Arkansas Blog

What a blast from the past.

Clark had his problems, but I always liked him.

They did a real good job keeping that one underwraps. Luckily young folks don't read papers.

Clark still comes back to Arkansas sometimes. I saw him at an ASU basketball game in Jonesboro a couple of years ago. I think he was living in Austin, TX at the time.

As a full-time waiter and bartender during his tenure in the AG's office, I might be more forgiving of Clark if he had spent lavishly at any of my places of business.

I don't know if this is my internet connection, my monitor or both, but he looks positively Pepto-pink in this picture....I hope it's just a technical problem....

Not mentioning the conviction on the school's website will hardly prevent law students from googling up his whole past, as they do with everything.

Here's a bit of Steve Clark information that might show up deep down in a google, now that I am posting it:

Helen Martin, of the D-Lux on Dickson Street (Fayetteville, for the uninitiated), used to point with pride at the italicized and quotation-marked invitation on her menu: "Try our World Famous Cheeseburgers!" (or something like that).

"Know why they're World Famous?" she would ask. Then she'd tell you, whether you attempted an answer or not, that Steve Clark ("what a dimpled cutie") had written her a letter from Vietnam professing his love and undying longing for one of her cheeseburgers. "Vietnam," she'd say, "THAT's why they're World Famous."

In any case, I doubt Mr Clark's conviction can be any sort of secret. It could even be a good draw academically for a law school. Isn't there an old saying that goes "It takes a thief ..."?

Oh the crazy AT blog, always posting partisan news.

On the D*Lux menu:

"Internationally known for our fine cheeseburgers."

Good story, but a couple of glitches:

* It says Clark was attorney general from 1986 to 1990. He actually served from 1978 to 1990, which was why he became known as the eternal general.

* It doesn't say that Huckabee pardoned Clark, which is what made him more marketable to law schools as a prospective faculty member.

Here is a great few lines from that article:

"That way of life was expensive - for Arkansas taxpayers. In 1990 the Arkansas Gazette reported Clark had spent $115,000 on meals and trips in 1988. A subsequent state audit found $28,564 in inappropriate charges."

That's right kids ... Arkansas Gazette!

Ahhh those were the days. Back when there was a newpaper that would actually report it when an elected official was a crook. Good times, my friend, good times.

Here is a great few lines from that article:

"That way of life was expensive - for Arkansas taxpayers. In 1990 the Arkansas Gazette reported Clark had spent $115,000 on meals and trips in 1988. A subsequent state audit found $28,564 in inappropriate charges."

That's right kids ... Arkansas Gazette!

Ahhh those were the days. Back when there was a newpaper that would actually report it when an elected official was a crook. Good times, my friend, good times.

Steve Clark made a mistake. He's paid for it many times over. He's moved on and I admire him for that. My sources say he plans to return to Arkansas for good soon.

Steve recently suffered a minor stroke. This has changed his lifestyle a bit.

He is a great guy. I always liked him and his cousin, former State Senator Mike Bearden.

Glad to hear Steve Clark landed on his feet. He sure enough screwed up and paid for it dearly, as he should have. It's refreshing that he confronts his past head on. I've always felt better listing my sins rather than have some wormy sonbich I didn't like listing them for me in public.

After the entire Bush administration serves their time in prison, will they be so brave as to admit their mistakes? Oh, I think not.

Thanks, hugh. Your memory is sharper than mine. The menus were blue though, right?

Well Hugh and widg, I admire you both. For all the years I went to the D-Lux, I don't remember them HAVING menus. Chee-burger D-Lux and a cold Michelob Lite (or 10) was my order. Hugh, I think, worked there and was therefore sober. Widj, what was your excuse for reading in a bar?

DBI- confronting the past head on? It says his past is NOT being disclosed to students!!
Clark and Clinton lived the same way, its just that one got caught befoe he left Arkansas....

Ahhh, the D-Lux - GREAT Cheesburgers and fries and cold beer. I prefered the "Library" with Bill and Lil. That way when my roommate told my parents I was at the Library, she wasn't lying.

Ahhh, the D-Lux -Great Cheesburgers and fries and cold beer. I prefered the "Library" with Bill and Lil. That way when my roommate told my parents I was at the Library, she wasn't lying.

I used tell my mom, I'll either study in my room or go to the Liabrary. I think that is why they named the bar that.

Not to mimimize what Clark did but Arkansas was setting itself up for graft and corruption when it paid elected officials like it did. Back then the gov made like under $30 and the attorny general made less than that. Without an advanced degree I passed them up by 2 years out of college.

That statement is not to justify what Clark did, but those wages will GUARRENTEE either coruption or incompetence.

Which do you prefer?

I remember him jogging in thoses shorts on Kavangh in the late 80's would watch him run by the windows of my home in Hillcrest.think, he lived at Treetop condos, then glad he has been doing ok .

Popeye,
Are you implying (of course you are) that Clinton committed the same crime that Clark committed? Evidence, please?

