Arkansas Culture and Characters: Arkansas Blog, Arkansas Times

Little Rock: Very religious, also fond of pornography

Max Brantley — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:11:00 -0500

The Little Rock metropolitan area (which includes Conway, Sen. Rapert) is a place with a rich and deep religious tradition.

It ranked 10th on a recent Gallup tracking poll of the "most religious" cities in the United States, with 54 percent describing themselves as very religious. Had we edged up one more point, we'd have been in a tie for 4th.

Well. Pornhub (you'll have to look it up yourself) took the Gallup list and ranked the religious cities by per capita visits to the site, which markets hardcore videos, between Dec. 1, 2012 and April 30.

Buzzfeed has compiled the results in a handsome spread complete with photos. LR/NLR/Conway came in at No. 3, with 18.8 Pornhub views per capita.

This doesn't mean there are any websurfing hypocrites here. It just might be that the not-so-religious are REALLY fond of Pornhub. I do note that Montgomery, Ala., where 64 percent say they are very religious, ranked No. 2 with 21.9 Pornhub views per capita. Their irreligious must REALLY REALLY like Pornhub.

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Kevin Kresse sculpture added to Riverfront Park

Max Brantley — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:53:00 -0500

City officials this morning dedicated the latest addition to the sculpture collection in Riverfront Park — "Breaking the Cycle" by Little Rock artist Kevin Kresse. The piece was donated by Lisenne Rockefeller and joins 64 other pieces worth almost $2.5 million installed since 2003. The Kresse work is near the belvedere and a future play area under the Main Street Bridge. Kresse's son, Roman, was the model for the little boy pushing the wheelbarrow.

Check in later with Eye Candy, Leslie Newell Peacock's art blog, for more on the new addition.

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On the big screen: The Jim Lindsey story

Max Brantley — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:07:00 -0500

Word comes in today of completion of a documentary on Jim Lindsey, the Razorback star who became a successful real estate developer and behind-the-scenes political power.

It's the work of a young filmmaker, Clint Fullen, and includes narration by Lindsey's old teammate Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

Fullen tells me this about opportunities to view the film:

The film is scheduled to release this coming football season. We are currently in the process of organizing the premiere. Public screenings will be held in Fayetteville, Little Rock and Forrest City. If there is demand, additional locations will be added. DVDs will be available upon the film's release.

Lindsey's brief fling with electoral politics was a victim of the story editing process, Fullen tells me. The news release follows.

NEWS RELEASE

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones headlines upcoming documentary “The Jim Lindsey Story.” The film covers the career of Jones’ one-time teammate and business partner. Emmy Award winners Larry Foley and Dale Carpenter executive produced the project. The official trailer is available online.

Jones and Lindsey played together during the University of Arkansas’ 1964 national championship football season. Between 1963 and 1965, the Razorbacks captured 22-straight victories. That streak remains a school record. According to Foley, Lindsey helped lead the Hogs to the championship.

“Jim Lindsey has been one of the most important people and contributors in my life,” Jones said.

Jones said he first became “sold” on Lindsey while traveling to games. “He was my bus riding partner. We would talk about our dreams, our ambitions,” Jones said. “I remember his insight into life was amazing at such a young age.”

In 1965, the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings drafted Lindsey in the 2nd round. The Razorback competed as a running back for seven seasons in Minnesota. Coach Bud Grant named Lindsey a team captain. In 1969, the Vikings won the NFL title.

During offseasons, Lindsey bought and sold real estate in Northwest Arkansas. According to Lindsey, he started making more money selling property than playing football. After retiring from the NFL, Lindsey began developing homes and apartments. Lindsey now owns and operates more than 37,000 apartment units and 42 golf courses.

“The documentary shows how he evolved from a child to the influence he is today,” Jones said. “It depicts his will, desire and ambition to achieve.”

“Lindsey is an influential business leader whose story needs to be told,” Foley said. “This film is a must-see for Arkansans.”

“The Jim Lindsey Story” features interviews with College Football Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles, former Arkansas head coach Ken Hatfield, former NFL players Fred Cox and Dave Osborn, and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant. The film is scheduled to release fall 2013. For more information, visit jimlindseystory.com.

About “The Jim Lindsey Story”
The history of the Arkansas Razorbacks is composed of legends, and without a doubt, Jim Lindsey is one of its most successful players—on and off the field. Lindsey won a national championship, became an NFL captain and built a thriving real estate empire across the South.

Narrated by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, “The Jim Lindsey Story” begins in the Arkansas Delta. Back then, Lindsey was simply a small boy who dreamt of playing ball. Weekdays were spent in the cotton fields, and weekends were used for cow-pasture baseball. In time, that boy grew up to be a very big man.

With the Razorbacks, Lindsey contributed to one of the most dominant winning streaks in college football. As a Minnesota Viking, the athlete captured the 1969 NFL title. Lindsey was never the fastest or the strongest. Still, he is one of the most remarkable players to put on pads. Lindsey possessed two traits that are often overlooked in sports: intelligence and determination.

At 21-years-old, Lindsey wagered his $75,000 signing bonus on a tract of land in Northwest Arkansas. He bet on a winner and found a new profession. During the NFL offseasons, the former Razorback continued to buy and sell property. Over time, he transformed his opportunities in athletics into a sizable fortune. After retiring from football, Lindsey established a real estate operation that flourishes today.

This film is an Southern success story. It is about a delta boy who went from the henhouse to the penthouse. Using his available talents, Lindsey seized victories in both business and athletics. He may have not been the fastest or the strongest, but with intelligence and determination, Lindsey has become one of the most accomplished athletes in Arkansas history.

