Fetuses rule
On social issues too, Michigan is becoming more like Arkansas. A news item: "Tax Breaks for Fetuses But Not for Kids — Michigan lawmakers proposed an amendment to the state's income tax code that would allow pregnant women to claim their 12-week or older fetuses as dependents. These same Republican legislators pushed to eliminate a tax credit that applies to actual children."
In Arkansas, the extensive anti-abortion legislative package includes a bill by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, that would prohibit an abortion if the fetus has a heartbeat. A fetal heartbeat generally can be heard after six weeks; most abortions are performed later than that. The heartbeat is commonly detected with a vaginal probe about 9 inches long, inserted into the uterus. Reportedly, an amendment is on the way that would require the probe be inserted by a legislator. A male legislator. A male Republican legislator.
Rapert's in the running for the award, but the national Anti-Abortionist of the Year trophy may have to go to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn. Although he campaigns as a "consistent supporter of pro-life values," it's been revealed that he also supported his ex-wife in her decisions to have two abortions, and that he urged an abortion on one of several patients he was sleeping with. He admits to error; he says God has forgiven him.
Speaking of Jason Rapert
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Ark. Republicans spar with Planned Parenthood over healthcare guides
June 20, 2013With implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act's major provisions gearing up in Arkansas, the potential involvement of Planned Parenthood is stirring controversy among Republican lawmakers. /more/
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Republicans continue attacks on Planned Parenthood
June 17, 2013Hiring "navigators" and Planned Parenthood to help spend more of our Grandkid's money. #Obamacare #selfish— Jim Hendren (@JimHendren1) June 16, 2013 There is plenty of political profit for Republicans in slamming Planned Parenthood, so expect more of the above. /more/
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John Burkhalter will run for lt. governor
June 11, 2013Roby Brock reports that Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter will announce this afternoon that he is running for lieutenant governor. /more/
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God, Jason Rapert and Obamacare
June 6, 2013When someone lamented the starvation of millions in the Ukraine, Joseph Stalin is supposed to have observed that "one death is a tragedy, but a million deaths is only a statistic." /more/
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Rapert won't go for Lt. Gov. job. Too bad.
June 5, 2013State Sen. Jason Rapert, the Republican from Conway who authored Arkansas's 12-week abortion ban, which has not gone into effect thanks to a federal court injunction, announced today he'll see re-election to his Senate seat in 2014. /more/
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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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The death and taxes open line
May 16, 2013The line is open. Closing out: * THERE THE GOP GOES AGAIN: The Arkansas Republican Party is in all-out assault mode on U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, today pounding him for saying seven years ago that he supported permanent repeal of the estate tax (dishonestly called a "death tax" by the Republicans) but joining in recent bipartisan approval of what is now a dramatically lower estate tax. /more/
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How the Arkansas legislature has changed your life
May 9, 2013For better or for worse. /more/
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Latest in Editorials
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Huck beats Rick
We now know for sure that screwy right-wing ex-governors of Arkansas make more sense than screwy right-wing incumbent governors of Texas. Political scientists had so theorized for some time; the point was proved over the weekend.
- Jun 20, 2013
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Respect yourself
Announcing her candidacy for lieutenant governor, Dianne Curry said she considered running for the Second Congressional District seat and state auditor "before deciding lieutenant governor best fits her experience and abilities."
- Jun 20, 2013
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Regnat Populus
hat Democracy is rule by the people was once considered self-evident in this country, but that changed with the Supreme Court's disastrous ruling in the Citizens United case.
- Jun 13, 2013
- More »
Event Calendar
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Re: Pryor and the politics of provincialism
Maybe. Depends on who his oppostition will be on the GOP side. I usually vote…
- on June 17, 2013
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Re: Pryor and the politics of provincialism
So Steven, does that mean you'll be voting for Pryor in the next election?
- on June 17, 2013
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