This is just a short set of links to highlight some positive bits of news about our state.

1) Mississippi SAT scores rank higher than the national average. (Note: Most MS students take the ACT for in-state universities.)

2) Mississippi is FINALLY making progress in the implementation of a state-wide radio communications system. Lack of centralized, standardized and reliable communications was the weakest link in the response to Hurricane Katrina.

3) Mississippi is retiree-friendly! We have inexpensive property and low taxes on income and property (except for the stinking car tags).

4) While I couldn't be more politically opposite of Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), at least he was willing to have a town hall meeting in his district and he defended the character of our citizens. Contrarily, his counterpart in the northern part of the state, Rep. Travis Childers, was not so brave.

First District Rep. Travis Childers, D-Booneville, held a town hall teleconference last week with more than 7,200 listeners. On Saturday, more than 300 protesters rallied in front of his Tupelo office.

Childers told The Associated Press that he held the town hall meeting by teleconference, rather than in person, because it was the most effective way to speak directly to a large number of people.

Thompson said he was not worried that things would become hostile at his meetings.

"We have good people in this state, and part of the democratic process is to hear from the people," he said.

5) SEC college football is right around the corner. YAY!

[Editorial comment: I think it stinks that the SEC will not allow any kind of social media to be used to transmit game information. What a dumb ruling. This means you can't sit in the Vaught-Hemingway stadium and send a Twitter message from your smart phone with the game score and some smack down talk, to your Bulldog friend who is pouting at home watching it on the big screen.]