About the filmmaker
Clint Fullen, producer and director, was raised on the Razorbacks. He may have been born in Texas, but he was brought up by Arkansans. Transplanted to Little Rock, Fullen nurtured a love for football and film in the Natural State. Attending the University of Arkansas, the young filmmaker received degrees in broadcast journalism and creative writing. In 2013, he was awarded a master’s in documentary filmmaking. Throughout his academic career, Fullen freelanced as a commercial and documentary director. His short films have toured more than 100 locations across the United States, and his work has been broadcast nationally through "PBS Frontline" and "PBS Planet Forward." “The Jim Lindsey Story” is Fullen’s largest and most ambitious project to date.

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Feud tourism: If Hatfield-McCoys will sell, how about 'Justified'? or Sweet Willie Wine?

Max Brantley — Sun, 05 May 2013 08:28:00 -0500

Funny thing. I've been power watching the first two seasons of "Justified," the FX series about a federal marshal who more often than not finds a way to put a justified plug in a bad guy. It's set among the lowlife-studded hills and hollows Harlan County, Ky. A stock opening shot shows a long view of a small town, I presume to be Harlan. I've found myself with a curious hankering to drive up there and look around for that blind tiger mobile home or the country store run by a homicidal matriarch famed for her "apple pie" moonshine. (Careful you drink only from the vessel she drinks from, lest you get some mountain hemlock as an additive.)

It comes to mind again from a New York Times story about an effort in West Virginia to make a tourist attraction of the Hatfield-McCoy feud.

Local tourism departments, along with members of the Hatfield and McCoy families, are working to transform feud folklore into a dependable source of jobs and revenue for Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, a region grappling with the decline of coal. In the past year, communities along the Tug Fork, the stream that is the state boundary in the area, have witnessed a surge in out-of-town foot traffic, tourists by the thousands drawn to the region in search of history.

Officials on both sides of the river attribute the increase to “Hatfields & McCoys,” a 2012 History Channel mini-series that told the families’ story. There is an urgency to capitalize on the show, Mr. Hatfield said, and to promote the feud as a draw to the region.

Dark and violent history is always more compelling than the genteel stuff. If you ever find yourself in Melbourne, Australia, for example, be sure to visit its historic jail, full of death masks of desperadoes and lots of stories about that country's violent frontier past. Little Rock has its Central High museum, which wouldn't have been nearly so dramatic had the desegregation battle been carried out only in court and school board meetings. Angry mobs and armed troops, with TV cameras running, are more riveting.

What else do we have? The Brooks-Baxter war isn't bad. The 1969 civil rights march of Lance "Sweet Willie Wine" Watson across the Delta is a fine story with many witnesses still around to talk about it. In fact, it's at the center of Arkansas native C.D. Wright's book, "One With Others," which she talked about at the recent Arkansas Literary Festival.

A kicker on where this rumination started: Harlan County, Ky., is already equipped with a website that separates fact from fiction about Harlan as depicted in "Justified." I learned, for one thing, that the series pilot, with the long view of a town, was actually filmed in Pennsylvania, Kittanning to be precise.

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Don't stop — thinking about the Hog Roast, even if Fleetwood Mac played for the Clintons at Verizon last night

Max Brantley — Sat, 04 May 2013 05:59:55 -0500

Brian Chilson has lots of photos from Fleetwood Mac's show at Verizon Arena last night at his Facebook page. I notice Twitter feeds that say Bill and Hillary Clinton were in the house, or so it was announced when the band played "Don't Stop," the theme song to the 1992 presidential campaign. UPDATE: I now see, thanks to our all night readers, that the Stevie Nicks Facebook page has a photo by Paige Lafleur of the Clintons in the house applauding.

Boomer fan comments on Twitter were enthusiastic about the show, which ran more than two hours.

But all that was yesterday.

Today, it's the Arkansas Times Heritage Hog Roast on Main Street in Argenta, North Little Rock's vibrant downtown. Gates open at noon. Music plays all day until headliner Lost Bayou Ramblers about 8 p.m. Craft beer and wine will be for sale. Eleven heritage hogs should already be roasting in a competition that will be decided about 3 p.m, after which feasting will begin for ticketholders. If you didn't order your tickets in advance on-line for $25 (and you still can until noon), they'll cost $30 at the gate for all day admission, music and the pig feast, with sides. Admission after 7 p.m. for music is only $10, but the pig meat will be long gone.

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Bloodworth Thomason has a documentary winner

Max Brantley — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 07:38:00 -0500

It's a quiet Sunday morning, but here's a winning note of someone with an Arkansas connection.

Linda Bloodworth Thomason ("Designing Women" and more) was a winner in the Tribeca Film Festival for best documentary.

UPDATE FROM LINDSEY: The movie is screening at the Little Rock Film Festival in three weeks.

Bridegroom chronicles the emotional journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving and committed relationship. Unfortunately, their love is cut short by Tom’s accidental death, and his partner finds himself facing the failure of same sex marriage protections that leave him completely shut out and ostracized. Linda Bloodworth Thomason sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles that same sex couples face as a result of marriage inequality. As the United States Supreme Court deliberates this issue, Bridegroom is poised as a timely and moving documentary about love and perseverance through loss.

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Bill Clinton tweets pic from Bush Library opening

Max Brantley — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:33:00 -0500

Bill Clinton. Heard of him? He's on Twitter now, too.

Above is what appears to be his first twitpic, not taken by him obviously, at the opening of George W. Bush library in Dallas.

