Get over it. The slew of racial slurs and jokes about Barack Obama that are making the rounds are leftover garbage from the 1950s and 1960s. Guess what? This is 2008, and he's our president-elect. Bed sheets and pillow cases as wearing apparel went out of style long ago. And we are pointing this Thumbs Down at just a small percentage of people in our neck of the woods. Most others correctly view the Tuesday election as a truly historical event.

A quick fix. When construction crews accidentally cut a major gas line at Salem and Meadowlake roads on Monday, a disaster was imminent. Instead, traffic was inconvenienced for a while, but no one was hurt, no people had to be evacuated. Probably more people and agencies were involved in correcting this mishap that we realize, but three groups merit a nod of thanks CenterPoint Energy for the urgent repairs, Conway Fire Department for the safety and standby elements and Conway Police for redirecting traffic effectively.

Should have though it over. Just reading police reports can bring a grin from time to time, or else it's just our warped sense of humor. No, it's not funny to the victims; we know that. One day this week our news reports listed a stolen dump truck. Do you think it was joyriders? Another report listed a car heavily damaged when somebody threw a pumpkin through its back window. This occurred on Morning Glory Lane. And another fellow was arrested for "using a vehicle, which was in motion as a surfboard."

Despicable thief. This police report item doesn't bring a smile at all. A gathering was held to raise money for the families of the two University of Central Arkansas students who were shot to death. Somebody stole a five-gallon container in which participants dropped money for the families. About $100 was taken. If this thief is caught, can we bring back tarring and feathering as punishment?

A step forward. The sports analysts have dissected the Arkansas Razorback football victory over Tulsa quite a bit, along with the noisy Woo Pig Sooie brigade. Our view may be in the middle. Arkansas narrowly won over the No. 19 team, at the time, in the nation. Tulsa has not played an impressive schedule, with Arkansas the first opponent in a top-tier conference. But the young Arkansas team is acquiring age, i.e., experience. Another win or two in the three games left is entirely doable.

Do it any time. Arbor Day is usually celebrated in April around the nation, but, according to Ouida Wright, a member of Conway's Tree Board, the fall is a better time to plant trees, and so the city observed Arbor Day Saturday. She said, "Fall-planted trees have time to acclimate to their new environment before winter sets in, and there is usually plenty of moisture available during the winter months to keep them healthy and get them off to a good start." Just plant a tree today, tomorrow or the next day. You don't have to wait for a special day.

Priorities in order. Arkansas' state government has a comforting surplus at this point and in the teeth of a recession. Gov. Mike Beebe has listed health care and prisons as needing to be at the head of the line for helping, with public education on good footing and higher education "needing to sweat a little." We agree in general. How about across-the-board belt tightening by all agencies? How about no legislative dipping? If the surplus holds up, fine. Restore the trimmings later.

"Of course I feel honored, but when I hear all of these good things about myself, I'm even more ready to get back out there and work even harder because now I have something to live up to." Brandi Nixon of Simon Intermediate School, Arkansas Speech Pathology Teacher of the Year.

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