LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Scene a memory of season

As an infant, I was bundled up and loaded in the car, and we were off to the Christmas-decorated Capitol. This became an annual pilgrimage and tradition for my family.

The Nativity scene located in front of the huge, golden doors leading into the Capitol was an awesome display. It was difficult to find a parking place along Capitol Avenue with so many people scurrying to see the newly erected display.

Families were laughing and talking excitedly with anticipation as we all made our way to see the elegant Nativity. Once in view of the display, there was a change in the sounds around us. Christmas carols could be heard over the speakers and people spoke in hushed tones as we inhaled the wondrous moments together. There was a special feeling of oneness among all of us even though we had never before met.

Santa always managed to find me on Christmas morning, but that glorious scene at the top of the steps of my Arkansas Capitol was one of the most lasting and special remembrances of Christmas each year, as well as one of my earliest history lessons in the unity of mankind. No one would have ever thought of displaying anything that would take away from the true meaning of Christmas or the beauty of our Capitol during this season. Thanks to Charlie Daniels for trying to preserve the integrity and reverence of our state Capitol and the Christmas season.

PATTY LOWE Little Rock

Put citizens in power

A recent story said that the Arkansas lottery had taken in $100 million so far and raised $25 million for scholarships. For every $1 given to this “charity,” 75 cents go to the folks running it and 25 cents goes to those it is supposed to benefit? What a deal!

California started its lottery 30years ago with the promise of state riches. Look at them now-congressional staffers getting huge pay raises and folks getting laid off or pay or bonus cutswhile the recently passed bloated and increased federal budget included raises for federal workers.

However, my real motive for writing this letter is the opportunity to say once again: Throw all the bums out in future elections. That has become a welcome and frequent phrase in many Voices letters. I’m also talking about state officeholders. We do not need seasoned politicians, power brokers or pocket stuffers. We need citizen politicians.

Regardless of beliefs the following quote is hard to dispute: If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart. Entrenched career politicians almost as a rule lose sight of their morality and responsibilities to the people over time. There was a story recently about a teacher who was announcing to run against Blanche Lincoln. A non-lawyer, normal type person. I like that.

RAY VANZANDT North Little Rock

Theory cuts freedom

Over the years, many people have provided proof that man has not caused climate change. The media have largely ignored this in preference to promoting the concept that man can change this planet by his pursuit of progress.

To think that people, who are an infinitesimal speck on this planet, could change the climate is absurd.

E-mail between scientists who have claimed man made climate change have been exposed. The world now has reason to believe that information was changed, falsified and deleted to fool the world into believing that man is responsible for climate change. The climate has always changed and always will. Man can’t stop the natural forces designed by God. The godless bow at the green altar in praise of their god-man.

All of this is a way to raise taxes and reduce our personal freedom. If we raise taxes on corporations, we, not the corporation, pay that tax. The corporation merely collects the taxfrom the final consumer and gives it to the government. Higher taxes leave us with less money to pursue what we like in our free time. Don’t let false science steal our money and freedom. Google Professor Richard Lindzen and Lord Christopher Monckton on global warming and get the truth.

RANDY KELLY Rogers

Represent Arkansas

I suspect that a lot of Americans are tired of hearing about health care and tired of the incessant lies about how it won’t increase the deficit, how we can keep our doctors, how it won’t hurt Medicare-lie after lie after lie.

Maybe it’s a preview of life in a one-party state: Ill thought out laws that are hastily written, full of bureaucratic empowerment, thuggish arm-twisting and, above all, day after day, the big lie.

Arkansas people have shown their independence and free thinking by voting a split ticket-John McCain for president, yet sending mostly Democrats back to Congress. For this Arkansas has been rewarded, with the possible exception of Mike Ross, with representatives and senators who, while good at putting on a great dramatic performance of their independence and voting what is best for Arkansas, vote in lockstep with the left-wing, radical Nancy Pelosi-Harry Reid agenda.

Maybe we need Arkansas representatives and senators who represent Arkansas and not Pelosi.

RICHARD ROBERTSON Jacksonville

No delivery available

On several occasions, I have attempted to subscribe to the Democrat-Gazette, by contest entry forms as well as calling the circulation department. Each time I am told that there is no delivery in this area.

I have lived at my current address for almost 20 years, and Sunday papers are delivered to houses on either side of my house as well as a box at the Fox store. Would it be possible for the circulation department to find out who is leaving these papers in this area and give them my address?

It would be nice to have home delivery of the Sunday paper.

DONALD HOPPER Fox

Think about country

We the people know what it will take to get the health care bill into law, as well it should. Both parties are using all the leverage they can muster toinclude every bit of pork they can think of or they’ll trash the whole idea.

