Trump's call for "his people" to monitor the polls got me to wandering about the law concerning poll watchers. I checked the law in Arkansas.

A candidate or party can have two (2) poll watchers at each polling site - one to watch the sign-in table and another to generally watch the voting but they must be designated in writing by the candidate or party and the designation filed with the county clerk. If they have not been appropriately designated in writing, they should be removed. The poll watchers cannot attempt to persuade a voter how to vote, cannot approach a voter in the polling place, and cannot disrupt the voting. Moreover, they cannot wear or carry any campaign materials in the polling place. If they break the rules, they should be removed.

I reported last week that I had assisted my elderly parents in completing their absentee ballots. [link:https://www.democraticunderground.com/10393136| and mailed them to the County Clerk.

The Arkansas Secretary of State website now reflects that their ballots have been accepted and will be counted.

If you cannot vote in person, either during early voting or on November 3, it appears the absentee voting system works in Arkansas (at least so far).

My elderly parents - who cannot vote in person due to various health issues - received their absentee ballots. While Trump could not lose Arkansas on purpose, it was important to them to vote for Biden. My father was a sucker during the Korean War and both their sons were suckers and retired Army officers.

I stopped after work to make sure they followed all the rules.

As in other states, there are two envelopes: one for the completed ballots (no naked ballots please) and another in which you place the ballot envelope, a signed voter statement, and a copy of the voter's driver's license or other government issued ID. I don't expect a lot of ratruckery (a recognized political term) in Arkansas but care must be taken to follow the instructions.

TomSlick, out.

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that Trump will not accept defeat in November, no matter how overwhelming the results. I believe Trump will call for armed resistance when he loses.

I'm pretty well known in my little town as an anti-Trumper. I have to be on "the list." I have no reason to believe the local police would protect me and mine from Trump's brown shirts if they decided to cleanse the community.

I spent nearly thirty years in the Army. I am well trained in the use of an M-16/AR 15. (Maybe I need a 9mm too.) If the brown shirts came calling, I could do a lot of damage on my way down. I have never had any interest in owning any firearm other than a shotgun for hunting. Maybe, it's time to be prepared to defend myself and mine.

Please talk me off the ledge.

The weekend has come, so it's time to fire up the flattop.

Filet mignon (bought on sale) seared then cooked just right. Au gratin potatoes and cheesy asparagus (with an unhealthy amount of bacon).

Yum, yum.

(With apologies to Grandpa Jones.)

Trump knew in February that Covid-19 was a serious threat. If he had acted decisively to confront the looming crises, he would have been a hero and assured his reelection.

So, why did he not act? It can't be mere incompetence. What did he think was in it for him to fail to act?