YES, I AM STILL HERE peeking out my window on Main Street, and quite frankly can Halloween and Daylight Saving Time almost be here?
They’re this coming weekend, in case you’ve been hibernating along with me.
Hibernating? It’s almost frosty in the morning, and it’s t-shirt/shorts weather at noon.
Yet, it’s almost Halloween and time to move the clocks back. Or is it forward? I aways have to take my buggy to Gary Dan’s crew to get the clock set right.
The clocks in my house just have to stay an hour off until next year. Unless there has been another electrical outage.
In addition to being unable to do anything while in regular session, our US Congress has not made it clear to me (me, at least) whether or not we’re staying with the current DST time this fall or next spring.
I am clueless as usual. It’s a full moon, too.
And how about those Hogs!!! Two weeks without a loss.
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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. In our ‘experts pick ‘em’ feature I picked Malvern to win. Truth is, I just did that in hopes of firing-up the Scrappers for this very important game.
Unfortunately, we have every possible reason to be overconfident. My pick was a trick I learned from my late father who, before coming to Nashville, was sports editor of the ‘Texarkana Gazette.’
His trick was to pick the OTHER team to win which sometimes energized the home team.
Go Scrappers.
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LET ME REPEAT my sincere thanks to the UA Extension Service for publishing the ‘2026 Voter Guide’ which helps make ballot candidates, amendments and issues clear. The Extension Service has done this for many years of elections, and I’ve always found it useful — both for my own voting and also for articles in the paper.
I am repeating this part of last week’ column because Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — is nearly upon us and Early Voting is underway now.
All of the actual whole ballot issues have been previously published in the newspaper in their entirety and without any comment as required by law.
There are copies of this helpful UA Extension guide available in the courthouse. Read the guide if you haven’t made up your mind. The guide explains each issue, along with articles about who supports the issue and why; and who is opposed to the issue and why.
The guide doesn’t take sides.
Our 2026 General Election ballot will have four issues. Here they are, simply, along with my comments:
(1) Issue No. 1. An Arkansas Constitutional amendment defining who is eligible to vote. Sounds good, but the US Constitution already says you must be a US Citizen (and resident of Arkansas) and be at least 18 years old, and be lawfully registered. Frankly, our local and Arkansas election officials do a very good job, so where’s the need? We’ve not had voting controversies in Arkansas, so I’m opposed to tinkering with what seems to work.
(2) Issue No. 2. Another Arkansas Constitutional Amendment, guaranteeing Arkansans the right to keep and bear arms. Again, that right is already protected by the US Constitution AND already by law in Arkansas, so where’s the need? I’m a gun owner and I’m opposed to needless laws.
(3) Issue No. 3. An Arkansas Constitutional Amendment about economic development. I am for anything that will help Arkansas (and our communities) develop jobs and housing, but the problem with this issue is that the rules to make this happen haven’t been written yet, so there’s room for shenannigans. Since the unanswered questions in the issue will be in the hands of the legislature I’m opposed.
(4) Issue No. 4. This would allow our state to issue up to $500 million in bonds to pay for local water, waste and pollution projects. The issue limits amounts the state can give out during time periods. Are you in favor of more indebtedness? Normally I’m suspicious of anything referred by the Arkansas General Assembly, so I changed my mind at the last minute and voted against.
Please get out and vote.
Election Day can’t get here soon enough for me.
And let me add my thanks to the folks who have entered political races. It’s how America works.
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THINGS I LEARNED from opening email: The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it. And one side of hospital gowns is still X-rated.
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HE SAID: “The biggest thrill a ballplayer can have is when your son takes after you. That happened when my Bobby was in his championship Little League game. He really showed me something. Struck out three times. Made an error that lost the game. Parents were throwing things at our car and swearing at us as we drove off. Gosh, I was proud.” Bob Uecker, baseball major leaguer, MLB radio broadcaster, entertainer
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SHE SAID: “Someone has said that it requires less mental effort to condemn than to think.” Emma Goldman, writer and political activist
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SWEET DREAMS, Baby