Or maybe you have Clinton confused with Huckabee, who spent tax money for everything from pantyhose to dog food to fast food, and got away with it!

When you read the whole article, it becomes apparent that Steve Clark admits his mistakes, asks for forgivness, and is trying to live a decent life as a decent human being.

I don't defend anyone who breaks the law, but Clark has paid the price. Let's leave him alone and leave Clinton out of the discussion.

"I'm a felon," Clark admits."

What part of" I'm a felon" is the cover up? Everyone knows and anyone interested could find out about Clark's past in 20 seconds with a good Internet connection. I didn't love him then, I don't love him now. But he's been pretty straight forward about his mistakes all this time. I guess if I was him, I wouldn't have "I'm a felon" printed on my business cards or on my mailbox, but maybe if Asa is elected anyone from speeders on up will have to have a sign on their house like convicted child molesters do now.

Do you want to nail Clark on a cross in front of Ronnie's big church? Didn't you get enough of The Passion of the Christ?

I worked there too, mag, so I had to read the menu. Also the Gazette, when business was slow.

As a then-recent resident of Germany and Canada, I hadn't paid any attention to the import of "internationally known" until Helen pointed out the Clark connection and told the Vietnam story. Sometimes she cried a little when she told it. She really loved those dimples.

I'm satisfied that Clark has paid his dues. Lord knows, I read every day about a lot worse transgressions than his. WAY worse.

I was only half-kidding before when I said he might be good at teaching law. Aside from his charisma (assuming it's still intact), he's experienced law from both sides now--its ins and outs, its ups and downs. His insights into law's illusions ought to make for riveting lectures.

I vote Dem more than not, but I have no sympathy for Clark. I do not wish him any ill, but people who abuse the public trust financially are scum, for lack of a more eloquent phrase. I'm okay with screwing interns, because that is between you, the intern, and your family (sorry, Chelsea). When you start spending public money on private gratification, though, I have a big problem with it. I will no more forgive Steve Clark than I do Tom DeLay and his ilk.

The guy who gets popped for DWI the FIRST TIME, or the kid who shoplifts a GI Joe can claim "poor judgment." The guy who enjoys lavish (by Arkansas standards) dinners on our dime is guilty of much more than "poor judgment." I'm waiting for Rep. Jefferson of Louisiana to claim "poor judgment" regarding the cash in his freezer. Screw that guy and people who think like him.

I feel sorry for the family of Ken Lay because they lost a loved one. That doesn't change the fact that he was a major league asshole and should have lived long enough to serve several years in prison. I can more easily stand a car thief spending five years in jail and claiming that he's paid his dues than a while collar businessman or pol with power doing the same. Your average improverished car thief has a much more legitimate claim to bad judgment than any accomplished CEO or politician.

The D Lux...I am happy that there are some Middle Time Farts rolling...

...sorry. The D Lux was cool, and I am sure I am not giving it the props it deserves, I just have a warm and fuzzy for that part o' town...

Fayettenam, 1974-87 here, rosso. The stretch of Dickson street from College Avenue to the groves of Academe was my village then.

rosso...look around the chair and count the empties....I'm guessing 8 empty bottles.....am I close?

rosso...you are a booze head...addiction comes with being a socialist. What else are you addicted to?

The D-Lux -- George's when it was just a dingy little bar (the beer garden was closed because students had tossed bottles at the trains when there were trains) with hard-boiled eggs and a bowl of olives for a dime as an appetizer -- The Library when it was just opened -- Bill and Lil's Steak House with the best Italian dressing on earth -- Herman's, when ribs were the thing instead of steaks -- Suzie Wong's Rice Bowl, which actually had octopus on the menu -- Ken's Pizza -- the original AQ Chicken House. . .

Those were the days, my friends, those were the days.

I forgot the square doughnuts at the Palace Drug Store and the "student special" with that great guac at Casa Montez.

What about the plate lunches (with BEER) and the Willie Nelson jukebox (and the PIE) out at Ma's Diner? I loved that concrete-block building, peeling pink paint and all.

In keeping with the topic, I met Steve Clark once, casually at my then girlfriend's family cabin on an area lake in the early- to mid-'80s. He pulled up in a speedboat wearing only those shorts and a gold chain. I remember he was drinking an amber cocktail on ice, and I could swear he was flashing dimples and cleft chin at my girlfriend, who was a little younger than me but way younger than he. Hard to blame him for that.

widj's point of view on Clark pretty much summed up my own: He made the mistake, paid the price, I'm glad he's doing well after all kinds of problems, I've seen much worse sins lately, etc. As was pointed out, his unique experiences on both sides of the law should make for interesting lectures.

Then I read Richard's post. I can't argue with you, brother. When a person commits to serving the public, he shouldn't be soaking us. We got too many problems to fix.

D*Lux menus were blue in those days. Can anyone name the dish that was a cheeseburger and fries with gravy?

