Arkansas Blog

Let's get this stuff on Hillary in while Max is gone:
from Maureen Dowd -NYT;
The enunciation of a clear sentence about the war in Iraq by Hillary Clinton means that there must be an election coming up.

Until now, she has been unsubtly subtle about the most urgent issue facing the country, sending signals rightward, sending signals leftward, tacking here, tacking there. Some days she seemed to be signaling whether she intended to signal.

But now, suddenly, she's a woman of passion, a model of concerned clarity. After an eon of calculated silence on most of the big moral questions of the day, there is a calculated breaking of the silence. The enigma won't play anymore. It's time for the drama.

But the drama played like "The Taming of the Shrew," with the only question being, who was the shrew?

Hillary was trying to bring Rummy to heel, and Rummy was trying to exert manly control over Hillary.

The junior senator from New York staged a drama in three acts, first sending a letter summoning the reluctant Rummy to appear before the Armed Services Committee; then hectoring him with a litany of his "numerous errors in judgment"; and finally at the end of the day, like the Queen of Hearts, delivering her climactic demand for his head.

"I just don't understand why we can't get new leadership that would give us a fighting chance to turn the situation around," Senator Clinton said after the hearing, summing up a truth acknowledged by everyone except W. and Dick Cheney, and particularly felt at the Pentagon, where the deeply unpopular defense chief has gone from self-styled matinee idol to self-destructing idle martinet.

During the hearing, Hillary unmanned Rummy, as Shakespeare would say, accusing him of incompetence, impotence and improbity.

"You did not go into Iraq with enough troops to establish law and order,'' she said. "You disbanded the entire Iraqi Army. Now we're trying to recreate it. You did not do enough planning for what is called phase four and rejected all the planning that had been done previously to maintain stability after the regime was overthrown. You underestimated the nature and strength of the insurgency, the sectarian violence and the spread of Iranian influence."

She pointed out that the administration succeeds only in achieving the opposite of its aims - with the number of American troops in Iraq scheduled to increase, not decrease, and the violence and instability spreading.

She cited the administration's reality disconnect on the Taliban in Afghanistan, where every new claim of success has been followed by new evidence of failure. The Taliban have been written out of the war by administration flackery, but they keep coming back like Mel Gibson's hangovers and apologies.

She tartly summed up: "Because of the administration's strategic blunders and, frankly, the record of incompetence in executing, you are presiding over a failed policy. Given your track record, Secretary Rumsfeld, why should we believe your assurances now?"

There was a pause while Rummy summoned all the condescension he usually reserves for doltish reporters.

"My goodness,'' he exhaled finally, firing off a defense that could have been translated as: "Where do I start educating you on your utterly superficial understanding of the enemy, you harridan hippy-dippy Henny Penny?"

The Pentagon rank and file have tuned out Rummy, whose only transformation so far has been to transform himself into a dangerous, deluded codger. But when the respected General Abizaid admitted that "it is possible that Iraq could move towards civil war," it was clear Iraq was already in one. It opened up a river of talk across the river about what people there had long been afraid to say: that Rummy's jutting jaw is not going to cut it. There needs to be an alternative strategy to keep our kids from having to fight their way out of a sectarian conflagration.

When Hillary and Rummy square off, it is a gladiatorial contest of two masters at hauteur, self-righteousness, scriptedness, infighting and belief in their own manifest destiny.

Hillary wants to avoid Joe Lieberman's fate by arguing that how the administration went about this war has caused all the problems, not that it went to a needless war she supported. Her stratagem avoids the lie that set off all the other lies, and leaves Hillary risking a John Kerry problem, being both for the war and against it.

It's going to be a tough triangulation. Even Bill never had to squirm his way out of something as hard as this

Anon 1:34

That run-on ramble of a post sure killed the open line.

What's so hard about saying - Bush and Company gave Congress faulty information, and they voted with the information "they had, not the information they should of had".

Only 10 days?
Poor guy.

Georgie has been on vacation since he and Rove high jacked the WH in 2000. He's a puppet and can read a telaprompter with below average confidence. Some else does his think, the strategy and policy.

We would of been just as well off, if we'd of had a wind up toy for a President. Wind em up when you need him to preform and put him away in the drawer otherwise.

Josh Blevins might be the biggest tool I have ever ecnountered.

This douche registered himself as a lobbyist at age 20.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=60301688

The Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld legacy is a litany of incompetence.

I've never begrudged a president a month-long vacation in light of the fact that with modern communications and air travel he can be in touch virtually instantaneously and on the spot shortly thereafter should the need arise.
Note that I said "can be."
Given Georgie Boy's history of AWOLs, from the National Guard to September 11 to New Orleans, and who knows what else, it ain't gonna happen. He might as well stay in Crawford throughout August and hide from Cindy.
Oh. Maybe he prefers to let Crawford deal with Cindy so he won't have to.
Goin' AWOL again, boy?

It's hard work Doigotta, give a guy a break. Being the leader of the free world and f**king up everything you touch.Then having to hde from each and every single f**kup - it's damn hard work and Junior should take the next 2 years off - with pay.

We'd be much better off without this idiot being the face of our county - don't know how more "hard work" we can stand.

This administration's 'Middle East Policy' essentially consists of just two primary elements: (1) Spend $250 million a day in Iraq no matter what and (2) Support the madmen at the helm in Israel no matter what. So, why is Condi Rice going to Crawford to "brief the president on the Middle East?" What is the point, other than possibly for her to whine about the Lebanese banning her useless ass from their ash-heap of a country?

Wow, is our Party going to follow Howard Dean, John Kerry, and now Hillary Clinton over the edge? It is wrong to criticize a President NEEDLESSLY while our Country is at War, and Israel is fighting for its very existence in the face of Russian, Chinese, Iranian, Syrian, and Hezbollah rocket and missile attacks. Lieberman may lose next Tuesday, but our Party will NOT be better for it. We should be careful, lest we all go over the cliff.

Watch that OUR PARTY shit, nony cause I think you're as much part of the Democratic Party as Bill Frist. I'm sorry Hillary voted for this sorry war we're busy losing in the first place. But she and all the rest were fed lie after lie by Bush-Cheney and Company. I like to think I would have been like Russ Feingold and not fallen for it, but I wasn't there, so maybe I don't know.

But we all know now the Bush administration lied their asses off to go after Iraq's oil. And it's way past time for Congress to wake up, but I'm still happy Hillary has out of her slumber. Every cotton-picking thing she said to Rummy's face was the truth. And MY GOODNESS........ Samantha Stevens..what a stupid, arrogant failure is our man Rummy.

Fire him.....drag him behind a pickup is more like it. Turn him over to the families of the 2588 dead soldiers for the weekend and see how much of him is left to pile in the limo by Monday. When did Americans become so stupid they can't tell success from failure??

Our own Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln could be leading the FIRE RUMMY brigade, but no....they're too busy taking turns voting for such important business like flag burning and gay marriage. Why don't they both take a stab at Rummy too?

America sent 15 million soldiers to WWII and we won that war. Now with only the poor and Democrats volunteering for service, we can only eek out 130,000 troops for the war in Iraq. Of that number many are on their 3rd tour and they're cracking and coming apart from the heat and the stress and never seeing things look any better...always worse...always hopeless.

Our 130,000 troops are probably just days away from being the meat in a civil war sandwich. When that happens I won't have enough fence to list the dead count in Solo cups. Will Rummy say My Goodness then? Will Bush bother to leave the fake ranch then? Like it matters....he's on vacation 365 days a year. I'm as much President as he is. It would be smarter to look and see where Cheney is. And he's no doubt very close to a safe bunker at all times.

Scream it Hillary! And may she be joined by other voices from both parties until we run off the incompetent criminals bungling this war today!

DBI, you prove the point with your rant. Kos kool-aid is available, but that doen't mean I'm going to drink it.

