Opinion

Tell it like it is

A while back I read an article about an entrepreneur on the horns of a dilemma. She was facing a big decision at her successful, venture-backed startup. If I could…

Riff Raff: Observations, Muslims, gun ranges, and a Hill too far

The lady who may run against Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in the Republican primary owns a gun range in Hot Springs. She captured national news when she banned muslims from…

White conservatives, black America, and calls for unity

As Roger Goodell and NFL Owners discuss a rule that may force grown men to stand for the National Anthem and forego a silent and peaceful protest of police brutality…

Higher wages needed to reward better educated workforce

Arkansas is making positive strides to advance our citizens’ opportunities for a great education that transitions into a meaningful career – and those careers are right here at home. There…

Business owners need to be proactive with DACA changes

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Plan (DACA) was created in 2012 through an executive action by President Barack Obama. DACA provides relief from removal (colloquially referred to as “deportation”)…

Time to recognize, celebrate the manufacturing comeback

National Manufacturing Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday of October, began in 2012. The mission of MFG DAY is to positively change the public perception of modern manufacturing. Manufacturing…

Riff Raff: Observations, thoughts and prayers, political jiggering, and King Tut’s grandma

The original intro for this essay was scrapped after that horrible thing in Vegas. Insanity. Y’all can send your loads of thoughts and prayers, but don’t expect real leadership on…

Succeed Scholarship program produces much-needed opportunity for special needs families

Although the debate over school choice has been raging for years, it wasn’t something I paid attention to. I had always assumed that my children would attend the local public…

The squeeze continues for retail suppliers

There is a growing area of vulnerability in suppliers’ relationship with retailers. For each item, retailers must decide the price they will charge consumers to buy it. But, with increasing…

Is print a smart investment?

We’ve all heard it. Newspapers are dying, magazines are on their way out and digital media is king. There’s no denying the internet has significantly, and permanently, changed the landscape…

Arkansas in prime position to close tech workforce gap

I’ve never been more excited to be in the computer science field in the state of Arkansas than I am right now. Tech workforce vacancies are set to grow to…

A terrible approach to race relations

The Fort Smith police and fire unions have given us a great excuse to talk about why colorblindness is a terrible approach to race relations. The two unions are joining…

All signs point to re-election for Gov. Asa Hutchinson

There is an election not too far away, politically speaking. The fall of 2017 is a time to start thinking about the fall of 2018, when we’ll have the first…

Riff Raff: Observations, a robot fridge, etch-o-sketches, and selective free speech

A robotic, voice-activated refrigerator is being tested. It will deliver to your IKEA couch your over-priced, millennial-loving craft beer. Don’t need the dog. Don’t need your legs. This is the…

Look to the fans in the stands

Let’s face it: truly “small” small businesses can’t afford Arkansas Razorback team sponsorships, stadium advertising and television ads during the big game. However, a local sports team marketing plan is…

A compassionate and conservative dream

“I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is conservative to insist on responsibility and results. And with…

Riff Raff: Observations, stuff that ain’t right, artful momentum, and remaining together

Based on them fancy history books and reports from the fake news media, when Katrina hit New Orleans the president was NOT Obama. He may have lost his birth certificate…

Measuring Arkansas’ high-tech employment

Entrepreneurs, public officials and academics have worked in the 21st Century to increase market awareness that Arkansas’ economy includes a growing “high-tech” component. One way to illustrate this development is…

De-glorifying our Confederate statues

It is time to either remove Confederate statues from public grounds or to change the plaques that purport their reason for being there. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Wednesday: “When…

Riff Raff: Observations, a holy eclipse, downtown Springdale, and unacceptable art

This upcoming eclipse is not a normal cosmic event. It’s biblical. This eclipse is followed by another seven years later. The eclipse paths cross in Missouri over the New Madrid…