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Nancy Pelosi to visit Little Rock

Max Brantley — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:02:00 -0500

Has anybody been more reviled by Arkansas Republicans, other than President Obama, than House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi? Don't think so. (Remember when Tim "Pipeline" Griffin ads said, "We have to get rid of Nancy Pelosi ... now." Or Republican chair Doyle Webb on the Fire Pelosi bus?)

But now that a majority of Republican legislators have approved implementation of Obamacare in Arkansas, maybe some of them will want to turn out to cheer one of the architects of passage of the plan to funnel billions of Obamacare money into Arkansas.

She's set to speak at noon Thursday, May 2 as part of the Clinton School lecture series. The first announcement puts the appearance at the Clinton School, but surely they'll need to move to a bigger room, what with all the new Republican admirers of her policy triumph who'll want to attend.

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The gun-waving open line: Benton County and Nate Bell

Max Brantley — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:25:50 -0500

Saturday night's all right for fighting isn't it. The open line commences with:

* REPUBLICAN SCHISM: Well. It is a given when you become the majority party, rifts will develop, even in a party as monochromatic and dogmatic as the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Republicans led the fight for adoption of Obamacare in Arkansas, albeit a version dressed-up to appear to be hewing to a conservative line while growing government by billions. The ruse didn't go unnoticed, either in the legislature — where a significant portion of the Republican delegation wouldn't go along — or among the party rank and file.

KFSM/KXNW reports here on a most unhappy letter to Republican lawmakers in the Benton County Republican newsletter. The author suggests a 2nd Amendment solution for lawmakers who backed the Medicaid deal.

In the letter, [Chris] Nogy appears to conclude that political action and other steps against those Republicans is desirable since they can’t be shot.

“If we can’t shoot them, we have to at least be firm in our threat to take immediate action against them politically, socially, and civically if they screw up on something this big,” he writes. “Personally, I think a gun is quicker and more merciful, but hey, we can’t.”

This is probably the money quote:

The 2nd amendment means nothing unless those in power believe you would have no problem simply walking up and shooting them if they got too far out of line and stopped responding as representatives.

I can't much recommend Chris Nogy's letter except for its shock value and window into the soul of a Republican shock troop. It's one of those dense screeds familiar to newspaper editors (often written in tiny, crabbed handwriting on many, many sheets of notebook paper). The peril of impending socialism is, naturally, invoked. Happily, KFSM finds even a fellow conservative traveler unhappy about Nogy's implication of violent means of dealing with apostate Republicans.

The Conservative Arkansas Facebook page, which posts his missive, finds plenty of sympathizers for Nogy's point of view, including Pulaski JP Shane Stacks who sees a situation that requires a "war footing" — not an "actual war" with guns, he hastens to add. Hate Muslims, gays, Barack Obama, taxes? Love Nate Bell? This Facebook page has something for you.

PS — Various Republicans are shocked and dismayed by Nogy's remarks. Lt. Gov. Mark Darr tweeted:

The party that gets rid of its crazies first will be the long term majority party in Arkansas.

The question is whether Darr could have been elected without the crazies like Nogy. And Jon Hubbard. And Charlie Fuqua. And Loy Mauch. And Nate Bell. And Bob Ballinger. And John Payton. And Jim Dotson. And Richard Womack. To name just a few of the out-there legislative candidates and sitting lawmakers, not the rank-and-file.

* AND SPEAKING OF NATE BELL: Oh, why not? One more letter from Boston on Mena's gift to intellectual discourse:

You can tell Nate Bell that any time he or any of his fat ass, tiny brained, toothless followers want to come up here and see how big a bunch of pansies we are this particular 'liberal' will be happy to show him how I handle my Glock! Or better yet, real men have it out with fists. Tell that ahole I'll send my name and address directly to him. Any time he wants to back up the tough talk. Talking is for pussies and I'm betting he is one.

Matt Scanlon
Watertown, MA

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They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway (Bridge)

Max Brantley — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:22:00 -0500

Just in this announcement:

Entergy to Announce Major Community Enhancement Project
Hosted by the cities of Little Rock & North Little Rock
Monday, April 22, at 9:00 a.m.
The Peabody Little Rock

Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Hugh McDonald
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola
North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith

An informed guess: This will be the details of a project I mentioned earlier. Entergy is going to contribute to a plan to festoon the coming replacement for the Broadway Bridge with lights. Since the project hasn't even been bid yet, it's safe to say we're a good two years from seeing the finished product if I'm correct. And if we live through the downtown traffic catastrophe that is going to accompany the construction period, when the current Broadway bridge is demolished.

PS — It could be we might get a taste of the future with lighting on existing structures downtown.

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Former GOP sheriff candidate pleads to federal charge over political dirty trick

Max Brantley — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:45:00 -0500

Harold Allen Smith, 47, of Greenbrier, pleaded guilty to transferring a false birth certificate via the United States mail. Authorities say it was part of a political dirty trick when he ran for Faulkner County sheriff in the 2012 Republican primary.

The U.S. attorney's office said:

During February and March, 2012, Smith had meetings with people to discuss the election and how to prevent another Republican candidate, Andy Shock, from winning the primary. Some of the people who met with Smith had suggestions including that Smith drop out of the race to run an anti-Shock campaign, and that it would be funny if a birth certificate surfaced showing that Shock was the father of an illegitimate black child. As a result, Smith, with the help of another person, created false Texas birth certificates showing that Shock was the father of an illegitimate black child.

On March 28, 2012, Smith and another person drove to Hooks, Texas where Smith mailed approximately 12 envelopes containing a note and a false Texas birth certificate to residents in Faulkner County, Arkansas, who it was believed would vote in the Republican primary.