By the way, Mike Beebe doesn't drink it, either.

If you are recruiting more Charles Ormonds (or our separate versions of Jim Holt), you do not have my blessing.

Over the cliff alone you go.

Not alone, cuzzin.
I'm with ya.
I say we get the hell RID of anybody who calls themself a Democrat and isn't battling these incompetent doofuses in the Administration with every breath. I like that guy from Ohio that was on Colbert the other night. What was his name? He's the antithesis of a "wimpy Democrat". We gotta get some muscle in there and save what's left of the country from the profiteers in office. We're well beyond "getting along".

Ok, Dem but not following..
What is your plan? For the Dems to stay the minority, cohesive losing unit that they are today? We are past needing some shakers, some "let's do it different," people. We need to elect some Dems who are voted in just to MAKE that change. I also hope there are Repubs voted in that don't come from the Shiite wing of the GOP if any are left.

Let's hear your plan, "not following." More of the same is not going to cut it. And what cliff is it we're going over? I think we're in free fall right now and those rocks look sharp down there.

Look nony, I'd take Charles Manson's vision for America over the current neo-con crop in the White House. There is nothing wrong with being extreme when you see the bus heading over the cliff.....since you like cliffs so much.

When the other party is dead wrong, we should be shouting it from the rooftops! You may not like Howard Dean, but I think he's telling it exactly how it is. You may continue to Lieberman out all you want, but in my view you're aiding the enemy.

Enjoy your Freedom Fries while I do my best to kick some neo-con butt.

I love how you lefties get so fired up about ideology.... then go out sand vote for Beebe.

Fake democrats are more destructive to your cause than neo-cons.

Its like the hypocrite Christian who turn people away from the church. You shouldn't support the Beebe's of the world if you are idea-driven as you profess.

But in the end it ain't about people and the right thing, to you its my team and your team. You just want to win, even with a phony and a liar like Beebe.

Finally someone is fed up enough to take a stand! I'm with HILLARY!!

Dear anti-Beebe Anonymous,
How do you know we will vote for him? I think we're having mutual posting here by people who are all into Arkansas politics and the rest of us who are more concerned about national elections. Not much Beebe can do for me except hold back the Arkansas National Guard from deployment to Iraq and I'm not even sure he can do that.

I keep seeing this use of "Kool Aid," a reference to Jim Jones' suicide cult. Actually, they drank Flavor Aid. It was cheaper.

Wow, is our Party going to follow Howard Dean, John Kerry, and now Hillary Clinton over the edge? It is wrong to criticize a President NEEDLESSLY while our Country is at War, and Israel is fighting for its very existence in the face of Russian, Chinese, Iranian, Syrian, and Hezbollah rocket and missile attacks. Lieberman may lose next Tuesday, but our Party will NOT be better for it. We should be careful, lest we all go over the cliff.

If you so-called 'middle-of-the-road dems are pushing the same Republican swill that Lieberman's pushing' I'm pushin' y'all over the cliff. And, it is never wrong to criticize a president (NEEDLESSLY--HAHAHA--Bush?--you've got to be kidding). Only a true Republican would argue that an unending war against bad guys entitles a president to a criticism-free zone.

Several trees are down in Quapaw Quarter area; saw some trees down this morning on a walk in the Clinton Park; any other reports of damage? Where is Carol Allen's (carol.allen@cjrw.com) weather update. I don't think Carol even predicted Friday's storm.

I heard the same spiel (ruin the party) attack yesterday, but it was from Rush Limpbaugh and his Neo-Con-Right-Wing-Nut Party.

Hillary wants to avoid Joe Lieberman's fate by arguing that how the administration went about this war has caused all the problems, not that it went to a needless war she supported. Her stratagem avoids the lie that set off all the other lies, and leaves Hillary risking a John Kerry problem, being both for the war and against it.

Many folks were duped into going "for" the war originally. We must hand it to the neo-cons: Good Sales Job boys. Not only did you sell it, you withheld information from the Pentagon no less that indicated Iraq was on the verge of a internal breakdown; it's military was designed for one mission-protect Saddam.

Hillary and a majority of others from both sides of fence gave the neo-cons the benefit of the doubt.
It was wrong. Hillary and all the rest now know it just as a majority of Americans. What is she or any others who were duped supposed to do--lay down and say "I'm unworthy" ? Hell no. I want them to correct the mistake.
_

Hillary is using the neocon argument. The problem is not that we are in a situation from which we cannot emerge triumphant; we just aren't putting enough resources into it. Those quasi-Nazis have been pounding that drum incessantly; America can "win" any war, as long as it has the will. Do whatever it takes; nukes are an option. Everything is an option.

I'm sick of the pandering crap. We need to get out of there and go home, but no politician will dare say so for fear he or she would be consigning the lives of over 2,500 American servicemen and women to worthless dust. It has already been established that Rummy and the rest had their eyes fixed on Iraq from the moment Dubya slithered into office, and conjured up a fake terror link just to make this Godforesaken military venture palatable to the American public. They needed an outpost in the Middle East, a puppet government whose strings they could pull; it was the resurrection of a failed policy that smelled of the Phillipines, and Iran, and Chile.

It didn't work then; it will not work now. The Presidential candidate who says, "Upon assuming office, I will commence immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq" has got my vote.

Anyone have a report from the Republian state convention that was held in LR today?

Finally, Hillary has come around to a logical position. What was wrong with her -- and all those other wimps -- who voted for Bush-Cheney to go to war?

No one stopped to say "HEY, WAIT". No one was willing to remind the American public what had happened to the Russians just a few years earlier in Afghanistan and Chechnya.

No, those were Godless Russians -- God was never on their side in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

How many times do we have to listen to our Republicans tell us "We're the world's ONLY superpower!" -- whatever the hell that means.

As THE superpower, it was up to us -- with God on our side -- to show up the Godless Russians as incompetent and bumbling fools. Yes! God spoke directly to Bush and convinced him that he is the Chosen One to remake the world in the image of Democratic USA.

Intoxicated by his self-perceived image of personal immortality, Bush swaggered out in front of the world and staged this debacle.

Who else is to blame? Everybody, especially the Democrats who let a bunch of Right-Wing Nuts cow them into submission. It should have been so EASY for the Democrats to get their act together and vote against this madness.

KUDOS to Ted Kennedy for seeing through the charade from the beginning. NO THANKS to Hillary for being stampeded with the other wimps until -- FINALLY -- yesterday!

--Desipere in Loco.

The BlackBerry busted (don't build 'em like they used to . . . back in 2004) and Cingular sent me a new one. This means I've a new PIN. Take note and update your address books and BlackBerry Messenger lists accordingly.

My new PIN is ******.

While I've got you on the line, I ought to let you know that I'm heading to Jonesboro June 1 to work as the field director for Marion Berry's re-election campaign; feel free to swing by when you're in town. (Luther Lowe, who is returning from out east to work for James Lee Witt in Little Rock, will be taking care of the Little Rock house while I'm gone.)

I hope you're doing well and have progressed significantly on developing your trademark summer tan. If it's been a while, hit me up to buy you lunch.

Josh

__________
Josh Blevins

ArkFam's got a hell of a post up about the Chair of the Arkansas College Dems dressing in drag.

Yeah, sure, Arkansas Democrats are conservatives....yeah...

And Beebe is anti-gay, yeah.... right...

www.ArkFam.com

http://arkansasfamilycoalition.blogspot.com/

Now who would violate their puter to go over ArkFam.com?

Cowards, I say cowards, who post anon opinions and observations without having the courage to post their names. Typical Thuglican mentality - hit without taking any responsiblity - great job Davey and Jer - you demonstrat just what sniveling cowards you really are.

Davey and Jer?

Think journalist and term limited legislator.

So what? He dressed in drag for a fundraiser for cancer prevention. .
Put in context, he was being a pretty good sport and raised money for a worthy cause.

