Stories by Woody Bassett

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Deception for ratings, money takes precedence at Fox News From its inception, Fox News has done untold damage to the American body politic, not because it espouses conservative principles and beliefs but because of the dishonest and unprofessional methods it... March 16, 2023

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Public service for the common good has eroded into “what’s in it for me” politics Many years ago as a young man, I harbored a deep belief that politics were meant to be a noble calling to public service, an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I still... February 16, 2023

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Recommendations for a few books to help in the quest for knowledge It has been several years since I used this space to write about books and recommend a few to readers.For book readers, navigating a good book from start to finish is a fulfilling journey, one of life... January 19, 2023

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: The Cates found their lives in music and shared it with Northwest Arkansas and beyond Northwest Arkansas twins Earl and Ernie Cate were born with music in their blood. Raised in Springdale, they discovered their love of music and realized early they were destined to make a living, and ... December 15, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Trustees should select Robinson as the next UA chancellor Charles Robinson should be the next chancellor at the University of Arkansas's flagship campus in Fayetteville.Robinson is a friend. I know him well and have seen for myself all the good that othe... October 20, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Carl Collier still serving doses of compassion, friendliness Deeply embedded in the fabric of the community, Collier Drug Store has been a fixture on Fayetteville's Dickson Street for decades, serving as both an anchor and landmark for the city's most i... September 15, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Bobby Hopper gave of himself to make community, region better I thought very highly of Springdale's Bobby Hopper. He was a kind man who liked to laugh. He truly cared about other people.I rarely crossed paths with Bobby and his wonderful wife, Lois, the past... August 18, 2022

Protecting the Constitution The events of Jan. 6, 2021, were the culmination of the first attempted coup led by an American president and the most serious domestic attack on our democracy and country since the Civil War.The U.S.... July 21, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Jordan earns accolades as one of the “greatest” Gerald Jordan, a true gentleman with a perpetual smile, has earned the respect of the many who have crossed paths with him. His journey through life is to be admired. A Black man who grew up in the Ji... April 21, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Organizations that promote public educations are foundations of excellence Of paramount importance to any community is a strong public school system. Valuing public education and making it a priority is one of the chief ways a community defines itself. Good schools and good ... March 17, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Musselman, Hogs earn Arkansas' way back into the national discussion The atmosphere was electric. The energy was palpable. Intensity and excitement coursed through the building. Organized pandemonium reigned.The table was set. It was Arkansas vs. top-ranked Auburn in B... February 17, 2022

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Nation needs politicians eager to govern, without vitriol, from the middle It's unfathomable how low politics and public discourse have sunk in recent years. Our country's politics are toxic and dysfunctional, now broken to such an extent that every American citizen ... November 18, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: Even at 70, you're never too old to feel young Turning 70 years old in early November means I'll soon be putting a pretty big round number up on God's tote board. But it's only a number and all it really means is that I've had a lot more yesterday... October 21, 2021

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Razorback fans bask in resurgence of Arkansas athletics It was just a game. But, oh, what a game it was. It was exactly what the Arkansas Razorback football program needed. It was what Razorback fans needed, too. The beauty of sports events is they can't... September 16, 2021

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Let locals decide Down in Little Rock earlier this year, a non-partisan virus collided with a partisan response. Arkansas lawmakers passed Act 1002, meant to prevent schools and other governmental agencies from requiri... August 19, 2021

OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: That frustrating vaccine hesitancy If you haven't been vaccinated yet for covid-19, nothing written here will likely change your mind. But it's still worth a try. The only way to fully and finally vanquish the coronavirus is to reach ... July 15, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: A connection worth keeping Faced with challenging and sensitive public issues, there's a tendency to overreact then overcorrect. In trying to get it right, we sometimes go too far, partly because reasonable and common-sense com... June 17, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: Joy in Razorback land In the scheme of things, college athletics are not very important when compared to all the other stuff that really matters. But college sports do furnish an outlet for joy and entertainment, serving a... April 15, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: Things desired Desiderata is a 1920s prose poem by the American writer Max Ehrmann. It remained mostly unknown until it was widely circulated in the 1960s and '70s. A framed print of Ehrmann's poem has hung on a wal... March 18, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: Pandemic relief In a fairly empty Bud Walton Arena surrounded by snow, the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team defeated the Florida Gators on Tuesday night. Watching from home, it was the perfect antidote for brutall... February 18, 2021

