Archive for June, 2011
So, we kinda had a birthday…Blue Arkansas Is Two Years Old
Jun 30, 2011 1 Comment ›› ARDemIt kind of snuck up on us, but yeah, we've been at this for two full years. Part of me wonders if it's really been that long, but another part is surprised that's all it's been. We've been through a lot of things with this site-fighting for health care reform, spearheading the draft Halter effort, ...
Continue ReadingGovernor Beebe’s Segregation Forever Moment
Jun 29, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemMike Beebe's speech to the Stonewall Caucus was supposed to be a sign of progress for Arkansas. Unfortunately, it looks like the bar for "progress" was set a tad too high. Now personally, I'm not upset about Beebe shying away from marriage equality or even civil unions. There's a certain realistic streak in me that ...
Continue ReadingBeebe Endorses Hallum
Jun 29, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemNot that this is really news, except maybe to D'James Rogers, but Governor Beebe is supporting the real Democrat in the District 54 special. Dear Friend, Election Day seems so far away in our minds, but there is a special election happening on July12. One that is important to all of us. Hudson Hallum has represented ...
Continue ReadingDouble Standards! The U.S. on Domestic vs. Global Internet Policy
Jun 29, 2011 No Comments ›› DemandProgressJust this month, the United States signed on to a Human Rights Council statement praising freedom of expression on the Internet, along with forty other countries across the world. The purpose of the statement is to emphasize how integral modern-day communications technologies are for the promotion of basic human rights. You would naturally expect the United ...
Continue ReadingThe Human Impact Of Marriage Inequality In Arkansas
Jun 27, 2011 2 Comments ›› ARDemMeet Terrance James. Terrance is suffering from spinal meningitis, the same condition his partner, John Millican, died from in June. Now he's caught up in a war of words with the Batesville Guardian Daily Guard, which apparently has a discriminatory policy that keeps gay partners from being listed in their obituaries, unless they play a ...
Continue ReadingA Latino-Majority District For Arkansas?
Jun 27, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemThis needs to happen. ROGERS, Ark. — Hispanic leaders in northwestern Arkansas hope to convince members of the Arkansas Board of Apportionment that the state should have a majority-Hispanic House seat in time for next year's legislative session. The governor, attorney general and secretary of state this summer will redraw boundaries for Arkansas' 100 House and 35 ...
Continue ReadingWith “Democrats” Like Linda Collins-Smith, The ERA Won’t Pass
Jun 27, 2011 4 Comments ›› ARDemWith renewed national, state, and local interest in the ERA triggered by the right wing war on women, there's plenty of reason to be excited. Now excuse me while I throw a little cold water on that excitement. For the ERA to be ratified in Arkansas, Democrats will have to hold both chambers of the ...
Continue ReadingSaylor Nails It On Martin
Jun 27, 2011 1 Comment ›› ARDemThe best column I have seen on Mark Martin's whining yet. When I hear the claim by Secretary of State Mark Martin (R – Arkansas) claiming that bloggers, reporters and citizens, such as myself, are abusing the Freedom of Information Act by requesting detailed information on his and his staff’s actions while in office over ...
Continue ReadingThe Hypocrisy, Idiocy, And Bigotry Of State Rep. Donna Hutchinson
Jun 26, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemMeet the dumbest, most hateful, and most down right dishonest legislator in the Arkansas General Assembly. (And with a legislature full of Jon Hubbards and Loy Mauchs that's saying a lot.) Donna Hutchinson has long had a serious issue with gay people, being one of the "Pro-Aids Three" back in 2010 for instance. LGBT people ...
Continue ReadingThe War On Women Revives The ERA
Jun 26, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemGood news from the front. This week, the Supreme Court dealt a blow to 1.5 million women by throwing out their charges of comprehensive gender discrimination by retail behemoth Walmart in a 5-4 decision. In response to the ruling, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) re-introduced the Equal Rights Amendment, ...
Continue ReadingThe Mark Martin Disclaimer
Jun 26, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemHeh. Caution: E-mail and cell phone use may not provide complete confidentiality. Confidential information should not be disclosed in response to this e-mail. This e-mail and any response may be subject to FOI. To the extent that there are any exceptions to FOI, all or part of this e-mail may be ...
Continue ReadingPirate School
Jun 24, 2011 No Comments ›› DemandProgressIt's getting even crazier. Last night Demand Progress spilled the beans: Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, are planing an Anti-Neutrality policy called the "THREE STRIKES PLAN". These Internet service providers would restrict web access for users accused of infringement. Check out our link for an overview of the policy and more info. FIGHT THE AT&T/ COMCAST "THREE STRIKES" ...
Continue ReadingGoing On Vacation
Jun 22, 2011 No Comments ›› ARDemI'm headed out tomorrow for a much needed vacation with my partner and some friends up to St. Louis. It's the slow season, so I don't expect too much to happen while I'm gone, though now that I've said that all hell will probably break loose and I'll miss all the fun, lol! Anyway, I'll ...
Continue ReadingThe Arkansas Republican Rag Dumps On Mark Martin
Jun 21, 2011 1 Comment ›› ARDemThe DPA is touting highlights from the D-G's editorial slamming Mark Martin. LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ secretary of state can be annoying on occasion, namely just about every time he opens his mouth. … Last week Mr. Martin was complaining about how hard it is for his office to obey the law, namely the Freedom of Information Act. ...
Continue ReadingPres 2012: June ’11 Edition
Jun 21, 2011 1 Comment ›› ARDemSo I guess once a month at least we ought to sit back and look at how the comical, weak, and down right disturbingly crazy GOP field is shaping up in the race for the presidency. So here we go. Mitt Romney-Positioned nicely as the front runner for the time being but it's pretty obvious that ...
Continue Reading