Not Jer.

He's at Juanita's singing Karoke right now.

I think DS is outta town.

Davey and Jer? Don't get it.

Jesus, I thought my fellow dems were smarter than this.

Think David - and Jeremy one a soon to be irrelevant jounalist who when the Dems take the Governor's office will be passe' and the other a self proclaimed Republican dynasy name.

How do you suppose the Bush baby would have managed to justify instigating a war if 9/11 had never happened? Since many credible sources have said he had sufficient intelligence to have prevented the disaster, it's a thought worth weighing.

You think they run the blog? I don't think they do.

Why do you think they do?

Word on the street for the last 2 months, can't believe many haven't heard it. And if not, let them be men and deny it. Little hope for them being men though.

"ArkFam's got a hell of a post up about the Chair of the Arkansas College Dems dressing in drag.

Yeah, sure, Arkansas Democrats are conservatives....yeah..."

And Arkansas Republicans turned out to see this guy support ASA!

http://nrd.nationalreview.com/

Ok, answer the question, who is the coward "proud conservative" who posted that? Max and Warwick at least have the balls to sig their post...who is the coward "proud conservative"? Another conservative who prefers to do his dirty work under the cover of anon postings....coward - yes "proud conservative" you are a shining example of Repulican courage - stay the course coward.

I can tell you for a fact it ain't them.

Reason being, I'm one of the editors. Neither of them are editors.

Oh yeah, the Times blgo ain't anoymous...

Just ask sbutts

Don't matter to me if every man in America went walking at the mall today in a dress, doesn't change the fact that Bush-Cheney are plunging the world into a living hell of misery and death. All Republicans and neo-Democrats should be punished this November by being thrown out of office in record numbers.

Then and only then might we have a chance at righting the wrongs of the last 5 years and saving the planet Earth. No men in dresses imagined or real, never started a war for oil and killed tens of thousands of innocent people. Prison is too good for the current White House crowd. Send them a clear message with your vote this November.

Yeah DBI!

Vote for Beebe democrats! He's not a crook!...oh, wait, he's a liar and a crook.

Oh, beautiful! So what you are saying "out of state" is that the ArkFamBlog is run by a bunch of "out of state" Neocons? That being out of the state or Arkansas?

So, you "out of stater's", are driving that blog? Well isn't that interesting?

The editors of the Arkansas Family Blog is produced and run by a bunch of outsiders?

Who's payroll you on?. Why would you care enough about Arkansas politics to run a blog about Arkansas politics when you don't even live here? Nor do you have the courage to sign your name.

Sounds like a front to me!!!! How convenient!

So if you are an out of stater, "proud conservative", tell me, since you care so much about Arkansas, even though you're not here - who are you? A Washington mouth piece for the Hutchinson campaign?

Let it be known, that the driving force behind the now exposed Ark Family Blog is run by a bunch of cowards who don't even live in Arkansas. You have just confirmed my suspicions. The ArkFamBlog is a front and a sham run by cowards.

Hey you at 11:26, you caught us.

Indeed - caught and exposed.

Any candidate with ties to the Republican party in the 2006 or 2008 races (from dogcatcher on up) will also have ties to an anchor around the neck. The current bunch of thugs has ruined any credibility traditional Republicans ever had, not to mention the once great reputation of this nation.

Na, it's a smoke screen Anon - it's the handy work of Davey and Jer - trying not to take responsiblity - the - "cowardly" way.

Why would they run the site?

PLenty of other could do it.

Ego

Attorney general's son arrested on marijuana possession charge

Associated Press

White County sheriff's deputies say they arrested Attorney General Mike Beebe's son, Kyle, on a felony charge of marijuana possession. Kyle Beebe, 22, was arrested Friday when deputies went to his home west of Searcy in response to a call at 9:44 a.m. from his girlfriend, authorities said. Deputies did not provide her name. The couple wasn't in the house when deputies arrived, and they went inside to check on the girlfriend's child, who was in the house. Deputies said they found more than an ounce of marijuana in a plastic bag inside the house. Kyle Beebe was arrested when he returned to the house moments later, deputies said. He was released on $5,000 bond from the White County Jail. He also faces a misdemeanor battery charge after his girlfriend told deputies he shoved her, the deputies said. The younger Beebe, who has an unlisted telephone number, couldn't be reached for comment. "Obviously, his mother and I are heartbroken like any parent would be" Mike Beebe said Friday. But his son is an adult, the attorney general said, "and if he broke the law he needs to pay for it. He needs to be treated like everybody else - no better, no worse." The elder Beebe said he was told of the arrest by the sheriff's office, and hadn't yet talked to his son about it. "He's still my son. I still love him," Mike Beebe said. "But he has to understand - if he did something wrong, you have to be accountable."

http://kylebeebe.blogspot.com/

Heard an interesting story about this. Beating up a girlfriend and felony drug possession are big deals.

Kyle Beebe was on probation, but moved to Florida... a clear violation of the law. Heard Beebe told probation officers they'd turn their heads the other way if they knew what was good for them.

Nice honest guy Mike Beebe must be.

A2005 incident?

Be very careful here - make you proud. Query a sea of Fort Smith students who went to Southside High School about drugs and the supplier - you might be shocked that the identifed subject has the same name as your candidate.

It is also pathetic that you would post this in response to something Drew Pritt alledgedly challenged. My advise, leave the kiddies out of this race - it might just bite you in the ass.

It ain't them.

Jeremy ain't got the time I'd imagine. Davey has a full time job, a big family (particularly for his young age) and on top of that writes a column, so he ain't got the time either.

I heard the blog was run by Drew Griffin of NWA.

Drugs aside (my son has batteld them too)

Beating up your girlfriend is a different issue altogether.

Like father like son?

Heard an interesting story about this. Beating up a girlfriend and felony drug possession are big deals.

Kyle Beebe was on probation, but moved to Florida... a clear violation of the law. Heard Beebe told probation officers they'd turn their heads the other way if they knew what was good for them.

Nice honest guy Mike Beebe must be.

Brother like Brother? Can't have it both ways.

This is by far the most boring open line I've ever encountered. Come home, Max, come home! This whole thing is degenerating from discussion to gossip.

Hell, I've done a little pot in my day (still do on occasion).

But I've never beat my wife up. Certainly never been arrested for it.

Didn't even seem like Beebe cared his son beat the shit out of the girl.

Just look at the picture of her:
http://kylebeebe.blogspot.com/

Hey you at 11:55...

What gossip? AP says little Beebe beat up his girlfriend. Comments from Mike Beebe don't seem like he cared too much about it.

Picture of girlfriend at http://kylebeebe.blogspot.com/

If my son did to a girl what Mike Beebe's did to that girl, I'd kick the shit out of my son, not threaten the probation officers with their jobs so he could leave and move to Florida!

But thats Beebe's style... above the law...above the rules.

The Repug anaonymous trollers don't understand that they can't change this election with the sleaze tactics the Rovians used in the past.
Beebe will win handily in November. A$a! is just not a likeable guy and was a failure at Homeland Security to boot. Say Bu-bye.

Oh, cuz Beebe's got such a stellar resume, is magnetic, and has proven track-record of winning elections...right...

To you at 12:03

Are you saying that the AP is making this up?

That Beebe just brushed his son's beating the shit out of a girl as nothing?

You are delusional!

Good Lord, Anon, 11:41. You don't mention that this incident happened three years ago.
While you're at it, why don't you write about President Bush's past (???) problems with drugs and alcohol? Or Laura's traffic "accident" in which her classmate (some say former boyfriend) was killed because she ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed?
I don't have a Beebe sticker on my car, but I do have one that says "Had Enough? Vote Democratic."
Knock on wood, I raised successful children who say they never tried drugs. I hope my grandchildren won't ever try drugs. But, hell, lot's of people smoke pot. Should not even be an issue.
Dragging out old stories to try to discredit Beebe shows me that you are pathetic.
I am not a big Beebe fan, but I would vote for Mickey Mouse before I would let ASA! get control of this state.

