Free Republic

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An outspoken Arkansas senator says he's not surprised but still disgusted with a federal judge's decision to block a trio of restrictive abortion laws. Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) expressed his dismay with Judge Kristine Baker's ruling to halt multiple abortion provisions from going into law July 24. He referred to the decision as a "crime against humanity." "I can't imagine a judge, even a judge that has ruled against pro-life laws in the past would say that a down syndrome child's life is not worth saving," Rapert said. Rapert served as a sponsor of Act 493,...

The Satanic Temple unveiled its statue Thursday of a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet during a First Amendment rally at the Arkansas State Capitol to protest a Ten Commandments monument already on the Capitol grounds. With Satanists, atheists and Christians among those in attendance, several speakers called for the removal of the Ten Commandments monument or for state government officials to install Baphomet as well. The Satanic Temple said the Ten Commandments monument violates constitutional freedom of religion rights and that installation of their statue will demonstrate religious tolerance. Satanic Arkansas cofounder Ivy Forrester, who helped organize the rally,...