Other '80s favorite spots:

Hugo's, ROTC, Bar & Grill, Roger's, Maxine's, Martha's Inn (inside door to Ozark Lanes), Jerry's, George's, Tim's Pizza, Coy's Place, Godfather's Pizza, Herman's Ribs, The Station, Mary Maestri's and Venetian Inn--both out a ways, but still very F'ville), Fonzarelli's Pizza--going way back, and short-lived (long i in lived), Jose's, King Pizza, Gulliver's, The Gazebo, Mountain Man, Collier's, Fayetteville Drug, The Co-op, My Pleasure, Confederate Cemetery, Mr. Burger, Casa Taco. The list really does go on.

Fayetteville's best free freak show in those days was the massive cow at the U of A experimental farm (out Garland St / 112 South) which had on its starboard side a plexiglass window that allowed viewing of the stomachage of the cow. No kidding.

While we're remineising, I'm shocked no one has mentioned Zoro and the Blue Footballs! Their 10-year-reunion extravaganza in S'dale was a blast, and another one later at Dave's on Dickson was fun too, but I understand Wendy and Mike had a major falling out when they attempted a third. So, we'll probably never see those two geniuses of blue humor together again :>(

"rosso...you are a booze head...addiction comes with being a socialist. What else are you addicted to?"

Let's see, Anonypu$$...sorry I am just now reading your comment, by the way...

I am addicted to cheeseburgers, onion rings, pizza, chocolate, Cold Beer...all the usuals that socialists like...

I am also addicted to truth, tolerance, consideration, sex with my wife (in full disclosure, I work very hard at that, by the way), honesty in government, treating people fairly, work, charity, helping someone up when down...you know, all the usuals that socialists like...oh, wait a minute, you wouldn't know anything about any of these things, would you?

I may be showing my age, while on the topic of Fayettenam...

My Pleasure...Fred, Van and Hussein...

Second only to my amazement that George Bush is President, can anyone believe that Wendy Austin is still alive? He's the Keith Richards of Arkansas!

Tim's Pizza on N. College, Poor Fred's on S. College. I had totally forgotten about Hussein at My Pleasure. His brother Mo(hamed) cooked for us at our fraternity house. Ask him anytime, or anyday, "Hey Mo, what's for lunch?" - "bread & cheese only for you" with a thick middle eastern accent.

I curse you soundly for mentioning AQ chicken. Bring me some now and Ill think about lifting the curse. Make sure there's enough for my little dog Toto, too, please. He bites.

steve clark, those shorts and the gold chain......what a blast from the past. By the way his picture is Pepto-pink on my monitor, too.

Longtimeago,

I bumped into Fred last year and he told me he still had my tab...mostly shots and tall Johnnie Reds...

What great days...

Ok, I didn't even have a chance with my male roommate, but did anyone more cool ever check out the Iris Motel out on College Ave.? Wait....was that the name of that dive? I always imagined the place full of drunk, naked, Tri-Delts.....Delta, Delta, Delta, can we hep ya, hep ya, hep ya....sigh

I remember watching his downfall on TV. There was a Private Investigator hired by ?? to dig the dirt up and pass it on to the media.

Who hired the PI?

When escaping the fraternity house...The Mountain Inn was the cheapest place to take your "Coke date" in my day...I think it was $29 or something...and they took checks...

"Who hired the PI?"

Could it have been Bill Clinton?

Never thought of the Mountain Inn, when I was a kid it was the swankiest hotel in Fayetteville. Oh well...never had a need for a motel or hotel room back then. I didn't have a Corvette, I wasn't a football player and I didn't have any coke. I was wholly undesirable....my own dog wouldn't lick my hand. But enough about me!

Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson just sued Dick The Dick Cheney!

I once worked a few nights a week at the old Mid-Continent Inn. We had gas pumps! We had $2 key deposits! I think a room was $18 a night. One night a trucker rolled through and he really wanted to get some beers but, understandably, didn't want to run around town in his 18-wheeler. He offered to buy me dinner and all the drinks I could stand if I'd take him around to a couple of places. We started off at Godfather's Pizza, then went to The Huddle Club, where we danced with old women, drank draft beer, then went nearby to play mini-golf. Then I went to an old farmhouse on Hwy 16 (I think) for a house-party throwdown.

My first club membership was from The Landing Strip (it was my birthday). The Library and the Racquet Club also gave me freebies that night, plus free beer.

And, oh, boy, White Dog Records.

ooh, rosso.... just which little ladies did you persuade to join you at the mountain inn????? you might just be jumping some girls into "Q.R." (questionionable rep) status!!! old friend.

He looks like Larry Hagman in this picture, or at least his cousin.

I'm glad to hear that he is doing so well. It looks like he is on the right track and he wish him well. I knew him a long time ago.

I knew Steve Clark. I served with Steve Clark. And he's no Webb Hubbell

Sincerely,

My uncle