WOODY BASSETT: Rays of sunshine It's a long-standing practice for a departing president to pen a letter to his successor, leaving it in the top drawer of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. Here's part of what President Obama wrot... January 21, 2021

Time to persevere We fell on hard times in 2020. It’s a year we’d like to forget but never will. It has tested us immeasurably, pushing us to the limit in a variety of ways. We all have our own story to tell about why... December 17, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: Pursue common sense, decency This year has been devastating and heartbreaking for some, challenging and frustrating for all. The country is deeply burdened by sharp division and economic uncertainty while trapped in the worst pan... November 19, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: On the books There's a lot ailing America right now. Our country is deeply and dangerously divided. We remain mired in a pandemic that threatens public health and has severely damaged our economy. Social, cultural... September 17, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: Better days will come Uncertainty. Anxiety. Stress. Frustration. Sadness. Loneliness. Isolation. Loss. Boredom. Depression. Fear. Anger. Many have experienced these sorts of feelings and emotions this year. A lot has been... August 20, 2020

Woody Bassett: Do right by others We can't just wish covid-19 away or pretend it's not there. Turning a blind eye to facts and reliable evidence or simply hoping coronavirus will soon disappear is not a viable plan for ridding ourselv... July 16, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: The fight goes on After a lengthy yet necessary holding pattern, many of us are ready to attack the day instead of feeling like it will attack us. Coronavirus will continue to toy with our hearts and minds. The shadow ... May 21, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: A slow walk back It's surreal. Yet it's all too real. The daily rhythms of life have been dramatically altered in ways we never imagined. We've retreated to our homes, embraced the practice of social distancing and wi... April 16, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: Nesson gave of himself to the benefit of others We can learn a lot from the well-lived life of Fayetteville's Ralph Nesson. He set an admirable example for us. Northwest Arkansas lost a kind and gentle soul when Nesson passed away recently. A commu... January 16, 2020

WOODY BASSETT: On the road again Take a long road trip. You won't forget what you saw, where you saw it and how it made you feel. Destinations matter, of course, but what counts the most is the journey itself. The American road trip ... August 15, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Fox, other cable news damaging to nation Our politics are broken and public discourse has become horrendous. Cable news bears some of the blame for it. Around-the-clock cable news is unhealthy to the human condition and even worse for the co... July 18, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: A recommended list of books worth reading If you enjoy reading history and biographies, here is an abbreviated list of books, some read long ago and some completed recently, which I heartily recommend to book readers: Killers of the Flower Mo... June 20, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Built on a foundation What makes a town great? It's the people who live there, young and old alike. Today's column is meant to be a tribute and expression of gratitude to those who came before me in Fayetteville and made a... May 23, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Time to compete The beauty of sports is they are unscripted. Anything can happen in any sport on any given day. That's why we watch and why we tend to get wrapped up in the stories and fortunes of our favorite team o... April 18, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Embracing a new season as spring fills the Ozarks As we move through the calendar year, the four seasons each present a different feel and unique vibe. Spring is next up and it has sprung in Northwest Arkansas. The most favorite season for many, spri... March 28, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Turn the page Are you feeling down or stressed out from the pace and challenges of life? Seek a few hours of refuge in a book. Are you feeling lonely or isolated? Dive into a new book because if you read, you are n... February 21, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Democrats must be wise in approach to Trump What should those who believe Donald Trump isn't good for the country do about it? There are differing, strongly held views among Democrats and others on how to make sure Trump doesn't get a second te... January 17, 2019

WOODY BASSETT: Christmas can be tough for those facing life's challenges The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, and for most, it is. But for some, it's anything but. As Christmas approaches, we all know people who are enduring difficult circums... December 20, 2018

WOODY BASSETT: Fall reminders suggest hope for divided nation Enveloped this fall by an abundance of magnificent colors gracing the trees, our eyes danced across the landscape as the leaves put on a show for us. Amidst the beauty of it all, our hearts were captu... November 22, 2018

WOODY BASSETT: Against Issue 1 Though I'm a lawyer, I take no offense and laugh at the lawyer jokes I often hear. But it's no laughing or joking matter when a proposal like Issue 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot comes along. The constitution... October 18, 2018

WOODY BASSETT: Common ground is out there Where's the hope and usefulness in our politics now? What happened to our ability to compromise for the better good? Is problem-solving no longer achievable in our democracy? What happened to engaging... August 16, 2018