PJ,
It ain't about the drugs. Its about beating up a girl (and Daddy Mike not caring, see AP story) and about threatening probation officers so Kyle could move to Florida.

This is the man you are supporting.

Look at what Kyle Beebe did to this girl:
http://kylebeebe.blogspot.com/

...I am not a big Beebe fan, but I would vote for Mickey Mouse before I would let ASA! get control of this state.

Amen!

Democrat rallying cry:

"Our guy sucks bad, but yours is even worse!"

Quite inspirational. You must be so proud. For such a candidate we'd just stay home.

To vote for a Beebe-type is to encourage/reward his behavior.

So what's the Republican battle cry? "We can screw up the whole country. Now let's finish the job and go state-by state!"

I'm so proud of Arkansas. We have a toll-free number we can call to report litterers; and we have a snappy sing-along TV commercial just to spread the word. I'm not quite sure how that's suppose to work, however...guess the state just takes the word of whoever is calling (good Samaritans only)...guess Ashcroft's TIPS program got sized down.

It is a stupid idea, a stupid commercial and par for the Huckabee course.

Arkansas sucks not only because of Huckabee, but because of decades of democrat control.

Republican rallying cry:

"War, gays and Abortion"

Dammit I hate Josh Blevins.

All he talks about is how much money he has and how cool he is.

What a queen.

To vote for Beebe is to keep Asa out of the governor's office...that's enough reason.

Republican rallying cry:

"War, gays and Abortion"

Yes, we believe they are all issues needing our attention.

We have phonies like Beebe and fags like Blevins.

Sell your soul to a lying ass like Beebe?

You come cheap.

Man oh man does Blevins stink. Does anyone like him?

>>Hey you at 11:26, you caught us.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 5, 2006 11:31<<

Right now you little putz-pullers are nothing. But keep up your junvinille joy ride and find out how damn fast Ark Fam blog can crash.

Anon, 12:12.
Where in the AP story did Mike Beebe indicate that he didn't care?
And do you have evidence that he threatened a probation officer? If so, offer it up.
Bringing up an old story about a candidate's offspring is pathetic, at best.

Exactly, pj.

So what would you guys have the sitting Attorney General (/candidate for Governor) do in this situation? Flog his son on the courthouse steps? Or since his son is of age, maybe he should just let the legal system work out the situation without his intervention.

The latter seems more prudent and appropriate than the former.

Either way, I think he should have privately kicked his kid's ass, but that's noe of our beeswax..

That's not her in the picture. Not even close. Don't know who that is, but it is not the girl referenced in the above article. There are no pictures from that incident, nor would they reveal anything if there were, because nothing happened other than an argument that resulted in a call to the police that resulted in a marijuana arrest. Kyle ain't a saint, but he didn't do that. Kyle's move to Florida was approved by his probation officers after I asked, on behalf of Kyle, for permission for him to move. I never, not one time, talked to Mike Beebe about anything involving his son's arrest, defense, move to Florida, or anything else. From my understanding, Mike told his son that he loved him, but that he was an adult and had to deal with everything like an adult. He was treated exactly like any other criminal defendant in White County, Arkansas would have been treated for the same offense, which is to say a helluva lot harsher than in a lot of other counties in Arkansas. I won't name the girl involved because you people are sick, perverted misfits who couldn't withstand five minutes of scrutiny into your own lives. Leave this stuff alone. It's in every home. Glass houses. Remember that. For God's sake, get a grip.

Well that makes sense. I should have recognized the neocon modus operandi. Say it enough times and they will believe it. (And a picture is worth a thousand words.)

Here's the URL for the photo that supposedly depicts this awful thing that Kyle Beebe did to this woman:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3745/1997/1600/000008-domestic_abuse.jpg

Notice the fact that the photo never attaches to the article. You can Google it six ways from Sunday and the AP article will never match up with the picture. Then notice the year on that picture: 1997. Pretty amazing stuff to have a picture of something six years BEFORE it happens.

That girl's picture looks like somebody had a good time with makeup and fake blood. Doesn't even look as good as the special affects in the bad slasher movie I saw tonight.

I couldn't sleep so I spent a little time looking for dirt on Kyle Beebe and all I found was an arrest for 2 oz of pot. BFD, in my opinion.

The bloody girlfriend story and picture are obvious fakes and show that not only was Asa incompetent in DC, he can't even fake a news story about someone's kid back here in Arkansas. And way to go.....framing a kid. Good show Republicans!

I know a few stories on one of Asa's kids. Nothing criminal, just would be embarrassing in the middle of a campaign. Though I don't like Asa, I like Asa's kid and they do not deserve to be used for cheap political tricks. I'd rather lose to a Republican than stoop to their level to win.

I expect before November we'll be treated to fake pictures of Beebe's naked mother. It's very apparent the Republicans will do everything they can think of to hold on to the power they so richly deserve to lose because of their 5 solid years of failure and criminal activities. No one should vote Republican this November.

Right-O, DBI. We ain't seen nothing, yet.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | August 6, 2006 02:55 AM

Posted by: hugh mann | August 6, 2006 03:07 AM

You city folks amaze me. I don't even think I made it to 3 a.m. on the night of my high school graduation!

The piece about Kyle Beebe is sleazy and whoever posted it should be ashamed but spare me the "republicans are so much meaner than democrats" crap. Willet, Beebe and the Arkansas Democrat machine can be just as nasty and worse.

" . . . makeup and fake blood . . ."

That was my impression too. Color can be misleading in photos but the bruises around the eye are not accompanied by swelling. As someone who has been hit in the face (by a softball), let me assure you the area puffs up like a balloon first.
Added to that, the article cited earlier stated only that the young Beebe shoved her. (No he shouldn't have done even that, but he's not the candidate.)
Mike Beebe's not my favorite gubernatorial candidate -- that one doesn't exist this year -- but he's not Asa.

Well, looks like outsiders run the Ark Blog - these outsiders post fake stories, fake pictures and don't use their real names.

Pretty sleezey - being a "family blog" and all - it's irrelevent and should be takes for what it is...a tool to spread fiction and lies for the "Christian Right". Nothing there resembles anything I know about Christian values.

DBI is right, it is apparent that they'll do anything and say anything to win. Damn the truth and Christian valuse. It's just the beginning - and we can't let them get away with it -

Looks like it took just about 3 hours for the picture and the Ark Fam's credibility to be trashed. Let's keep that kind of rapid response up and question everything they say and do - man, if this is the Republican example of family values, the 32%er's are not only TFM's they need to open their bibles again and find that Christ never condoned that the ends always justify the means.

Um, looks to me like that Kyle Beebe thing has nothing to do with ArkFam.

Different website alltogether.

That bit about Kyle Beebe was nothing but a cheap republican shot. True, Kyle got into trouble like millions of kids do and he's paying for it now.

It's not his Dad's fault. But the gop will twist and turn that story to their sick advantage every way from Sunday.

Glad someone looked at the date on the picture to prove it was a fake.

Every time Bush goes on vacation, something bad happens.

Bush ten years ago and today. Something happened.

http://www.adbuzz.com/OLD/bushbuzz/BushTenYears.mov

Bush ten years ago and today. Something happened.
http://www.adbuzz.com/OLD/bushbuzz/BushTenYears.mov

Interesting. I didn't know he spoke English so fluently 10 yrs. ago. Now that they mention it, I do notice similarities to the way my 84 year old mother's speech has slowed down, become more halting. It takes her twice as long to compose and verbalize a thought as it used to.

I hope she's not becoming a Republican.

