During a forum hosted by the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce in Hot Springs, Beebe asserted that eliminating the tax immediately would be a “huge mistake,” citing other, more important spending priorities as well as concerns with the “budgetary process.”
“Mr. Beebe is not only retreating from his promise to eliminate the grocery tax, but now he is actually criticizing me for sticking to my promise to get rid of it,” Hutchinson said. “If we can’t find the political will to end this unjust tax when we’re sitting on more than $700 million in projected surplus money, we’ll never do it. We’ll have 20 more years of the same inaction we’ve had for the last 20 – folks saying that they want to get rid of the tax, but always finding a reason that they can not. It’s a depressingly familiar old song.”
As an alternative, Hutchinson suggested that Beebe could alter his current ads at little cost by simply adding a truth-in-advertising disclaimer at the end, similar to those used by pharmaceutical companies: “Mike Beebe’s claim to eliminate the grocery tax may result in inaction, disappointment and more empty promises from public leaders.”
From one direction came the epitome of political partisanship masquerading as journalism, meaning Fox News.
Fox dispatched Chris Wallace, one of its smarmier blenders of partisan purpose and journalistic veneer. That's saying quite a lot considering Brit Hume.
Wallace and Hume - they're worse than Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. Wallace and Hume sound and look like reporters, just as Tony Snow sounded for Fox until the Bush White House decided to reassign him as the president's direct, not indirect, apologist. A wolf is less dangerous if he wears a wolf's clothing
And, to be honest, any journalist worth his salt and granted an interview with Clinton would want to steer the discussion to 9-11 and bin Laden.
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At Monday night's debate, Hutchinson said he prefers a partnership on the issue between state and federal officials and highlighted a few ideas to make that partnership work. Beebe emphasized the federal government's role over that of the state.
The portion of his ad that focuses on drugs is important, but it is Hutchinson's get-tough approach to illegal immigration that will probably score him the most points with voters.
Most of the concern among Americans has been related to the influx of individuals across the nation's southern border
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Beebe on Friday said he is working on legislation that would clarify the state's protections against private property being taken for private interests in Arkansas.
Democrat-Gazette article dated August 31st 2005, "Attorney General Mike Beebe said Tuesday that Arkansas property owners are adequately protected - much better than residents of most states - against the government taking their land for use by private developers.
Beebe, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor, said in a legal opinion that the Arkansas Constitution and numerous Supreme Court decisions make it clear that condemnation is only an option when property will be taken for public use. State courts historically have narrowly defined that type of use, he said.” (tip ArkFAm)
Whew! What a storm last night! Trixie spent the whole night in the closet hiding. I got over 2 inches of rain last night. This picture was taken last night from the backyard, looking north to the storm rolling in.
On beautiful mornings like this, the best place to be is the office window. It's an excellent place to catch the morning sun and watch the street traffic.
Casey has been digging holes in the lawn and flower beds all week. He's been trying to get thr mole that's burrowing around. Yeah, he did get it. He left it in the middle of the lawn. I got suspicious when I saw the cats huddled together. I don't know it Casey killed it or the cats. While I appreciate Casey getting rid of the mole, I don't know if I can keep overlooking the holes and the plants he's dug up. The bill, which faces an uncertain future in the Senate, is part of a Republican effort to complete before the November elections a package of proposals aimed at curbing illegal immigration and its effects on ordinary Americans.
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest employer, is planning to launch a voter registration and education campaign this fall targeted at its 1.3 million employees in an effort to combat growing criticism from Democrats and labor unions.
The company's decision appears to be a response to several high-profile Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and four 2008 Democratic presidential hopefuls, who participated in a labor-organized anti-Wal-Mart campaign this summer.
The Pattersons are hosting a fundraiser for Jim Holt and Jim Lagrone. It is a Luau theme. It will be Saturday, Sept. 30th, beginning at 5:30. Tickets are $10. There will be some fun events: Music, Children's Carnival, Fun Auction and a Balloon Sale with great items to win. I've donated a couple of nice things for the Balloon Sale. A) Promoting awareness of small business health insurance purchasing groups
D) Increase the Use of Mobile Health ClinicsI'd also like to suggest that these mobile clinics also make visits to homebound patients. Many patients have a difficult time getting out of their house.
B) Expand Health Care Savings Accounts
C) Increase Arkansas' Medical Trauma Capability. Arkansas is the only state without a certified trauma centerI didn't know this. Why don't we?
the state must develop and implement a statewide trauma system that will allow the state to be more prepared to handle public health crises including epidemics, natural disasters and even acts of terrorismI had assumed that especially after 9/11, the anthrax scare and Katrina, Arkansas would be better prepared. I'd think that this should be a major priority.