In spite of the efforts of Smith, Andy Shock won the Republican primary and in November, 2012, won the general election for sheriff of Faulkner County.

The sentencing date will be set by the Court at a later date. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.00 when he is sentenced.

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George Strait tops the morning report

Max Brantley — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:04:00 -0500

I'm happy to say I finished tax returns last night. You? Some other odds and ends:

* STRAIT TALK: George Strait drew 17,036 to Verizon Arena last night. Times photog Brian Chilson has plenty of shots at this Facebook link. The night included the gift of a home to a military veteran, also among Brian's photos.

* HAPPY TALK: There'll be lots of news as colleges and scholarship programs announce winners of big awards for freshmen in next fall's entering class. I got a note last night of one that interested me. The University of Virginia, a prestigious public institution, offers about 30 full-ride scholarships on a competitive basis each year, an award worth more than $200,000 over four years to out-of-state students. This year's winners haven't been posted yet, but a proud granddad tells me there two Jefferson Scholars selected from Arkansas this year out of a finalist group of more than 100 — Drew Ricciardone of Little Rock Central and Laura Jackson of Pulaski Academy.

* TECH TALK: As Little Rock struggles through a messy process of selecting a site for a building that it hopes will incubate technology businesses, more word comes of what seems like a surer ticket to success than another office building. First Kansas City, and now Austin, have been chosen by Google for installation of an ultrafast broadband network. I"ve written before about the commercial possibilities that Kansas City thinks may come of this. If nothing else, it encourages competition among other broadband providers, good for all users. Anybody have Google's phone number?

* SOCIAL MEDIA TALK: Yes, there's the occasional downside to high-speed Internet access. Or even low-speed for that matter. Police at the UA campus in Fayetteville yesterday arrested a fourth-year architecture student for sending a message on Twitter that was interpreted as threatening. It prompted authorities to clear the architecture building as a precaution. From the UA release

The Twitter message was cryptic: “UPDATE: Someone screams over the mezzanine and shoots all the forth [sic] year.”

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Bill Clinton sends first tweet on Colbert

Max Brantley — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:48:35 -0500

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

The clip above comes from Bill Clinton's appearance on the Colbert Report.

This link takes you to an edited clip of the segment, on which Colbert gets Clinton to send his first "tweet" from a Twitter account set up for the occasion, @PrezBillyJeff (it already has 46,000 followers).

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UPDATE: Beware the rogue golf carts

Max Brantley — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:00:00 -0500

It's a slow morning so I'll share an e-mail that repeats a recurring complaint — the privileged class running amuck in golf carts in the Heights/Country Club of Little Rock neighborhood.

It has legislative relevance. For reasons unclear to me, Rep. Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana won legislative approval of a bill that expands the range of unlicensed golf carts on city streets, when cities are willing. Where the law had allowed operation of golf carts only between homes and golf courses on streets not designated as highways, Hickerson's law expands golf cart access to streets citywide, with municipal approval.

The problem with these unlicensed and unregistered vehicles is their expanded use, both by people not licensed to drive and by operators not bound by driving rules applicable to conventional vehicles. Writes a Little Rock resident:

As a person who grew up in the Heights and has recently moved back, I have watched the golf cart traffic increase to dangerous levels.

You stated the sightings of teenagers in golf carts. This is true, but it goes much further than that.

Yesterday I saw a 12- or 13-year-old girl driving a golf cart with a friend and her mother. It appeared they were just out driving to enjoy the day. I saw an adult male holding his toddler in one arm and driving the golf cart with the other. I saw a front yard party of multiple families with a golf cart parked on the street. 2 weeks ago, I saw an adult male with his elementary aged son on the sidewalk in their golf cart at Starbucks.

My understanding from speaking with Little Rock Police that it is illegal in the city of Little Rock to drive a golf cart on the streets. They also stated that folks must be caught in the act before anything can be done and gave me the non-emergency number to call when I see a golf cart on the street.

I am horrified that a state representative would even consider a law allowing anyone to drive golf carts on the streets legally. No seatbelts? No passenger limits? No lights? Where is the benefit to the community for a law like this?

Max, I am trying to put a stop to this in my neighborhood before someone is hurt or killed. Any ideas?

Not really. My only idea is 1) to stay in touch with the City Board to make sure Little Rock doesn't expand the reach of marauding golf carts. 2) Whether anything can be done about existing abuses, I just don't know, I indicated. My correspondent wrote back

I'll keep calling the non-emergency number when I see them. I didn't get out of the house until late this afternoon and guess what I saw! Middle aged couple in their golf cart, with two dogs on the back in a cage. Can't walk the dogs in the Heights ya know, gotta take em for a ride! When did the folks living in the Heights begin to think they were so entitled? Or maybe they always have, though I don't remember feeling entitled when I grew up here in the 60's and 70's.

I wonder if the police would speak at the next Heights Association meeting on April 22nd?

Anybody else?

UPDATE: After work today, my original correspondent sent in a response to some of the robust commenting today. It follows on the jump.

Looks like my email to you caused quite a stir in the neighborhood! And I would like to put to rest concerns from bloggers I need a life and I am unhappy. I have a GREAT life and I am not unhappy, I'm scared.

Why am I scared? See these facts I was able to pull off the web.

The July 2008 issue of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports injuries from being hit by or falling off of golf carts surged 132% from 1990 to 2006. Nearly 150,000 people were hurt in golf cart accidents during that time.

