Rabble Rouser?
By Ronald Sitton
Two Can Play that Game - Arkansas Times Blog, Sept. 29, 2006
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (Sept. 29) - Apparently, I'm a "rabble rouser" for advising the Journalism Club on campus, which plans to bring Independent candidate Rod Bryan and Green party candidate Jim Lendall to the University of Arkansas at Monticello for a gubernatorial debate.
The press release that appears on The Times blog was not released to the general public. This version only appears in The Voice, the Journalism Club's online newspaper. The official release, as sent to media outlets via UAM's Media Services, appears here.
There's not much difference between the two besides AP style, passive voice and a change to the lead that emphasizes all candidates have been invited. But since the insinuation that I'm raising hell exists, let me note a few things:
1) Again, the journalism club invited every candidate; I wish they would all come. UCA also features Bryan and Lendall in the AETN debate. At this time, I don't believe Beebe or Hutchinson have decided to attend that one, either.
2) It would be best for the state if they all got together and let us hear exactly where they stand on the issues. The citizens of South Arkansas deserve an opportunity to hear their future leaders discuss issues important to the region. I don't even live in Monticello (notice the dateline), but I believe the region deserves attention now. It may be a ways away, but change comes with I-69. If we don't prepare the infrastructure now, we risk a LOT later.
3) I started contacting the traditional candidates via e-mail in August in hopes of getting them to come. Since I know Zac Wright through the University of Tennessee and he works for the Beebe campaign, I thought it might be possible to persuade them to attend. Zac let me know this event did not make the debate calendar, but I figured the journalism club could try again once a date was finalized. Once Bryan and Lendall committed, I called Hutchinson's campaign again and was told they would get back with me. Instead of going through Zac, I also called Thomas Jones, the south Arkansas rep of the Beebe campaign, and he said he'd see what they can do.
When it comes to politics, I vote for the candidate who looks at issues like I do. Just give me all the facts and let me make my own decisions. I'm a firm believer in liberties guaranteed through the Constitution, especially ALL of the Bill of Rights and subsequent Constitutional amendments.
I believe everyone needs ALL of the relevant information to make an informed decision come November. As an Arkansas citizen, I'll abide by the decisions of whoever becomes governor. As an educator, I believe its important to educate a populace about its choices. A South Arkansas debate puts facts on the table, facts that might otherwise not be available since the majority of the media provides a lot of information on the traditional candidates and very little information on the nontraditional candidates.
And if that makes me a rabble rouser, I guess I'm a rabble rouser. :)
