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Fear Becomes A Pervasive Infl uence

EMOTION BEING USED TO STIMULATE POLITICAL RESPONSES, ACTIONS

Subscriber onlyWe 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...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: May 12, 2013 at 1:40 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Looking Ahead And Learning Lessons From Iraq

Subscriber onlyWith the arrival of spring, it’s a time for looking ahead — to blooming flowers and baseball and outdoor activities. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Mar 31, 2013 at 1:36 a.m.

‘Attack’ Politics Persist In Nation’s Capital

COURAGE, NOT COMBAT NEEDED

Subscriber onlyWhat is wrong in Washington? That’s a question asked often these days. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Mar 10, 2013 at 12:55 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Defense Spending On The Defensive?

CUTTING NATION’S MILITARY BUDGET PRESENTS CHALLENGES AND CHOICES, AFFECTS FORT SMITH REGION

Subscriber onlyDespite efforts by the Arkansas congressional delegation and the Fort Smith community, the 188th Fighter Wing will lose its A-10 aircraft mission. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jan 27, 2013 at 2:01 a.m.

Can American Congress Regain Respect?

LITTLE REASON TO EXPECT 113TH BODY WILL GARNER MORE APPROVAL THAN PREDECESSOR

Subscriber onlyWhen I was growing up, I had great interest in and respect for the U.S. Congress. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jan 6, 2013 at 1:35 a.m.

Can The Political Gridlock Be Unlocked?

POLITICAL STALEMATE IN D.C. PUSHES INTEREST GROUPS INTO STATE CAMPAIGNS

Subscriber onlyLike other non battleground states, Arkansas is receiving minimal attention as a factor in the presidential campaign. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 14, 2012 at 2:02 a.m.

Campaigns Can Be Unpredictable

VOLATILE FLASHPOINTS COULD FLARE UP, BECOMING MAJOR FACTORS IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Subscriber onlyThere is wide agreement the economy and the nation’s financial condition top the list of public concerns. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Sep 23, 2012 at 2:09 a.m.

Ads: Who Are You Going To Believe?

NASTINESS, MISINFORMATION ARE MORE PREVALENT IN 2012 THAN IN PAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEARS

Subscriber onlyOnce upon a time, Labor Day was looked upon as the starting point for presidential election campaigns. However, the current campaign was well under way by last Labor Day. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Sep 2, 2012 at 2:38 a.m.

Good Books To Get Through The Heat

POLITICIANS, POLITICS MAKE INTERESTING READING; GRISHAM’S ‘CALICO JOE’ HAS ARKANSAS TIE

Subscriber onlyScattershooting while wondering what ever happened to …” That’s the way legendary sports writer Blackie Sherrod would regularly begin his Sunday columns. So I’m scattershooting today and wondering what ever happened to summer. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Aug 12, 2012 at 2:41 a.m.

Presidential Campaign Rich In Irony

MITT ROMNEY OFFERS BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AS A PLUS; BARACK OBAMA TRIES TO TURN IT AGAINST HIM

Subscriber onlyPolitical campaigns are often marked by irony and paradox. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jul 22, 2012 at 2:29 a.m.

Information Used As Weapon In Politics

CANDIDATES TRY TO PERSUADE VOTERS WITH DUBIOUS, MISLEADING GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL CLAIMS

Subscriber onlyInformation is an essential commodity in a democratic society. Continue reading...

By HOYT PURVIS <a href="mailto:hpurvis2@cox.net">hpur Posted: Jul 1, 2012 at 2:29 a.m.

Europe’s Woes Could Impact U.S. Politics

DEVELOPMENTS IN GREECE, OTHER COUNTRIES COULD TAKE TOLL ON OUR FRAGILE ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Subscriber onlyIs it all Greek to you? Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jun 10, 2012 at 3:51 a.m.

Outdoor Grill Has Stood Test Of Time

ARKANSAS-MADE PORTABLE KITCHEN DEVICE PURCHASED 44 YEARS AGO STILL GOING STRONG

Subscriber onlyWarm weather brings more outdoor activities, including, of course, the popular American custom of cooking out, grilling, barbecuing or whatever term you prefer. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: May 20, 2012 at 4:44 a.m.