In 1990 there were an estimated 5,772 golf cart injuries, but in 2006 that number had surged to 13,411. About 70% occurred at a sports or recreational facility. About 15% of injuries happened on the street, and those injuries were most likely to result in concussions and hospitalization. Another 15% occurred around homes or on a farm.
Nearly one-third of injuries involved children. About half of the injuries were related to falling or jumping from a golf cart or the cart overturning. Children were at highest risk for falls, and a fall was twice as likely to cause a head or neck injury.

The most common type of injury was soft tissue damage, usually just bruises, followed by fractures and lacerations. Other types of injuries include concussions, internal injuries, subdural hematoma, spinal cord injury, or acute respiratory compromise. While rare, a few cases had severe outcomes: 4 fatalities, 2 paraplegics, and 1 quadriplegic injury have been documented.

One study showed golf carts traveling as slow as 11 M.P.H. can easily eject a passenger during a turn.

Are there more important issues in our city? Absolutely. Until..... Until someone, probably a child, is badly hurt or killed in a golf cart accident. Then I promise golf carts on city streets will be a top story, tragedies always are. I hope it does not take a tragedy to initiate change.

Just remember, driving a golf cart on a Little Rock city street is illegal and dangerous. I agree a golf cart as a green alternative for short trips is a great idea. Let's license the carts, make them safe for city street travel, keep them off the sidewalks, etc.... you know, all the laws vehicles have to abide by. Until then? I suggest obeying the law. Is it unfortunate police may be called up here to address the law breakers? Yes. Is it preventable? Yes. How? Stop driving on the city streets.

As for the cyclists, mud bikes, ATV's, etc.... I can only take on one issue at a time.

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'NRA defends purchase of former Congressman' Asa Hutchinson

Max Brantley — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:46:00 -0500

Fiction is as strange as truth.

Noted, the article on which the headline above is based is written by Andy Borowitz, a humorist for New Yorker.

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—The National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre today defended his decision to purchase the former congressman Asa Hutchinson, after an outspoken N.R.A. member complained that the organization should be using its funds to buy current congressmen only.

Shortly after Mr. Hutchinson appeared at a press conference in Washington to present the N.R.A.’s plan to arm teachers and other school personnel, N.R.A. dissident Tracy Klugian blasted the purchase of the former Arkansas representative.

“Members of the N.R.A. fork over millions of dollars to this organization,” he said. “That money should be used to buy people who are actually in Congress now, not some has-been like Hutchinson who doesn’t even have a vote anymore.”

Ah, but he may be governor of Arkansas some day. Not that the NRA hasn't already pimped out our legislature sufficiently already.

ON A SERIOUS NOTE: Hutchinson is getting worked over on MSNBC tonight because 1) his security report was based on the work of security consulting firms that could stand to profit in many ways, including in providing the training Hutchinson advocates for in-school security people, including, potentially, trained teachers and administrators, and 2) there were no school officials or women on the 13-member committee that came up with the report.

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Missy Irvin's body art bill amended to remove unreasonable bans

David Ramsey — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:59:43 -0500

Last Thursday, amendments to SB387 — Sen. Missy Irvin’s body modification bill — removed the ban on scarification and clarified the definitions regarding implants. These needed, ahem, modifications changed the legislation from a clumsy and unnecessary ban to more reasonable regulation. Max mentioned this Thursday in his legislative roundup but I thought I’d add a quick post given all the coverage we’ve given the bill.

The original nanny-state bill sailed through the Senate Public Health committee and the Senate with very little in the way of substantive discussion. The amendments to the bill represent a victory for the citizen activism of Misty Forsberg and other body artists and their consumers, who kept showing up to testify and flooded legislators with e-mails. Yes, ultimately Forsberg was advocating for the interests of her industry, but these are small businesses without much political clout, and they were never opposed to strong regulation. They simply did not want the government establishing unreasonable restrictions on what folks could do with their own bodies.

The key victory here was removing the ban on scarification entirely. The bill was also amended to remove the prohibition on dermal implants, which were defined in such broad and vague terms that arguably navel piercings would have been banned. Subdermal implants, a significantly more invasive procedure in which the skin is completely closed over the implant, will not be allowed in body-art studios. In practice, federal regulations on plastic surgery already keep body artists from doing subdermal implants; the body artists and body-art enthusiasts in attendance at the committee meeting told me that federal law and a lack of regulatory structure in the state makes subdermal implants unrealistic for body artists in Arkansas at this time.

Body artists there to testify against SB387 ended up testifying for it instead, along with SB388, a second body modification bill addressing training and professional standards. "It takes it from a gray area to legitimizing what we're doing and making it a legal, regulated form of body art in this state," Forsberg told me afterwards. She said that initially lawmakers had not taken their concerns seriously and she was happily surprised when she heard about the amendments at the last minute.

After Irvin's frankly embarrassing performance in Senate committee, it was nice to see Rep. Deborah Ferguson , who came on as a co-sponsor to the amended bills, give a reasoned presentation. "Everyone has a different idea of beauty but we should try to ensure that it’s done safely," she said.

In a great summary of a regulation-not-prohibition approach, Ferguson said, "We can actually prevent a lot of unnecessary disease by not rejecting people’s desire to decorate their bodies. I’m not for banning anything. There’s not a culture in the world that didn’t practice some form of tattooing at some point in its history. It’s not a fringe practice — it’s a natural desire to create meaning and beauty in the world."

The bills are on the House calendar today.

Previous coverage: You can read our initial report of the Senate committee meeting here, a further explanation of why the original bill was such a bad idea here, and an argument for why the principle matters here.

See also our Reporter and little more on the unnecessary folly of the original bill.

