Why is it necessary to take this elderly lady into police custody and subject her to the horrors and potential dangers of incarceration on a Saturday afternoon. It was a power play and the kind of strong-arm action that bears the markings of a personal vendetta. This kind of unnecessary roughness speaks volumes of a general disrespect for humanity and the due process of the law.

So Martha Shoffner is such a dangerous individual and menace to society that she must be taken to jail at such a time as to guarantee two full nights in the hostile environment, the Pulaski County Jail? Is the federal prosecutor’s case so lame that the only way to compensate for what looks like a possible lack of evidence is to treat a non-violent old woman like Al Capone? This smacks of raw intimidation.

I do not know the state of evidence that might be presented against the constitutional officer, and if news stories and her own quotations are to be believed, things do not look good for Ms. Soffner. Should she be exempted from prison? Of course not. Federal prisons have facilities to accommodate the old and inform. Maybe she will be convicted, but that depends on actual evidence and the decision of a jury. In the meantime, it would have been more respectful of our common humanity, and far more professional, to arrest the woman on a weekday when she could have counsel and immediately appear before a federal magistrate.

Yes, I am calling for compassion. It is a virtue seen to seldom that demonstrates strength of character. As Shakespeare observes, mercy is “mightiest in the mighty.” The obverse side of that coin is a display of public cowardice and an abuse of power almost as great as the allegations against the accused.

UPDATE: Max over at Arkansas Times Blog adds some insight on the Saturday arrest.

Thyer said that the timing of Shoffner’s arrest on Saturday had to do with the fact that the Saturday meeting between CHS1 and Shoffner was the first time they had met to make a cash handoff since CHS1 was offered immunity. According to the criminal complaint, the meetings between Shoffner and CHS1 happened at intervals of up to six months. Shoffner wasn’t indicted, he said, because a grand jury wasn’t available Saturday to hear the evidence. Thyer said they decided to move forward without an indictment because a delay would have meant “we would have left $6,000 in government funds in her possession until the grand jury met.” He said the case will be presented to a grand jury as soon as possible.

Ahhhh. So there it is! And why might a federal grand jury not be available on Saturday? Perhaps it is because things move slow on the weekend and the circumstances allowed for a little game of intimidation. Now about that “$6,000.00 in government funds,” if what prosecutors say is true, and they would NEVER stretch the truth, the money was a bribe. What did Thyer think might happen? Banks are not open on weekends either, so his argument simply makes no sense. Was it cash? OK, fine. Then I guess the next thing they will say is that Shoffner has WMD’s. I guess you can do a lot of harm with six grand laying around.

On the brighter side, I am pleased to know that the zealous Mr. Thyer has organized a task force to oppose public corruption. I’d like to know what Huckabee was hiding on all the hard drives he ground down to dust, but that pesky statute of limitations has probably already run. Thyer is after Democrats, and I can’t really fault him for playing the game. I honestly hope he has better luck than the people have had trying to get a handle on public corruption. The problem is that Arkansans simply do not seem to care. One suspects that there are plenty of them that need to be in the iron bars hotel. If Christ Thyer thinks making an example out of a 68 year-old woman is making some sort of statement, it is. The statement is completely wrong.

12 Programs Congress Refuses to Save From Sequestration

As they were rushing to board their flights home for the weekend, Senators and members of Congress pushed through a bill to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reshuffle funding in order to avoid the flight delays caused by FAA furloughs due to the sequester.

Unfortunately for millions of Americans who cannot afford to get on a plane, Congress has yet to repeal the disastrous and devastating cuts to important programs for the poor, mothers, children, and many others.

A flight delay is inconvenient, not being able to receive your cancer treatment is a matter of life and death. Here’s 12 important programs that Congress has so far refused to save from the sequester’s automatic cuts, even though they’ve been in place for nearly 2 months. By contrast, the FAA furloughs caused flight delays for just four days.

1. Long-term unemployment: There are 4.7 million Americans who have been unemployed for longer than six months, but sequestration cut federal long-term unemployment insurance checks by up to 10.7 percent, costing recipients as much as $450 over the rest of the year. Those cuts compound the cuts eightstates have made to their unemployment programs, and 11 states are considering dropping the federal program altogether because of sequestration — even though the long-term unemployed are finding it nearly impossible to return to work.