Radio Still Maintains A Political Role

WILL A SHOW BY FORMER GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT MIKE HUCKABEE HAVE AN IMPACT?

Subscriber onlyEven in this era of digital domination and hashtag activism, radio remains a significant factor in our political life. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Apr 8, 2012 at 4:03 a.m.

War-Weary Nation Ponders Iran, Syria

GOP THINKS OBAMA NOT AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO PREVENTING A NUCLEAR-ARMED IRAN

Subscriber onlyThe war drums are beating again. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Mar 18, 2012 at 3:40 a.m.

A Very Different Chamber Of Congress

‘LAST GREAT SENATE’ LEADS TO MIXTURE OF NOSTALGIA, DISMAY DURING WASHINGTON REUNION

Subscriber onlyThere was a mixture of nostalgia and dismay at a recent reunion of former senators and staff members in Washington. The occasion was the release of a book, “The Last Great Senate,” by Ira Shapiro. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Feb 26, 2012 at 5:31 a.m.

Drive-By Shooting Reported

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — Police are investigating a drive-by shooting reported on Braxton Drive on Friday night. Continue reading...

By STAFF REPORT Posted: Feb 5, 2012 at 5:49 a.m.

Super Bowls Draw Large TV Audiences

TODAY’S FRAGMENTED VIEWING GROUPS FAR CRY FROM DAYS OF ‘I LOVE LUCY,’ ‘CHEERS’ AND ‘DALLAS’

Subscriber onlyMore than 100 million Americans will be part of the television audience for today’s Super Bowl game and related festivities. Not all of them will be closely following the game or the advertising, but they will all be a part of this collective national experience. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Feb 5, 2012 at 4:51 a.m.

There Are Critical Decisions To Be Made

WE HEAR LITTLE TALK ABOUT CONFRONTING FISCAL CONSTRAINTS WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING SECURITY

Subscriber onlyIt is easy to get caught up in and even be entertained by the personality clashes, purity posturing and “gotcha” moments as presidential aspirants endeavor to outfl ank and out-promise each other. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jan 15, 2012 at 5:22 a.m.

Looking For Something Good To Read?

RECOMMENDATIONS COVER AN ARRAY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING POLITICS, HISTORY AND BASEBALL

Subscriber onlyMost of the presidential aspirants, some of whom have already faded, have published books recently, and some of them have been combining campaigning with book-selling /signing tours. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Dec 25, 2011 at 5:26 a.m.

We’ll See If Gingrich Sustains The Surge

REPUBLICANS ARE VIEWED AS HAVING AN ADVANTAGE IN ENTHUSIASM, BUT CAN THEY KEEP IT GOING?

Subscriber onlyMuch has been made of the endorsement this week by the Union Leader, New Hampshire’s largest newspaper, of Newt Gingrich’s candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Dec 4, 2011 at 5:13 a.m.

Political Balance Elusive In Washington

NOV. 23 DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING FOR PLAN TO REDUCE DEFICIT BY AT LEAST $1.2 TRILLION

Subscriber onlyWith the deadline for action by the Congressional “Super Committee” on Deficit Reduction fast approaching, will we see forward movement? Or will Congress and the country remain mired in petty partisanship driven by determination to gain political advantage? Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Nov 13, 2011 at 4:35 a.m.

Baseball, Politics Have A Lot In Common

AFTER NEXT SEASON, WHICH CANDIDATE MIGHT WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE WHITE HOUSE?

Subscriber onlyThink of it this way: We will have another entire baseball season ahead of us before the November 2012 presidential election. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 23, 2011 at 5:31 a.m.

Polarization Keeps Congress Paralyzed

WE NEED COURAGEOUS LEADERS WHO WILL LOOK BEYOND POLITICAL LINES IN THE SAND

Subscriber onlyCongress today is certainly very different than it was in the nottoo-distant past. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 2, 2011 at 5:11 a.m.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Subscriber onlyWilliams Marks 98th Birthday Continue reading...

