Area deserves more visits like Nader's
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Opinion
Long-time politician and Independent presidential nominee Ralph Nader will host a press conference on campus Thursday with the theme "Open the Presidential Debates."
While this is not Nader's first time at the UA, it certainly is the first time many UA students have witnessed a prominent politician - much less a presidential candidate - give attention to the UA and Northwest Arkansas in general.
With the world's largest business (Wal-Mart, of course) and a booming future, NWA deserves not only more political attention than it has been receiving, but more events, rallies, debates, entertainment stops and other such endeavors.
Why?
Fayetteville's "Funky Green Valley" (whatever that means) is ranked seventh on Kiplinger's 2008 Best Cities to Live, Work and Play and described as a "four-season, guitar-pickin' university town set in the foothills of the Ozarks."
Our city also ranks in the Top 10 places to "build your future." And Forbes Magazine ranked Fayetteville as the No. 17 Best Places for Business and Careers.
Not too shabby for a place in Arkansas.
With such a reputation, as well as record-setting enrollment numbers at the UA, the NWA area - and, specifically, Fayetteville - inevitably will continue to experience huge growth. Politicians and national leaders would be wise to take notice.
So whether students, faculty, staff or Fayetteville residents agree with Nader's political platform, that he is visiting the UA during one of the busiest elections in decades is unprecedented. We hope the 2012 presidential election will provide even further opportunity for Fayetteville and NWA to put itself on the map.
While this is not Nader's first time at the UA, it certainly is the first time many UA students have witnessed a prominent politician - much less a presidential candidate - give attention to the UA and Northwest Arkansas in general.
With the world's largest business (Wal-Mart, of course) and a booming future, NWA deserves not only more political attention than it has been receiving, but more events, rallies, debates, entertainment stops and other such endeavors.
Why?
Fayetteville's "Funky Green Valley" (whatever that means) is ranked seventh on Kiplinger's 2008 Best Cities to Live, Work and Play and described as a "four-season, guitar-pickin' university town set in the foothills of the Ozarks."
Our city also ranks in the Top 10 places to "build your future." And Forbes Magazine ranked Fayetteville as the No. 17 Best Places for Business and Careers.
Not too shabby for a place in Arkansas.
With such a reputation, as well as record-setting enrollment numbers at the UA, the NWA area - and, specifically, Fayetteville - inevitably will continue to experience huge growth. Politicians and national leaders would be wise to take notice.
So whether students, faculty, staff or Fayetteville residents agree with Nader's political platform, that he is visiting the UA during one of the busiest elections in decades is unprecedented. We hope the 2012 presidential election will provide even further opportunity for Fayetteville and NWA to put itself on the map.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Nolan P.
posted 9/17/08 @ 1:21 PM CST
Thank you!
Since 2000, Ralph Nader has campaigned in each and every state, like a true Presidential candidate.
"Gore has to earn his votes, Bush has to earn his votes, I have to earn my votes" Nader said in 2000. (Continued…)
nader PAUL mckinney
posted 9/17/08 @ 1:41 PM CST
The American Ruse &
when Black Friday comes.
Honesty or lies?
Compassion or greed?
Intelligence or narrow-minded?
Guts, or go along to get along?
Ralph Nader
Cynthia McKinney
Ron Paul
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Jesse Ventura
H. (Continued…)
Nolan P.
Nolan P.
posted 9/17/08 @ 1:43 PM CST
It looks like you have a lot of things going on in Arkansas. An old buddy of mine, Carl, was from Arkansas and he always tried to get me drive him back out there so we could work and live. (Continued…)
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