REVENGE OF LIBERAL TALK

AH, HAVE WE SEEN a trend that, like the weather, will start in the West and creep Eastward? My apologies, but I haven’t blogged for a few days, and I felt like putting this entire piece here for your edification. Perhaps the day will come when we can hear the melodious sound of Randi on the radio without having to dial her up online. Enjoy…

The Arbitrends for Los Angeles came out today, and Richard Mellon Scaife will probably want his money back - his messengers have lost listeners by the boatload. These are month-to-month extrapolated ratings (not rolling three-month average) for listeners 12+. Limbaugh drew a 4.1 last month. This month he dropped to a 3.3.*
Sean Hannity was at a 2.7 last month. He's now at a 1.8.*
Laura Ingraham: 1.1 to 0.8.
Dennis Prager/Michael Medved: 1.2 to a 0.7.*
Hugh Hewitt: 1.3 to 0.7.

*These are 10am-3pm ratings. Limbaugh is on 9am-noon. Bill O'Reilly's on 9 to 11am on the same station Hannity's on (from noon to 3). How did KTLK, the Air America station do? Overall, 0.5 to 0.9, making it the only talk station in L.A. to score an increase. Stephanie Miller (mornings): 0.7 to 1.0. Franken (9 to noon) and Ed Schultz (noon to 3): 0.7 to 1.0. Randi Rhodes (3 to 7pm): again, 0.7 to 1.0.

KTLK's 7pm to midnight surged from a 0.2 to a 1.0. Not to diminish Seder, Garofalo and Malloy, but KTLK still runs Clippers basketball thanks to an old contract, and they've been on a tear. The fact that this station pulls these kinds of numbers with a HORRENDOUS signal is a small miracle.

By the way, don't write this off as being liberal ol' Hollywood. The GOP stronghold of Orange County is included in this, too.

UPDATE: Here are the L.A. numbers from "the money demographic" - 25-54 year olds:

Limbaugh: 3.3 to 2.9.
Hannity: 1.8 to 0.5. (Ouch)
Ingraham: 0.9 to 0.6.
Prager/Medved: 1.4 to 0.3.
Hewitt: 1.4 to 0.9.

KTLK (Air America):
Miller: 1.1 to 1.1
Franken/Schultz: 0.7 to 0.7
Rhodes: 0.9 to 1.3. (That's my girl!)
Garofalo/Seder/Malloy/Clippers: 0.3 to 1.0.

Ouch! Indeed.

OPEN THREAD! OPEN THREAD!

GET A TAILOR, SOMEONE! We've never tried this before, but Warwick seems to like it at Arktimes. Been a little slow lately, so maybe we'll turn this open thread over to you -- post at will, maybe we'll take up the cause...

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

TIME ONCE AGAIN to peruse the morning papers statewide, courtesy of Pat Lynch of WAIradio.com. Our unending thanks for the service, sir. We've added emphasis for stories we're following.

Patrick Hall of Gravett has been ousted from American Idol.

The largest-ever domestic hunger study was released today, and it shows that 11 percent of Arkansans (291,500 residents) receive emergency food assistance each year. Half of those are children or the elderly.

Hospitals in Arkansas lost $64 million in 2004 because state Medicaid reimbursement rates haven’t increased in 10 years, officials from a hospital trade group told legislators Thursday

According to the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, farmers in the Illinois River watershed could have the soil in their fields, the water running off them and the poultry litter spread on them tested for pollutants this spring, if a federal judge approves a request filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

The Sushi King restaurant in Bentonville has voluntarily closed, and state health officials are investigating 89 cases of possible salmonellas reported to the county in mid-February. One victim needed an appendectomy several have been hospitalized, according to reports in the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.

Claiming a "political witch hunt," St. Francis County sheriff candidate Shelly Bieber recently disputed a report that purports to show a money shortage from the defunct Widener Police Department during the time he was chief.

An 11-year-old Bentonville boy accused of bringing an explosive device to school has entered a not guilty plea and is set for trial in May. His parents will also fight the school’s expulsion plan.

7 year-old Charity Whittle suffered bruises on her arms and some puncture wounds, along with cuts and scratches on her face after she was attacked by as many as six pit bull dogs while walking to her school bus stop just outside the Rogers city limits. Stacy McCloud, the bus driver, chased the dogs away with the lid of a trashcan. Christy Lane was cited for six counts of possession of a vicious animal, a misdemeanor.(Liz Hogan of KNWA did the best job on this story)<br />
Even though Russellville hosted a recent legislative meeting trying to show it needed increased state school money, the Courier reports today that the local district’s capital outlay fund has more than tripled over a year to more than $600,000 and $500,000 in additional federal money is now on hand.

A merit pay proposal that would give some elementary teachers bonuses of up to $10,000 next year was approved Thursday night by the Little Rock School Board and will now go to a vote of the teachers.

The Walnut Ridge School Board has approved the administrative consolidation of its district and the Black Rock School District, to be effective on July 1, officials with both districts said Wednesday.

Billionaire media mogul Robert F.X. Sillerman was in Memphis Thursday touting his plan to turn Graceland into an international attraction on par with Disneyland and double the 600,000 visitors who annually visit Elvis' former home in Whitehaven. Sillerman paid $114 million for an 85 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprise late last year.

THE PORT CONNECTION

OK, SO WE’LL CONTINUE with the Port story. This is a transcript from CNN’s “Lou Dobbs” program a night or so back. Seems Michael Moore’s assessment of the Bush family connections with mid-eastern powers has moved into a more conservative arena. Wonder if he’s sitting somewhere chuckling, that Cassandra!

DOBBS: President Bush's family and members of the Bush administration have long-standing business connections with the United Arab Emirates, and those connections are raising new concerns and questions tonight in some quarters about why the president is defying his very own party leadership and his party in defending the Dubai port deal.

