225BatonRouge.com

Gov. Blanco’s chief speechwriter Chris Frink is serious about the Bill of Rights. Like eight hours under the needle and six weeks of healing serious. That’s what he endured to have the First Amendment tattooed to his right arm, a birthday present from his wife, Emily.

He had toyed with the idea of getting inked for several years. He settled on the First Amendment because he believes it to be the single most important written document our country has ever produced.

Frink went to Body Images on Government Street for his first tattoo, and he is already planning a second, a Celtic cross surrounded by Louisiana irises on his left arm.

“I do feel out of balance right now,” Frink says. “But it’s going to cost $1,000, and when you have two kids and a cigar habit, you don’t have that kind of cash lying around.”