Arkansas Blog

What a pathetic whitewash. McDaniel originally said he believed there was no reason to investigate; it looks like he didn't change his view about that. Contemptible. If they had at least bothered not to insult those of us who followed the story with this simpleton drivel, it would be at least tolerable to swallow, but this is such a joke it is laughable. No one who knows will be fooled, but now Huckster has the cover of "Democratic vindication" to use in his run for Senate, that will fool everyone else. The only way this could be worse is if in a successful Huckabee Senatorial campaign actually replaced a Democrat.

1. If the missing furniture was not on the inventory list, how did the Governor come into acquisition of it? Was it gifted? By whom and to whom? If it was a gift, did Huckabee declare it on his income tax filings or other financial disclosure? If Huckabee didn't go home with it did the person or persons who did disclose it and pay taxes.

2. What of the misuse of the state plane? The airport records were destroyed. Are we also to believe that Social Security numbers were stored there? Was an investigation of the conversion of state property by the former Governor conducted? Were the pilots and other employees of the airport interviewed? Did they agree that the thousands of miles logged on the plane were for state use?

3. Obstruction of Justice is a crime. Criminals lie. Nowhere in the Gazette article does it state or imply that the "investigation" into possible malfeasance consisted of more than asking the actors directly involved, who were potentially culpable, whether they did anything illegal. Gosh, they said they hadn't.

There simply aren't two parties anymore. Shoot, there isn't even one with the decency to respect the public trust. This "boys will be boys" attitude about conduct in public is reprehensible. The Democrats don't wish to ever become accountable so they do not require accountability, honesty, or even compliance with the laws from the Republicans. Government business, theft, is conducted with a wink and a nod. It's vile.

"There simply aren't two parties anymore. Shoot, there isn't even one with the decency to respect the public trust." - posted by learningcurve

You can say THAT again, bud. And, again and again and again.

If Huckabee had been presented a bill for the several hundred thousand dollars he cost us as he went out the door. he'd be broke and have to sit out the rest of Campaign 2008 at Whispering Pines over in NLR. And America would be better off.

A 3 year old knows when someone destroys all the records as he leaves...that he's hiding something. But borrowing a shredder from Cheney, Huck shredded and crushed his way out of a prison sentence and into the short happy life of a jet-setting rock star.

The people of Arkansas lose.....but hell...nothing new about that. We really should be used to taking it up the rear. It's what the little guy always gets here on the ole Plantation.

Beebe should take a tip and shred as he goes......use those new windmill blades and save electricity.

We know we've been had by Huckabuck. In a different time he wouldn't have got away with it. Soon he'll have to come back home for good. Let's remind him for the rest of his life that we know he's a crook and a liar. It's not much payback, but it's all we got. I plan to boo him every time I see him until one of us drops.

At a buck a boo we'll be even with him by 2056. We work ourselves to death, but bad people keep Arkansas in 49th...so it is now as it will ever be...3rd world without end. Amen

I was going to say "maybe that will shut DBI up" but I see I spoke too soon. That was wishful thinking on my part.

The Democratic Attorney General clears Huck of wrongdoing and all you can do is bring up the mansion furniture AGAIN? Why not just call Ginger Beebe and ask her about it? That furniture was all found in a carriage house. The notion that Huckabee took any is just more rumor and innuendo to mask the fact that he did nothing wrong, and the AG cleared him.

Anyone that expected more from McDaniel got exactly what they deserved.

$13,000 in donations from one PO Box that belongs to Bruce Burrow wasn't it?

Dustin isn't exactly the poster boy for ethics

You wonder if Gunner DeLay was actually any worse. This continuing episode simply reminds us that art imitates life. We've become a Godfather-Goodfellas-Sopranos society.
McDaniel fits right in. Maybe the corrupt police captain, later a judge on the take.
-

"McDaniel said the "governor has discretion to determine" how to use the emergency fund.
He cited Arkansas Code 19-2-404 which says the fund must be spent to remedy a riot, insurrection, sabotage or natural calamity. If it is going to be spent on something else, a legislative committee called the Governor's Emergency Fund Review Committee must give "prior review" to the governor's plan."

And one hand washes the other.

"The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means." Georges Bernanos

Boo Hoo Hoo, you all didn't get the opinion you wanted so now you will just continue to make up stuff. Huckabee did nothing wrong and it bothers the heck out of oyu that you can't make him stand trial for it.
I don't remember any of you whining when Tucker didn't so much as leave a phone list or any record of the hundreds of people he appointed in the last few days. NOr do I see you asking Beebe what he did with records in the AG's office when he left it.
The double standard is alive and well here on the Times Blog and the pages of the Times itself. Where is the outrage about his 4 million dollar plane. Who pays for the booze at the mansion that is served. Is it reported as a gift? Who serves it? I don't know the answers but the questions are worth asking.

Prouster-The purpose of the press release was only to benefit Huckabee, so supporters like you can crow. Otherwise, it doesn't even make any sense to release such an absurd report. The AG doesn't even offer a pretense that there was an investigation. Meaning the statement was just a campaign contribution to Huckabee. We'll know eventually what McDaniel got in return.

