Blake's Think Tank

Someone anonymously dropped off a collection of e-mails from several of the folks associated with the Arkansas Young Professionals Network. I’m not that up on what AYPN is or does these days, but I read the Arkansas Times blog and I’ve figured out why I too have received copies of these e-mails.

I’m still getting through all of them, but the e-mails I have involve correspondence from Randell Shelton, Stephen E. Compton, J. David Fort, Jeffrey Heeter, William Porterfield, Barrett Dudley, Ryan Norris, Dalton Smith, Wes Adams, Craig Boes, and Boyce Hamlet regarding their efforts to take over both the Arkansas Young Republicans and the Arkansas Young Professional Network.

I don’t know who any of these people are, and I’ve certainly never heard there names mentioned in any political circles. That said, I thought I’d do my best to shed light on who these folks are, and what these e-mails insinuate.

It appears that as early as 11.28.06, Mr. Smith, Mr. Compton, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Boes and Mr. Shelton were plotting to overtake the AYPN. They had some top secret meetings at Bene Vita and started figuring out how they could get take over the leadership of this group that, I’ll admit, maintains an impressive Board of Advisors. My e-mails are quiet until January 2007.

On 1.26.07, Mr. Porterfield sent around a document titled “AYPN Mastermind Note.” It is, accorind to this e-mail, “a living document that . . .will take AYPN and us . . .as its Directors, to the next level.” This document was also identified in an e-mail of 2.23.07 from Mr. Porterfield. And prior to that, on 1.11.07, Mr. Shelton indicated in an e-mail sent to Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Smith and Mr. Dalton, ” . . .do you think any one of the people you talked to will talk to any of our current leadership (Leslie [Rutledge], Ed [Linck]) about AYPN contacting them . . .that is to say let the cat out of the bag we’re looking at their services?”

At this point AYPN elections had not been held.

On 2.1.07 an e-mail was sent from Mr. Boes to Mr. Smith that said, “I’ve attached a listing of our members who joined since 1/1/06. These are the prime candidates for swaying this election. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. In response, Mr. Smith writes, “Thanks, Please watch for any influx offemale members within the next few weeks. Let us know if this starts to happen.” Mr. Porterfield responded, “I did consider the consequences of speaking with these individuals . . . I think it is reasonable that to explain that some of the membership is opposed to the idea . . .Their desire for business should encourage their compliance.”

As you can see here, each one of these guys found himself in a leadership position with the organization, with Mr. Porterfield assuming the role of Executive Director. That, in and of itself, isn’t all that interesting except that these guys aren’t too fond of  Democrats, liberals, members of the ACLU, and “progressives.” Which makes it very curious that they’d be courting the Clinton Foundation and other Democratic leaders like Governor Mike Beebe, to help them out.

In an e-mail on 2.1.07, Mr. Shelton wrote, “A guy named [name redacted] is on there who lists the ACLU and “progressivism” in his profile, he along with a [name redacted] who I happen to know is a flaming lib, and lists “political activism” on his profile . . .well I just think the two of them (who are both new) need to get lost in the shuffle and not be counted as members or at least not get a renewal notice – just a thought! ”

Mr. Boes, on 2.2.07 writes, “Perhaps we could institute an ACLU and/or liberal administrative fee of $75 in addition to the annual $50 to handle items such as frequent whining, blue ink, and [an] abundance of tofu and coos coos [sic] served at the networking luncheons.”

As recently as 10.2.07, a cat named Robert Obar sent an e-mail to Ryan Norris that said “This is what I would call a “switch hitter”, if I were to call someone a “switch hitter” . . . The e-mail contained a picture of Leslie Rutledge with President Bill Clinton.

On 2.20.07, Mr. Shelton sent an e-mail to an undsclosed list regarding an AYPN Networking Luncheon where Governor Beebe was the keynote speaker. He wrote, ” . . .I know it might be tempting to grill Beebe, but in the context of the election I think it is best to ask nothing (especially in light of the fact that we’re soon to boot him from the BOA [Board of Advisors] or ask some light questions about his ideas for the future of the state and watch him pile it higher and deeper for fun.”

So it’s no surprise that these guys were very interested in using the AYPN as a springboard to further their interests in the Arkansas Republican Party (a plan they titled “Operation Old Yeller”). Mr. Fort is the current chairman of the Arkansas Young Republicans, who was assisted by Mr. Shelton in orchestrating the campaign. In an e-mail of 8.18.07, Mr. Shelton writes, “Here’s the plan . . .for obvious reasons be VERY mindful of who gets it . . . On 8.23.07 Mr. Shelton again wrote, “I’m starting to see Madam L’s [Leslie Rutledge] people sign up – she hasn’t admitted as much but she might think something is up and will try to block it – this is a battle I don’t want to lose.” Even as early as 2.20.07 this plan was in the works according to an e-mail from Mr. Shelton, ” . . .We must at all cost keep David Fort’s write-in campaign under wraps . . .”

Ah, the flames of young politics. But as Max notes, this is eerily akin to the Jaycees back in the day, and that didn’t work out so well.

I’m a bit more curious as to why so many people are supporting such a partisan and apparently hateful endeavor ? As if the politcal hate talk isn’t enough, they’re not much interested in being open to women either. Several additional e-mails insinuate that they wanted to try and hide decisions, meetings and other endeavors from the women on their Executive Committee.

So this week there’s news about a venture to bring Wi Fi to downtown Little Rock.  That’s great, but in an e-mail of 10.21.07, Mr. Shelton writes, “Also, they [Elizabeth Bowles and the folks at Aristotle] will leave an important soon to be announced partner – the Clinton Library (I really don’t like typing that) – to mention several others.”

In reference to the Wi Fi network, Arkansas Business was also a sponsor.   However, on 1.24.07, Mr. Compton writes, in reference to potential members to the Board of Advisors, “I’m not a big Ark. Business fan, but I think they have some great people on this list . . .” referring to the 2007 Power List.

Today, in response to the Ark. Times blog piece, Yolanda Hugg, a former member wrote, “I wish that this sad news that has been brought to the attention of many will not completely destroy AYPN and prevent future young professionals from benefiting from it. I encourage the current leadership of AYPN to be more inclusive and reach-out to young professionals of all backgrounds and political affiliations and not discriminate based on someone’s sex, race, political affiliation, or other characteristic.”