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The question: Could Arkansas be a tech magnet?

Max Brantley — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:01:13 -0500

Looking for a long read? I recommend this article by Ellen Cushing in the East Bay Express on the enormous wealth, particularly among young people, concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area thanks to the technology bubble.

All the news of the trappings of great wealth isn't good, and not just because of the profligate spending. One theme is a potential lack of philanthropic zeal among the new money equivalent to that shown by people with older money.

I couldn't help but read the article in the context of current Arkansas political events.

I ask you: Would all the young tech tycoons depicted in this article — given two months worth of news coverage of the Arkansas legislature — want to be here rather than in high-tax California? If not, why not?

Also: Where are the tycoons of Little Rock who'd pay to make an art project of Buddy's Broadway Bridge like the tech moguls have underwritten on the Bay Bridge? (There, the article notes, the LED light show on the bridge is visible only from the San Francisco side of the bay. Maybe Judge Buddy could talk Frank Fletcher into lighting up the replacement Broadway bridge in a manner visible only from the shores of Dogtown. That'd show the elitists from South Dogtown once and for all.)

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Ark. stunt pioneer Hal Needham gets honorary Oscar

David Koon — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:09:10 -0600

If you were paying attention while watching the Oscars last night, you might have heard that Arkansas-raised stuntman Hal Needham was one of those who received an honorary Academy Award this year. Before his retirement, Needham was a pioneer in the stunt industry, developing many techniques for making stunts more dramatic and safer, including the development of the high-fall airbag. As pointed out by Quentin Tarantino when he introduced Needham at the Governors Awards back in December, Needham is only the second stunt performer/stunt coordinator in history to receive an Oscar.

Born a dirt-poor sharecropper's son, Needham parlayed a stint as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and work as a tree trimmer into a career as a stuntman and filmmaker, directing screwball, fast-car cult classics like "Smokey and the Bandit," "Hooper," and "Cannonball Run." We talked to him at length just prior to his appearance at the Little Rock Film Festival in 2011. You can read the extensive Q&A here.

When we asked him why he thinks there is an Academy Award category for almost every facet of film making except stunts, Needham said he's glad they don't give out Oscars in his line of work, and gave an excellent answer why:

"My belief is, when a person goes in and pays his money to see a movie, and he sees his hero up there doing something spectacular, you don't want him to stop and think: 'I wonder if that's the star, or if it's a stuntman?' You want them to enjoy the movie. I think stuntmen should take their check and go on their way."

Seen above is video of Needham's emotional speech on accepting his Oscar. "You're looking at the luckiest man alive," Needham told the crowd, "and lucky to be alive."

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A wintry morning report OBITUARY UPDATE

Max Brantley — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:21:48 -0600

The roundup:'

* BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE: Spitting rain here. Little Rock City Hall is delaying its start time until 10 a.m. Pulaski County School District operating on normal schedule. How about you?

* GIVE PEACE A CHANCE IN LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT: Little Rock School Board member Greg Adams urges that I keep calm in response to my fears about the current search for a new school superintendent. He writes:

In the summer of 2010, the board vote to not extend the contract for Dr. Watson was 4-3. Later in the fall the board vote to not reconsider the earlier decision was 5-2. The board vote to hire Dr. Holmes as interim superintendent was 7-0. The vote to hire Dr. Holmes for 2 years was 7-0. The vote this fall to begin a new search for a superintendent was 7-0 and the board vote this week to interview the top recommendations of the search firm was 7-0. There are four candidates to consider and a long day of multiple interviews for each of the candidates where s/he will interact with school personnel, members of the public and media and members of the board. From a distance, it could be that the board is seeking to work together as much as possible and follow a set and open process together. Making a final decision together and another 7-0 vote would be ideal, and even if that goal is not met, it will matter how the final decision is reached and the strength of the final consensus. The future of the district and the success of the next superintendent will benefit from these efforts to find consensus and move forward together. I don't believe this process, especially when viewed in a larger way, necessarily leads to the conclusion that we are headed for disaster. I hope and believe otherwise.

* UA GETS ON OBAMA'S TEAM: The Obama administration and supporters have gone all out to highlight the range of services to be felt if the budget sequesters take place and result in automatic spending cuts across government. Add the University of Arkansas news service to the chorus:

Sequestration Budget Battle Could Reduce Programs for Low-Income Students and Veterans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than 2,400 students in Northwest Arkansas, as well as parts of Missouri and Oklahoma, have a personal stake in the current Congressional debate over the federal budget. The same is true for 130 local veterans, 325 University of Arkansas students and the 25 full-time staff and other part-time workers who direct and staff eight federal programs within the office of diversity affairs at the U of A. For that matter, this also applies to thousands of students and veterans in other parts of Arkansas, and across the nation who are served any of the federal TRIO programs.

True, though I'd bet it smacks of lobbying to some in the legislature, which recently moved to ban public spending on campaigns for ballot initiatives. Under that proposal, I'm thinking public employees using their public jobs to state facts useful in making decisions on public policy (as here) might be a problem.

It's academic in the sequestration debate. NY Times says House, of course, will not accede to the White House blend of tax increases and spending to help the federal budget. So here come the cuts.

