Drought conditions plague Arkansas

John Robinson sent this item out this morning. Those of us who are obsessed with bad thunderstorms are dismayed.

This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor, released this morning, shows a substantial deterioration in conditions over Arkansas.

Last week’s drought monitor map and this week’s map are attached.  The yellow-shaded areas are D0 (“D zero”), which is classified as “abnormally dry.”  The tan areas are D1, “moderate drought.”

As of a week ago, D0 covered 24.56% of Arkansas; this week, it has increased to 94.41%.  A week ago, D1 covered 1.53% of the state; this week, it has increased to 11.63%.

Without widespread rain, these numbers will likely continue to worsen, especially considering the above-normal temperatures we have been experienced.

The current outlook for June, as well as the summer months (June-July-August),  indicates a trend toward above-normal temperatures.  The outlook for precipitation for June, as well as the summer months, indicates “equal chances,” meaning chances are 33% for below-normal rainfall, 33% for near-normal rainfall, and 33% for above-normal rainfall.

In the summer, tropical weather systems moving out of the Gulf of Mexico can bring substantial, widespread rains to Arkansas.  However, even though the Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, tropical weather systems usually do not affect Arkansas until August or September.

John Robinson

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service, Little Rock

Who is Nancy Todd and why does she hate Arkansas?

Let me tell you this. In the future, when I approach the mailbox, it will be done with much more caution. People, I am scared to death. Terrified. Mortified. Objectified. Every kind of “-fied” you could possibly imagine. This is serious business, so let me come right to the point.

Who is the witch Nancy Todd and who does she think she is anyway?

Bring casino gambling to Arkansas? No sir! Not on Charlie Cella’s gold fillings! The people of Arkansas are a kindly and moral people and we don’t take to gambling. We certainly do not like “unregulated” casinos, but “Las Vegas insider Nancy Todd” is moving to peaceful God-fearing Arkansas armed with her evil pomps and Satanic schemes.

I learned all this in the mail, mind you.

Nancy Todd plans to move in just like this is a free country and anybody can cross state lines and take up residence wherever they darned well please. She will prey on weak minded Arkies, steal our hard earned money, and funnel it directly to some Mafia Don. IT WAS ALWAYS YOU, FREDO!

I learned all this in the mail today. Nancy Todd must be stopped!

It might have helped if they had included some sort of picture of Ms. Todd so we would know, but I guess you can’t put everything on even an over-sized, full color, slick political mailer. That picture of the Arkansas baby is very nice, however. That is an Arkansas baby, isn’t it? This could not possibly be a full-color, over-sized, slick mailer designed and produced by an out-of-state ad agency!

BABY NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF SHOES!

Anyway, Nancy Todd has her minions out circulating petitions. There is a phone number you are supposed to call if you encounter one of these purveyors of Armageddon doom. Presumably, you will be connected directly with the Department of Homeland Security.

Forget Wall Street, J. P. Morgan, the Greek collapse, socialists in France, and Barack Husein Obama. This, dear friends, is the end of life as we know it (unless, of course, you count Tunica of the “games of skill” at Oaklawn or the dog track).

Don’t go out tonight!! They’re bound to take your life! There’s a bad moon on the rise!

More on “gay marriage”: what was President Obama thinking?

The obvious question arises, what it a political decision for the President to endorse “gay marriage?” The answer is straightforward, but needs a bit of qualification. Buckle up for the ride.

Of course it was political. Everything that a politician does is a ploy of some sort and that is not being cynical. We are inclined to devalue the art of political positioning, but it is a time-honored tradition. Yes, President Obama has declined in popularity because of his decision, but that is not necessarily a signal of his righteous intentions. Now, there is a small distinction here. The President is certainly following his own moral instincts, which (sadly) closely mirror those of the typical American Christian.

The President is doing two things here, and he is pretty smart (even if one does not agree with his position). First, he is immunizing himself from criticism in November. By the time of the General Election, most of the fury will be expended and there is simply nothing new to be added. Secondly, and more important, he is also defusing many of the other moral time bombs that are always ticking away and ready to demolish any candidate of the slightest progressive inclination. How this works is pretty interesting.

President Obama knows that “gay marriage” is gaining momentum in public acceptance. We all know gay people. They are excellent folks. They have parents and siblings who are generally sympathetic. The harsh words of a few political opportunists may play in the deep south and in certain religiously attuned conclaves, but America is generally sick and tired of the abusive tone of public conversation.

This is a somewhat subtle maneuver, and people in Arkansas will hardly notice it, but the President has marginalized the Republican arguments against same gender unions. Yes, Mitt Romney will still speak out at Liberty University, but the developing GOP strategy will include a much softer stance in a larger venue. Just watch and see how much play the Republican owned and operated Fox News gives to the more inflammatory anti-gay rhetoric.

In reality, the Evangelicals have been completely abandoned by the Republican Party. There will surely be plenty of lip service to “traditional marriage,” but not in any way that might cost anybody anything. It is exactly like the abortion debate. The strategy this; lie to the Evangelicals for as long as we can get away with it. It has worked perfectly well in the “sanctity of life” debate for 30 years. For the GOP, there is only one sacred value, subsidies for the rich and corporations.

I know lots of my conservative friends will not believe this. Let me just ask a question about the Republican supposed opposition to Roe v. Wade, faint as it has always been. How’s that working out for you guys? Made any progress?

Republicans still win the White House, and probably both houses of Congress, in November. By endorsing “gay marriage,” President Obama has assured that he will not carry one single southern state and no western states except California and Oregon. Republicans will stage a strong “niche” campaign in the south and other socially conservative strongholds, but the larger image will be “the softer side of Mitt.”

This has a tremendous consequence for the Arkansas legislative races, especially in the Second District. More on that in a day or so. It should also be observed that this developing situation bodes ill for Evangelical Christians and those who profess a serious commitment to the gospel message. Does anybody still have the Holy Spirit’s phone number?