NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Afew days ago, a person who had participated in the MLK parade in Fayetteville wrote to say that he would like to see more Latinos and Marshallese involved in the commemoration of Dr. King’s work.
While there is clearly a lot more work to be done in Northwest Arkansas to increase the audience for Dr. King’s message, it is exciting to see role models like Dennis Toliver of Parson Hills Elementary School in Springdale teaching his students that “I am the dream.” Mr. Toliver took 23 Marshallese students from Parson Hills to the Youth Prayer Breakfast, where they performed a spiritfilled tribute to Dr. King and then took part in the march.
Under the leadership of this dedicated teacher, the students are learning what it means to be a part of social change. They are indeed Dr. King’s dream.
KATHRYN BIRKHEAD
Springdale
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HATE COMES FROM ALL SIDES
This is a response to the Public Viewpoint of Susan Hamilton (Jan. 22).
Other than stating that Holy Scripture has the words “God is love,” Ms. Hamilton has displayed a deplorable lack of love for those who have opinions that differ from hers, a closed mind to the words spoken by those who we can presume she admires, and an ignorance of reality.
She says that Beck, Palin and Limbaugh should not be allowed to exercise free speech. She adds that Fox News should take some of the blame that she assigns to all four for the mass murder in Arizona.
President Obama said:
“(Republicans) can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in the back.”
“If they bring knives, we will bring guns.”
“Punish our enemies.”
If Ms. Hamilton is a God-loving and Godfearing person, she is against abortion, knowing that our Supreme Court cannot abrogate any of the Ten Commandments.
President Obama said that his executive order would prohibit the use of federal funds, including those takenfrom Ms. Hamilton, to fund abortions. Last November the voters shellacked the Democrats largely because of ObamaCare.
The Republicans are introducing H.R. 3 that would put into law (which an executive order does not do) a prohibition on federal funding of abortion. Let us watch the votes of the Democrats and the words of our president to see if they are as God-loving as Beck, Palin and Limbaugh (who do not “spew their vicious opinions and bile” as some do or forget that Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors).
R. STEWART TICE
Fayetteville
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SUPPORT DEMOCRACY
As I write this letter, anti-government and pro-government groups in Egypt have been pushed into violent confrontation.
Reports indicate that progovernment forces have initiated the violence.
No matter what the outcomes may be in this tense situation, observers must note that this has been a non-violent protest against oppression and in support of democracy and human rights. After 30 years of rule by a ruthless dictator, the Egyptian people are making their desire for democracy clearly known.
Americans more than anyone should know that democracy never comes through force by another country. Democracy comes when the people demand it for themselves - as we did in America. This is true for people in Middle Eastern countries too. When the Egyptian people say “no more dictator,” then real democracy will come. And they are clearly saying so.
This is also true in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To show a real commitment to democracy, in Egypt and around the globe, our government must work constructively with those who have the support of the Egyptian people - religious, secular, liberal or conservative. This will make clear that we support true democracy and we’re willing to align our deeds with our words.
GLADYS TIFFANY
Fayetteville
Opinion, Pages 14 on 02/20/2011