many people interviewed today did not know the significance of December 7. Many have even begun to forget the seriousness of 9/11.

This is a heavily used cliche but nevertheless very true. Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.

We must fight to remember. We must remember to fight. Let's be the next greatest generation.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 17

Almost finished!!

I went home at lunch today and was shocked to see how much progress had been made. The trash had been moved out to the road for pickup, the retaining wall was completed, the liner was in, and was being filled with water. Jeremy, the crew supervisor, said they should be finished tomorrow. All they have left to do is to finish stretching the liner, fill the area behind the retaining wall with topsoil, and smooth it out.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 16

(12:15 PM) Two of the crew members (including the supervisor) have been sick so they didn't get to work yesterday. They are back today smoothing the concrete on the floor and walls of the pool. They are also patching the holes where the water pushed through with some type of hot cement.

(12:30 PM) I just got a call from the electrician. He is coming over to run the wiring.

(1:00 PM) The electrician arrived. We discussed how he would run the wire and what the breakers were for. One two-pole 20A breaker for the pool pump and one single-pole 20A breaker for the pool lights.

(5:30 PM) The retaining wall is starting to take shape and this thing is starting to look like a swimming pool instead of the results of a bunker buster bomb.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Days 12-15

Today is Day 15 and work has come to a standstill. The rain and snow have made the area around the pool very muddy. Also, I found out today that our building crew's supervisor is sick. As of today we don't know when the work will resume.

After the rain we found a lot more holes in the concrete walls where water had pushed through. Burton sent someone over to look at it and he said that would be easy to fix and wasn't a big problem. He said they have seen pools where water literally shoots out through holes in the concrete. Once the pad, liner, and water are in, the weight of the pool water will keep the ground water from seeping in.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 11

No work was done today. We got about four inches of rain and about an inch of snow yesterday. That made the ground very muddy and work impossible. The builder came out and put thermal padding on the deck and covered it with plastic to protect it from the moisture and cold. From yesterday to today our temperature went from 72°F to 21°.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 10

The builder liked our ideas for curving the edge of the decking. His crew quickly reframed it and it was poured today in advance of the bad weather that is coming. We are supposed to get a lot of rain in the early PM with a change to sleet and snow after the sun goes down. You can see the plastic covering the edge of the decking where the rain runs off of the roof. That is to protect the uncured concrete from getting damaged by the water slamming into in from the roof. You can also see the beginnings of the retaining wall/water feature on the right of the photo.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 9

Today the concrete foundation for the slope was poured and the framing for the decking was completed. However, it didn't match what we originally wanted so we called the builder. He is coming out tomorrow morning at 6:00 am to go over it with us. It is difficult to see in this photo but the outer edges of the deck are straight and do not conform to the shape of the pool.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 8

Today the concrete walls were poured and the trench around the outside was filled with dirt and gravel as a base for the decking. If you look closely at the photo, you can see two vertical marks at the back of the wall. That is where ground water is seeping through the concrete and into the deep end of the pool.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Days 4-7

Day 4 was Thanksgiving Day so we gave the guys a break and let them off. ;-)

Since the concrete company was closed Friday also, no work was done until the following Monday. On Day 7 the water problem was very obvious.

OT: Swimming Pool Construction: Day 3

The concrete foundations for the upper (shallow) and lower (deep) ends of the pool were poured today. Concrete was also poured into the trench that surrounds the pool walls.

Razorbacks: We'll Be Back

The Arkansas Razorbacks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Florida Gators last Saturday in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, GA. The Gators jumped out to a 17-0 lead but then Arkansas scored 21 unanswered points to take a 4-point lead. Florida pulled ahead again and the Hogs weren't able to catch up.

Sophomore all-around backfield threat Darren McFadden, who broke Arkansas' single season rushing record this year, injured his right ankle early and was not playing at full capacity. As explosive as McFadden is, had he not been injured the game would have been a lot more interesting.

Arkansas has accepted an invitation to the Capitol One Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL on January 1 against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Despite what happens, most of our players are returning next year. We'll be back. And bigger. And stronger. And faster. And better.

Dictator Chavez "Wins" Re-Election

As I told you in previous posts, my mother's side of my family emigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela in the 1950's. While I have never been there, because of my family heritage I only have good wishes for the people of Venezuela.