Went back and checked the timeline and sources. My bad, the Kyle website was not ArkFAm...that being said, my opinion and observations about the ArkFam blog hasn't changed one bit. For example - the attack on Luther Lowe - who was having fun at a fundraiser with a bunch of his friends. Pretty sure there are some picture out there that could easily be posted and eyebrows would be raised about many R's....the cheap theatrics offend me.

Did anyone read David Sanders love piece this morning. Swear, the Republican Party ought to pay for the 5 inches x 5 columns that Sanders got to spread the glories of the R candidates. Or Stephens should at least report Sanders column as an inkind donation.

At least with Brumment, he offers equal opportunity love / hate critques. Maybe when we sweep all the Constitutionals, gain seats in the state house and senate and move into the Governor's office for the next 12 years, Sanders will either find some clarity or objectivity or move to Kansas - of couse that's starting to show some wearily wear and tear.

Anyone read the DemGaz artical about the per-diem re-imbursements?

I found it troubling and possible fruadulant for the state to provide an automobile and also pay the Speaker milage when using the car. If the mileage was for another car, then why are we providing a state car?

This looks like a good case for the Prosecutors office to investigate.

Brummett's love fests go way too far, like his apology for McDaniels lawsuit today.

And Sanders takes a dig at Asa, reagrding the polls today. Read it again.

That's a dig?

"Every poll I have seen or heard about has Beebe in the lead, which means the Repubican nominee has a lot of work to do."

Sanders scores with a cutting, bitting commentary and critisim of the Repbublican nominee!!!

What you drinking this mornin?. If this is an example of what you call a dig - you ain't gonna like the next 4 months...of course I expect Sanders to continue to make these biting commentaries of the Republican nominees....adnausem.

Hey BlueTicker...

Saying Asa has a lot of work to do ain't a love-fest.

Brummett's writing, on the other hand, thats a love fest.

Yuck! Looks like the blog grew a canker sore in the middle of the night. Where are those smear merchants this morning? Oh, the sun is shinging. Back under their rocks.

Blevins: incompetent, arrogant

DOES ANYONE DENY THAT KYLE BEEBE WAS ARRESSTED FOR DRUGS AND FOR VIOLENCE TOWARDS HIS GIRLFRIEND?

Anon,
You slithering this morning? Is the green-eyed monster out again? Republicans, what they won't do or say.

"Hey BlueTicker...

Saying Asa has a lot of work to do ain't a love-fest."

Really? That kind of commentary must of just tear at the heart of the Hutchinson campaign...biting. (snark, snark),

Since it's an open line, I'd like to point out that, sadly, I haven't seen a single "Girls Gone Wild" commercial since DBI complained about them.

If DBI has this kind of clout, why is Fox still called a news network and The Daily Show/Colbert Report called comedy? It should be the other way around.

Reuters admits altering Beirut photo

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3286966,00.html

"Reuters has suspended photographer until investigations are completed into changes made to photograph."

"NOW, BACK to that rant. (You knew we couldn't stay happy all through an editorial about the state of education in Arkansas.) Why does this state limit the number of charter schools? Would the state limit the number of good schools, or good teachers?

The next governor will have a lot to say about this question. What do the two major candidates say? Asa Hutchinson says bring on those charter schools:
"For years, the focus in Arkansas has been almost exclusive on spending more money, when we should also be focusing on reform and innovative approaches to education to get better results for students. Public charter schools are a promising avenue for driving innovation in our public school system and helping students to learn more effectively."
So far, so good.

What does Mike Beebe say about the subject? We searched all over his website, and looked at his proposals for education, but could find nary a word about charter schools. We even did one of those fancy computer tricks and tried to Find (applef ) the word "charter" and but it didn't show up. We read a lot about continuous learning and parental involvement and creating partnerships and, inevitably, how people are Arkansas' best asset. The site even has some good things to say about merit pay, though it doesn't call it that. But nothing about charter schools.
We wondered why. So we called up campaign headquarters. A few minutes later, we got this in an email: ". . . as governor, Mike Beebe will bring together education experts to help determine which is the better way to increase and support public charter schools, raising the cap or doing away with it. But that alone does not address all of our education needs." And so vaguely on.
But close enough for government work. As best we can tell, General Beebe is going to delegate the question to the educrats and do whatever he's told-which is one of the reasons public education in this state still needs so much work.

Arkansas needs all the innovative, effective schools it can get (along with all the innovative, effective teachers). Whoever ends up winning the governor's race this fall, we'd like the candidates to recognize the promise that charter schools represent. And act to fulfill it."

Over the past 6 years, it's pretty evident that a crimminal element has slithered its way into the MSM. The once protectors of our freedoms and the champions of the truth have become servants of the political points of view of the people who sign their paychecks and in some cases their blind desire to have their 15 minutes of fame.

Again I ask:

DOES ANYONE DENY THAT KYLE BEEBE WAS ARRESSTED FOR DRUGS AND FOR VIOLENCE TOWARDS HIS GIRLFRIEND?

Listen troll - politics 101, leave the childre of candidates out of it. You never know when that tactic might just come back and haunt you.

In fact, wasn't one of Asa's youngun's arrested for a DUI? There's probably more - so do your candidate a favor, don't be opening doors that have a two way swing.

He was arrested twice.

He did what he needed to to make it right with the state.

DUI and beating up a girlfriend are in different classes where I come from.

Any of us could have been DUI after 3 beers. But beating up a girl? Thats different.

Then there's teh issue of Kyle Beebe moving to Florida... illegal as he was on probation... but AG Beebe told the probation officer he'd turn his head the other way if he liked his job.

Beebe's a scoundrel, and this is all true. Look it up. Look up Kyle's residency (in Florida), go to the White County Courthouse and get the contact info for Kyle's probation officer. He'll tell you how he was threatened by Beebe to ignore Kyle's leaving the state.

Is this the kind of man we want to run Arkansas?

Today's blog oddities-

(1) DBI posts some short readable tracts.

(2) Multile complaints about anonymous posters . . . posted by anonymous posters.

How quaint.

Well damn...an Arkansan smoking pot and getting rowdy...I'm shocked.

It would be different if he hadn't been punished, that fake picture didn't undermine any ethical stance and he was the candidate.

Hey Republican Swift Boaters...if ya care so much about domestic violence why don't you do something about our City Councilman (Conway)who's been allowed to walk right through a Restraining Order on his way to harass his ex.

As a matter of fact...Beebe's not innocent on that one.

God I can't wait for Lieberman to get his ass kicked Tuesday. I've got to revel in the little glimmers of hope in order to get through the day's worth of war, carnage and Bush.

Saw Condi on the talk shows and oh my God...I can't believe the nonsensical crap they're pushing. So, unless a Peace Fire lasts forever it's not worth doing...well that is a stupid sentiment coming from the world's premier diplomat. Isn't every Cease Fire a victory? Isn't one day of peace in the Middle East something worth striving to achieve? Don't long periods of peace begin with one day? And, when has there EVER been a forever peace in the Middle East (it's important to work with the realities)?

I'm beginning to believe that Bush/Condi don't really want Israel to stop...even if if means decimating Lebanon.

Hey, Speaker Stovall,
Saw in the Dem-Gaz that you get over $47,000 a year from the taxpayers just to cover your personal expenses.

Jeeze, how much of that was your bar tab? Now we know why you and the rest of your greedy Dem buddies who control the ledge don't want to give back the tax surplus.

Do you even care most families of four in Arkansas are struggling to raise their kids on WAY less than you get for your friggin expense report?

Get off your fat, greedy lard a$$ and do the right thing...GIVE IT BACK NOW.

Those top ten legislatures expense reports could have funded a very effective crises center for a year.

"Any of us could have been DUI after 3 beers."

Wow, we now have Asa's camp trying to downplay multiple DWI's!? In my opinion, and in the eyes of God, when an intoxicated person kills another in a car wreck it's murder.

Talk about family values.

