Arkansas Blog

He also commented that he was "first" in a long time to balance the state budget. Clinto enjoyed using the claim of a balanced Ark state budget but Clinton didn't claim to be the first. It's state law that the budget must be balanced. After reneging on state issued bonds in the 1940s Ark credit ratings were shot to hell for decades to come and the lege mandated balanced budgets. Nice try Huckabuck. By the way who makes you lie so much................................. maybe S-A-T-A-N ???

He also has a moose wife and a dog murdering, guns on a plane son. His 2nd rate popularity is due to the fact that as bad as he is....he's Jesus of Nazareth, Pennsylvania compared to the other wormy Republicans running for Prez.

Yet he still can't get the support and endorsement of Pat (please follow Falwell soon) Robertson.......oh snap.....such a low blow to the Huckster! Turns out God loves McCain...and Huck's hanging from the cross in vain.

The Baptists--whether in name or in persuasion--are starting to shoot each other, figuratively. Not sure whether that's a good sign or a bad sign.

He's just joining the mainstream Republican candidates. If the lips are moving, they are lying. It's been that way since George the Elder said "Read my lips. . ."

sniff... sniff...

The stench of fear is strong with this one.

Can I pretend it is an open line and ask a question? This is a serious question and is not intended to generate the wrath of the denizens of this blog. Instead, it is an honest question because I respect the opinions found here (well, not always, but most of the time).

As a student of history, I find the greatest excitement in the social undercurrents that shift societies. Rarely does change happen out in public view, it usually takes form in the backwaters of society until it becomes a tidal wave that sweeps through and washes away the existing societal structure. This is usually produced by a triggering event or by the self destruction inherent in societies themselves. To paraphrase Marx, social systems contain the seeds of their own self destruction.

What makes the American democratic experiment unique is that the system allows for such changes without completely destroying the under girding fabric that holds the nation together. Our revolutions occur at the ballot box, not in the streets. Lincoln himself noted that there is more power in the ballot than in the bullet (he probably wished it was a ballot that Booth used, instead of a bullet).

You may not agree with the above, but for brevity's sake, let's assume that it is true. If you disagree, then there is no need to comment. But if you agree, let me pose this question to you; is the success of Ron Paul, who is no one's idea of an ideal candidate, a harbinger of change for the Republican Party? Oft times it is not the winner of an election that has the greatest impact. An example, Barry Goldwater. Goldwater never stood a chance, but his ideas went on to be the basis for great success in the decades following his run.

Regardless of your ideological bent, do you think that Ron Paul and his followers have a chance of changing the Republican Party in the future? For the record, I will not vote for Ron Paul, but I find his campaign one of the most fascinating in recent years, not because of ideology, but because of who he attracts. He attracts many who seemngly feel disenfranchised. In his ideologies, I see change. Society is longing for change. I wonder if he will be the one that eventually brings it, if not himself, than through those he inspires.

I like Paul, in some ways, but not his presentation. I don't sense a groundswell there. In the circumstances in which we find ourselves, his ideas are not practical. Maybe someday. By then, though, the parties will have changed.

In my recent post, please delete the word McCain and insert Rudy. And lordy....if only we could really insert Rudy. Thanks np

Dog Henry might worry that he's hijacking the thread, but in actuality he's just providing perfect example of everything that is wrong with the Republican party as exemplified by the Huckster.

Ron Paul is ideologically honest, he has a set of beliefs and sticks to those beliefs whether it is politically beneficial to him or not. He doesn't try to deny reality because it conflicts with his ideology.

Huckster & the Repukes are in such low repute now because everyone knows they're lying and that they know we know ad infinitum. Yet in spite of it all they continue to lie through their teeth - like the Huckster claiming to be first in 160 yrs to cut taxes or bragging about a balanced budget. It's dishonest and easily proven so, but he continues to say it.

"It's dishonest and easily proven so, but he continues to say it."

Why should Huck stop lying? The more he lies, the higher he polls. Maybe it is pathological and he believes it himself, which would probably make it more believable to those who do not know first hand what really happened. Personally, I think he's just a big ole garden variety liar who is enabled by a mainstream media too lazy to report any real facts even after the AT spoon feeds it to them.

In my experience, libertarians are generally socially insecure reactionaries who don't want to be identified with dorky conservatives.

Ernie, I'm so sick of you tired old record you keep spinning around and around. Tell me why you give no credit to Huckabee for the 1997 tax cuts (citing it was Tucker's plan and was delivered by the legislature) but give credit to Clinton for overhauling welfare when that was delivered by Newt and the Republican Congress as part of their contract with America? Why the flip-flop, Ernie? You just can't have it both ways. I personally say it take a legislature and the executive branch (along with the judicial branch) to run a state and country. If the legislature is passing it and the governor is signing it, then both have some type of hand it in. Back in 1997, it was a year out from the elections and the dems were going to send several tax cut bills to Huckabee. They wanted him on record of vetoing tax-cuts (Arkansas couldn't afford to cut all that were proposed that session) for the next year's election. That's when Huckabee said ok, send them all to me and I'll sign them. The dems nashed their teeth but realized Huck wasn't as dumb as they thought he was and sent him what the state could afford. Exit candidate for Governor Bobby Hogue. Helloo, Ernie - it's called politics and if you weren't so blasted one sided in all your writings, you would have picked up on that. Heck, even Max from time to time gives Huck some praise (although rare). Buy a new record - yours is worn out.

Ah, Inside, the record may be an oldie but it is a goldie when it comes to the facts and quality of writing. What is evident from your little piece is that you offer no rebuttal to his facts, Like anyone who tries to spin the truth, you wind up getting a scratchy and screechy sound that shows the ineptitude of the one handling the player rather than the artist on the label.
As we know from life, some listeners are just plain tone deaf when it comes to good music. Rock on Ernie!! You've got the beat and your melody is harmonious. Syncopated and sophisticated is your style, my man. Inside has got the shoelaces on his dancing shoes tied together and can't understand why he is tripping over himself when your tune plays.

Funny, Jake, but I was there at the Capitol in 1997. What I posted was facts and you can go talk to any legislator willing and able who was there at that time and they'll back it up. Don't come in here blowing and going and offering nothing yourself in regards to "facts". Don't tell an old soilder about the foxholes when they've been in them and you ain't.

So you were down in the foxhole. Great analogy. You give us your view of one small portion of a battlefield while Ernie reports on the whole war. The issue is not over whether you or Ernie have the correct interpretation on one event, but that Huckabee has misinterpreted several events, many more than you attempt to provide rebuttals to.
Tell you what...I'll quit doing the funny stuff if you'll get Huckabee to start telling the truth and nothing but the truth about the entire story. And, I will take it one step further in your behalf and suggest that Ernie (or Max) ought to respond to your comments. Until then....
Play it again, Ernie.

Great debate Jake. One of the reasons I keep coming back here

Just for the record, give Inside some credit for his comments. I spent some time checking with local politicos about his statements and, although none were around at this time, they say it sounds typical of state politics. I was given some names of "old timers" who have been around the state capitol and the legislature for over 40 years. Unfortunately, it's way too late in the day and Vet's Day will postpone a chance to get with them until later next week. Am not sure this level of debate is worth that much time.

I re-read Ernie's piece a couple of times and still feel that his overall summation of the Hucabee problem remains valid and fairly well documented.
Gotta run. Dinner bell just rang.