LITTLE ROCK — From all we’ve learned about the Democrats’ former 3rd District congressional candidate, Ken Aden, in reporters Bill Bowden and Amy Schlesing’s fine reporting, it’s a wonder the man’s nose hadn’t grown a foot before he pulled out of the race.
First, Aden’s claim that he had been a Special Forces Green Beret in the U.S. Army was explored. But the Army said nope. In fact, that branch said he washed out of the program three times.
Then on to the trail of Aden’s strange past in Dayton, Ohio, and West Memphis, where Aden reportedly promised big things for nonprofit organizations in both communities. None of which apparently came to pass. Aden claimed he earned a degree from Arkansas State University, but the school says it has no record of him.
Enough of Aden’s past was researched to discover that he also claimed in a video years ago that his father had been killed while en route to work in West Memphis. But the truth, according to a newspaper article, was that his mother shot and killed his father as he was breaking down the door of her trailer in Tyronza; the couple was estranged at the time.
It quickly became clear to me that Aden, who as a candidate has been living in Russellville, presents a dynamic first impression among most folks wherever he shows up espousing grandiose and appealing ideas for community improvements. But it becomes evident pretty quickly that as a track star he’d likely be a standout in the 5-yard dash. I suppose we should all be thankful for his
resignation now that we know
something of Aden’s past.
Plus, as U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said when news of Aden’s claims were initially refuted in an admirable investigation by our newspaper, Aden still owes an apology to his former Army comrades who really did make it through the rigors of special forces training. I agree with Womack.
Aden did apparently spend 11 years in the Army, departing honorably as a staff sergeant. There’s one check mark in the plus column.
My advice to Aden, although he’d never seek it, is to pack up and keep heading west. Things don’t seem to have gone all that well for him from Ohio through West Memphis to Russellville. Perhaps Oklahoma City, Amarillo or even Tucumcari, N.M., would provide some fresh pickings for peddling baloney.
My father, who really was a lieutenant colonel in the Army during World War II and Korea, used to tell me that words are mighty easy for people to say. The true test of character is whether one’s words match with truth and their actions.
In this case, I’d have thought the Democratic Party would have done a much better job of vetting Ken Aden before putting him up as its candidate. I suspect had the state’s party leaders known what our reporters rooted out in relatively short order, they certainly would never have placed his name in nomination for U.S. Congress.
Barbecue bandit
Little stun guns for self-protection can be had in some places for about $50. We may each need one sooner than we think.
It sure appears to me that no one is safe anymore after reading about the male shopper at a Wal-Mart store in the southern part of Fayetteville who, according to police, was attacked in the parking lot by an apparently intoxicated man demanding barbecue sauce.
Yep. You read it right. Barbecue sauce. And of course, whatever cash the shopper might have been carrying. I suppose this means take-out diners at barbecue spots should be watching over their shoulders when toting bags to their cars.
Some characters out there obviously are smoking something stronger than barbecue.
Lots of signatures
I found it interesting that the group known as Keep Dollars in Benton County submitted more than 56,000 signatures to the Benton County Clerk’s Office seeking to place a liquor-sales question on the Nov. 6 ballot.
The issue would give voters the chance to legalize liquor sales in Benton County. Placing the question on the fall ballot required signatures from 38 percent of those registered.
Based on an internal review, the group expressed confidence they’d collected enough signatures after a five-month effort.
I can’t help but contrast that development with the fact that a wellintentioned effort in Little Rock seeking to have serious ethics reform placed on the statewide November ballot failed to collect the required 62,507 signatures after paying an Iowa group just over $54,000 to get it done in a relatively short period. But hey, I’m sure I’m comparing apples with oranges.
Freckles’ new home
Some readers have wondered what happened to Max’s older worldly brother, Freckles, who wandered in from a pack in the woods nearly three years ago. Freckles, as intelligent and loving as any dog could be, has become the companion of a wonderful lady named Susie who needed a partner exactly like Freckles has been.
Together they’ve been as happy in their little pack as two puppies in a cashmere rug.
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Mike Masterson is opinion editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Northwest edition.
Editorial, Pages 77 on 07/15/2012