It's Thursday and another chance to fire off a few thumbs about some of news developments in our neck of the worlds and elsewhere:
[THUMBS DOWN] We haven't heard so many references to agitators since the last time we were shopping for a washing machine. As protests over the death of George Floyd continue, law enforcement and political leaders, including Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, have cited "outside agitators" involved in violence. Is it true? We have little evidence that it is and little evidence that it isn't. Politically, it creates space to praise the "real" protesters while casting blame for troubles on imports. What might be assumed is the same concept that applies to Razorback fans, to Bikes, Blues and BBQ participants, to a Friday night on Dickson Street and to members of college fraternities: It only takes a few jerks to give everyone associated with an otherwise fine group of people a bad reputation. Serious people are trying to affect change, to improve their communities and the relationships we humans have with one another. Others -- whether they're mean-spirited opportunists, evil influencers, misguided delinquents or instigators with opposing viewpoints -- are not serious about addressing what matters. What the rest of us must do is separate wheat from chaff, the meaningful from the meaningless. The violence and destruction should be stopped, but do not cast blame for it on all protesters.
Give’em a thumb
Want to give some brief feedback on news? Someone who deserves a pat on the back? An idea that needs a dose of common sense? Recommend a “Thursday thumb” by calling Greg Harton at (479) 872-5026 or by email at [email protected].
[THUMBS UP] Speaking of protests, let's not get too bent out of shape that the governor used his powers to declare a state of emergency. It doesn't mean he's diminishing the message of protesters; rather, Hutchinson is using the legal mechanisms necessary to ensure state government has the tools at its disposal to respond as necessary when needed. Preparedness is not the same as execution. It is possible to, as they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst, and it's a governor's job to do that.
[THUMBS UP] Now for a nonprotest, nonpandemic item: The Fayetteville City Council sent designers of the much-needed $37 million police department headquarters back to the drawing board over the layout for the new complex's buildings, which city taxpayers funded in last year's bond election. The facility will be built at Porter Road and Deane Street, just off Interstate 49. We're not designers, but we do appreciate one general idea advanced by Council Member Kyle Smith: "I'm concerned that if we say for a civic building that doing good design is too hard, we lose all our credibility for asking private developers to give us good design." Cities ought to live by the same rules they thrust upon private developers. That said, when's the last time a private developer built a police station? Undoubtedly, a design for law enforcement purposes carries with it security concerns unlike those faced by most any private developer, so attempting to treat facilities equally is a bit naive. But the Fayetteville Police Department also can't be viewed as a complete anomaly in terms of its place and impact on the greater community. It seems everyone's agreeable to efforts to blend the two approaches, which hopefully will meet the needs of police and the community.
[THUMBS UP] The late-breaking news Wednesday was that former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, who famously lodged his knee on the neck of a prone George Floyd, now faces an upgraded charge of second-degree murder. Not only that, three other officers have been charged with abetting Floyd's death. Solve everything? No, but these are steps toward what should have happened sooner.
[THUMBS DOWN] With so many entertainment options available these days, it's no surprise that traditional movie theaters have had a challenge go of it in recent years. But seeing a motion picture on the big screen remains one of the more immersive ways to watch a great flick. The sad news is AMC, the movie chain with theaters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Harrison and two other Arkansas cities, warned Wednesday it may never reopen as a result of the pandemic. It's theaters closed through June, the company predicts it may face more difficulties even when they reopen because of Hollywood's decisions to delay many new releases. It also doesn't help with some moviegoers right now that the chain is a publicly traded company controlled by a Chinese firm. All in all, though, we like having movie-watching options and hope AMC manages to survive its challenges.
Commentary on 06/04/2020