Lame-duck Congressman Marion "Good Riddance" Berry proudly unveiled his own health reform bill today. It's a stripped-down bill with some insurance reform and, among others, language tough enough on abortion funding that you have to wonder if it wouldn't inspire insurance companies working with government plans to get out of' [...]
Republican candidate Jim Keet weighs in on filings in a federal lawsuit alleging shortcomings in care at the Conway Human Development Center, particularly in use of medication and restraints. He differentiates himself from the spirited defense offered yesterday by Gov. Mike Beebe and DHS officials.
Little Rock – In response to [...]
The Arkansas Young Republican just put out word that they will be hosting a U.S. Senate debate in Little Rock next Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30 pm in Little Rock at the UALR Law School. KATV Channel 7 will be moderating the debate and will be [...]
It was only a matter of time . . . 2nd congressional district candidate David Boling, a Democrat, challenged his opponents to three debates in April and May. The first debate would focus on “the range of issues of importance to the people in the district.” The second would on [...]
Earlier this week, Chad Causey called for a debate in the Fist Congressional District. Now the debate fever has spread the central Arkansas. Democratic candidate David Boling has thrown down the challenge to his primary opponents for a series of debates.
“The people of the Second [...]
Last week, a spokesman for Sen. Blanche Lincoln disputed opponent Bill Halter's claim that he'd received an endorsement from state Rep. Otis Davis of Earle. I never got a callback from Davis on the question Lincoln's campaign raised.
But, today, Halter has released a radio ad in which Davis praises Halter' [...]
Lt. Gov. Bill Halter launched two radio advertisements today. One ad features Pine Bluff Justice of the Peace Jimmy Lee Fisher and the other features state Rep. Otis Davis of Earle. Stopping the privatization of social security and the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery are the major points.
[...]The Arkansas Supreme Court made it clear today that a "gathering" pipeline, which transports gas from a few wells to an interstate pipeline, is a common carrier and carries the right to acquire right of way through eminent domain.
This has been an issue of some controversy, as mentioned [...]
For those of that are fans of SXSW I’m hoping you’ll follow my work colleague, Emily Reeves, as she hangs out with all of the interesting folks in Austin. She’ll be blogging and on Twitter. Michel Gondry, Quentin Tarantino, Elvis Mitchell and a stellar interactive [...]
In case you missed it, there has been a bit of back and forth between Republican Third District Congressional Candidates Steve Womack and Gunner DeLay over a wellness center in Rogers. It all started last Wednesday (March 3) when Womack put out a press release [...]
We already knew this, but the CBO has made it official: the health care reform bill passed by the Senate will reduce the federal deficit by $118 billion over 10 years. 31 million more people will have health insurance. And the changes to Medicare and other programs more than [...]
I've been following fair-haired Republican budget guru Rep. Paul Ryan because I think he's been peddling snake oil. I've been wanting Republican candidates to vote up or down on his idea of cutting Social Security and Medicare while creating a windfall for private insurance companies. I'd like to hear them too' [...]
Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter is taking his campaign for U.S. Senate to the people in a series of town halls that he will be conducting. The first one is tonight at the University of Pine Bluff at 6:00. He will take questions from the audience and [...]
It will be hotly controversial -- and potentially embarrassing in many states once in place -- but I think I like this recommendation forming for a single national standard on what children should be learning in math and English.
The new proposals could transform American education, replacing the patchwork of [...]
Here’s one I’m looking forward to. HBO purchased the film rights to Andrew Ross Sorkin’s terrific account of the financial crisis. According to Reuters, “HBO said Sorkin’s “Too Big to Fail” will be adapted for TV by Peter Gould, who has written episodes of the methamphetamine [...]
My column this week for the Benton Courier focuses on the strange campaign rhetoric of Blanche Lincoln. It also examines the complexity of trumpeting seniority as a electoral advantage with particular emphasis on Ms. Lincoln’s implicit argument that her seniority – coupled with her Agriculture Committee chairmanship – allows her [...]
John Brummett examines the residency of three leading Democratic candidates for 1st District Congress, none of whom has been actually living in the district day-to-day in recent months. This is immaterial in terms of eligibility to run, though it might become a political question. All have substantial roots in [...]
Just look to Kansas City, Missouri. The Board of Education voted yesterday to close 28 of 61 public schools in the district. 700 jobs were cut, including 285 teachers. The district was facing a $50 million budget deficit.
[...]Interesting item on the Huffington Post. Democrats plan to elect Senate committee chairs, rather than let seniority dictate.
Senate Democrats intend to elect the chairs of committees when the next Congress convenes, which could upend a tradition that prioritizes seniority over party loyalty, legislative effectiveness or any other merit-based criteria. [...]
William Warren:
Bill Smith, Editor: Below is a video interview with British Islamist Anjem Choudary who declares that: "Freedom and Democracy are Idols that must be destroyed and replaced with Obedience to Allah." After viewing the video, read on and while reflecting on the question: are people whom [...] 
Watching the tornadoes coming to Central Arkansas 
