EDITORIALS : Not so fast

On Dec. 6, according to the Arkansas State Police, 15-year-old Mark Bufford Jr. of Heber Springs was driving a 1998 Ford pickup truck when he lost control of the truck, left the road and hit a large tree. Though his two passengers survived, Mark was pronounced dead at the scene. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

LETTERS

Global warming is real I am surprised that there are still people who think that global warming is a hoax. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Pica Pole : A Christmas story to enjoy all year

KENT MARTS

While it may be a bit late for a Christmas story, think of this Christmas story as being a bit early. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

OTHER OPINIONS : Silver Alert

For families with relatives who have Alzheimer's disease, few things are more traumatic than having that loved one disappear — either by driving or simply walking away. Sadly, at some point in the illness, about 60 percent of all dementia patients will wander away. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

EDITORIALS : Firehouse blues

It has been well-documented that the past year was an ugly one for the Rogers Police Department, but it wasn't exactly a banner year for the Fire Department, either. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

LETTERS

What do they know? - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Reckonings : Fighting off depression

PAUL KRUGMAN

"If we don't act swiftly and boldly," declared President-elect Barack Obama in his latest weekly address, "we could see a much deeper economic downturn that could lead to double-digit unemployment." If you ask me, he was understating the case. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

What now for GOP?

Since Nov. 4, Republicans have been gallantly trying to put a happy, or at least hopeful, face on the party's dismal condition. While it's not a matter of life support, it is looking more and more like political-wasting disease. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

EDITORIALS : Home sweet home

You can find a variety of homes in northwest Arkansas, most of which you will find in other parts of the country as well. - Monday, January 5, 2009

OTHER OPINIONS : The governor's latest poor choice

The people of Illinois didn't need another reason to throw Gov. Blagojevich out of office. - Monday, January 5, 2009

OUR VIEW : on the side of safety Technology can help reduce number of DUI-related deaths

A new law that went into effect in Illinois on Thursday states that first-time offenders — yes, first-time offenders — convicted of driving under the influence must blow into a device to prove their sobriety before they can start their car. If the person has a blood-alcohol content above 0.024, the car won't go anywhere. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Reckonings : Bigger than Bush

PAUL KRUGMAN

As the new Democratic majority prepares to take power, Republicans have become, as Phil Gramm might put it, a party of whiners. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

ALL THUMBS

Appearing each Saturday,"All Thumbs" is The Benton County Daily Record's take on the people, events and issues deserving a "thumbs up" for a noteworthy accomplishment or good deed or a "thumbs down" for magnificent failure or just general stupidity. Thumbs up to the initiation of plans for a statewide trauma system in Arkansas. - Saturday, January 3, 2009

Blago raises the stakes

PATRICK J. BUCHANAN

On the eve of the new year, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, charged with conspiring to sell the Senate seat of Barack Obama, put the ball back squarely in the court of a Democratic Party that had disowned him. - Saturday, January 3, 2009

OTHER OPINIONS : Where were they?

- Northwest Arkansas Times

Frankly, one can fully expect businesses to focus on ways to make money. That's our capitalist system, in which the dollar is the way consumers communicate what they want or need and businesses respond in an effort to earn those dollars. Most business owners and managers are not greedy, but when companies demonstrate a harmful level of greed, government often steps in to protect the "little guy." But government — in today's case, Congress — doesn't always act quickly enough. In fact, it almost never does. Quick action in the nation's capital usually leaves us cleaning up a mess later. - Friday, January 2, 2009

Breaking China : Political appointments are often family affairs

DOUG OLIVER

Like many baby boomers, I've become difficult to shop for. My closet is full of clothes. I have more toys than time to play with them. There are at least 20 unread books waiting on my credenza. - Friday, January 2, 2009

Have hope

- Texarkana Gazette

Wars on two fronts. A tanking economy, with its roller-coaster stock market, big corporate and Wall Street bailouts and near historic unemployment figures. Even Santa became a reluctant shopper. Unimaginable millions spent on political campaigns while some Americans are doing without. - Friday, January 2, 2009

EDITORIALS : New year's news - now

The new year is here. If you're uneasy about what 2009 has in store, we're with you. That's why, in sticking with tradition but in a high-tech way, we consulted the Magic 8 Ball application on the 16 gigabyte, black iPhone we just bought at Wal-Mart. - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Foreign Affairs : Win, win, win, win, win ...

THOMAS FRIEDMAN

How many times do we have to see this play before we admit that it always ends the same way? - Thursday, January 1, 2009

OTHER OPINIONS : SEC sleeps, America suffers

How did the Securities and Exchange Commission, which ballooned in staff and budget after the Enron scandal, ignore years of complaints about Bernard Madoff and evidence that the returns he claimed were impossible? Clearly, the SEC is a broken, failed agency. Can anything be done to prevent the next Enron or Madoff? - Thursday, January 1, 2009

EDITORIALS : Saying goodbye

Hey there, 2008. See you've got your bags packed. What, leaving so soon? Yes, your replacement is about to arrive, and we can understand you being eager to get the heck out of here. But can we have a few words before you go? - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

LETTERS

Community shows compassion for a dog - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Pica Pole : Celebrate astronomy in the new year

KENT MARTS

Four centuries ago, Galileo Galilei was on the verge of elevating his name into the company of scientific giants. - Wednesday, December 31, 2008