The only thing to do is, for once in their lifetime, to think about America as it once thought about itself. If they can’t see it that way, then I recommend that their graves be denied all recognition and you be forever dishonored.

OLEN GRANT Hot Springs

Pact won’t fix climate

As I write this, I scan for weather on my home satellite. I notice snow predicted for San Antonio, Texas. Isn’t this a little early, especially that far south?

Seems we have been fed a line of bull malarkey concerning global warming. Since the Earth’s temperature has not changed the last several years, the name has changed from global warming to climate change.

While listening to FOXNews today concerning climate change, I heard such terms as fraud, hoax and falsifying data. To be fair, though, we have to admit that the alarmists sometimes get it right. If they blow both hot and cold, stands to reason they can’t be wrong all the time.

President Obama has attended the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen and reached a nonbinding agreement with participating countries. This agreement will do nothing to affect the Earth’s weather or climate cycles, but will attempt the most sweeping changes in social, political and economic changes ever attempted by man.

Physics professor Art Hobson of Fayetteville seems upset about the wording of a news story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He states that “nearly all climate scientists agree that global warming is caused chiefly by humans using CO2-emitting fossil fuels. This is the overwhelming scientific consensus.” No such consensus exists. If he is teaching this malarkey in a so-called science class, shame on him.

WENDELL SHOCK Sherwood

Let go of death saga

The Janie Ward saga seemingly can’t be dismissed for the simple reason that it indicates that we are flabby, second-class flounderers unable to rise to the occasion.

The press has failed to awaken the flabby inhabitants of this state, and this failure is horrifying as it indicates that the press is a hapless lot, really a bunch of obtuse, spineless asses. Otherwise, they’d bitterly curse and condemn the aforesaid flabby, floundering inhabitants, doing so with intense hatred of those war hunters who were admired and worshipped by said flabby dwellers of this state where we ridge runners, come hell or high water, shall always maintain that this Earth is flat as a pancake.

H.E. HARVEY Clarksville

Statement was mean

A recent news story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette contained the following quote from the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers Web site: “Most of our members are recovering Christians.”

That is a mean-spirited statement and a slap in the face to all Christians. To suggest that Christianity is something that one needs to recover from, like a disease or addiction, is the most ridiculous and hate-filled statement I have ever read.

The group of atheists gained the support of U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright by having the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas file a lawsuit gaining the right to place a winter solstice display on our state Capitol grounds.

I believe the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers is neither free nor thinking. The fool has said in his heart that there is no God. Perhaps the Freethinkers are doing all they can to destroy the real meaning of Christmas-the Virgin birth of the holy Son of God. God-hating is not new. Men have tried to destroy the truth of the Bible for centuries, and yet there are more Christians in the world today than at any time in history.

I wish Mark Love would open the Gospel of Mark and read about the love of God. He said the Freethinkers were lonely at this time of year. It’s always lonely when you are outside the wonderful family of God. Merry Christmas to everyone, including the Freethinkers.

DAVE REDDOCH North Little Rock

Endeavor is not new

The little baby depicted in the Nativity scene on the state Capitol grounds is the God who created thewinter solstice. He created the entire celestial constellations and in his infinite wisdom all the seasons of the northern and southern hemispheres. Yes, heeven created the men and women of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers.

Attempts to silence his voice have always been around. Ironically, removing the Nativity scene is the final goal of the “free-thinking” group. They may remove the Nativity scene, but they will never remove that little baby from the hearts of those who know that he is the living God of the universe.

JANICE HOUSLEY Mabelvale

Feedback Use equal criteria

I read with great interest about the recent brouhaha over a request by the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers to put up a display on the Capitol grounds in Little Rock.

I was pleased when Judge Susan Webber Wright issued an injunction to allow the display and then a final decision that they would be allowed to put it up. Secretary of State Charlie Daniels embarrassed the entire state by denying the Freethinkers’ request solely on the basis of content while allowing a private group to put up a Nativity scene. Daniels even admitted as much when interviewed.

The bottom line is this: Regardless of whether you agree with the beliefs of the Freethinkers, to deny them the same constitutional protections granted to other groups insults the Founding Fathers. This country was founded on the principal of being able to worship as you please, to believe what you want. Daniels ignored this and because he doesn’t agree with them denied their request. Justice denied to one is justice denied to all.

Perhaps no private groups should be allowed to put up displays on the Capitol grounds, since apparently the state is unable to establish a set of criteria that can be applied to everyone or to apply said criteria equally without judicial intervention.

JUD HANSON Fayetteville