Copyright 2011 Ben S. Pollock The strongest proposal before the Arkansas General Assembly to reapportion the state’s four congressional districts involves a serious attempt to gerrymander. The question before the body is what does the amphibious gerrymander eat? Houseflies — and votes. The aim is to divide the state into four roughly equal populations. My […]
Brakes
The following is my president’s column for the April 2011 edition of the monthly newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists A huge columnist controversy — looking to be the worst in years — began in mid-March, only it turned out to be so puny it ran its course in days. It seemed a […]
Hail to The Chieftains
Before The Chieftains review — which it’s not, because I lost my Lamy Al-Star pen following a disaster of a restaurant meal so I couldn’t take notes — a roundabout. I try to be a jack of all journalism tricks. I even covered a lecture and poetry reading by ex-NBA star Tom Meschery in about […]
Point the Way, Bruce Walker
Attending the musical wake of Bruce D. Walker on Sunday brought up a lot of sadness in the midst of so many cheerful tunes by local songsters. Standing in several of the eight corners of George’s Majestic Lounge (front bar/stage and garden bar/stage) I saw dancing and clapping and heard hoots and whoops. Embracing the […]
Not Going Anywhere
The following is my president’s column for the March 2011 edition of the monthly newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists An NSNC friend e-mailed links to farewell pieces that a couple of just-downsized columnists were allowed to publish. That opportunity isn’t always granted. Atypically, he didn’t add his opinion, which made my impression […]
Stone’s Throw from Campus
Copyright 2011 Ben S. Pollock Catherine Wallack, a University of Arkansas interior design professor, deserves praise for curating a comprehensive exhibit of furniture produced by the Fulbright family’s wood business and designed by Edward Durell Stone. Wallack is credited with putting together the show, but University Relations leaves unsaid who’s responsible for honoring him after […]