CHRISTINE ROMANS: The oil-rich United Arab Emirates is a major investor in The Carlyle Group, the private equity investment firm where President Bush's father once served as senior adviser and is a who's who of former high-level government officials. Just last year, Dubai International Capital, a government-backed buyout firm, invested in an $8 billion Carlyle fund.

Another family connection, the president's brother, Neil Bush, has reportedly received funding for his educational software company from the UAE investors. A call to his company was not returned.

Then there is the cabinet connection. Treasury Secretary John Snow was chairman of railroad company CSX/. After he left the company for the White House, CSX sold its international port operations to Dubai Ports World for more than a billion dollars.

In Connecticut today, Snow told reporters he had no knowledge of that CSX sale. "I learned of this transaction probably the same way members of the Senate did, by reading about it in the newspapers."

Another administration connection, President Bush chose a Dubai Ports World executive to head the U.S. Maritime Administration. David Sanborn, the former director of Dubai Ports' European and Latin American operations, he was tapped just last month to lead the agency that oversees U.S. port operations.

Go to Crooks and Liars and you’ll see vid of Dobbs laying out – simply and cleanly – the case against letting the UAE take over the ports.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

PAT IS WHERE "IT'S AT!" Here is today's morning news briefing, courtesy of radio legend Pat Lynch (listen to him on WAIradio.com)...(we've added emphasis to stories we like)

The Russellville Courier reports on the recent wave of rumors concerning a possible arrest in the murder of Arkansas Tech student Nona Dirksmeyer. According to prosecutor David Gibbons, no elected official or the family member of an elected official is a suspect in this case. There has been no arrest in the Dirksmeyer homicide, nor has there been a confession.

The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metropolitan area was named Wednesday to Milken Institute's 2005 Best Performing Cities Index, a measurement of where the most jobs are being created across the United States. The growing Northwest Arkansas urban area was listed as the eighth best performing region among the nation's 200 largest metropolitan areas.

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, says the chances of Congress offering disaster relief to the agriculture community soon are not good. “The political winds are just not blowing our way,” he said at a joint meeting of the Rotary clubs of Pine Bluff and West Pine Bluff.

The Jonesboro Sun reports on Senator Blanche Lincoln’s visit to Northeast Arkansas. Lincoln was very critical of administration cuts in funding to American farmers. Specifically, she criticized the attempts to promote free trade with countries violating guidelines American farmers follow. "We go to foreign countries and say, 'Our farmers will do what is right,' but turn deaf and dumb when those countries do not play by the same rules," she said.

State Senator Jerry Bookout of Jonesboro, a member of the General Assembly for over three decades, is dead of cancer at 72.

Lieutenant governor candidate Drew Pritt said Wednesday he can't afford a $7,500 filing fee and will collect the necessary signatures needed to get on the Democratic primary ballot.

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said taking poultry litter and water samples this spring will strengthen his case against Arkansas poultry companies.

An inflation adjustment to Arkansas' public school funding formula for this school year and next would cost $122 million. Lawmakers are preparing for a possible special session to comply with the latest Supreme Court Lake View rulings.

The Democrat-Gazette reports that the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission approved an intricate deal involving six entities that launches a company backed by the Stephens Group to compete with Central Flying Service to refuel, serve and repair the corporate aircraft that fly in and out of Little Rock National Airport, Adams Field. SuperMarine of Little Rock, as the center will be known, initially will invest $10.7 million in the first phase of its operation and employ at least 54 people.

A 37-year-old Jacksonville man accused of raping a teenage girl and sexually abusing her younger brother was sentenced to life plus 40 years in prison Wednesday after jurors watched a 29-minute video of him having sex with the girl. Eugene Ray “Gene” Callaway said the girl was a willing participant in the video encounter, arguing she was at least 18 at the time. The girl, now 20, testified she was 16 or 17 at the time.

A man who videotaped himself in the act of raping a 14 year old boy was sentenced in Sebastian County Circuit Court to 40 years in prison. Mathew Anthony Meyer, 25, was scheduled to stand trial on two counts of rape, but avoided trial and the possibility of a life sentence by pleading guilty to both counts.

The Pine Bluff School District has hired Nabholz Construction of Conway as construction manager of the district’s $28.8 million renovation and restructuring program.

What is being called the "Call of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Celebration" begins today at the Convention Center in Brinkley.

Arkansas Times’ blog notes that George Strait's recent show at Alltel is the No. 5 gross on Billboard's latest list of top grossing music shows. The capacity crowd at Alltel Jan. 21 grossed $995,576.

Moving day for the Mulberry library began early Tuesday with students and library officials pushing carts of books from the city office complex to a new 2,400-square-foot building across Main Street. The volunteer workers, including some Mulberry and Pleasant View students, will continue working on getting the facility ready to open to the public next week.

PORT PUNDITRY

WE HAVEN’T HEARD much disagreement on the Port story. Not good. However, Matt has commented on this blog about the appearance of racism among everyone objecting to this proposed takeover of American Ports by the governement of the U.A.E. Those who criticize the “criticism” of the plan make some good points, however, this snippet, courtesy of the Spook probably points out the source of the problem…

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For almost five years President George W. Bush has warned Americans to fear terrorism, but now those words may come back to bite him. The president, who has cast himself as America's protector against terrorism and Islamic militancy, has been thrown on the defensive by a bipartisan revolt over his administration's approval of a state-owned company from the United Arab Emirates assuming operation of six major U.S. seaports.

Again, no racism there, and a logical popular reaction. We still think it’s a bad idea politically. Normally, if Tom DeLay supports something, we’d on principal oppose it, but not this time. Uh-oh, have we become more conservative?

