Threat to civil liberty

First, I’m not anti-Semitic, and second, I have never read the Arkansas Times.

The Democrat-Gazette article last Saturday, “Judge to issue order on Israel-pledge law,” about Act 710 of 2017 is worth reading. This law prohibits companies that contract with state agencies from boycotting Israel. This law was challenged by the Arkansas Times when it attempted to secure an advertising contract with a state university and refused to sign the pledge that it wouldn’t boycott Israel. The Times has challenged the constitutionality of the law. The attorney general’s office has filed arguments in support of the law. The ACLU presented an interesting opinion which made a sound argument against the law.

The part of the law that really gives me heartburn, in addition to an attack on free speech, is that the law “contains an exception allowing a business to contract with a state entity without signing the no-boycott pledge if the business agrees to give the state a discount of 20 percent below the price of any other similar business that agrees to the certification.” This sounds like blatant extortion sponsored by the state, in addition to other egregious attacks on the public and businesses.

Who was responsible for introducing this bill and where did the idea for such a law originate? This law is a ludicrous and blatant attack on civil liberties, among other things, and should be repealed immediately. Also, everyone associated with making and passing this law should be held accountable and their veracity questioned.

Also worth reading is “2 pre-filed bills traced to 2 men from out of state” on the following Sunday.

Articles such as these make one shudder and question the mentality and motives of those in charge of government in Arkansas.

LOUISE HENDERSON

Hot Springs Village