* VOTE SUPPRESSION AND FETUSES: No evidence emerged of Democratic Party claims yesterday that a Republican senator in floor debate yesterday had admitted the obvious — that the voter ID bill approved by the Senate was intended to help Republican election outcomes. What DID happen was the usual dishonesty from the lying liars, such as Sens. Alan Clark and Sen. Jason Rapert, who could only point to acts not covered by the law in support for the bill, no in-person voter ID fraud. Rapert actually said on the floor that vote buying by a Democratic legislative candidate in East Arkansas proved the need for the legislation. It did no such thing. Voter ID was not an issue in the Hudson Hallum case and this bill, had it been in place, wouldn't have deterred those illegal activities. The truth isn't in Rapert, who claimed for two years that no vaginal probes were required by his anti-abortion bill, when they were. In the face of medical testimony, he took the probes out, but left a bill that remains unconstitutional and goes to a House vote today.

* SPEAKING OF ABORTION: Given the coming House vote on Rapert's patently unconstitutional abortion prohibtion at the 12th week of pregnancy, it's a good time to review Leslie Peacock's earlier cover story on Jason Rapert and the rest of the Republican Party's war on women this legislative session. Not that facts are likely to deter the anti-woman express train.

* UPDATE: OBITUARY OF THE DAY: Durango no doubt caught this one. It was called to my attention by a friend. But let's all bid a fond farewell to Carrie Mae Stell Austin of Monticello. Wish I had known her. Read on:

Carrie Mae Stell Austin, born April 18th, 1930, died February 19th 2013.

She is survived by her children, Ginger Norris and Gloria Gladden (Royce), all of Monticello, Hugh Austin (Wrenetta) of Conway, David Austin (Debbie) of Little Rock, grandchildren, Kristy Hales (Mike) of Wasilla, Alaska, Andy Norris (Donna) and John and Drew (Lauren) Gladden all of Monticello, Stephanie Witherspoon (Chris) of Benton, Ashley Braswell (Jason) and Lauren Erion (Matt) all of Conway, great-grandchildren Abby, Lily, Keith, Brayden, Valeri, Ava Claire, BJ and Lane', many nieces and nephews. Carrie is predeceased by her husband, Rev. Houston E. Austin, parents Johnnie Mae Smith and David Eugene Stell, one grandson, Jason Austin, one brother, John D. Stell, sisters: Francis Kelly, Jean Cahill, Celeste Fairweather, and Betty Donaldson, her beloved son in law Keith Norris.

An honor graduate of Hamburg High School, she attended ASU, UCA and graduated summa cum laude from UA Monticello. Carrie's life was a reflection of her very diverse interests. She was a retired high school English teacher, Business Woman, an avid reader, family historian, Minister's wife, a patriot and a Yellow Dog Democrat! Her career was spent in public schools in Tillar, Star City, Bearden, England and Dermott, Ark. Referred to as "Aunt Bea" by her students (behind her back), she was a tireless supporter of education and students both young and old. She continued graduate work and other classes of interest most of her life. She was in her 50's when she convinced a friend to share a dorm room for the summer term to study computers. A dedicated reader of the Arkansas Gazette, she never embraced the merger with the Democrat, but read it cover to cover. Born and Reared in her beloved Promise Land community in Ashley County, she traced the family ancestry from 16th century England to the founders of the community she always called home. Her story telling, dry wit and verbose e-mails are a cherished part of family lore. Her love for her students extended beyond teaching literature, grammar, and journalism. She invited many adults to her kitchen table and taught them to read and write. Many things could be said of her professionally, but one of her greatest honors was being asked by a committee of African American students in the mid 70's to deliver Rev. King's "I have a dream" speech at a black history assembly at England High School. She was both humbled and honored, and delivered that speech proudly and respectfully. She truly judged people by the content of their character rather than race, economic or social status. Carrie was traditional, yet progressive. Embracing her role as a Southern Baptist minister's wife, with poise and graciousness, she could respectfully challenge others to examine different views and opinions. Unwavering in her Christian faith, she knew that the spiritual life on earth is a journey and only now has she achieved perfection. She proudly wore the label of Christian and Baptist but accepted and respected the diversity of Christian doctrine represented in the family. A constant, fearless ally of her children and grandchildren, her love was constant, a foundation for their successes and comfort in their failures. Carrie was keenly aware of her gifts and shared them freely with others until her brilliant mind was ravaged by Alzheimers Disease.

A celebration of her life and faith will be a graveside service at 3 p.m. Thursday at Union Ridge Cemetery. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. As the former owner of a florist, Carrie would welcome floral tributes. Memorials in her honor to the donor's favorite charity. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.

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Arkansans doing good around the world

Max Brantley — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 08:39:44 -0600

Jimmy Bryant, director of the archives at the University of Central Arkansas, sent me a recent addition to his growing collection. It's a nice antidote to obsessing over the self-interest and narrow outlook emanating from the Arkansas State Capitol.

The picture is of former President Bill Clinton with Lencola Sullivan-Verseveldt and her husband, Roel Verseveldt, a businessman in Amsterdam. Sullivan-Verseveldt, a former Miss UCA and the first African-American to be named Miss Arkansas, has given her papers to UCA and regularly sends additional material.

They were all photographed at a charity event for Dutch Postcode Lotterij, a gala at which Clinton was guest of honor. The Dutch lottery has been a supporter of the Clinton Foundation's worldwide efforts since 2005. It recently committed almost $3 million to further expand anti-HIV/AIDS work the Clinton Foundation supports in Tanzania. Appearances by the former president at such events undoubtedly help the Foundation in its fund-raising. And take a look at the Clinton Health Access Initiative for the end result — births of healthy children to HIV mothers in Kenya; a hospital in Rwanda; medical innovations in Mozambique; health services in Malawi.

