Friday, February 15, 2013
Top of the morning — new library, abortion, schools, rails to trails
Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 6:15 AM
Odds and ends:
*CHILDREN'S LIBRARY TO OPEN: I've marveled at the beautiful building as it rose along Jonesboro Drive on the south side of Interstate 630 across the freeway from the Little Rock Zoo and now comes word that the Central Arkansas Library System's Children's Library will open Saturday, March 16. A computer lab, teaching kitchen and theater are among the features. Yes, books, too. I've been admiring the handsome grounds as well. Said a release: "The grounds reflect the topography of Arkansas's ecosystems, from the native hardwood trees in the highlands to vegetation of the wetland areas, which are both planted and original to the site. Walking paths offer families an attractive place for exercise while learning the names of the trees and plants, and an amphitheater has seating for outdoor programs or nature watching." Computers and iPads will be available for kids' use. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10-6 Friday and Saturday.
* GOD, GUNS AND FETUSES — UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABORTION BILL ON TRACK: Sen. Jason Rapert's unconstitutional bill to ban abortions three months before viability was delayed briefly in House committee yesterday because it fell a vote short of endorsement. Anti-abortion Republican Rep. Justin Harris was a no vote because he objected to an amendment to allow abortions in cases of "highly lethal" fetal abornmalities. The fetus is more important the living woman and family. In any case, against the amendment though he is, Harris told AP he'll vote for the bill next week. So it should then speed along. Amended or not, it's unconstitutional and the state will pay plenty to see it struck down.
* SCHOOL CHOICE: Will the Arkansas legislature go to unfettered school choice — which Sen. Johnny Key favors — with instant segregation effects, an open door to rampant football recruiting and financial headaches for dozens of school districts? Or will it take Sen. Joyce Elliott's approach in which the law would continue to retain some recognition of the historic discrimination in Arkansas by considering economic circumstances and other factors as part of a transfer law that allows students to continue to seek a different school? Negotiations over a compromise apparently have broken down. The plan currently is for both Key and Elliott to present their bills and hold an open debate in committee before a later vote, perhaps Feb. 27. The Stepford Republican vote that comes on most issues in the God, Guns and Fetuses session isn't quite a certainy on this bill because of powerful opposition to unwise, unfettered choice from local school people.
* CITY DREAMING: Good story in the New York Times this morning on urban dreaming, based on Atlanta's huge plan to convert abandoned rail lines to trails and parks around the city. We could do some of that. Or we could take every dime we can muster to widen freeways to move people faster from Little Rock to more distant suburbs.
Speaking of...
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Practicing law with Bro. Rapert
May 18, 2013Sen. Jason Rapert, author of the patently unconstitutional bill to ban most abortions in Arkansas at the 12th week of pregnancy, took heart yesterday at Judge Susan Webber Wright's indication that she was inclined to uphold the part of the law that requires women seeking an abortion in the 12th week of pregnancy or later to have an ultrasound and to be shown the results of that test. /more/
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Judge Wright issues injunction against abortion law
May 17, 2013The word from the federal courthouse is that federal Judge Susan Webber Wright has issued a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the new Arkansas law that was meant to bar most abortions at the 12th week of pregnancy. /more/
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Women's rights in court this morning
May 17, 2013Leslie Newell Peacock will be in federal court for us this morning for the preliminary injunction hearing on the lawsuit challenging the new state law prohibiting most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. /more/
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Guns and fetuses: A legislative review
May 16, 2013Crazy Davy Carter, the House speaker who is a potential Republican candidate for governor, won headlines all over today for remarks at a legislative conference in Hot Springs that Republicans need to move beyond guns and abortion to focus on issues more important to average Arkies. /more/
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Judge refuses to dismiss suit challenging new 12-week abortion limit
May 15, 2013Federal Judge Susan Webber Wright has denied the state of Arkansas's motion to dismiss the ACLU-backed lawsuit challenging the new state law, passed over Gov. Mike Beebe's veto, to prevent most abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy. /more/
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Morning report: Prescription drug watch
May 13, 2013The morning again begins slowly. But among others: * MONITORING DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTION PRACTICES: Pro Publica has published with the Washington Post a deep look at doctors' prescription practices under Medicare. /more/
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Travel day here
May 12, 2013I'm going to be out of pocket most of the day winding my way home. /more/
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Flash: Texas grows enlightened on women's issues
May 7, 2013Interesting story from Texas on the Texas legislature. Republicans, who control nearly everything in Texas, apparently suffered huge blowback from their war on women in the last legislative session that cut health care to women in the battle to destroy Planned Parenthood. /more/
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School choice: Court asks if the old law is now moot
May 6, 2013The Arkansas legislature just passed a new school choice law to replace one contested in federal court in a case that began over students who wanted to transfer from Malvern to whiter schools in Magnet Cove. /more/
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Wednesday night line
April 24, 2013Sorry, folks. I've been working on a project and away from blogging duties. /more/
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