P.S. leave it an Asa voter to admit that they can get drunk on 3 beers...

Yea ,Blevins sucks. But the Arkansas YD's has a long history of finding the biggest douche available, and electing them as their leader.

1 DWI is stupid, dangerous, and callous.

2 DWI is further proof that Asa! is a terrible father.

Example of you opened that "can of worms" Anon. Sure the Hutchinson campaign appreciates it as well as both these boys who didn't deserve any of this.

Drew, what did Blevins do to you? Catch you stealing from the coffee fund in Marion's office?

zelda, my outrage of the last couple of weeks is because Bush & Co., are doing everything they can to see that Israel decimates Lebanon. The US is walking to a fight even slower than poor ole Chris Reeves could have walked. And that is costing the lives of innocent people in Lebanon and Israel.

What we're seeing in the Bush era is a rogue group carrying out a plan of changing American into what it's never been before. They also have some twisted plan for world domination. All their plans leave out the old, the poor and the sick, which are dead weights on society. Look no farther than New Orleans to see a clear example of their ethnic cleansing efforts in full swing.

The new war in the Middle East isn't an accident either, it's part of their plan. If their plan works, I'll be a safe, alive American who is ashamed of his government. If their plan fails, chances are I'll be on CNN crying and beating my fists on the ground as I look at the giant hole that once was my home and is now the tomb of my family.

We're past politics. The people in the White House appear to be of neither political party. They are their own party of doom, destruction and greed. They're letting innocent people die in Iraq for their plan. They're letting innocent people die in Israel and Lebanon for their plan. They let innocent people die in New Orleans for their plan. And they won't bat an eye if all of us suffer and die too.

And you think I should support Asa, Jim Holt, Lincoln, Pryor or Lieberman.....members and supporters of the Bush plan. Are you nuts? WAKE UP!

We're being taken over by people bent on ruling the world, people who can killed by the thousands and sleep peacefully at night. The elections this November are not about party loyalty, they're about LIVING.

So the YRs are out and about this afternoon. The Golden Rule is a good standard to start with. I sincerely hope you can get beyond juvenile name calliing to have an actual discussion. If Mr. Blevins is such a pereceived threat to your ego that you must continue to post these rants maybe you should seek professional help.

Wally Hall's comments today about McFadden's surgery and treatment at UAMS is typical of the entitlement mentality afforded U of A Foorball Players. So...the surgeon scurried down to personally care for McFadden after finding out whose toe it was...otherwise...he couldn't be bothered? Why the special treatment? Why hasn't LRPD or the Prosedcuting Attorney's office or ABC Enforcement requested medical tests to see what alcohol levels were present? Bcause of whose toe it was? Treating this case different than any other case is WRONG and sends the WRONG message. McFadden ought to come clean about his role and what exactly he had been up to. It WILL eventually all come out...IF THERE IS JUSTICE IN LITTLE ROCK. Or is everybody too worried about extending special treatment?

2 DWI is further proof that Asa! is a terrible father.

The Lord knows I'm not an Asa fan...but damn that's crap. And why don't both camps get off the kid slamming and back on trashing the candidates. The Lord also knows that there are enough drinking/whoring candidates to fill the blogs with fodder without bringing their children into the political mud pit.

Yeah DBI...I believe you hit the nail on that one. Evidently Iraq is such a glorious model of success that the vile, arrogant chicken-hawk neocons want more implementation of their vile little document, the PNAC. It's not enough that at least 100 Iraqis a day are giving their lives for this based-on-lies war of choice in Iraq and over 2,500 US soldiers have died...the neocons want more and Bush/Condi are giving it to them. They want to spread their fairy tale throughout the Middle East regardless of who has to die or whether it's actually working in Iraq.

A tidbit of Enlightenment from the morning talk shows: It's not a Civil War in Iraq if the Bush administration doesn't admit it's a Civil War. After all, once you say it's so, it is so. So if the monkey gang ever actually says it's a Civil War that'll turn this otherwise successful war into a Civil War...clear enough.

Don't blame Wally Hall for his emotionalism. Wally wants to be the Mom of all the Razorbacks. He's the perfect personification of the Razorback Fan. If the Demo-Gaz would enroll him in a good English as Second Language course, there's no telling how far Wally could go. We're proud of you, Wally. Woooooo, pig!

Good for you, Wally Hall Fan. I think we have some great writers here in Arkansas, and I don't appreciate the knocks on them. Wally Hall and John Brummett bring great credit to our state. Wally is president of the national sportswriters association and Brum is recognized as probably the No. 1 columnist in America. Why can't we be proud of these famous sons?

"Brum is recognized as probably the No. 1 columnist in America. "

Easily the dumbest thing ever typed in to this blog.

Young democrat Luther Lowe sures looks dumb today:

http://tinyurl.com/nromt

Look at the fourth item.

Taking a poll, here...

Bigger loser:

Drew Pritt or Josh Blevins?

I vote Pritt. but only barely does he beat the phony/arrogant Blevins.

In fact, never mind, I vote Blevins.

I mean, after all, we're talking about a kid that actually said at a YD meeting that he could beat Beebe in a primary race if he was only 10 years older.

Josh Blevins might be the biggest tool I have ever ecnountered.

This douche registered himself as a lobbyist at age 20.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=60301688

I have been checking out the ArkFam.facist site for quite a while just to keep up with what they are spewing. For many weeks I have posted thoughtful retorts to their propaganda and I guess they finally got sick of it because the last 4 or 5 times my posts have been removed within hours by the administrator who is obviously a chicken-shit coward or maybe it was just all the big words they couldn't understand. So I guess I have been permanently blackballed from the ArkFam.facist website. Too bad because I really got a kick out of baiting them.

Regarding the per diem issue...

Generally, perks for elected officials bother me. But I'm not all that worked up by the Dem-Gaz article today.

It has been well known for decades that serving in the legislature is all about the per diem. We don't pay these guys anything. We expect them to take time away from their real jobs to serve us. We heap criticism on them. Ask for favors. And, now, we've term limited them. Sure, they asked for the job, but anybody who struggles even a bit to make ends meet wouldn't take the job if it weren't for some perks.

Like him or not, Speaker Stovall has taken the speaker's job seriously and has traveled across the country representing Arkansas and educating himself on how to become a better legislator. I'm sure the others in the Top 10 have done the same thing. Personally, I don't want my elected officials staying in Motel 6 and taking the bus when they are on state business, either in state or out of state. We have enough jokes told about us.

So, $47k in legitimately documented per diem is okay with me. I recognize others would like to crank it all back and hand out the money to taxpayers. But that's a little simplistic. If we want better government, we have to pay a little something for it.

"Brum is recognized as probably the No. 1 columnist in America. "
Easily the dumbest thing ever typed in to this blog.

Yes, I agree because everybody recognizes that Molly Ivins is the best columnist in America. Brum is undoubtedly the best columnist in Arkansas.
Wingunt Saunders couldn't even spin a half decent lie when he attempted to scandalize Mark Pryor's campaign 2 short years ago. If Sanders continues to be on Ark Week I suggest, out of sympathy, that we take up a collection and get the boy a decent haircut and a copy of Dress For Success. What a freak!

I saw that alleged battered girlfriend picture last night. I can't believe anybody would be dumb enough to think it was real. A perfect example of why the Internet is about as reliable a research tool as reading entrails, and that's an apt comparison in this case.

And speaking of offal, all this poofter among partisan pissants is giving me a headache. Thankfully my scroll function is fast enough to flutter past this puke and locate the scant meaningful commentary on this thread.

Remember, don't take anythinge on the grand global Web at face value. Think and wonder, wonder and think; how many implied WMDs can take us to the brink in Iraq? Use your brain, people. We're in a big enough mess without falling for more dirty lies, dirty tricks, dirty minds.

In re: Blevins . . .

