Column

It’s time to let Iraq die

In a previous post, I outlined the tortured history of Iraq in which I noted Iraq is an artificial nation with deep divisions that was held together Saddam Hussein’s brutality….

Immigration and the 2016 election cycle

On Tuesday (May 26), a panel of judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled against the request to lift the hold on President Obama’s…

The ties that bind software and social policy

Governor Asa Hutchinson successfully pushed a computer coding program for public schools during the recently concluded Legislative Session. Hutchinson seeks to crank out 6,000 computer coders each year. The program…

Trust, transparency and trails

Funding for a 35-mile multi-use trail system in Fort Smith wasn’t rejected because voters don’t like trails. It wasn’t about the trails. Never was. It was about trust. It was…

Hillary: A problematic messenger

Despite all the advantages Hillary Clinton has going for her in the upcoming 2016 presidential elections cycle, she does have some vulnerabilities and challenges that could at best diminish the…

A focus on heritage tourism

Not long ago, I was in Hot Springs as the Arkansas Arts Council named the 2015 Arkansas Living Treasure recipient. It’s a big deal. This year’s honoree was Lorrie Popow,…

Vision and the mayoral platform

Where there is no vision, the people perish, at least that is one translation of Proverbs 29:18. Although I have no ecclesiastical or apostolic authority to change the Bible, I…

No ‘team’ in Cotton (Updated)

Editor’s note: This essay has been edited to reflect that Sen. Cotton did indeed address the media following his lone “No” vote, and that Sen. Cotton called out the other…

A different approach to education

One of the best-kept secrets in Fort Smith is a non-traditional approach to learning created by Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori, in the early 20th century. Educational goals for students…

A fortunate son

A lot has changed in Mom’s world. The world in 1949, the year of her birth, was a crazy place. Europe was rebuilding its continental economy, the Soviets were rattling…

Highway heartburn

Speaking recently at the Arkansas Trucking Association’s Annual Business meeting in Hot Springs, Gov. Asa Hutchinson dropped a few names or positions of names likely to be on the working…

Vote FOR streets, and FOR trails

The City Wire encourages Fort Smith voters to renew the 1% street tax program for another 10 years, and to vote for using 5% of the street tax to fund…

The argument for trail money

As you may be aware, Fort Smith voters will go to the polls on May 12. The ballot will include renewal of the 1% sales tax that for the last…

A third political party can’t win

I want to address why we have had historically a two party dominant political system this country. Note that I wrote “dominant” here, as there have been and are today…

Revising the ‘good place to die’ pitch

A recent commentary by me suggesting that we make Fort Smith a place that caters to the retirement crowd was not well received by all. My tagline, “Fort Smith is…

Kudos for Arkansas Auditor Andrea Lea

I’ve been thinking that someone ought to say some nice things about Andrea Lea, our Republican Auditor of State from Russellville. She’s done much over the years but is easy…

The Earth Day thing, revisited

The urge to save humanity is almost always a false-face for the urge to rule it.  – H.L. Mencken Recently toured several of the fine museums in Chicago. The city…

Grading the new Governor

While the 90th General Assembly finally ended this past week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson quietly celebrated his 100th day as Arkansas’ 46th Governor. He appears this month on the cover of…

A lack of confidence

Raising of Fort Smith sewer rates in a process that will more than triple the average bill by 2017 is not a problem. It’s not welcome news, but we’ve been…

Fort Smith: A great place for all

The Fort Smith area, as noted in a recent commentary, has many great attributes for retirees, but Fort Smith also is a great place to live for families and community…