2. Head Start: Low-income children across the country have been kicked out of Head Start education programs because of the 5-percent cuts mandated by sequestration, as states have cut bus transportation services and started conducting lotteries to determine which kids would no longer have access to the program, even though the preschool program has been proven to have substantial benefits for low-income children. In all, about 70,000 children will lose access to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

3. Cancer treatment: Budget cuts have forced doctors and cancer clinics to deny chemotherapy treatments to thousands of cancer patients thanks to a 2 percent cut to Medicare. One clinic in New York has refused to see more than 5,000 of its Medicare patients, and many cancer patients have had to travel to other states to receive their treatments, an option that obviously isn’t available to lower-income people. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) proposed restoring the funding, but the legislation so far hasn’t moved in Congress.

4. Health research: The National Institutes of Health lost $1.6 billion thanks to sequestration, jeopardizing important health research into AIDS, cancer, and other diseases. That won’t just impact research and the people who do it, though. It will also hurt the economy, costing the U.S. $860 billion in lost economic growth and at least 500,000 jobs. Budget cuts will also hamper research at colleges and universities.

5. Low-income housing: 140,000 low-income families — primarily seniors with disabilities and families with children — will lose rental assistance thanks to sequestration’s budget cuts. Even worse, the cuts could likely make rent and housing more expensive for those families, as agencies raise costs to offset the pain of budget cuts, and sequestration will also cut from programs that aid the homeless and fund the construction of low-income housing.

6. Student aid: Sequestration is already raising fees on Direct student loans, increasing costs for students who are already buried in debt. The budget cuts reduce funding for federal work study grants by $49 million and for educational opportunity grants by $37 million, and the total cuts will cost 70,000 college students access to grants they depend on.

7. Meals On Wheels: Local Meals on Wheels programs, which help low-income and disabled seniors access food, have faced hundreds of thousands of dollars in cuts, costing tens of thousands of seniors access to the program. Many of those seniors have little access to food without the program, but Congress has made no effort to replace the funding.

8. Disaster relief: The Federal Emergency Management Administration will lose nearly $1 billion in funding thanks to sequestration, jeopardizing aid for families, cities, and states right as the spring storm season begins. The aid package Congress passed for Hurricane Sandy relief will also see more than $1 billion in reductions.

9. Heating assistance: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps nearly 9 million households afford their heating and cooling bills. Sequestration will cut the program by an estimated $180 million, meaning about 400,000 households will no longer receive aid. These cuts come on top of $1.6 billion in reductions since 2010.

10. Workplace safety: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long suffered from a lack of funds, which means its staff is so stretched that many workplaces go without an inspection for 99 years. The fertilizer plant that exploded in West, Texas, for example, hadn’t had a visit from OSHA since 1985. That will get worse, as sequestration will cut the agency’s budget by $564.8 million, likely leading to 1,200 fewer workplace inspections.

11. Obamacare: Sequestration cuts a number of important programs in the Affordable Care Act: $13 million from the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program, or CO-OPs; $57 million from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control program; $51 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund; $27 million from the State Grants and Demonstrations program; and $44 million from the Affordable Insurance Exchange Grants program, or the insurance exchanges.

12. Child care: Child care costs can exceed rent payments or college tuition and waiting lists for getting assistance are already long. Yet sequestration will reduce funds even further, meaning that 30,000 children will lose subsidies for care. For example, Arizona will experience a $3 million cut to funding that will force 1,000 out of care.

Has President Obama ever heard of the word “alleged?” The suspect is not necessarily a terrorist and it has not been proven that he was radicalized into anything. All we know is that one man has been accused of a very serious crime. So far, he has not even been arraigned. The accused person is, in fact, wrapped in a presumption of innocence. The government must prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. So far they have proved nothing. A little more restraint might be in order.

In England, an undertaker is still called an “undertaker. According to Dimbleby, the company in charge of the corpse has been in the undertaking business since 1789. These are very nicely dressed undertakers, although I do not expect morning coats at my own final services. Hell, I will be lucky to have a funeral, so let’s not lose any sleep over the small stuff.

You learn all sorts of things at a funeral. For example, what kind of middle name is “Hilda?” I bet Thatcher’s haters would have had some fun with that if they only knew. The good bishop pointed out correctly the difference between a memorial service and a funeral. Thatcher clearly wanted the latter, which ceremonially demonstrates our common fate, our common destination in the grave, our sorry human condition, the shared need of a savior, and the holy Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life. It was a complete delight to learn that Thatcher seems to have had an excellent theological handle on the Doctrine of the Church, and our relationship with one another and Jesus in his own mystical body.