"In fact, never mind, I vote Blevins. I mean, after all, we're talking about a kid that actually said at a YD meeting that he could beat Beebe in a primary race if he was only 10 years older."

This never happened. Ever. Sign your name.

In re: Lowe . . .

I noticed the ArkFam the explanation of the Luther Lowe agreeing to wear a dress to help raise money for cancer research from the comments on a below article, as well as deleting a link to a picture of Rudy Giuliani wearing a dress for a similar purpose. (Now, the comments section is locked.)

What kind of "family coalition" promotes lies and half-truths?

What kind of "proud conservative" does so?

Hopefully they're not so much hypocrites as a demagogues.

Well, you can knock Wally Hall and John Brummett if you like, but that does not change anything -- they're still recognized as the best journalists ever to come out of Arkansas. Here in Grant County, we call native son Brum "the Walter Lippman of our time." You could look it up. Arkansas Times quotes him more than any other columnist.

I haven't the slightest idea who Josh Blevins is. Call me uninformed.
But the junior high schooler who insists repeatedly on calling him a douche or some semblence thereof needs to go sit at the children's table.

Who is Walter Lippman?

Now, the comments section is locked.)

What kind of "family coalition" promotes lies and half-truths?

What kind of "proud conservative" does so?

Republican Cowards who hide behind curtians. Very similar to the "swift boaters" tactics who as well buried their cowardly exsistance behind 527's.

Check out this scathing commentary on the hijacking of the Republican Party in Arkansas as well as the nation.

I am a Republican and I want to say that post about Generals Beebe's son is crap, fake, and horribly unnecessary.
Don't let a person (Drew Pritt) who lies about his military service in a time of war bate you into that type of behavior.

Remember as has been said before, Drew Pritt was all for the war when he could capitalize on it.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A7077

Disgusting!!!

No new topics today?

Blogmeister all worn out or just taking a siesta?

Walter Lippmann was the trusted, intelligent, news source of his day. He didn't deal in gossip and smear like Walter Winchell. He was a deep thinker and used as the example of clear thought and truth in Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land.

We need about 100 Walter Lippmans right now. Click on my name to learn more.

arkfam blog is so dishonest. I said i could get pictures of young republicans dressing in women clothing too for the "auction day" thing.........but they deleted the post!!!!!!

"So, $47k in legitimately documented per diem is okay with me. I recognize others would like to crank it all back and hand out the money to taxpayers."

Sparky - that is the point that appears to be in question.. He was provided a car by the taxpayers and shouldn't be collecting mileage reimbursements. If he is submitting receiving tax dollars for this then that is theft and fraud. Which should work anyone up. We are talking about potentinally Millions of taxpayer dollars.

If elected officials are running for these offices because of the per-diem subsidizing their part time pay, then that is not a call to service.

I suppose if you had an employee submit expense reports for items they were not entitled you would pat them on the back and not fire them?

As I understand it, each member of the Arkansas General Assembly gets $1,000 per month for "office expense." I am told they can have a "real" office or they can say they have one at home. There are 135 members of the General Assembly. 135 X $12,000 = lots of goobers transferred from the peons to their elected representatives. But there are other honey holes for these "part time" legislators.

Their salary is "officially" a little over $15,000 per year. In reality, it's probably closer to $50,000, including insurance, retirement, "honey holes," and the like.

Actually, Cato, the amount of the support contract for legislative expenses depends on whether the member is a chairman or vice chairman of any standing or select committees (at least here in the House). Since I am not, I receive $800 per month for the support I use from my office.

I've kept my legislative expenses from my office separate ever since I was elected in order to keep up with whether the $800 is an accurate/appropriate amount. I reimburse my law firm for the amount of postage and copies used responding to constituent concerns, for the amount incurred on long distance phone calls, and I've recently added a second assistant here at the office who splits her time helping coordinate constituent matters, my local political schedule, and my law practice.

Further, the entire purpose of this support contract is to recognize the fact that we spend as much time in the office meeting with constituents as we do with our 'real jobs' -- although it does cost money to keep the doors open here at the office (much more than $800/mo.), I understood that when I decided to run for this position.

I wish this legislative support contract were a honey hole, but speaking for myself, I use up every penny of it trying to be state representative each month. I'm sure my colleagues are in the same boat.

Oops. That was me. ^

It's always appeared to be a murky underwater hole to me. There is no reason when the Democrats take over in January we can't ask them to make all things clear to us.

If our legislators are underpaid and are relying on extras to make it all worthwhile, why not revamp the system and make it work. No need waiting 5 or 10 or 20 years with something that is as clear as mud. Doesn't look to me that it's worth the effort to fudge on things for a mere 12 thousand more a year.

We have a 300 million dollar surplus, why not take next year, look the current draconian system over and make open and honest changes. We can't expect these people to work for nothing. And we know there are plenty of ways to pick up some bucks or info that turns into bucks. Or in the case of Fort Smith legislators, lots of time and entree to expand your own business while toiling away in LR supposedly for the good of this area.

Let's take a chapter from Bush* and make Arkansas government run the way it's supposed to.

*Only meaning he has changed anything he didn't like, not that any of it was for the good of the American people.

DBI= Jo Carson

DBI, I love your posts, but that's the quickest way to making us the minority party.

"We legislators have decided that this surplus will be best handled by raising our salaries." Thanks and good night."

Anonymous 5:08 your post confirms what a lot of people have thought for a long time. Also the war at that time was with Afghanistan and al-Queda not Iraq. We Democrats know how much you want to change history and make people forget that fact.

Dems are in charge of this state. They hold 90% of the legislative seats and all the leadership positions.

What Bush got to do with any of this?

If this was Asa you'd be going hez bal ah.

Thanks, Anonymous for the info. John Brummett did a story about a dozen years ago in which he took the GS salaries and added all the other perks and he came to a figure of about $38,000. If accurate, I figure with the passing of a dozen years it has increased enough to make it around $50,000 now.

Anyone read the D-G today about the candidates for LR School Board? Anyone got any clues on any of them? Who's the best pick, especially for the southwest seat? It seems that there are four to choose from. I notice, too, that Tony Rose's seat is finally being contested. Any info about the guy running against him?

C'mon everybody, only 26 posts and we can bump the Halter thread from the most popular list.
I challenge all the regular posters to make at least two posts.
If Drew Pritt will post, it will turn into a nice post-padding pissing match and this thread may even bump Woolridge from the No. 3 spot.
This counts as my first. My second si coming shortly.

As of July 1st, the salary is now about $14,400.00. Our insurance is the same as every other state employee. After taxes and Insurance, my pay check is just under $800 per month.

The expense limit is $800 for members unless you are a chairman then its $1,000 per month. This is not treated equally between the bodies.

In the House, all chairs get the extra $200/months and vice-chairs and subcommittee chairs get an extra $100/month ($900 total). In the senate, vice-chairs and subcommittee chairs get nothing extra, standing committee chairs get $200 extra ($1,000). This is a Democrat patronage system because we, through the speaker, control who gets to chair committees.

If you live more than 50 miles from the capitol, you get per diem/mileage. If you live within 50 mile, you get an extra about $600 per month. It balance out between the two, except the members who live within 50 miles don't have to go to any extra meetings to ge the extra pay.

Legislators have the worst retirement benefits of any public emloyees. Almost every other elected official get 2 years of credit for 1 year served (2 for 1). Legislators get 1 for 1. Every other public employee in the state vests in the retirement system after 5 years of actual service; legislators require 10 years of actual service, which we cannot get under term limits unless we can move from the House to the Senate or have other years in public employment. If we are fortunate enough to get to 10 years of service somehow, then we get $35 per month for each year of service. In other words. If I make it to 10 years, when I turn retirement age I will be able to draw $350 dollars per month.