HEALTH – AND WEALTH

OUR ESTIMABLE FRIEND David Sanders at the Morning News has an interesting column this morning on the still imprecise idea of a nationalized system of health care. We think he’s been hitting C-SPAN’s Sunday night “Prime Minister’s Questions” program from the British Parliament. He cites recent questions from one such session as a good example of the problems inherent in a nationalized system of healthcare. To wit:

For those who want a national solution for American health care: Be careful what you wish for. It's no solution.

Perhaps it’s not a solution for you if you can afford the skyrocketing cost of insurance and medical bills – but it might just do the trick for the increasing number of Americans not covered by insurance, or for the increasing number of us facing bankruptcy because getting a broken arm fixed costs as much as buying a new Lexus SUV.

Could America do it differently than Britain?

Sure – take a look at the VA medical system, which, when not facing budget cuts from Congress and everyplace else, could serve at least as some model for service. It ain’t frilly, but it’ll keep you healthy – I speak from personal experience. You’ll get the drugs you need, the x-rays, the doctors’ attention – you just don’t get to stay in a “spa environment.” And hey, when every other hospital lost medical records on the Gulf Coast during the storms, the VA system stayed up-and-running.

One other thing – David, what about the negativism? Conservatives love to ding progressives about always complaining about things, but never suggesting a fix. This time, the shoe’s on the other foot, amigo. We at least know the solution isn’t to throw more financial largess at the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and the solution isn’t to leave it up to Congressional Republicans right now, because they’ve done next to nothing to fix things. Medicare prescription drug plan? Let’s talk about how that’s worked so very, very well. Privitization doesn’t answer all the problems we have as a society – especially this one. Don’t you think medical care ought to be considered a basic human right? A true entitlement, something provided to everyone based on need? I know there are long arguments about that, but can we at least provide a minimum of care? We provide a (somewhat) free public education to our kids, we provide a national defense, we provide social security…why not provide a way for everyone to stay healthy and get much needed medical treatment? Uninsured often means undertreated. We don’t need British parliamentarians to explain that.

Har-de-har-har! This thing is goin' down in flames.

The White House scrambled to rescue a deal giving a state-run Arab firm control of operations at six major US ports and to limit the political fallout from the controversial arrangement.President George W. Bush's chief spokesman, Scott McClellan, said Bush had only learned about the deal "over the last several days," once it was completed, saying questions about it "didn't rise to the presidential level."But "the counterterrorism experts looked at it. The intelligence community did an assessment to make sure that there was no national security threat," McClellan told reporters.One Republican congressional aide, who requested anonymity, said the White House should have realized that the agreement raised uncomfortable questions about national security -- a key issue ahead of November legislative elections.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

TIME FOR YOUR MORNING ROUND up of all the news fit-to-print, courtesy of radio’s very own Pat Lynch. You can, of course, catch Pat’s radio show on WAIradio.com, or visit his blog, here. (we’ve added emphasis for those stories we’ve focusesd on)

The United States Supreme Court has refused to intervene in a lawsuit by Oklahoma against poultry interests in Arkansas for discharges into the Illinois River. Attorney General Mike Beebe told listeners to Pat Classic that his office is still considering its’ options and he also said that properly treated chicken manure is not a “hazardous toxic material.”

Federal Judge Leon Holmes has refused to immediately reinstate former Pine Bluff police chief Daniel Moses, who is suing for reinstatement under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act. A trial is set for June 26.

Bentonville school officials evacuated a section of Old High Middle School on Tuesday after a sixth-grader brought an "explosive device" and showed it to other students. Police and fire departments were called in addition to the local bomb squad. The student was taken to the juvenile detention center and will be recommended for expulsion for the remainder of this school year.

Northeast Arkansans For Animals Director Wannda Turner is featured in the HBO film "Dealing Dogs," a documentary on the inhumane and illegal treatment of dogs. Turner and NAFA volunteers are featured bathing and preparing for adoption dogs that were confiscated from the Martin Creek Kennel in Sharp County.

A plan by the Palestine-Wheatley School District to consolidate all schools onto one campus in Palestine will be the topic of discussion Thursday evening at a public hearing. in Wheatley.

The Pine Bluff Commercial has word of an ambulance war. Monticello Ambulance Service, that city’s long-time ambulance service provider, is asking for an exclusive service contract while another ambulance service, Southeast Arkansas Medical Services, asked the city to “leave well enough alone” and allow both companies to operate in the city.

Max and the gang at the Arkansas Times blog report that Governor Mike Huckabee’s number for the Little Rock marathon has been assigned. It is “2008.”

The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill to ban protesting at funerals, echoing a similar measure by lawmakers in Kansas and probably inviting a court challenge. The measure, aimed at a Kansas church group that pickets funerals with anti-gay signs and expletive-laden chants, would make it a crime to conduct such protests. That church has conducted protests in Arkansas.

Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)

“WHITE” BLOGS "TOO" WHITE?

WE SAW AN INTERESTING post this morning. Seems some people complain that the blogs are overwhelmingly the property of white people, with very few people of color getting involved. We can’t say as we find that a false assessment. Professional journalists actively work on diversity of race, and diversity of voices. Different views and a different background and set of eyes can do wonders for editorial and for reportage. Any bloggers of color out there in the Arkansas blogosphere? Wonder if NAACP or anyone else in the state has either set up a blog, or has plans to do so. Check out this post for a little more on the topic.

Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)

BUSHWHACKED ON PORTS

THIS IS ALMOST THE FINAL WORD on the port story. CNN's Jack Cafferty, in his usual curmudgeonly fashion, whacks the bejesus out of President Bush over the Port Problem. If you believe Jack, this could mean very, very bad things for both the Prez and his party. Courtesy of Crooks and Liars.

Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)

WAL-MART NUMBERS OUT

THE WLRT (WORLD'S LARGEST RE-TAILER) posted quarterly earnings yesterday. Never shabby, but in this case, still below analyst estimates. The most-excellent Roby Brock from Talk Business has this update...