Here is an important liturgical addendum. Prime Minister David Cameron’s New Testament reading from John 14 continued all the way through the final verse. The phrase sometimes omitted in high-profile Episcopal services concludes, “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” It is exclusivist language concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. High marks for the liturgical powers that be for doing what should be done at any Anglican funeral under all circumstances.

None of that memorial service nonsense for old Lyncho, and “celebration in remembrance” is even worse. Have you seen the dreadful ads from a very shrewd local business seeking to discourage people from decent traditional funerals? These rites can be expensive, and I am sorry to see the development. My advice is to pre-arrange. Undertakers, -errrr funeral directors, are professional people who can handle that kind of thing. Let me add that, if I should be found worthy of a funeral, and if any of you should be disposed to spend part of your day on me, please dress appropriately; muted colors, coats and ties, skirts (and perhaps even hats) for the ladies. (No kilts. I hang with some pretty weird types.) For the love of all that is good and right, it is a funeral. Also, let there be a big old Anglican thumbs-up for black liturgical vestments and a deep sigh for the namby-pamby, wishy-washy, gishy-goshy, weaklings who have substituted white for the more traditional color of death. This modern innovation tends to the error of universalism and a false belief that everybody is ultimately delivered to wherever neo-pagans think nice people end up. That is certainly a serious lie and needs correction.

The BBC coverage was way above average. Something rather odd was built into the process and it provided an interesting moment. The professional undertakers discretely delivered the remains to a chapel near the beginning of the procession. Cameras were allowed inside for a private moment when clergy prayed over the coffin before the military bearers arrived. In another circumstance, the high ambient noise would have prevented one from hearing the noise associated with the lifting of the coffin and resting it on the young men’s shoulders. It is rather noisy and one hears all of the orders. It is not “left, right,” but “inside, outside.” I wonder why we in the USA generally do not see a casket carried on the shoulders?

Finally, the protesters are a silly lot and completely out-of-line. For the love of might, the woman is dead. On this day or all days, leave her alone. At the grave, we stand united in grief and fallen humanity. Christians stand united in “the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.” So be it.

All of the recent media hubbub over Barbara Walters’ little midday coven has me very intrigued. I typically agree with Joy, and I still think she is a redheaded pile of ignorance. This is how an algebra teacher feels when he sees the right answer on the bottom line and each step in the process is an incoherent mess. Joy has fabulous laugh lines and I know her standup routine must be a complete scream.

Then there is Elizabeth. I will say this much about Ms. Hasselbeck, she reads the daily conservative talking point fax with complete accuracy and passion. If only I could read Carl Roves darkest fantasies with a straight face, but no tears over missed opportunities. The beautiful Elizabeth is said to be a whiz at design and many entrepreneurial ventures. I guess it must be pretty easy when the country’s richest and most powerful corporations and the top 1% are solidly on your side. Hasselbeck may be going to CNN and, to be perfectly honest, I am overjoyed. I hope they give her hurricane duty. Yes. I want to see Elizabeth Hasselbeck tied to a tree on the Mississippi Gulf coast while winds pick up to 90 mph. NOTE TO E. H.: be sure to keep that broom in the motel room closet.

Ann Curry is leaving NBC. I love the peacock and it is a darned shame that they seem unable to set aside an incomprehensible grudge and just let Ann go. Curry is far too serious for indifferent and uninformed audience. That NBC can not pull off the firing that should be a slam-dunk is a testimony to the corporation’s increasing irrelevancy. Anyway, Ann Curry may be going to the new American version of Al Jazeera. That’s just too cool and I sincerely wish her well. Curry has a touch for the international beat and she would be an asset. MEMO TO A.  J.: Ol’ Lyncho is still looking for work. I would be the perfect curmudgeon for your new network. And I promise to lose that ugly 10 pounds if you take a (very small and reasonable) chance on me!

What if there were a white mayor who didn’t like a magazine article by a black writer in which black Philadelphians said unpleasant things about white Philadelphians, and then the mayor urged the Human Rights Commission to investigate the magazine and the writer for offending against racial sensitivity? It would be so outrageous that it’s actually unthinkable. But here we are with Mayor Nutter.

Read it all here.

Michael Nutter Vs. Free Speech | The American Conservative.

