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backpacks? Is that really what we’re doing to stop school shootings? Sounds like putting a bandaid on a bullet hole … pun very much intended! [Editor’s Note: Is that a pun? Anyway, so first text message on the new number, so at least I know it’s working … despite actually giving you all the wrong number last week (it was right in the “Text the Times” graphic though). Keep ‘em coming! Anyway, I wasn’t really keen on the whole clear backpack thing, but my wife, who is in her 23rd year of public education, pointed out that the clear backpacks aren’t just about preventing a school shooting. The clear backpacks are also a pretty decent deterrent for keeping other things out of schools, like drugs and alcohol, other weapons, and various contraband. It could also deter thefts in the schools, and while I don’t think you can point to a single instance of a clear backpack preventing a school shooting, it’s a decent first step, and while

It seems like every election is the “most important of our lifetime,” but I have never felt it is a more accurate statement than this year. The Biden Administration’s energy policies, in particular, have left Americans holding on tight to their pocketbooks. Luckily, Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District is already represented by a commonsense conservative – Congressman Bruce Westerman. What I really like about Congressman Westerman is his practical, all-of-the-above approach to energy. He supports domestic production and energy independence, but he also advocates for new technology, including research and development in renewable energy. I believe our ability to invest in new technology, and flexibility with our energy development, will be crucial to our energy independence in the future. He has demonstrated realistic solutions to dealing with carbon emissions, such as his Trillion Trees Act – supporting U.S. participation in a global initiative to plant one trillion trees by 2050. Congressman Westerman also knows improving our clean energy capacity will require more domestic mining, so he co-sponsored the Accessing American’s Critical Mineral Act, which would improve the permitting process for critical mineral projects. We’ve got a good advocate for Arkansas, and I think he will be a key figure next year in pushing back against President Biden’s overly bureaucratic policies and putting Americans back on the road to energy independence. Let’s make sure Congressman Westerman is reelected to keep representing Arkansas. [Editor’s Note: Obviously, Congressman Westerman serves outside of our congressional district here in Crittenden County, but I’m glad you seem so supportive of him. I am perpetually unimpressed with our own congressman, Rep. Rick Crawford, who seems content to emerge every few months to participate in the Farm Bill and then disappear again. I will take this opportunity, though, to shake my head in general disappointment in two of our state senators, Mark Johnson and Alan Clark, who are accused of defrauding the state. What’s new, right? Sure, except this one sort of chaps my hide because Johnson helped Clark get paid for attending Boys State earlier this summer even though he didn’t actually attend. Not the biggest deal in the world, but just another example of our elected leaders thinking they can get away with anything]