Wal-Mart reported that its fourth quarter earnings rose 13.4 percent after aggressive holiday advertising helped boost sales by 8.6 percent. Net income rose to $3.6 billion, or 86 cents per share, for the quarter ended January 31 from $3.2 billion, or 75 cents per share, a year ago.

Earnings in the latest quarter included a $103 million net tax benefit that boosted net income by 2 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had projected earnings of 83 cents per share. Wal-Mart reported total fourth-quarter sales of $89.3 billion.

The U.S. Wal-Mart Stores division, the retailer's largest unit, posted quarterly sales growth of 8.6 percent. Operating profit rose 11.1 percent. At Sam's Club, sales were up 6.8 percent and profits rose 6.2 percent. In the International division, sales were up 9.6 percent, while profits increased 14.1 percent.

For the full year ended January 31st, Wal-Mart said sales were up 9.5 percent to $312.4 billion and net income rose 9.4 percent to a record $11.2 billion, or $2.68 per share.

Wal-Mart's stock still continues to suffer, but again, the company has to deal with scale unheard of in the world of business. Pretty good for investors.

Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)

CYBERMOUTH -

February 21, 2006

In the Name of Security

The question at hand is this: With everything going on under the guise of protecting you, do you feel safe?

Polls during the 2004 presidential election showed that the reason a majority of people voted for GW Bush was because they believed he was the man who could best offer them protection from those evil terrorists – the ones GWB and party kept relentlessly reminding us about. If you’re reading this column, chances are you haven’t been killed by Osama bin Laden. Deductive reasoning works this way: Bush said he would protect you if he got elected. Bush got elected, and you’re not dead. Therefore Bush protected you. Simple as that, right? A perfect, indisputable mathematical statement.

Isn’t this fun? Here’s another one:

Bush said he would stop terrorist attacks on America. Bush invaded Iraq, and there have been no more terrorist attacks on America. Therefore, attacking Iraq stopped the terrorist attacks on America.

And this:

After 9/11, Rick drinks only Mexican beer. Since 9/11, there have been no more terrorist attacks on America. Therefore, Rick is protecting America by drinking only Mexican beer.

OK. You caught me, you math wiz. Those statements above are not “deductive reasoning”. They are, rather, “inductive reasoning” – otherwise known as “philosophy”. And, more specifically, “weak inductive reasoning”. In other words, “Just take my word for it.”

It seems to work. The Bush arguments above, or strikingly similar ones, can be heard daily, straight from the mouths, or keyboards, of just about every rubber-stamp supporter of the Administration’s policies. You’re actually the first people I have tried the “Mexican beer” logic on, so I’m interested to see how it flies.

Earlier this month, according to the Washington Post, “Two uniformed men strolled into the main room of the Little Falls library in Bethesda (Maryland)…and demanded the attention of all patrons using the computers. Then they made their announcement: The viewing of Internet pornography was forbidden. The men looked stern and wore baseball caps emblazoned with the words ‘Homeland Security.’ The bizarre scene unfolded Feb. 9, leaving some residents confused and forcing county officials to explain how employees assigned to protect county buildings against terrorists came to see it as their job to police the viewing of pornography.”

Inductive reasoning. Terrorism is bad. Pornography is bad. Therefore, pornography is associated with terrorism.

Everybody knows about the NSA’s wiretapping of American citizens. Some (surprisingly few) wonder how our government has any right to tap the phones of American citizens without a court order, as mandated by law.

Inductive reasoning. People inside the US could communicate with terrorists outside the US by phone. People inside the US are making phone calls to places outside the US. Therefore those people are communicating with terrorists.

NSA is looking for terrorists. I’m not a terrorist. Therefore, I should have no problem with the NSA tapping my phone.

Each of us is connected by virtue of circumstance or acquaintances through social linkages that involve six or fewer people (Six Degrees of Separation). In other words, everybody on the planet (including terrorists) is separated by no more than six other people. So the government could be justified in its search for terrorists to track the phone calls made by anybody, to anybody else.

Sounds reasonable.

The President has now said he will veto any attempt by Congress to stop American sea ports from being turned over for management to a company that is owned by the United Arab Emirates. And here, it all comes to a screeching halt. Not even the weakest inductive logic can explain this. In fact, no form of logic known to man (excluding Mr. Bush and his hired hands – who think what they are told to think) can offer any justification for the President, who was born of the 9/11 tragedy, turning over control of six (possibly eight) major ports to Arabs. Of the 19 known hijackers and conspirators, one was from the UAE, and another 13 were from Saudi Arabia – right next door. All were Muslim. 96% of the people who live in the UAE are Muslim.

Oh, wait. Perhaps this line from the first paragraph of Wikipedia’s article about UAE can introduce some logic into the argument: “The country is rich in oil.”

What a coincidence! So is the Bush family! Birds of a feather, as it were. Now, how bad could they be?

So, as good Americans, you should all do the following:

1. Don’t go whining because your phones are being tapped.

2. Only view approved material on the Internet.

3. Pressure your Congressmen to yield to the President’s wishes, and allow an Arab nation to control your seaports.

4. Sleep peacefully in your beds, warmed by Arab oil, secure in the knowledge that your President is protecting you – just like you hired him to do.

. Maa asalaama.

© 2006 Rick Baber

DHS PORNO POLICE

CALL THIS, IF YOU WILL, THE OUTRAGE of the week. Don’t think the Patriot Act or DHS want to infringe on your free speech or your rights in this country? Yes, you even have the right to view “questionable” material. It all depends on “community standards” and not on Homeland Security. When did they get into the morals-policing game? This comes from the Washington Post (Friday)…

Two uniformed men strolled into the main room of the Little Falls library in Bethesda one day last week and demanded the attention of all patrons using the computers. Then they made their announcement: The viewing of Internet pornography was forbidden.

