The line is open early. Slow day, wasn’t it? Some intermediate, perhaps final, thoughts (in addition to Hog diehard above):

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* GAYS IN THE MILITARY: Remember the predictions of how open service by gay troops would be the ruination of the military? It’s been nearly a year now since the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. A study by military experts finds no negative impact. What do you bet that equal marriage and equal employment rights for gay people would have a similar impact on society as a whole — i.e., none, beyond rankling bigots, of course. About the same impact as the end of bans on mixed racial marriage and employment discrimination against black people.

* AD: ROMNEY WRONG FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH: I know. Arkansas is different. But tunnel-visioned Arkansas Taliban sometimes overlook that their views are not universal, not even in Arkansas, but certainly not other places. To all those who snort derisively at the very words “Planned Parenthood,” note that the nationally popular and important organization, which devotes a minority of its activities to abortion, is an advertising plus for Obama in important Northern Virginia.

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* AND SPEAKING OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD: The controversy over an attack on Planned Parenthood by a former leader of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure organization had a big impact in California, where participation was down dramatically, by almost half, in the annual run in San Francisco.

* DEADLY TIRE: KAIT reports the death of a man in Big Flat when a tire exploded while he was changing it on a logging truck.

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* LITTLE ROCK VOTE: Election is tomorrow on the city of Little Rock’s three-mill property tax for streets and drainage. I’m still a yes.

* HOW GREEN IS OUR LANDFILL? Interesting article in Mother Jones about how Waste Management, the 800-pound gorilla of trash hauling in Little Rock and the country, stands in the way of curbside composting because it wants the landfill business for yard waste.

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* PROPOSAL: END OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT ALBERT PIKE REC AREA: The Forest Service has proposed allowing day use only, no camping, at the Albert Pike Recreation Area because of flash flooding risk. A flood killed 20 there in 2010.

* LR ZOO ACCREDITED: Good news for the zoo in news release:

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Silver Spring, Maryland (September 10, 2012) — The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that the Little Rock Zoo was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.

“Only zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “The community should take great pride in knowing that the Little Rock Zoo is ranked among the best zoos and aquariums in the world.”

To be accredited, the Little Rock Zoo underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.  

“The Little Rock Zoo is a leader in the care and conservation of wildlife, and in educating people about the natural world,” Maddy added

* WALGREENS ANNOUNCES USA DRUG CLOSURES: As expected some USA Drug outlets will close because of the Arkansas firm’s acquisition by Walgreens, including 14 in Central Arkansas. Fox 16 has the list.

* SIX INJURED AT ASU: An aluminum bleacher seat gave way and people standing on it were injured at the Arkansas State football game with Memphis. Release follows:

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