By - STAFF REPORT Posted: Oct 2, 2011 at 4:45 a.m.

Let’s Reflect On That Day And … Now

VARIOUS FACTORS LED TO A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO REGENERATE THE NATION IN WEEKS AFTER 9/11

Subscriber onlyThis is a day for recollection and reflection. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Sep 11, 2011 at 5:37 a.m.

Search For National Leadership Not Fruitful

WEEKS AHEAD WILL BRING MORE CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRESIDENT, CONGRESS

Subscriber onlyStanding at the foot of Mount Rushmore, as I did recently, looking up at the images of four of our greatest presidents carved into a South Dakota mountain, it is hard not to think about national leadership. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Aug 21, 2011 at 6:19 a.m.

Living In Age Of Assertions

POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE THICK AROUND FEDERAL DEBT ‘DEBATE’

Subscriber onlyWe may or may not be living in the Age of Aquarius. But we are definitely living in the Age of Assertions. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jul 31, 2011 at 5:38 a.m.

No Time For Political Games In Wake Of Joplin

MISSOURI TORNADO CLEANUP NEEDS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO REBUILD TRAGEDY-STRICKEN COMMUNITY

Subscriber onlyAnyone who has seen the images of Joplin knows the Missouri community was struck by a truly devastating tornado. The human tragedy is heartrending. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jun 12, 2011 at 5:23 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Writer Sizes Up Presidential Politics

PUNDITS SAY 2012 CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY BECAUSE OBAMA, REPUBLICAN HOPEFULS DECLARE INTENTIONS

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — With some political pundits proclaiming the 2012 presidential campaign “officially” under way because both President Barack Obama and some of the Republican hopefuls have declared their intentions, it might be an appropriate moment to size up the political scene. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: May 22, 2011 at 3:32 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Congress Faces Big Decisions

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — Members of Congress and national political leaders face a variety of responsibilities and challenges, particularly at this point in history. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: May 1, 2011 at 3:08 a.m.

COMMENTARY: The Intensity Of News

2011 EVENTFUL AS SOME DECADES

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — The first months of 2011 have brought a torrent of news at home and around the world. It has been a period as eventful as some decades. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Apr 10, 2011 at 2:13 a.m.

COMMENTARY Mount Rushmore For Sports?

JIM THORPE, JACKIE ROBINSON, MICHAEL JORDAN, BABE RUTH TOP LIST

Subscriber onlyRecently I was asked to name the four American athletes who most deserve to be placed on a Mount Rushmore for athletes if such a shrine existed. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Mar 13, 2011 at 5:59 a.m.

Realism, Idealism, Politics

HUCKABEE MAY EMERGE AS GOP FRONT RUNNER

Subscriber onlyFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was atop a recent poll of prospective 2012 Republican presidential candidates. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Feb 20, 2011 at 5:05 a.m.

COMMENTARY Exceptional USA Should Set Example

OUR FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE OTHERS’ NATIONALISM PERILOUS

Subscriber onlyConsiderable attention was given to Sarah Palin’s reaction to suggestions that overheated rhetoric and imagery contributed to the atmosphere that led to the Tucson shootings. She accused journalists and pundits of engaging in “blood libel” against her and in using that term she generated further controversy, since it is one that has a history of association with anti-Semitism. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jan 30, 2011 at 4:54 a.m.

COMMENTARY Noteworthy Reading

COLUMNIST OFFERS HOLIDAY-SEASON REVIEW OF IMPORTANT BOOKS

Subscriber onlyFor some years, I have offered a holiday-season review of some of the more interesting and/or important books of recent times or noteworthy volumes that have recently come to my attention. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Dec 19, 2010 at 4:07 a.m.