Either way, you win, no doubt about it, in Arkansas and in Washington. You must be quite satisfied with what the quality leaders you adore have given to the State and the Nation. We're all better off without accountability from officials.

I want to know why no one has brought up the Antique piano that was given to the Governor's mansion over 30 years ago by the Baldwin Family. The Beebe's had the piano moved out to make way for their bar. The piano ended up going to state auction a couple of weeks ago, was sold for a few bucks, was bought by a friend of the Beebe's and then auctioned in New York for $35K.

James Boulder-Let me assure you that if Huckabee did nothing wrong the lack of a trial wouldn't bother me a bit. It's the Republicans that hunt until they can prosecute, even if the best they can come up with after $70m is consensual sex. Democrats are too lame to even bother with open, notorious, outrageous criminal behavior when it's crashed on their heads.

Huckster's state plane was no longer operational when Bebe took office, too many air hours logged. Somehow, that record survived, we'll never know how that happened. No one disputes the need for a state plane for the Governor's use, only the abuse of that state property for not-state business. What's with you guys? Are you pathologically unable to understand appropriate, inappropriate legal and illegal?

As for who pays for the food and drinks at the Governor's residence. What in the name of God is you point man? Are you suggesting that the Governor pay for the costs of entertainment at the mansion out of his own pocket? Please do share whatever reasoning is churning through your convoluted brain about this issue, it should be entertaining.

If Bebe ever actually breaks a law, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.

wiggleroom-Was the auction public? Was it advertised? Was the auction the standard method of disposal of state property? Do you have a link?

Is your point that the bidding wasn't high enough by your judgment so the piano should have been donated? Why didn't you buy it and resell it if it was such a steal? Or is it that this Governor shouldn't have the prerogative to redecorate as his predecessors have?

"Boo Hoo Hoo, you all didn't get the opinion you wanted so now you will just continue to make up stuff. Huckabee did nothing wrong and it bothers the heck out of oyu that you can't make him stand trial for it. "--james boulder

Uh, yeah, leave it to a Republican to confuse "not-technically-illegal" with "righteous".

It was a total waste of my money and yours. Period.

Of course the only people stupid enough to try to justify Huck's actions here would be some beneficiary of the BroGov's benevolence.

I go five dollars Boulder's real surname is Suhl.

I was disappointed that Beebe didn't order an investigation into the shenanigans of at least Huck's last year in office. The new Republican governor of Missouri sure put the whammy on his Democratic predecessor, with the help of Karl Rove. But maybe it's bad form to sic the dogs on the guy who just left even if you know he's as crooked as a dog's hind leg. And if Beebe did that to Huck somewhere down the road someone might do that to Beebe. Time will tell.

It makes me lay in bed at night and wonder if we're the gullible victims of the biggest joke in the land......that there really is only 1 political party and they are all reading their lines from the same script.

I'd like to know more about this antique piano thing.....does that story have legs? Let's see some proof. And as learningcurve says....off to jail with any crook no matter if they're Republican, Democrat, Green or wearing a Priest's collar.

If the State can't do it....time will fix Huckabee's little red wagon in the end. I don't lose any sleep over has-beens and outside of talk, Huckabee isn't responsible for the war in Iraq, or kidnapping or torture or voting for torture.

He is unusually lucky which makes me think he greases enough palms to keep that luck going.

But good day sir! I say to Huck....see ya in hell in 20 years. We got bigger fish to fry at the moment.

>>I don't remember any of you whining when Tucker didn't so much as leave a phone list or any record of the hundreds of people he appointed in the last few days.<<

You're right Jimmy. There was no AT blog back then.

Here's another for you Jimmy:

LITTLE ROCK -- Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday unveiled a new State Police plane to transport him on official business, along with a new written policy spelling out when he can use the plane and what information can be released about his flights.

Beebe said the written policy will ensure that the aircraft -- which was used frequently by former Gov. Mike Huckabee -- is used strictly for official state business. The governor also said he wants to disclose more information about the plane, but the policy allows him to withhold details of some flights.

"It's all going to be there. It's all open," Beebe said.

Beebe released the policy as State Police showed reporters the 2007 Beechcraft King Air that will be used primarily for the governor's travels. The new aircraft was bought using $4 million from the state's surplus, and it replaces an aging aircraft used by Huckabee.

The one-page policy states that Beebe "will not use the State Police plane to travel to or from events that are unrelated to the governor's duties and authority as chief executive of the state unless the governor is permitted to reimburse the state for such use."
"

"It makes me lay in bed at night and wonder if we're the gullible victims of the biggest joke in the land......that there really is only 1 political party and they are all reading their lines from the same script. "

The filibuster fiasco left no doubt.

Huckabee did do something WRONG.
Huckabee did not do something ILLEGAL.

A legal opinion is not always
a moral opinion.

Huckabee did something wrong which was also illegal. He will suffer no repercussions, legally or in erosion of the support of his righteous base.