Petrus, Bond, Face off for Speaker of the House

Benny Petrus of Stuttgart and Will Bond of Jacksonville face off for Speaker of the Arkansas House on January 9th. Each of 100 house members get a vote.....

By Mark Moore (For top of article click time below, for bottom, click link or comments below).

Democrat Halter Moves Towards Governor's Race

It looks more and more like the Democrats will have a contested primary for Governor. Will Asa be the real winner? Or is Bebee stumbling so badly that the Democrats are actually better off changing horses? The Halter campaign released this today.....

By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for article).

Mayor Frank Gilbert: State Supreme Court Out Of Order!

Dear Justice Dalby:

I am disappointed by the actions of Arkansas’ Supreme Court in what is sometimes referred to as the School Funding Case.

Truth is, I am not real proud of the efforts of the legislature in the matter either. However, that body has acted within its constitutional prerogatives. I’m not sure the same can be said of the Supreme Court.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the matter, so I turned to Arkansas’ Constitution to see what it had to say about education in our state. I was shocked at how little it says in comparison to how much you and other politicians have said and done!

It appears to me that all the pontification revolves around one paragraph in Article 14 that includes the phrase, “…the State shall ever maintain a general, suitable and efficient system of free public schools…” On that fragile foundation the court’s majority seems to have built an ungainly and fragile argument that it wishes to ram down the throat of its co-equal partner in governance.

I have read the words of angry justices who lashed out at the legislature. I’ve read accounts of a justice’s open laughter at the arguments of the people’s attorney. I hope that the court and its individual members can rise above their personal pique and pride. I hope that you and your fellow jurists can regain your composure and once again comport yourself in a way befitting your lofty post. But my hope is waning.

While I looked at Article 14 of the Constitution I noted that the first sentence of Section 3 read, “The General Assembly shall provide for the support of common schools by general law.” Finding that I was reminded that Article 4 established the three departments of state government and further says, in Section 2 “No person or collection of persons, being of one of these departments shall exercise any power belonging to either of the others, except in instances hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.”

I looked in vain for the express direction or permission under which you are acting.

In my searching I did find Article 15 which begins, “The Governor and all State officers, Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts, Chancellors and Prosecuting Attorneys, shall be liable to impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors and gross misconduct in office…” I’m certainly not schooled in the law, but to this layman your conduct to date seems a lot closer to impeachable than the failings of the legislature do to unconstitutional.

I again implore you to set aside personal vanity before you provoke a constitutional crisis. If the legislature is to be brought to heel it must be done by the ultimate authority in the state (no, that is NOT the Supreme Court). It is clear that you have no faith in the legislature. Don’t let your actions show that you also have no faith in the people of this great state.

Sincerely yours,

Frank Gilbert
Mayor, Town of TullMayor, Town of Tull

E-Corridor Money There After All (Ed Bond)

Wow, I am really glad that the people of Arkansas voted those "education" bonds down. It now turns out that the most talked-about improvement on their list will be funded anyway........

By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for article)

Will We get a "Chance to Re-consider" Education Bonds?

It seems some of the higher education establishment feels that the voters made the "wrong choice" last week concerning their rejection of the education bonds.......

By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for article).

NWA Construction Wages Depressed by Illegals?

I was talking to a friend in South Arkansas the other day. What he told me was quite a shock....
By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for rest of story).

Tom Formicola to Challenge Snyder for Congress?

We've got wind of the rumour that medical supply businessman Tom Formicola is considering challenging Congressman Vic Snyder. Tom is a gentleman who commands a lot of respect on Little Rock's west side. Has anyone heard anything on this one?

Impeached Disgraced Former President Does Video Tribute to Elton John for his "Gay Wedding"

Clinton to John: "The world would be a better place if there were more people like you."


Numerous sources are reporting that former President Bill Clinton made a one minute video tribute that was played at a "bash" prior to Elton John's homosexual "civil union" that is to be performed today in England.