COMMENTARY Lame Ducks Have Work To Do

NEW CONGRESS HAS PLENTY ON PLATE

Subscriber onlyIn this post-election, lame-duck period in Washington, with a new Congress just around the corner, there is no shortage of issues on the agenda. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Nov 28, 2010 at 6 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Marketing’s Political Importance

MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM RECENT CAMPAIGNING

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Marketing and branding are major factors in American society. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Nov 7, 2010 at 2:13 a.m.

COMMENTARY: The Debating Of Debates

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — American politics changed dramatically at this time 50 years ago. For the first time in our history, there were debates between the major presidential candidates, and they took place on national television. Eventually, televised debates became a fixture of our political campaigns. However, nothing like that had been seen before the fall of 1960. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 3, 2010 at 2:57 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Government Or Governance?

ENHANCED GOVERNMENT, SPENDING FUELING THE OPPOSITION

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — A central issue in the current political tumult would appear to be the role of government in our society. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jul 25, 2010 at 3:13 a.m.

COMMENTARY: Lincoln And The Light Brigade

CANDIDATE DEFIES PREDICTIONS OF PUNDITS, POLITICAL INSIDERS

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Arkansas Democrats defied the narrative created by national pundits and political insiders for the runoff election for the U.S. Senate nomination. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jun 13, 2010 at 2:29 a.m.

Elections As Marathons

BUILDUP TO PRIMARY ONLY ONE STEP IN LONG-TERM PROCESS

Subscriber onlyFor weeks, attention has been focused on the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S Senate in Arkansas. Embattled incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln has been campaigning for months, though more intensively since Lt. Gov. Bill Halter on March 1 confirmed speculation that he would oppose her in the Democratic primary. Voters cast ballots Tuesday in this costly slug-fest, which has seen millions spent on TV attack ads, with many of those ads funded by outside interests. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: May 16, 2010 at 5:39 a.m.

COMMENTARY Change Arrives, Ready Or Not

POSTAL SERVICE PREPARES TO MAKE ANOTHER HISTORIC CUT

Subscriber onlyThe U.S. Postal Service is planning to eliminate Saturday mail delivery. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Apr 11, 2010 at 5:54 a.m.

COMMENTARY Reminder Of Bipartisanship

HISTORIC PANAMA CANAL TREATIES REQUIRED TWO-PARTY SUPPORT

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — President Ricardo Martinelli of Panama recently visited the University of Arkansas, of which he is a graduate. The Panamanian leader’s visit caused me to think back to 1978 when the U.S. Senate spent months considering the Panama Canal Treaties. After extensive debate, the treaties were approved with one vote to spare beyond the two-thirds required. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Mar 7, 2010 at 5:45 a.m.

Political Parties Overreaching

MASSACHUSETTS ELECTION COULD BE SIGNAL OF MAJOR CHANGES

Subscriber onlyWith their homes metaphorically sliding off a cliff, large numbers of jobs disappearing, and debts piling up for citizens and the government, the American people put out a call for an emergency rescue effort. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Jan 31, 2010 at 7:30 a.m.

THE BROADER VIEW Televised competition

TV Impact on sports, politics

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — We’re at an intersection of major sports seasons. With the World Series underway, baseball is in the final days of the 2009 season. College and NFL football teams are deeply into their seasons. NBA basketball has begun another lengthy season, with college teams beginning play shortly. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Nov 1, 2009 at 1:43 a.m.

Trash talking Comments have consequences

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — Unless you have been engaged in a prolonged snooze, you are aware that the monologues and dialogues on public affairs have been increasingly marked by unsubstantiated blather, unwarranted accusations, misleading claims and a general tendency to attribute the worst possible motives to opponents — not to mention gross hypocrisy. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 25, 2009 at 6:53 a.m.

THE BROADER VIEW : The international barometer

Does world opinion matter?

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — There was widespread surprise at the announcement that Barack Obama is the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 18, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.

THE BROADER VIEW: Deliberate deliberations needed Obama faces complex choices

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — Decisions on complex and weighty foreign policy and security issues are being pondered in Washington. They could determine the course of U.S. policy in the coming years and have profound ramifications. Continue reading...

By Hoyt Purvis Posted: Oct 11, 2009 at 7:56 a.m.