Politics

Pritt to challenge Griffin for Congress

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer

Thursday, October 27th, 2011, 3:06pm

Drew Pritt, an openly gay Democratic activist who ran for Lt. Governor in 2006 as the first openly gay candidate for statewide office in Arkansas, has announced he will challenge Tim Griffin for U.S. Congress in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District.

"I believe this is going to be an unorthodox year in American politics," said Pritt. "I believe Americans need someone in U.S. Congress who understands the struggles of being unemployed, owning a small business or who understand what it means to be denied basic civil rights because of who you love or choose to share your life with. I believe most of all its time to stop being politically safe and lets truly be a democracy where we stand by our pledge when it says liberty and justice for all. All means all, not just some. That means civil liberties and economic liberty for ALL Americans, not just some. I am running for U.S.

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Pryor seeks to boost tourism in Arkansas

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer

Saturday, October 8th, 2011, 11:42am

Pryor seeks to boost tourism in Arkansas

From the office of Senator Mark Pryor:

To create jobs in Arkansas and across the country and strengthen the American tourism industry, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor this week joined with Senator Mark Begich (D-AL), Chuck Shumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to introduce the Travel Regional Investment Partnership (TRIP) Act. The TRIP Act will promote domestic tourism by partnering public and private dollars through a competitive matching grant program within the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Tourism supports over seven million domestic jobs and accounts for 2.8% of the United States’ gross domestic product.

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Attorneys discuss First Amendment issues

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011, 12:06pm

CONWAY, Ark. -- The UCA Student Government Association will host Constitution Day on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. in the Student Center Room 205A on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

This year’s topic is “Selected First Amendment Issues on a College Campus.” A panel will discuss free speech zones, time, manner and place restrictions on “speech,” commercial speech, distribution on campus of literature, materials and handbills, and what is “hate” speech? There will be a brief history and overview of the First Amendment. A question and answer session will follow the discussion.

Panelists are Ms. Ali Brady, assistant attorney general, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office; Dr. Jay Barth, M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Distinguished Professor of Politics, Hendrix College; and John Tull, attorney and partner, Quattelbaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow LLC. Dr.

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Gay military ban ends

Submitted by Michelle Edmonds

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011, 6:41am

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- More than 17 years after a ban on openly gay U.S. service members was implemented, "don't ask, don't tell" has been lifted.

The policy that allowed gays to serve only so long as they kept their sexual orientation private was first implemented by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Since then it's been the source of a cultural battle between conservatives and liberals.

Catherine Crisp with the Center for Artistic Revolution (CAR) says this is an historic moment for the entire nation.

"This is a policy that never should have happened," says Crisp.

Crisp's partner of 17 years served in the Army and they both experienced first-hand the effects of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

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HRC 'Road to Equality' Tour Comes to Arkansas

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer

Monday, September 12th, 2011, 10:47am

HRC 'Road to Equality' Tour Comes to Arkansas

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, will be holding a press conference on Saturday, September 17 in Little Rock at the Central Arkansas Library. Arkansas is the ninth stop on HRC’s “On the Road to Equality,” a nationwide bus tour to spread the message of equality.

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'Sound Off' Episode 4: Stonewall Democrats

Submitted by Rogue Star Media, Entertainment & Promotion

Saturday, September 10th, 2011, 2:00pm

'Sound Off' Episode 4: Stonewall Democrats

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (RSM) -- Our third interview is with Eric McDaniel of the Stonewall Democrats, a gay activist political organization that made headlines recently when addressed by Gov. Beebe earlier this year. CLICK HERE to listen.

Stonewall was caught up in controversy when leaders in the organization refused to publicly criticize the governor for making what some viewed as unfavorable remarks regarding gay rights in Arkansas. McDaniel has taken heat for this decision, and addresses that here in this interview. What do you think? Should the Stonewall Democrats have rebuked Gov. Beebe's comments, or did they do the right thing?

Visit our Facebook page and let us know what you think.

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‘Arkansas Week: Special Edition’ to feature interviews with Arkansas congressmen

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer

Thursday, August 25th, 2011, 3:58pm

‘Arkansas Week: Special Edition’ to feature interviews with Arkansas congressmen

Economy, U.S. deficit, taxes, health care, foreign relations to be discussed

CONWAY, Ark. (AETN) — A new series of “Arkansas Week: Special Edition,” the Arkansas Educational Television Network’s (AETN) public affairs series with host Steve Barnes, will premiere on AETN Friday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Steve Barnes interviews each of Arkansas’s U.S. Representatives. Major discussion points will include the economy, the U.S. deficit, taxes, health care and foreign relations.

“Arkansas Week: Special Edition” will feature four interviews and air in four parts:

“Rep. Steve Womack,” airing Friday, Sept.2, at 6:30 p.m.; repeats Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Rep. Womack (R) serves the third district of Arkansas and was elected in 2010.
“Rep. Tim Griffin,” airing Friday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m.; repeats Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. Rep.

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