I should disclose I'm a proud poppa, given a chance to brag by the coincidence of the e-mail from Jimmy this morning. After years in finance, my daughter Martha went over to the charity side and works in New York for the Clinton Foundation, recently on efforts to win German and Dutch support for health projects in Tanzania and Malawi, where she's also been working on a project to encourage microfarmers to grow soybeans. Bill Clinton's presidential years look better all the time, but each month that he continues to build global initiatives such as these is a down payment on a greater legacy.

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The early line — Tom Cotton for veep

Max Brantley — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:24:55 -0600

The improving day calls me to other activities. I'm opening the Sunday line early. I may return. I may not. Meanwhile:

* REMEMBER CARIBOU BARBIE? Tom Cotton made Fox News' Sunday gasbag event yet again today, continuing signs that the Right Wing Establishment is pushing him hard as the candidate to oppose U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor in 2014. But let's not stop there. From Fox 16:

Cotton joined a panel that included liberal columnist Juan Williams and Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol. At the end of the segment, Kristol, who was chuckling at the time, said the GOP should go with a Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton presidential ticket in 2016.

Joking? Given Kristol's unstinting and unceasing praise of Cotton, I'm not so sure. Reminder: Bill Kristol is the man whose political acumen and good judgment lifted Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket in 2008.

* DEATH ON THE INTERSTATE: The Arkansas State Police sends words of an apparent homicide in Conway:

The Arkansas State Police wants to hear from anyone who was passing through Conway along Interstate 40 early this morning (Sunday, February 10th). What may have appeared to motorists as a drunk driver or a wrecked pick-up truck is now part of a homicide investigation.

State Troopers were dispatched shortly after 5 AM to a stretch of I-40 westbound at the 129 mile marker near Dave Ward Drive. A caller reported what appeared to be a drunk driver in the area, followed by a call of a wrecked black Nissan pick-up truck.

The first State Trooper on the scene found the driver of the truck. Jose Martinez, 31, of Conway was transported by ambulance from the scene and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are continuing their investigation but preliminarily suspect someone pulled-up along Martinez’s truck and shot him.

Martinez’s body has been transported to the State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about what they saw on the highway or if they know anything about the homicide can call (501) 618-8100.

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En pointe! Chelsea Clinton to promote Ballet Arkansas

Max Brantley — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:24:00 -0600

Ballet Arkansas sent word today that Chelsea Clinton will return to Arkansas this spring to be honored for her work in the performing arts as part of the dance group's spring gala April 26.

It's a fund-raiser. Ballet Arkansas is one of several arts groups hoping to achieve the financial ability to join the hoped-for arts corridor along Main Street.

Clinton performed with Ballet Arkansas before moving to Washington at age 12. She's on the board of the School of American Ballet in New York City.

The news sent me to my box of stuff for a photo of Chelsea and her dad at one of her earliest dance recitals, at the Children's House Montessori School. She's joined by a dancer near and dear to me. From the release:

This year's gala will be held at Supermarine of Little Rock. In addition to remarks from Clinton, the program includes cocktails, dinner, a silent and live auction, and a one night only performance by Ballet Arkansas. Tickets to the event — as well as to Spring into Motion, the company’s last Main Stage performance of the 2012-2013 season premiering at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre— can be purchased online at www.balletarkansas.org.

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Memphis strips Confederate names from parks; can a David O. Dodd Protection Act be far behind?

Max Brantley — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:59:03 -0600

A story from Tennessee seems absolutely ripe for copycat work from Arkansas Republicans.

A bill filed in the Tennessee legislature prohibits the renaming or removal of any monuments or memorials or plaques related to any war. The idea, apparently, is to prohibit any tampering with Civil War icons.

The Memphis City Council has jumped out ahead of the lawmakers, the Memphis Flyer reports.

Galvanized into action by a bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly but not yet acted upon, the City Council voted Tuesday to change the names of three downtown city parks that had been named in honor of the old Confederacy or for Confederate figures.

By a vote of 9 ayes against 3 abstentions, the Council changed the name of Forrest Park (which is managed by UTCHS) to Health Sciences Park; Confederate Park to Memphis Park; and Jefferson Davis Park to Mississippi River Park.

The potential threat to local autonomy from the state capital fired up Memphis politicians.

Councilman Shea Flinn referred to it as "the ironic war of aggression from our northern neighbor in Nashville," and Council member Janis Fullilove, who pointedly noted the Republican sponsorship of the bill, called it a "snake" needing its "head cut off." Councilman Harold Collins said, "I don't care if the name is Nathan Bedford Forrest. He's a dead man. We need to be focused on the living....but we will never let the legislature in Nashville control what we in Memphis will do for ourselves."

I don't think David O. Dodd school or other tributes to the boy martyr, not to mention numerous other Civil War monuments are at risk of de-Doddification in Arkansas, even if Gen. Griffin Smith (CSA-hon.) has retired from the battlefield. But you can't be too careful. Sen. Rapert, here's another tub for you to thump.

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Former Miss Arkansas moves from lobby back to law

Max Brantley — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:32:00 -0600

Remember Regina Hopper, the former Miss Arkansas who moved from TV news to law and, then, big-time Washington lobbying? Most recently she's held the top job at a lobby for the natural gas industry.

Says here she's stepping down as CEO of America's Natural Gas Alliance to return to communications litigation.

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What if they built a jail and nobody came?

Max Brantley — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:13:55 -0600

Good story from ozarksfirst.com on the brand new $1.2 million Newton County Jail in Jasper. Voters authorized the building, but twice have refused to vote for taxes to pay to operate it. So Newton County pays $5,000 a month to jail inmates in neighboring counties. It also runs a little heat in the building to keep pipes from freezing.

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