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Opinion

Anniversaries

Aconfluence of noteworthy anniversaries, sheer coincidence; and all of them bearing on Arkansas. Start with a 50th, a semi-centennial that elicits expressions of remorse from both sides of the issue: abortion.
Read MoreAnniversaries

Cookstove conspiracies

We’ll get to the politics of it in just a moment. First: I’ll never forget the day, nor will she: Her howls of delight, audible from the kitchen and across the den and down the center hallway and past the little sitting room and into the master bedroom, where someone had hoped to begin an afternoon nap.
Read MoreCookstove conspiracies

To stay or run

There’s a saying in the West that when things get tough, you have to cowboy up. In Wyoming, the history of cowboys braving the elements to sustain ranches during subzero weather and fixing things on their own in the harsh landscape is ingrained in the people.
Read MoreTo stay or run

Let it snow

If the forecasters are to believed, Carroll County might get a foot of snow by the time you read this column. I won’t mind that too much.
Read MoreLet it snow

Sanders’ agenda

As this column is written, on Sunday afternoon, it is the eve of the first day of Arkansas’ 94th General Assembly. It’s going to be an interesting session, with a slew of new legislators and, more importantly, a new governor.
Read MoreSanders’ agenda

Be the solution

Qualifier: I am an independent. I have been elected to public office as an independent (city council post) and as a Democrat (justice of the peace) and announced for state senator as a Republican (forced to drop out after a medical issue).
Read MoreBe the solution

Sadler signs off

At precisely 5:00 on the afternoon of December 31, a certain state government (“arkansas. gov”) email address expired, went dark, no longer worked. Messages sent thereto were, within a second or three, returned as “undeliverable.” It was of no moment to the public at large and, as the New Year was only hours distant and there was no breaking story demanding information or comment from the statewide law enforcement agency, likely not a soul in the news racket paused to note it. In the days ahead, however, surely any number of reporters and editors would, from habit, send a cyber question to that email address (or touch their speed dials) and then, only then, remember that Bill Sadler had retired.
Read MoreSadler signs off

Looking to the future

As the new year begins, let’s talk about the pros and cons of the Electoral College, shall we? Pros: There aren’t any. Cons: Where to start? As a former history major and a reader of all genres of historical literature, I thought I knew a thing or three about the hows, whys and so-forths of the Electoral College.
Read MoreLooking to the future

The readers write

The year is at its end. Ergo, our quarterly examination of the mail, cyber and surface. Reader feedback — complimentary or, more often than not, critical unto condemnatory. For example, writing about the cost of being “tough” on crime, as is occasionally done in this space, invariably brings a zinger or nine.
Read MoreThe readers write