Hoyt Purvis
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Recent Stories
Reflecting On An Era Of Extremism And The Media Role
The 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is a time for recollection and refl ection. As for recollection, my memories of those days in November 1963 are extremely vivid, as is the case with most of us old enough to remember. I learned the president had been shot when I stopped by my apartment en route from the campus at Vanderbilt in Nashville, where I was a graduate student, to my afternoon job. A short time later I heard Walter Cronkite deliver the shocking news that the president had died. For the rest of that day, Friday, Nov. 22, and the three following, I remained glued to the TV. The three major networks devoted full-time to coverage, with no commercial interruption. That Sunday morning I watched NBC’s live coverage of Jack Ruby killing suspected assassin Lee Harvey Oswald as he was about to be transferred from city to county custody. That’s when Ruby stepped up and shot Oswald point blank, a stupefying reallife homicide on TV. We have since seen a range of startling and m Continue reading...
Can Shutdown Showdown Be Avoided?
It looks as if we are headed toward more budgetary brinkmanship at summer’s end. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY The Buffalo: A River Worth Fighting For
MANY OF US WHO LOVE THE AREA ARE DISTRESSED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE HOG FARM NEARBY
Establishment of a large-scale industrial hog farm in the Buffalo National River watershed has focused renewed attention on the river and its surroundings — and should remind the public of what a treasure the Buffalo is. Continue reading...
Chinese Students Express Interest In US Politics, System
Students in China are curious about trends and issues in American politics. That was certainly true when I lectured and met with students recently at universities in Shanghai and Nanjing. Continue reading...
Fear Becomes A Pervasive Infl uence
EMOTION BEING USED TO STIMULATE POLITICAL RESPONSES, ACTIONS
We are dealing with a fear factor in today’s politics. Fear is being used to stimulate political responses and actions. Policymakers and politicians are threatened with retribution if they don’t support certain positions. And the citizenry, particularly political and interest groups, are told their rights and liberties are under threat unless certain steps are taken or actions prevented. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Looking Ahead And Learning Lessons From Iraq
With the arrival of spring, it’s a time for looking ahead — to blooming flowers and baseball and outdoor activities. Continue reading...
‘Attack’ Politics Persist In Nation’s Capital
COURAGE, NOT COMBAT NEEDED
What is wrong in Washington? That’s a question asked often these days. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Defense Spending On The Defensive?
CUTTING NATION’S MILITARY BUDGET PRESENTS CHALLENGES AND CHOICES, AFFECTS FORT SMITH REGION
Despite efforts by the Arkansas congressional delegation and the Fort Smith community, the 188th Fighter Wing will lose its A-10 aircraft mission. Continue reading...
Can American Congress Regain Respect?
LITTLE REASON TO EXPECT 113TH BODY WILL GARNER MORE APPROVAL THAN PREDECESSOR
When I was growing up, I had great interest in and respect for the U.S. Congress. Continue reading...
Can The Political Gridlock Be Unlocked?
POLITICAL STALEMATE IN D.C. PUSHES INTEREST GROUPS INTO STATE CAMPAIGNS
Like other non battleground states, Arkansas is receiving minimal attention as a factor in the presidential campaign. Continue reading...
