by - March 29, 2015 2:23 pm
A chance for no vetoes
Despite several versions of on-line petitions and even a harsh rebuke from the chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson will not issue a “veto” this session….
Guest Commentary
by - March 26, 2015 11:59 am
Congrats on addressing ‘re-homing’
One of the big issues in this year’s Legislative session had to do with “re-homing” of adopted children. It seems that plenty of Arkansas lawmakers decided that practice is a…
by - March 24, 2015 2:49 pm
Arkansas budget facts v. budget opinions
John Burris, a political consultant and former Arkansas legislator, recently opined about how Arkansas’ budget has changed for the better. That heading caught my attention, as I am disappointed with…
by - March 23, 2015 8:24 pm
Arkansas’ budget changes for the better
Change is hard to see while it’s happening. I don’t know how my hairline got so high and thin. I just know I looked up one day, and there it…
by - March 22, 2015 10:58 pm
The language of ‘vision’
Much of our thought process is language-based. As a consequence, our vocabulary and understanding of language can determine the quality of our thinking and understanding about life. The risk of…
by - March 22, 2015 10:45 pm
No amendments for the 2016 ballot?
Startling word leaked out of the state Capitol this past week. Arkansas voters in November 2016 may not face a referred Constitutional Amendment submitted by the Legislature of the 90th…
by - March 16, 2015 6:09 pm
In defense of Sen. Cotton
United States Senator Tom Cotton last week wrote a letter to the Iranian Ayatollah, stating that the President’s on-going nuclear negotiations with the terrorist state are ill conceived and non-binding….
by - March 15, 2015 10:46 am
The U.S. Constitution: A contested document
In a recent address for the U.S. Marshals Museums lecture series, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was quoted as saying “The Constitution means what it meant when our fathers…
by - March 15, 2015 10:44 am
A flowery anchor for Crystal Bridges
Back in November there were hints, niggling little bits of rumor, that the world’s most famous painting of jimson weed (Datura stramonium) might be coming to Bentonville. And sure enough…
by - March 9, 2015 4:33 pm
An effort to ensure habitability
One of the things I learned in law school is Arkansas is unique in that it is unusual in that there is no express or implied warranty of habitability. A…
by - March 8, 2015 7:11 pm
Cronyism and forms of government
One of the most common reasons I hear for opposition to Fort Smith changing its form of government to the mayor/council for is cronyism. I personally think this argument is…
by - March 8, 2015 7:09 pm
Re-homing should be illegal
A loud public outcry has risen this past week over the revelation that Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork and his spouse, Marsha, after legally adopting two young girls, “gave” these…
by - March 2, 2015 6:52 pm
Religious liberty bill is a disservice to us all
Religious liberty is at the heart of our constitutional freedoms. No government can force us to affirm or deny any religious belief, punish religious doctrines it believes to be false,…
by - March 1, 2015 5:39 pm
Our frontier heritage and white privilege
An academic approach to heritage begins with the understanding that “heritage” is not equivalent to history or historical facts. Rather, heritage is an appropriation of the past that is used…
by - March 1, 2015 5:15 pm
A death penalty alternative
This past week, retired Circuit Judge David Burnett, now state Senator David Burnett, D-Osceola, let his temper get the best of him. He openly castigated a remark made by one…
by - February 26, 2015 8:49 pm
DWI checkpoints and ‘the flyer’
Before getting too far into this column, let me make it perfectly clear that I despise driving while intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints. Yes, they do weed out drunk drivers but they…
by - February 24, 2015 10:58 am
Prison reform problems and promises
One of the most pressing issues that Gov. Hutchinson must face during his first term in office is how to address our costly prison system. From overcrowding to crime reduction,…
by - February 23, 2015 5:03 pm
Change yes, but not with personal agendas
Last week, I had appointments with two clients. With each client I started our meeting by asking the question, “How was your year?” Both answered that it was one of…
by - February 22, 2015 5:10 pm
A warning about a full time Legislature
It is not too often one sees a veteran lawmaker like State Sen. Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis kicking up dust about legislative salaries. But this past week the long-time public…
by - February 19, 2015 3:00 pm
The open carry question
By now, a lot of Arkansans have heard about the “open carry” controversy stirred up by a billboard outside of Conway advising citizens that state law allows them to openly…