The men looked stern and wore baseball caps emblazoned with the words "Homeland Security." The bizarre scene unfolded Feb. 9, leaving some residents confused and forcing county officials to explain how employees assigned to protect county buildings against terrorists came to see it as their job to police the viewing of pornography.

After the two men made their announcement, one of them challenged an Internet user's choice of viewing material and asked him to step outside, according to a witness. A librarian intervened, and the two men went into the library's work area to discuss the matter. A police officer arrived. In the end, no one had to step outside except the uniformed men.

They were officers of the security division of Montgomery County's Homeland Security Department, an unarmed force that patrols about 300 county buildings -- but is not responsible for enforcing obscenity laws.

Overkill, my fine felonious friends. Keep your eyes on Al Qaeda, and off your garden variety perverts. And remember, today it’s “porn” tomorrow – The ArkFam blog or Rush Limbaugh.

HALTER IN STUDIO

FRESH FROM A ROUND WITH the "Political Animals" in Fayetteville, we'll have Democrat Bill Halter for half-an-hour. I'll try to boost this thing up on the site so you can listen to it sometime today. Got questions for him you'd like to ask? Simply email those to me and I'll toss them in the mix. The program will air on Saturday night, and again Sunday. Trying to get Asa Hutchinson in as well in the next couple of days.

Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

OUR CONTINUED THANKS to big Pat Lynch for his daily read of all the news fit-to-print, though it has been sparse the last couple of days. As always you can check out Pat at his website, or listen to him on WAIradi.com.

Washington County will see the first death penalty case in the county today since 1981. Fernando Navarro of Springdale is accused of slaying David E. Edwards of Fayetteville. Jury selection begins this morning in Circuit Judge William Storey's court.

FecEx is expanding its’ Harrison operations and expects to add 500 jobs there.

Jefferson County and the City of Pine Bluff have settled a long-standing jail dispute in which the city will resume making payments on its’ 24 beds in the county lockup.

Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee authorities will conduct public hearings this week concerning possible construction of a new Mississippi River Bridge. The $500 million span would be located somewhere between the Shelby-Tipton county line and Mississippi 304 in DeSoto County.

Advanced Auto Parts is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot one of their night managers. Little Rock police say it is the 10th. Homicide of 2006.

Arkansas Business reports that a 3,000-SF condo on the 14th floor of the First Security Center in downtown Little Rock tipped the scales at $1.3 million. Robert Hixson Jr. bought the urban residence from real estate developers Joseph and Brenda Blankenship.

SURE, THEY'LL KEEP YOU SAFE...

THIS IS THE SUREST indicator of the insanity that has overrun the White House. Our government now wants to contract with a company in Dubai to guard American ports. What???? First of all, why don't we give the contract to an American company? Secondly...oh, jeez, just read what a Republican Congressman has to say about this malarky...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. terms for approving an Arab company's takeover of operations at six major American ports are insufficient to guard against terrorist infiltration, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee said Sunday.

"I'm aware of the conditions and they relate entirely to how the company carries out its procedures, but it doesn't go to who they hire, or how they hire people," Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, said.

"They're better than nothing, but to me they don't address the underlying conditions, which is how are they going to guard against things like infiltration by al Qaeda or someone else, how are they going to guard against corruption?" King said.

This is simply outsourcing gone too far. Oh, yes, this comes from the Department of Homeland Security -- the guys that couldn't even handle Katrina without losing millions of dollars and thousands of lives. Smooth move, Chertoff.

GRUMBLINGS.. All over Springdale today (Saturday) as I venture out among the masses to do all that shopping you gotta do, basically, because what the hell else are you going to do on an icy day like this? Seems folks are more'n a little dissatisfied with all the work done (or, not done, as the case may be) by the Springdale Street Department to make the roads more passable. IF there were any streets bladed, or even chatted, in Springdale, I, and all of the people I spoke with, were unable to find them. Of course, that didn't stop most everybody from getting out and attempting to drive - which may be a good thing for Yours Truly. The more insurance claims the merrier.

SNOW UPDATE

IT SNOWED HERE, FINALLY, WITH PLENTY on the ground. Tonight on the radio, we'll have a replay of one of our past programs, because yours truly has to attend "Pigcasso" the "kiss-a-pig" gala at the Fayetteville Town Center for the Diabetes Foundation. I'm afraid you can all relax, I will probably not be kissing the pig.

Also, we've finally hooked up our video blogging software and we're ready to start "vlogging" so we'll try to start slapping up those each night (more like every night or so).

Wanna welcome the ever-interactive Rick Baber as our first team member other than the "collective we." You'll notice Rick posting from time to time here -- yes, Rick, I'll try to give you a hand with the formatting so we don't hurt the precious format (which is actually in the process of changing again soon.)

If you'd like to become a member, we're interested in having you along...drop us a note and we'll consider you for "member" status.

So, I've got a ton of things to do today, and you probably do as well. Gonna run for now.

(one more comment -- I'm touched, appalled, amazed and thrilled at the comments I continue to get from those of you in Pittsburgh about the Michael Fortino story. I'd very much like to talk with one of you at length about your experience for an exclusive article here. We don't very often hear from victims of this kind of thing -- it's about time to speak up.)

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TATTLE TALES NOT APPRECIATED

US OFFICIALS are a little miffed at the Aussies for releasing new photos of mistreatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib.

From CNN.com: "Those pictures were pictures of criminal acts that took place many years ago, rogue soldiers doing activity that wasn't supported by their chain of command," Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said. The pictures are reflections "of what happened before," not "of what's happening now," Lynch said. Nevertheless, U.S. officials have said the pictures and video should not have been released, with Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman telling The Associated Press their airing "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world." The newly broadcast images do not appear to show any new perpetrators. So the question remains, as we have heard so many times before: "Why you gotta bring up old stuff?" Anybody got an opinion on this??

HOWDY, MIKE!

