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OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Heartburn and hope in Hog Land
These are the musings of an aging, lifelong Razorback fan.
Stories by Woody Bassett
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Subscriber ExclusiveOPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Sanders so far isn’t the governor this state deserves
Endorsed by her mentor and political role model, Donald Trump, and loaded with lots of campaign cash generated by her affiliation with the former president, Sa…
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Subscriber ExclusiveOPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Democrats, Republicans failing the nation if 2024 becomes a rematch of 2020
Though it's abundantly clear a majority of Americans don't want a Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch, it appears likely that's what we are going to get in the 2024…
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Subscriber ExclusiveOPINION | WOODY BASSETT: When it comes to travel, road trips pack a lot into every mile
Editor's note: Woody Bassett wrote of his affection for road trips four years ago. This is an updated version of a column that appeared in 2019.
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OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Nation can’t afford continued cowardice, inaction in dealing with gun violence
I've never owned a gun and probably never will. But that doesn't mean I'm against law-abiding American citizens owning guns and using them for appropriate purp…
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OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: The University of Arkansas is in good hands with some recent changes
Today, the University of Arkansas will celebrate the investiture of Charles F. Robinson as the seventh chancellor of the Fayetteville campus. After serving as …
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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 th…
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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 d…
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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.
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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 …
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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.
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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 a…
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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.
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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…
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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 a…
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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 communi…
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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.
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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 ex…
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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 me…
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OPINION | WOODY BASSETT: Razorback fans bask in resurgence of Arkansas athletics
It was just a game. But, oh, what a game it was.
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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…
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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.
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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, partl…
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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 ou…
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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 …
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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…
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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.…
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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.
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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 u…
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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 sever…
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WOODY BASSETT: Better days will come
Uncertainty. Anxiety. Stress. Frustration. Sadness. Loneliness. Isolation. Loss. Boredom. Depression. Fear. Anger. Many have experienced these sorts of feeling…
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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…
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WOODY BASSETT: The fight goes on
Arkansans need a new commitment to safety in ongoing covid-19 fight.
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WOODY BASSETT: A slow walk back
Crisis an opportunity to appreciate sacrifices, compassion as nation marches back from disruptions.
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WOODY BASSETT: Nesson gave of himself to the benefit of others
Ralph Nesson of Fayetteville recently passed away at 72 after a life devoted to helping others in need.
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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 th…
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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.
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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 …
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WOODY BASSETT: Built on a foundation
What makes a town great? It's the people who live there, young and old alike.
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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 st…
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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…
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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.
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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?
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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 …
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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 th…
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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 No…
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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…
