Richard Mason

Yes, it's almost "hold your breath time" again as the Ledge prepares some 1,200-plus bills to drop in the hopper for next year's legislative session. However, in that raft of mostly worthless bills, there are some that deserve to be passed. These bills would improve our quality of life and make us more civilized. Of course, that is the underlying reason for a legislative bill. It should improve our quality of life.

It's almost hold-your-breath-time again as the Arkansas Legislature prepares some 1,200 bills to drop in the hopper for next year's legislative session. In that raft of mostly worthless bills there are some that deserve to be passed that would improve our quality of life.

Sept. 25, 2001: We flew into New York City on an American Airlines flight from Little Rock. I felt better about my flight when I noticed an iron bar secured the cockpit door from the inside. American Airlines had added that protection to all of its aircraft. We landed at Newark International, a New Jersey airport very convenient to metropolitan New York City. Our cab ride crossed into Manhattan at the lower end of the island, which gave us a clear view of ground zero. The gap in the skyline, with the debris still smoldering, caused me to shiver.

As I sat my desk recently, considering my next column, my eyes fixed on one of several photographs hanging on the wall. It's of me as president of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, giving a plaque to Gov. Bill Clinton.

Richard Mason wrote this column (edited here for length) in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, when 19 terrorists hijacked four airliners, then flew one into each of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City; the third plane crashed into the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Va. The fourth plane crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field during a passenger revolt.

I can remember when I was 8 or 9 years old and my grandmother gave me several letters with very old stamps. I was immediately hooked on stamp collecting; in a short time I filled every page in an album.

I'm a graduate of the University of Arkansas. This column is to fill in a few of the blanks of those college years. After graduating from Norphlet High School, I entered the U of A, and I spent my freshman year enjoying college. I squeaked out a 2.00 grade point average, and I spent the following summer working at Macmillian Refinery to help pay college expenses. I was anxious to start my sophomore year, but college life was about to change for me. It started with a phone call the first week of school.

After graduating from Norphlet High School, I entered the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and spent my freshman year enjoying college. I squeaked out a 2.0 grade point average, and worked the following summer at MacMillan Refinery to help pay expenses. I was anxious to start my sophomore year, but college life was about to change for me. It started with a phone call.

The 2028 Presidential Race? I know you're saying, "My gosh, that is over two years away." Yes, I know, but I believe the sooner a candidate throws his or her hat in the arena, the better the chances are of becoming the nominee. With the midterm elections ahead, which may give the Democrats an edge in the next session of Congress, I think we could see a record number of aspirants for president from both parties, considering neither party seems to have an overwhelming favorite in the wings.

As a longtime advocate at the New Mexico Legislature, I urge New Mexico voters to vote yes on Constitutional Amendment 4: legislative salaries.