AH, WE’VE LONGED FOR THE DAY when Mike Masterson would take his trusty axe to those in political power, as he is wont to do from time to time. Mike’s columns on the subject of morality are fantastic, and drive us up the proverbial wall – we’re convinced no one could be more wrong about books and a laundry list of other things. But, when he’s right – he’s reaaaaallly right. Today, he tees off on Governor Huckabee’s haughty disregard of the media when it comes to the “planegate” story. OK, we’re stealing that one from our friends in the right-side blogosphere – they used it against Mike Beebe, we’ll rehabilitate it, and tell you it sits firmly as a sub-chapter of this year’s “big focus” on political ethics. Senor Masterson, would you do the honors?

The governor refused to be interviewed for Blomeley’s story, so there was no explanation of why he needed to take all those trips inside and out of our little banana republic. It seems Huckabee wasn’t explaining these trips to the Democrat-Gazette because, well, His Highness (forgive me ) is greatly displeased with how, in his opinion, Blomeley and political editor Bill Simmons have “edited, twisted and distorted” his responses in previous news stories that questioned his other “official” actions.

He also apparently doesn’t care much for those inquiring folks over at the Arkansas Times. He wouldn’t speak with them for their story, either, later telling a television audience that the Times had “never been responsible with the truth whenever it relates to me.”

Well, now, there’s some sound and logical reasoning for not explaining one’s preference for the high-pitched drone of twin propellers.

All we can say is that Mike always gives a reader a good column for that 50-75 cent investment.

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FOLLOW THE MONEY

MONEY BEING THE MOTHER’S MILK of the political game, we must keep tabs on the race for the Governor’s office. Today, this article, courtesy of the DemGaz says the winner to-date is Mr. Beebe (who is in Fayetteville today and Friday – we’ll try to grab him…)

Beebe, a Democrat, raised $ 152, 860 in January, compared with $ 85, 373 for Hutchinson, a former Republican congressman from the 3 rd District in Northwest Arkansas. Last year campaign reports were required to be filed quarterly. But in an election year they are required monthly.

The primary is to be May 23 and the general election Nov. 7.

Beebe filed two reports, one for collections for the primary and one for the general election. For the primary report, Beebe showed $ 131, 860 in contributions and $ 126, 215 in expenditures for the month.

In total in his primary account he’s raised $ 2. 29 million and spent $ 790, 436, leaving a balance of $ 1. 51 million.

For the general election account, Beebe reported $ 21, 000 in contributions and zero expenditures for the month. For the general election account, he’s raised $ 254, 200 in all and spent zero, leaving a balance of $ 254, 434.

Hutchinson filed a report for the primary.

For the month, he spent $ 78, 657. In total, he’s collected $ 1. 09 million and spent $ 508, 266, leaving a balance of $ 573, 550.

The conventional wisdom said a combination of WinRock and local politics might make it hard for Hutchinson to get the money he needs in this race. Regardless, he seems to be doing fine, if a little “outdone.” The Hutch Campaign says it expects a bump when Sen. John McCain visits for a fundraiser on April 10th. By the way, McCain is a former shipmate of mine – different era – the old U.S.S. Forrestal (CV-59) – (trivia)

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MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

AS ALWAYS, THE ALERT EYES AND flying fingers of Pat Lynch keep you up-to-the-minute on what’s happening in the state papers…listen to Pat’s show on WAIradio.com…we’ve added emphasis to the items we like.

Greenwood’s preferential compensation package for its’ head football coach has been noticed in the state legislature. Senator Jim Argue, chair of the Senate Education Committee told the Southwest Times Record “I think it’s a fairness issue, and I don’t think there’s anymore justification for enriched benefits for a coach as compared to a math or science teacher.” Lawmakers have begun gathering information on athletic department salaries.

State Senator Shane Broadway, in an interview with Pat Lynch on WAI, says that there will likely be a special session to deal with school funding issues and it will probably be in March.

Jonesboro School District Superintendent Steve Singleton is expressing concern that local government may encourage segregation in schools and in the community, and has shared his comments with local officials. In a letter dated Feb. 9, Singleton told Mayor Doug Formon and Jonesboro City Council members that he is concerned about some zoning issues in the nearby Valley View School District. If low-income properties are approved and developed in the Jonesboro and Nettleton districts, he says, the same should be true for other districts within the city limits. Jonesboro contains portions of four different school districts.

Anthony Sanchez awaits sentencing after being convicted of first degree murder, rape and sodomy by an Oklahoma jury in the 1996 death of Benton ballet student Julie Buskin.

The mother of Kevin Ives, one of the two boys murdered near the railroad tracks in Saline County in 1987, is calling upon prosecutor Robert Herzfeld to question former Lonoke Police Chief Jay Campbell in connection with that case. Campbell was mentioned in connection with the case in the “Obstruction of Justice” video release.

Russellville Prosecutor David Gibbons believes there is substantial evidence in the murder of Nona Dirksmeyer, but he was unwilling to give the Courier reporter information on results of a polygraph test, whether the assailant forced his way into the victim’s apartment, whether there was a murder weapon seized, or tests on the suspects clothing.

Alfred Craft of Monroe, Louisiana will serve five years in prison and pay a $50,000 fine for poisoning a bald eagle and two vultures at a farm he owns in Izard County and then threatening people to keep it from coming to light, a federal judge ruled.

Bass Pro Shop is proposing to spend at least $75 million to redevelop the Pyramid in Memphis and pay $1 million dollars annyally over the life of a 20-year lease. The Missouri retailer also promises not to open a similar store within 100 miles. Shelby County and the City of Memphis still have around $25 million of outstanding debt on the Pyramid.

Patrick Hall of Gravette is on to the next round of American Idol.

The pilot for a Fox television drama series will be shot next month in Memphis. “Southern Comfort” is the story of a suburban mother who is suddenly thrust into running her husband’s criminal activities while he goes to jail.