Reducing Health Care Costs
A) Promote personal responsibility in health care. Hutchinson proposed a pilot voluntary Medicaid program aimed at encouraging enrollees to take personal responsibility for their health in exchange for enhanced benefits
B) Focusing on a reduction in the use of and improvement in the treatment of the state's methamphetamine problem. .... aggressive effort to fight meth and other dangerous drugs
C) Create an office of Arkansas Surgeon General
D) Create a "Governor's Council on Affordable Health Care" The Council would be charged with developing a strategic plan to lower health care costs in Arkansas,
Fayetteville is now set to progress into the future. All four sales tax issues passed with an good majority. When I voted last night I had to stand in line. I usually don't have to with special elections. I was really pleased and surprised that the trails issue passed. I figured that most people wouldn't consider it that important. I can't wait to bike and walk on those trails. Mayor Coody and the City Council did an excellent job of letting voters know what they were voting for. Congratulations for such an excellent voter education campaign! It really paid off!
America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over. So do I. But the war is not over -- and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious. If we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons.
This struggle has been called a clash of civilizations. In truth, it is a struggle for civilization. We are fighting to maintain the way of life enjoyed by free nations. And we're fighting for the possibility that good and decent people across the Middle East can raise up societies based on freedom and tolerance and personal dignity.
We are now in the early hours of this struggle between tyranny and freedom. Amid the violence, some question whether the people of the Middle East want their freedom, and whether the forces of moderation can prevail. For 60 years, these doubts guided our policies in the Middle East. And then, on a bright September morning, it became clear that the calm we saw in the Middle East was only a mirage. Years of pursuing stability to promote peace had left us with neither. So we changed our policies, and committed America's influence in the world to advancing freedom and democracy as the great alternatives to repression and radicalism.
Monica Lewinsky makes an appearance, you see, as does Bill Clinton's videotaped testimony about his perjury. National Security Advisor Sandy Berger is portrayed as indecisive, Madeleine Albright as misdirected, George Tenet as sputtering. The film does not spare the Bush Administration its shots either, but for the left in the US the most damning thing possible is a recounting of the deep slumber concerning al Qaeda that overcame not just President Clinton but all parts of the national security apparatus throughout the '90s. The film does not damn those in charge during those years. It does however deliver a indictment of criminal negligence from which there is simply no escape.
By attempting a programming coup against the series, the Clinton forces have brought enormous attention to the film, and for that I thank them.
“Today the administration finally recognized that the protections of the Geneva Convention should be applied to prisoners in order to restore our moral authority and best protect American troops,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. “Today’s shift in policy follows the sad legacy of five years during which this administration abused our Constitution, violated our laws and most importantly failed to make America safe.”
First, whenever the President brings up that the illegal combatants are not uniform, that is a clear sign to those of us in the military that these individuals are not covered by Geneva.
Second, he is very clear that the CIA Detention program remains alive and well. ONLY after all information is obtained will they be turned over to DOD for military trial. Then they will face a death sentence.
Third, the President directly attacks the opinion by SCOTUS.
Lastly, Congress is now up against the wall. There is now a "face" that the public will see in regards to this legislation. IF Congress does not pass legislation, these 14 detainees tied to 9/11 will not receive ultimate Justice. What member of Congress wants to argue for them?
Governor Mitt Romney today ordered all Massachusetts state government agencies to decline support, if asked, for former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami's September 10 visit to the Boston area, where he is scheduled to speak at Harvard University.
"State taxpayers should not be providing special treatment to an individual who supports violent jihad and the destruction of Israel," said Romney.
Romney's action means that Khatami will be denied an official police escort and other VIP treatment when he is in town. The federal government provides security through the U.S. State Department.
Photos of President Bush and Asa Hutchinson from Wednesday's fundraiser.
The 9/11 Commission Report instantly became a national bestseller when it was published in July 2004. Writer Cyrus Nowrasteh (The Day Reagan Was Shot) uses this historic document as the basis for a powerful story with action as gripping and far reaching as the source material itself.
On a more practical note. I, and I am sure many others, have been sent the entire six hour program to preview and review, which I will be doing over the weekend. Edits post-distribution of the review DVDs would invite scrutiny of the very portions sent down the black hole, underscoring the episodes the censors hoped to hide.
Republican secretary of state candidate Jim Lagrone says Secretary of State Charlie Daniels has failed to do enough to make sure that the out-of-state votes of Arkansas military personnel get counted.
It prompted Lagrone to declare Daniels has been "AWOL," absent without leave, when it comes to the military vote.
Lagrone said Daniels is "blowing all kinds of numbers at us on the election, and they still are not taking care of the counties' maintenance costs."
Last month, the company gave the state an estimated $ 390, 000 credit to placate officials upset about the companyÂ’s performance in the May 23 election.
[Janet Miller Harris, deputy secretary of state] said it's estimated that the counties' maintenance costs for their voting machines and software will be about $ 620, 000 a year, starting in 2007. The state is considering covering part of those costs, she said
"They don't know what's happening. They are reacting to issues, and I think the people of Arkansas want a leader who will lead, not to just react to what's happening," Lagrone said.