You will notice that the only people on the list with the huge reimbursements for per diem are retired people who have esentially moved to little rock and find some meeting to sign into nearly every day to suck off of the system. Other than the speaker, who legitimately should be here every day, there is no good reason for some of these people to be here that often. I can assure you, Jimmy Jeffress, Horace Hardwick, Leroy Dangeau, and Travis Boyd do not contribute to the system near as much as they take out.

Anyone of working age that doesn't have some other source of pension income like teacher retirement for Jeffress and Dangeau or private retirement like Hardwick would be unable to afford to sponge around the capitol this way.

Where is Pritt? He hasn't been posting lately. I doubt he is anonymously posting either because none of the posts look like his style.

Speaking of Pritt, did anyone go to his campaign party at Gusano's?

How's the mayorial race coming, I wonder.

"Every other public employee in the state vests in the retirement system after 5 years of actual service; legislators require 10 years of actual service, which we cannot get under term limits unless we can move from the House to the Senate or have other years in public employment."

True, but you are comparing full time employees to part-time employees. The 1874 constitution requires the General Assembly to be a part time operation, meeting 60 days every two years. Now, I know that's impossible in today's world with all the committee/special sessions/junkets that take place. But still, being a member of the Arkansas General Assembly as created by the state constitution means one is a part time state employee.

Personally, my own view is the state needs a new constitution, one that is modern, rather than one that is amended to death. But the last time this was tried it was futile so I guess only a revolution will see the dawn of a new state constitution.

I happened to be in Gusanos when Pritt had his party. Pretty well attended, mainly young people but a few interesting faces. He even danced pretty well with a shapely young black female. I saw one older physician I know speaking with Pritt and I want to say he handed him a check. All in all it was okay for attendance and more entertaining than a dull press conference.

Pritt posted at 10:02.

Classic Pritt, he used a cliche "all in all," tried to make himself diverse by referencing the black girl, used the word ""shapely," which only Pritt would do, and makes the physician reference to make it look like respectable folks are supporting and funding his campaign (which they are not).

He also says "and I want to say he handed him a check" to make it sound like people were watching Pritt all night.

Not sure who's worse, Pritt or Josh Blevins.

Nope I am not Pritt. Considering Pritt is right now at a mutual friend's house having a late dinner I know he's not online. Kind of funny that you make so many ASSumptions and get proven wrong too many times.

Can we have one damn thread where Drew Pritt's name doesn't come up? I don't know him, but I am sick to death of Anon trashing him. He's gay, ok, fine, made your point, move on.
Anon, you have a mental problem, because either you
1. Want to be Drew Pritt, or
2. Are a former lover seeking revenge.
Do yourself and everyone else a favor and make an appointment with a mental health professional immediately.
And shut up.

so says Pritt at 10:51

"Anyone read the D-G today about the candidates for LR School Board? Anyone got any clues on any of them? Who's the best pick?"

In the Zone 3 race, my vote is for Carol Roddy. She's concerned, informed, decisive, and literate, as many candidates are not. If you have issues or concerns, you might contact her at croddy10113@yahoo.com. I think you'll get an intelligent answer to any questions.

I also heard that Drew Pritt's tears cure cancer, which is a shame since he has never cried.
Also ...
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Drew Pritt
Drew Pritt doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Drew Pritt has allowed to live.

BlueTicker:

I've meant to ask, what is TFM?

My2sense:
Thanks for the info. What about the other two seats? Any news on any of those candidates?

My 2cents is that its funny whenever anyone accuses anyone of being an attention whore. I really don't know a politician who is not an attention whore so what a funny thing to gripe about. Even the ones who don't seek attention seek attention pointing out that they don't seek attention. Good grief people leave Pritt, Beebe, Blevins, Lowe, and everyone else alone. You're probably jealous your name is not written on here 100 gazillion times a day.

To comment on the start of this looooong page, could the fact that Cindy Sheehan has bought land in Crawford have ANYTHING to do with Bush cutting his vacation in Crawford shorter? Notice he is leaving right about the time the protests are scheduled to start.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14062166/

GREAT! Hopefully Cindy, and a lot of other people, are getting to him.

May he have no rest!

That crossed my mind too, rablib. But not to worry. I understand that Miss Cindy altered her schedule so she could keep Bushie company in Crawford. I believe she was scheduled to arrive within the last day or so.
Oh, and another thought: Someone close to Bushie allowed as how our esteemed prez (in re cutting short his vacation) is not "resentful or angry or anything; I think he is resigned to it."
That the issue of resentment or anger would even come up kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? Ya mean he didn't know that he would be on call 24/7 before he started his campaign for the office?
And I really enjoyed the "we're working" photo of Bushie with Condi and a presidential aide, issued by the president's press office.

TFM

Total F***king Morans

It is a reference to a well written essay (rant) about the mentality of the 32%er's. Who believe every single word fed to them, don't bother to think for themselves and walk goose step for the Republican Party. It spread like wild fire on the blogsphere 2 or 3 weeks ago. If I find it again I'll post it.

Total F***king Morans

It is a reference to a well written essay (rant) about the mentality of the 32%er's. Who believe every single word fed to them, don't bother to think for themselves and walk goose step for the Republican Party.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Lest the pot call the kettle black, the same can be said for the faithful Democrats. They're all birds of a feather, er, well, the feathers are different but they are still just birds . . .

So there are 32% mindless Republicans, 32% robotic Democrats, and 36% _____ ?

Reading some of the posts over the past few days have provided a great chuckle. Between Pritt and all the Young Democrat and Republican wannabes, great entertainment has been provided. Newsflash- 99.5% of the people in this state have no idea who you are nor do they care.

You all get on here and type about yourselves and try to build up some level of self-importance. Then you anonymously attack one another in some pathetic attempt to either tear someone down or make yourself look better. Good grief.

This is 193 - do I hear 200?

I'd like to welcome Cindy Sheehan to Crawford, Texas and hope she has a most enjoyable and productive stay.

Three more of our bravest were killed yesterday in a roadside bomb. Three more families shattered by the ignorance and arrogance of the monsters in power.
Why can't the media show us these pictures of draped caskets?

I too welcome Cindy Sheehan to be anywhere but here.

That brings our grand total of US soldiers killed in Iraq to 2591. That number is the entire population of Hillsville, VA. And every single person living in Greybull, WY. And Dexter, MI.

All humans in Sterling, KS count up to 2591, imagine a whole town gone! It would mean every one in Lake Butler, Florida would be missing. Mills, Wyoming too. West Point, Iowa too.

Multiply 2591 by at least 20 family members and close friends and you've got over 50 thousand people whose lives will never be the same again. And no doubt that figure is low.

Maybe Bush is a uniter after all....he's sure causing a whole lot of people to unite in local cemeteries all over the US these days. Heck of a job, Georgie!

How many thousands of innocent Iraqis died during Saddam Hussein's rule?

Compared to - How many innocent Iraqis have died in this war?

Our interference in Saddam's murder machine slowed down their death rate.

Lives of their families will never be the same either.

At least we gave them a chance for a better life. But, it looks like they weren't ready for it.

We were ahead of their time. . .

Keep your TV tuned to Fox News at all times Nota Nona Mous and you'll always believe what you just wrote and posted. Do not seek the treasure. Do not trust anyone else but Fox or your happy day might be dampened.

Oh, you might want to buy a big umbrella now so when Bush is forced to drop the big one in Iraq you won't get falling Iraqi baby guts on your clothing.

My ol' daddy told me at an early age that you waste time arguing with a fool so I guess I don't need to respond to your gibberish.

Too bad your ol' daddy didn't teach you right from wrong and to know a bunch of crazy crooks when you see em.

deathbyinches-

I looked up "crazy crooks" in the dictionary- it has your picture. Now I know what a crazy crook looks like.

I know you are, but what am I?
I know you are, but what am I?
I know you are, but what am I?
I know you are, but what am I?
I know you are, but what am I?

giggle

Repetitive.

Childish