Casino developers are pushing real estate prices up in Biloxi, Mississippi, where gambling has been allowed inland since Hurricane Katrina. New resorts, condos, and hotels are planned.

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COULTER WIMPS IT UP IN FAYETTEVILLE

AW...ANN, WE THOUGHT YOU HAD MORE FIGHT IN you! The Coulter-beast spoke last night at the U of A. The students paid a cool 20K for the visit. It got precious little attention. For this you pay 20K? Here's how Chris Branam at the DemGaz described it...

Republicans and the Bush administration drew her fire, as well. Coulter complained about the White House’s handling of Vice President Dick Cheney’s weekend hunting accident.

“I don’t know if any of you have watched Scott McClellan, but he’s a moron,” Coulter said, referring to the White House press secretary. “The reason we are winning is because liberals are insane, not because we are a smooth-running operation.” Coulter criticized the media for “overkill” in their reporting of the Cheney story. She admonished Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican who is considered a 2008 presidential candidate in some circles, for “spending a little too much time with Bill Clinton for my taste.”

The talk was sponsored by UA’s College Republicans, Associated Student Government and University Programs office.

The Morning News handled the story in the most convenient way -- boiling Ann of Hades down into her component soundbites...

On a heckler who kept yelling from the balcony and who was later removed:

"Yes, I'm sure you're a big hit in the transgender room."

No, no death threats for anyone on the Supreme Court this time. Those who got to go to David Pryor's retirement ceremony at the Clinton School probably had a much better time.

One other interesting point...a colleague of mine says he took a straw poll of college age people and found that only one out of a dozen even knew who Ann was...curious.

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LOCAL IDOL MAN WINS

OK, OK – ALL YOU “PATRICK HALL OF GRAVETTE” Google search freaks, here’s what you wanted last night, but I didn’t have it. Your man made it to the next step in “American Idol.” Here’s part of a much, much longer article about the story.

Hall’s wife, Laura, agreed. "We were married last July 4 th," she said. "I have signed an agreement with the show that I won’t discuss anything about his appearances, but I can tell you that I’m very, very proud of him. This is great to have so many people cheering for him."

Hall’s sister Caroline Martinez said she, of course, was proud, too. "He’s been singing since he could talk," Martinez said, smiling. "He’s a good singer, songwriter and an accomplished pianist. I’m so glad America will get to see the talent we’ve seen Patrick’s whole life."

Hall’s dad, Billy Hall, M. D., shook hands with just about everyone at the watch party and accepted all the good wishes on behalf of his son.

There – your pop culture update for the state, for the day.

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BABER BLOGS HERE

It's Wednesday, nearly 11pm. So far, no word of violent protests, pies fights or birdshot blasts from Ann Coulter's scheduled appearance at the Walton Arts Center. But then, I had to go get dogfood and missed the 10 o'clock news.

AN A.P.B.

HAS ANYONE HEARD FROM JOY? We're checking her usual haunts, but Girl Arkansas seems to be missing in action. The Arkansas Media website seems to have vanished, this time completely. Joy -- your blogging family misses you and wonders where you've gone. Call home, we'll have cookies and milk (or something a little fizzier) ready...hope things are going OK for you.

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A WARM WELCOME?

WE GOT THE MEMO A DAY OR SO back about R. Shawn McGrew entering the House 95 race in Rogers. Yes, it made us scratch our heads and say "go figure." We've heard what some of you had to say about it. Now, our esteemed colleagues at the ArkFam blog weigh in on this head-scratching development...

Well, we just got word that another “Republican” has filed for office in Northwest Arkansas. Shawn Mcgrew of Rogers announced that he will run for the State House of Representatives as a Republican. He has run for office as a Democrat and was the head of the Democrat Club of Benton County.

We don’t like this new practice that NWA Democrats have developed, and we don’t think that most of the primary voters up in the hills will either. If you are a Democrat admit it. Don’t hide what you believe from the voters. Being dishonest is not way to inspire confidence in your candidacy.

As purveyors of all things "right of right," we often take the things we read on ArkFam with the proverbial grain of salt. However, this time, they did make a point about a strategy of winning Northwest Arkansas at all costs...intriguing, and we have to admit, we wondered the same thing when we heard about the fence-crossing. On the other hand, that could be the equivalent of blaming Karl Rove for masterminding every bad thing that happens to Dems on a national level? Has Mr. Willett started to approach Rovian status? Your two cents appreciated.

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MORNING NEWS BRIEFING

AH! AT LAST! PAT has read the morning papers so we don't have to! Does he know he's enabling the GenX'ers among us to do what we like most? Slacking? It's the perfect round-up of Arkansas News...(our emphasis for our interest)

The sale of Beverly Enterprises to a subsidiary of a California investment company, Filmore Equiry, is now complete. The $2 billion deal includes $220 million in “severance costs.” Filmore has threatened to move the corporate headquarters and 600 jobs out of Fort Smith without special legislation to prevent nursing home residents from suing to recover damages for injuries received in its’ facilities. Arkansas has already passed general tort reform laws.

Legislators have heard that it may not be necessary to call a special session this year to deal with the recent Supreme Court Lake View ruling.

The state will continue paying the shortfall resulting from the new Medicare drug benefit program through March 17. So far, costs are approaching $5 million.

Pine Bluff voters, by a 62% margin, have approved a millage increase for public schools. The measure will allow the district to consolidate its campuses from 15 to 10, and construct an honors academy building at Pine Bluff High School.

Helen Walton has donated $20 million to the College of the Ozarks.

The Van Buren School Board voted unanimously Monday to uphold the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate Steve Jones, a Coleman Junior High teacher and the father of Jacksonville Jaguar Matt Jones, for missing a meeting over a year ago and leaving a meeting early in January. Jones sent an email critical of school administrators to a state lawmaker.

