Street Jazz

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (“More firms turning to bankruptcy” - May 7), over 200 commercial bankruptcies were filed in Arkansas in the first four months of 2008, as companies - hurt by the economy - are seeking protection from their creditors.

Nationwide, over 18,000 firms have sought such protection in the same period, while 43, 000 went into bankruptcy in 2007.

With great fanfare, the United States Congress passed a bill sometime back that made it far more difficult for individuals to seek such protection. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (whom the Democrat-Gazette fondly refers to as “Miss Blanche”) voted proudly foe this bill.

Will she and the rest of the U.S. Congress be in favor of legislation with makes it just as difficult for companies to file bankruptcy?

I suspect she’d run for the hills if faced with that matter on the Senate floor. Nevertheless, I emailed her office this morning. I’ll let you know what reply I get.

I’ll also write to Boozman, whose heart is almost never in the right place, and doesn’t even pretend that it is.

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Fayetteville City Hall: Nobody here but us faux-liberals

Fayetteville has the enviable record of being the most progressive (liberal?) city administration in Arkansas. Open Government is the mantra we live by, and the new urban god of Sustainability is worshiped at every turn.

Well, progressive up to a point. When it comes to employment matters, the good liberals in City Hall suddenly turn into second-rate Snidely Whiplashes, hiding behind the old mantra, “Hey, it’s a Right-to-Work State! No appeal process for terminated employees!”

I always enjoy the part when someone makes the point that while being in a Right-to-Work state means that, well, true, your boss can fire you at any time - for any reason -  well, gosh, workers can just quit at anytime they like, too.

It all balances itself out, dude.  Really.

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On the Air with Frank Scheide

This week I’ll be interviewing Frank Scheide, a film historian who teaches at the UA. We will be discussing film and its impact on culture. This was a really fun show to do. Years ago, Frank and I did a show, “Scheide on Film“ about the history of motion pictures. It still runs occasionally.

Show times:

Monday - 7pm
Tuesday - noon
Saturday - 6pm

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At last, a holiday for the entire family

No, not Mother’s Day - no offense, Mom.

But did you know that today is also National Twilight Zone Day? Suddenly, everything makes sense . . .

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Quote of the Day

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. - George Bernard Shaw

rsdrake@nwark.com