Perhaps American Republicans feel a sincere need to offer advice on foreign affairs, or it might just be that they are not satisfied with the slow methodical undoing of America that is the natural consequence of GOP economic policy, but I wish they would think twice before encouraging President Obama to get tougher on North Korea.Have they ever heard of drones? This is the President that took out Osama. I’m just saying that, if you keep taunting the Commander-in-Chief, he might bomb North Korea back to the Stone Age. You might not think that is such a bad thing, and the worst part of me really wants to agree with you, but we both know better. Let’s try something completely different. How about being sensible? It might work and could even become a pattern.

Obama and his minion media have ruthlessly attacked and smeared the Tea Party, conservatives and talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Mike Savage, Glenn Beck and other voices of freedom and truth. Obama will stop at nothing to attack the Constitution, the Tea Party and anything or anyone that stands in his way–just like a vicious African warlord would attack Christian missionaries. There is no excuse or explanation for such a barbaric and savage hate speech being leveled against gun owners and red-blooded Americans. We, the innocent, are being treated like pariahs…law breakers.

Rest assured the TeaParty.Org is responding! We are fortifying our efforts and standing strong against these attacks…but we can’t do it alone.

Our websites are under attack like never before. Freedom of speech and all we hold dear continues to be violated by the government Pharisees and Obamites. We are fighting with every ounce of firepower we have but…

We need your help more now than ever before.

Help us take a stand today as we protect our liberty and our Constitution and defend our fellow conservatives. Never before have the people of America been attacked with such hatred and contempt by their own government–a government bent on suppressing its citizens and instilling its socialist agenda.

It is nothing short of SHOCKING to turn on the news every day and hear of more new attempts to suppress Americans…to take away our Constitutional rights and freedoms…oppress us so much we have nowhere to turn but to dependency on the government.

Yes, people, this is all part of Obama’s vile master plan. He MUST be stopped NOW.

We URGENTLY need your help NOW. By April 1 our government could break the backs and extinguish the hopes of the American people and install the Global Communist agenda.

This is a plea for help!

The TeaParty.org must build our ranks and war chest and energize the recruitment of new members. Help us now, tomorrow will be too late.

Let me tell you right now that this left leaning, pinko-commie, Obama loving, welfare state upholding, high-speed rail loving, neo-socialist, former ACLU card-carrying, public transit supporter is real big on guns. I would have an arsenal automatic, semi-automatic, assault rifles along with grenades, bazookas and one or two tactical nuclear weapons, except that Marie will not let me buy even one.

But if Marie Lynch would allow her loving and faithful husband the rights accorded by the all ruling and sacred Second Amendment, I would be packing day and night. In church? Absolutely, and let me tell you right here that I do not attend one of those outfits that pours out grape juice. We Anglicans sip on real wine and I take special comfort i knowing that my brothers and sisters are well prepared, just in case we migth ahve some sort of problem. Just like the Good Book says, “praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.”

Hells bells! Have any of you ever watched Gunsmoke? Everybody’s packing there and what could possibly go wrong? Yes, Miss Kitty had a few little rumbles down at the Long Branch, but we should just think of that as another way of straightening out the gene pool. An armed society is a good orderly and respectful society. I’d just like to see some pesky outsider pull into one of my assigned condo parking places without asking first. BOOM! Blow ‘em away! End of problem  Magazine salesman shows up at the front door, same thing. Life is good.

Of course, not everybody has my innate common sense and cool headed judgment. Passing an open carry law will not solve every social ill, but it’s a start.

My experience with the Chief was, unfortunately, not altogether positive. I particularly recall incidents involving the police shooting of a man outside a junk yard in the east part of town and the needless harassment of passengers who were dropped inside the Little Rock airport after the flight encountered mechanical difficulties. There were plenty of questionable occurrences during the Simpson years. One fateful morning, I got on the radio with my pal, Mayor Tom Prince, and coaxed Prince into calling for Simpson’s resignation. It was a notable error of judgment and probably resulted in Simpson hanging around for a few extra years past his intended retirement.

But I hinted that this commentary would be more positive and that is my intention. Simpson needs to be placed in a larger context. Compare Sonny to Gayle Weeks and there is no doubt that Chief Simpson deserves an even-handed treatment by professional rememberers. Simpson was a bit too close to George Wimberly, whose reputation is beyond redemption. Sonny Simpson was a force for racial equality and a more professional police department. That would only be achieved with the arrival of Lou Caudell, an outsider from Dallas, Texas to take the department’s helm.

In the longer view of history, Sonny Simpson deserves a passing grade.