Clinton made immediate moves to bring openly homosexual persons into the military, but later changed it to a "don't ask, don't tell" policy after a firestorm of criticism. Clinton learned his political lesson, signing the "Defense of Marriage Act" and other legislation that signaled opposition to homosexual "marriage" while in office.

LRSD Bans "Discrimination" for "Sexual Orientation" or "Gender Identity"!

LRSD Board member Tony Rose is reported to be the driving force behind the policy change that now makes it much easier for gay, lesbian, transvestite, cross-dressing and transgendered individuals to teach your second grade children.

The Arkansas Times J. Barnett Reed is reporting that the Little Rock School District has voted to ban discrimination for any "sexual orientation" or "gender identity".......

for more on this explosive topic click "comments" below....

Court Orders Legislature to Spend More on Education

The state supreme court has ordered the legislature of Arkansas to spend more money on schools in a 5-2 decision. Chief Justice Hannah and Justice Gunter dissented, arguing that the courts had no authority to order the branch of government which is supposed to have the "power of the purse strings" to spend even more of the people's money.

The Arkansas News article is here

How Can a "Fringe Candidate" Keep Getting it Right?

"Fringe candidate" and "Oddball Extremist" are just a few of the insulting monikers that establishment media types have recently hurled at a family man from Springdale who serves in the Arkansas Legislature. Strangely, every time their mudslinging is put to an electoral test, the positions of the "Fringe Candidate" turn out to be mainstream and the positions of the mudslinging Establishment media turn out to be fringe.....

By Debbie Pelley (click "comments" below for article).

THIS THREAD IS LOCKED. NO NEW COMMENTS ALLOWED

REASON: DREW PRITT JUMPED ON AND TRIED TO TURN IT INTO YET ANOTHER THREAD ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHAT AND ACTED SHOCKED AND OFFENDED WHEN WE OBJECTED TO OVERTURNING 2,000 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE ON HIS SAY-SO.

Winners & Losers in the Special Election Bond Vote

[Click "comments" to discuss this topic]

State Republican Party May File Ethics Complaint

Party Exec. Director Clint Reed pondering decision after AG Beebe's staffmember caught honing campaign speech on state-owned computer.
[Click "comments" for full article]

Bond Election: Post News About Results Here...

....have you heard any poll results from the bond elections? post them here!

Whisper Campaign False: Holt to Stay in GOP

Another false whisper campaign about Senator Jim Holt is making the rounds. This time he answers back....

Click "comments" below for article.

CP Opposes Referred Questions 1 & 2

Bond Votes Grant More Spending Privileges Than Backers Imply--
Dec 8, 2005; The Constitution Party of Arkansas today announced its opposition to both bond measures being decided in the December 13th statewide special election...
[Click comments below for the rest of the article]

Groups Pressured to Endorse Bond Proposal

By Debbie Pelley (click "comments" below for article).

Whisper Campaign False: Holt Sticks With GOP

Another false whisper campaign against State Senator Jim Holt is out there......This time he answers back.....

By Debbie Pelley (click "comments" below for article).

Battle-ing Back: Asa's Campaign Responds to Latest Dem. Attacks

Editor's note: Asa Hutchinson's campaign has been talking about ways to improve things in our state. The Democrats have been talking about, well, Asa Hutchinson! One thing I have learned in this business is that the ones going negative are normally doing it because they are not only losing, but losing and lacking in a positive agenda and/or a saleable candidate........


By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for article).

Why Won't Brummett say "Jim Holt"?

Mr. Brummett used three paragraphs to NOT say "Jim Holt" today. Does the Morning News editorial board have a new policy, or is it just easier to insult someone if you depersonalize them by not using their name.......

By Mark Moore (click "comments" below for article).

Ark. Times- Last Bond Paid Interest Equal to 46% of Principal

By Debbie Pelley (click "comments" below for article).

Wal-Mart Demands Sex/Race Diversity in Lawyers

From http://www.law.com (click "comments" below for article).