As expected, Hugo Chavez has won re-election. The actual spread in the vote tallies is much higher than pre-election polls. I have said from the beginning that if there was any chance that Manuel Rosales might win, Chavez would do whatever necessary, legal or illegal, ethical or unethical, to make sure he retained power.

Here are some quotes from people who waited in line to vote against Chavez. Some wanted him gone so badly they camped out overnight to make sure they got to vote.

"We have to do something. My country is being stolen. This is the last chance we have. Communism is coming here."

"I voted for Chavez previously. I cried for him. Now I'm crying for him to leave. He's sown a lot of hate with his verbiage."

Despite the fact that he claims to be a democrat, he is moving the country deeper and deeper into Cuban-style communism. During the election, a Chavez-controlled government agency walked in and shut down TV network Telemundo's coverage of the election, telling them they were broadcasting without permission. Chavez is also supporting the idea of shutting down private television stations who are involved in "subversive activities".

Let me define that for you. "Subversive activities" in Venezuela are any activities that are not pro-Chavez.

We have a menace to our south that we will have to deal with for the next six years unless the people of Venezuela can join together and oust him. It would be in our best interest to support such an action.

2005 Morin Père & Fils POUILLY-FUISSÉ (Burgundy, France)

Not bad, but not up to its pedigree.

Exceedingly pale brassy-gold color. Straw, sharp-ish chalky minerals, citrus peel and bitter, spiced peach on the medium intensity nose. Soft and straightforward in the mouth, with underripe peach and chalky-stone flavors. Not terribly concentrated, with a decent, but slightly bitter finish. Like a decent Macon wine. 84. Was $12.99 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.

Updating!

Thanks to some new features added to Blogger by Google, I'm in the process of updating all my old entries to add categories that readers can click on to see the entries arranged by region, varietal, "under $10," and other categories. I'll try to get this done ASAP.

2004 Concannon PETITE SIRAH "Limited Release" (Central Coast, Cal.)

Didn't like this one. Saturated black ruby-purple. Medium intensity nose of scorched earth, creosote, lemons, and blackberry extract (in descending order of magnitude). All structure and no flavor on the palate. Like drinking a wine skeleton. Some minimal tart blackberry fruit is discernable, but other than that, it's just tannin, acid, and alcohol. 69. Was $6.99 at Kroger's on sale, but even if free it wasn't really worth the effort of popping the cork.

2003 Turkey Flat Vineyards GRENACHE (Barossa Valley, Australia)

Dark, black ruby. Rich, sweet, pungent nose of spicy raspberries, rhubarb, and yeasty, gingerbready scents. Intense, herbal, berry, and iodine flavors. Fairly high acidity helps buoy it up. Long finish. Not as plush as the 2002, reviewed here, but gutsy and gawky at the same time. A flavorful lunk of a wine. 88. Was about $17 at Whole Foods on Bellaire some time ago.

2004 Robert Biale "Black Chicken" ZINFANDEL (Napa Valley, Cal.)

Rich-looking, saturated black ruby. Almost indescribably ripe, sexy nose of sappy, oozing blackberries and gingerbread. Soft, heavy palate impression, with huge body, great ripeness and richness, and almost port-like flavors (though it was dry). Some peppery heat at the end of the verrrrry long finish. My experience is that Zins like this crack up quickly, so, if you can find this limited production gem, enjoy it now while it's in full bloom. 91. I got this for around $30-35 at Richard's on South Shepherd a couple of months ago.

Beebe: Already Backpedalling on Grocery Tax

In today's Times Record is an article by Rob Moritz of the Arkansas News Bureau about Mike Beebe's latest position on the elimination of the grocery tax.

Now Beebe says, "...it would be a mistake for people just to assume this is a done deal."

Of course it would. Never trust a Democrat who says he is going to lower taxes. Do you remember an old saying about "the spider and the fly?"

It appears that Beebe is going to "work hard" to repeal the grocery tax but the state legislature is going to be a roadblock. Sound familiar? Bill Clinton told the American people he was going to cut their taxes to get elected in 1992. When it didn't happen, he said he tried really hard but the country was in worse shape financially than the Republicans led him to believe. Do we really look that stupid Mr. Clinton? And Mr. Beebe?

Let me tell you something. If Mike Beebe wants the grocery tax repealed, he can make it happen. He has lots of friends in the legislature who he can get to do his bidding.