The Villonia school district has included a new $20 million high school in it’s ten year facilities master plan. Officials say that might be addressed in 2009. The district will have about $600,000 in immediate projects.

The trial of Anthony Sanchez in Norman, Oklahoma for the 1996 murder of Benton ballet student Julie Buskin continues with testimony about athletic shoes supposedly worn by the killer. Two jurors have been dismissed from hearing the case and replaced by alternates.

A group of bankers will study funding options for the city to build a minor league ballpark. The Springdale City Council will allow bond underwriters to study a cost for the ballpark and possible public funding. The park is estimated to cost between $25 million and $30 million and could attract a AA minor league baseball team.

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DOES THAT WORRY HIM?

A TIP O' THE HAT TO OUR friends at the ArkTimes blog for letting us know about this piece in the NY Times. Seems Candidate Hutchinson would rather not dwell on his past in the Clinton impeachment proceedings. Oddly enough, the idea that talking about this might cause him discomfort could also ensure that he'll end up having to yak about it at length. Good or bad? Depends on the person(s) responding -- but still an interesting concept. Haven't yet seen Arkfam weigh in on this...

Now that Hutchinson wants to be governor of Arkansas, his role in Clinton's impeachment doesn't even rate a footnote in the Republican candidate's official campaign biography or a mention at most political gatherings.

''It's something that's a historical fact, but it's also something that's in the past,'' the former congressman said in a recent interview. ''It's a burden our country had to bear. But it's the future I'm focusing on.''

Because of the enduring affection for Clinton in his home state, however, some Democrats want Arkansans to remember Hutchinson's past.

''I just know I'm going to remind him of it everywhere I go,'' said state Democratic chairman Jason Willett, who calls Hutchinson ''Mr. Manager.'' ''This is a thing I think most people in Arkansas still resent.''

Resent, ignore, whatever -- but sure enough, it will become something we'll have to discuss and "clear up" because someone wants to make an issue of it. And, anything that smacks of avoidance always brings undue attention...

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PIGS AT THE TROUGH -- YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

(If we gave an "Enron" award, this would be in the running...)

IF THIS IS THE WAY BUSINESS IS done in DC, then you, Mr. and Mrs. U.S. Voter, need to kick the living daylights (substitute your own word there) out of the people who enjoy telling you they're running things. Again, for the bazillionth time, the Bush Administration gets caught mismanaging federal dollars. First, we saw no-compete contracts to Halliburton, which ridiculously overcharged troops for everything from laundry to soda pop. Then (and yes, I'm leaving lots out) we find out they've charged the Army for water purification never performed, exposing American forces to what amounts to a possible death sentence out in the desert -- then, we see the morons who've wasted millions of dollars leaving mobile homes to rot on the runway in Hope. That doesn't even get to the story about the rotating shipments of ice, moving across the road endlessly because it cost more to store it than it does to simply ship it from place to place...Now, we've got a good one for you here from the NY Times.

The Pentagon's inspector general last month opened an audit of Lincoln Group's contracts there, according to two Defense Department officials. A separate inquiry ordered by Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the top American commander in Iraq, after disclosures late last year that Lincoln Group paid Iraqi publications to run one-sided stories by American soldiers, has been completed but not made public, military officials said.

A spokesman for General Casey, Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, declined to comment on Lincoln Group, citing the ongoing investigation.

Essentially two men the paper described as rip-off artists who crafted a big company out of government bids for propaganda work in Iraq. You've heard about their work -- paying Iraqi papers to print "positive" stories written by American soldiers. Pricetag? Yep -- part of the big $2 billion dollar bill for PR to the White House. Now these whiz-kids find themselves under investigation by the same government that gave them the money. Any suggestions as to a) what we should do with people like this and b) what in the name of Sam Hill is going on in DC right now? And these guys have proposed millions upon millions of dollars worth of cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other so-called "entitlement" programs while throwing more cash at the military? Boy, where is a special prosecutor when you reallllllly need one? Someone get ol' Jack Cafferty on the line and have him smack Blitzer around over this one today, capice?

MCGREW RUNS AS REPUBLICAN

OK, THIS ONE GRABBED ME the other day as I suffered from delirium, so I wasn’t sure I’d seen it correctly. I’ll just copy it here so you can read it yourself. I’ve noticed several former Dems running as Republicans lately up in the great white north. R. Shawn’s a good guy with us…love to hear more about this decision.

(Rogers, AR)- R. Shawn McGrew of Rogers announced today his candidacy for the Republican nomination in District 95 for the Arkansas House of Representatives.

"I feel that voters are looking for an intelligent leader with integrity and a vision for this district and Northwest Arkansas." stated McGrew. "I want to protect Arkansans property as well as promote education at all levels while continuing secure economic growth for our area and the great state of Arkansas."

McGrew, 33, has been involved with Northwest Arkansas communities through his participation and leadership with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). He has also volunteered as a basketball coach through the Rogers Activity Center. Additionally, he has also volunteered as a WatchDog D.A.D.S. and with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County- Rogers Unit.

McGrew works for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc based in Bentonville, AR as Travel Technology Manager in the Global Travel Services division of the company. He is an eight and a half-year associate. Prior to his current employer, he worked in Radio Broadcasting for 9 years including KFAY-AM and KFAY-FM in Fayetteville, AR as a Program Director and On-Air Personality.

McGrew is a 10-year resident of Northwest Arkansas. Before to moving to Arkansas, he lived in San Antonio and Laredo, TX. To learn more about the campaign, please visit: www.shawnmcgrew.com

So, (we ask naively) why the change in party, Shawn? (or did we miss something? not like it hasn't happened before...)Need low-cost, high-quality news for your online or commercial broadcast? Simply visit RNS Radio News today! Have a news tip, but want to stay in the shadows, keep your ID secret? Drop us a line at anonymous news tips.

Listen to this week's (Nov 4) program (mp3 2 hr)