LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — A scoop’s true scope

The unsuspecting reader of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s editorial would conclude that reporter Tracie Dungan ferreted out the egregious overspending by the University of Arkansas’ Division of Advancement, formerly led by Brad Choate. After all, the editorial compares her reporting on this UA story to Debra Hale-Shelton’s coverage of the University of Central Arkansas.

Dungan may be an excellent reporter, but the scoop belonged to Chris Bahn of Arkansas Business, whose story was published December 3, after which Chancellor David Gearhart made a general announcement of the facts, allowing Dungan to follow Bahn’s reporting on December 4 and 5. Dungan was the first to publish, on December 9, a story about internal emails turned up by a Freedom of Information Act request. But even that story left out a vital point: Why would an administration so concerned about keeping the problem confidential suddenly announce it to the world? Because Bahn had received a tip, submitted his own FOI requests, interviewed UA administrators and produced the scoop.

As editor of Arkansas Business, I know that it is not unethical for a newspaper to follow someone else’s scoop without acknowledging being beaten on it. But it really crosses a line to leave readers with the impression that a reporter who has been beaten on her own beat has been “on it like white on rice.” I regret having to write this letter; my preference would have been for the editorial page editor to correct, or at least clarify, the misleading editorial. That, I think, would have been classier-and kinder to Dungan, who did nothing wrong except get beaten on a story.

GWEN MORITZ

Little Rock

There is a difference

Re the letter about being pro-life versus being for the death penalty, I will explain the difference: a baby, a helpless child that has not had a chance to live and didn’t have a choice to be born, and was guilty of no crime, or a murderer, a person who killed a person or people who left behind family and friends to suffer the loss of their loved ones. The Bible says an eye for an eye. Now do you understand the difference?

LOIS CORBIT

Vilonia

Brubeck was treasure

The recent editorial was a nice tribute to Dave Brubeck. I’ve listened to his music since the early 1950s. I used to listen to the old WNEW in New York late at night. That’s where I received my introduction to jazz greats. I have many hours of Brubeck’s music.

However, what was more significant was the life he led as a believer in the almighty, a family man, and how he supported our country with his visits abroad. From my perspective, he was a consummate role model. His knowledge of the classics and learning new time signatures allowed him to create superb improvisational arrangements.

Fortunately, I saw him perform in New Orleans in 2004. Those moments of being present at his live performance are a personal treasure. For those who’ve never listened to him, check out “Blue Rondo a la Turk” on YouTube.

He was a beautiful human being.

ROBERT A. SPENCER

North Little Rock

Uncertain future seen

I believe unfunded liabilities for defined pension systems will be the next bubble to burst in this country due to incorrect actuarial projections.We are not immune in Arkansas. Now you can see why private sector companies exited these defined pension plans for 401(k)s to better manage legacy costs in the future.

I think the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System took the easy way out. I applaud the board for drafting a bill to reduce (not eliminate) the monthly insurance stipend and creating a new teacher retirement tier to stem the bleeding, which may or may not pass the Legislature. The board offers to lengthen the number of years they calculate benefits from the highest salaried years; I believe they should also examine automatic cost of-living increases for retirees. Instead of 3 percent automatic increases, at least have the increase tied to the Consumer Price Index, which would have saved the system 6.2 percent of those increases over the 10-year period beginning in 2002. How many millions would that have been?

The chairman apparently is hoping for a bull market to bail the system out, but the majority of financial experts are forecasting tepid increases for a number of years due to the U.S. and world economies deleveraging debts. I do wish the board would be more proactive and put more meaningful fixes in place now so the system remains solvent. Merry Christmas and Happy Bull Market for 2013.

ERIC SCHUBERT

North Little Rock

Football not the same

My husband graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1952. We were proud to be Razorback fans. There was a radio announcer during that period who always ended his football broadcast with, “Win, lose or draw, stick with Arkansas, and let’s be sports about it.” The fans then supported that statement.

As we raised our family, we encouraged sports and discipline. Teamwork and sportsmanship were emphasized.

Today, college football is now professional football with all the recruiting and the exorbitant salaries paid to coaches. I wonder what percentage of the recruits end up with a degree that allows them to compete for jobs in the real world. Kudos to those who play football and excel in their studies.

So many fans today think only of winning and tailgate parties. Are they ever concerned about the possibility of life-threatening injuries?

I always thought of colleges as institutions of higher learning. How often do we hear reports of outstanding students who will possibly determine our futures? I admire dedicated professors and teachers who continue to teach without protest over the disparity in their salaries and those of the coaches.

I am not so naive not to realize the push in football is all about money. I just read about sportswriter Patrick Hruby’s “breakup” with football in the December Reader’s Digest. The research he presents is sad and frightening. It should be a must-read for those playing football or considering the game.

MARGARET PARK

Quitman

Will be our undoing

America, our borders, our flag. How much longer?

I think the recent presidential election should be overturned; I heard that millions of illegals voted for Barack Obama. I believe open borders will destroy this nation. Drug cartels and millions of illegals will be his, and our nation’s, undoing. No American citizen will ever win again.

Kiss your flag goodbye. Probably, Communist Red China will fly its flag over our democracy.

And tell Obama to stick his forced health-care law in his ear.

NORMAN HARVEY

Cherokee Village