LETTERS

— Ambition transparent

There goes John Brummett again. His “the sky is falling” musings about the dangers sure to abound should Arkansas continue trending toward right-wing Republicanism have become distressingly monotonous.

Recycling, in my opinion, tawdry and factless nonsense, Brummett says he is “sounding an alarm” that we’re rushing to a “red-state madness” which will turn our state into a blend of Alabama, Oklahoma and heaven forbid, even Texas. Then, in the name of “recurring public service,” Brummett speaks of red states grounded in “race-based and religiousbased intolerance.” Wow—now I don’t know which to be more afraid of: Muslim terrorists or Brummett.

Let me be plain. I believe the transparent election-season ambitions of Brummett are no less deluded than his blind support over many years for the blithely arrogant “good ol’ boy” liberal Democrats who have governed this state far too long. Combine a left-wing Democrat—perhaps another Dale Bumpers, Mark Pryor, Blanche Lincoln or Mike Beebe—with Brummett as their shill, toss in Obamacare, and Arkansans will suffer deeply from the economic and social convulsions I’m sure will follow.

If you’re keeping score by now, there are two major reasons, in my opinion, why socialist-leaning Democrats like Brummett remain incapable of governing Arkansas—integrity and Christianity. And that’s why liberals go to therapy and conservatives go to church. So much for Brummett’s hooey and his right to say it.

BOB JOLLY

Hot Springs Village

Punishment ludicrous

Let me see if I got this right. Some parents raise some savage brats. Then someone decides to put an elderly lady on the brats’ school bus. The savages tear into her. Their punishment includes community service with the elderly.

We have to put an end to this nonsense. Sterilize the parents.

CARL E. BUCHANAN

Benton

Come in, stay a while

As a disabled person, I was glad to see “Obamacare” upheld.

People like myself who are in much pain, tire out easily, and can neither sit nor stand at length, can use all the help we can get. I have no idea about the outcome of my health problems, but I’m glad I have medical aid I can depend upon, as do others like me.

Many have worked, ailed, and paid into a system that offers them no help. Obamacare is the answer to that.

Others, like President Bill Clinton and Sen. Edward Kennedy, tried to bring about helpful programs for the ailing and disabled, but to no avail.

I hope Obamacare is now here to stay.

LESLIE PUTMAN

El Dorado

Purple Heart merited

Under current rules, I believe Pvts. William Long and Quinton Ezeagwula deserve Purple Hearts. Both were targeted by Abdulhakim Muhammad in Little Rock in 2009 because they were soldiers wearing Army uniforms.

Currently, servicemen killed or wounded “as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States” are eligible for the Purple Heart. The criteria have been updated and expanded throughout the years to accommodate the changing nature of war. For example, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy expanded eligibility to servicemen wounded in any armed conflict. Prior to this, eligibility was limited to declared wars.

No expansion is necessary here. Servicemen wounded or killed in the 9/11 attacks received Purple Hearts; Long and Ezeagwula should, too. Muhammad’s terrorist ties are wellestablished. He traveled to Yemen and discussed attacking American military personnel with members of al-Qaida. He planned to receive training in Somalia and was arrested in Yemen carrying videos and literature from al-Qaida leaders. After shooting Long and Ezeagwula, Muhammad described himself as a soldier waging jihad against America. I believe Muhammad is an international terrorist regardless of whether the Obama administration admits it.

Long and Ezeagwula deserve Purple Hearts. I will continue to push to make it happen. It’s the right thing to do.

TIM GRIFFIN

Little Rock

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin represents Arkansas’ 2nd District.

Bad press often true

Re the abuse televangelist Creflo Dollar reportedly administered to his teenage daughter: Not too long ago, I ordered his DVDs in a set of three. I listened to the first one, then began to listen to the second. I was upset in finding so much of the first disc repeated on the second disc. I never made it to the third DVD. I gave the set to a library in one of the nearest nursing homes. I wrote a letter to his ministry asking for all or part of my money back. I never heard anything back.

Over the last few months, I’ve been inundated with pleas of financial need from the ministry, but my personal monthly donations will be to several other ministries.

I believe these types of stories about powerful evangelists are, sadly, often true. God help us all!

PATTI ANNE SHELL

Little Rock

On -ists, please desist

Once again I commend the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial page for its unceasing efforts to keep education, and the reform of it, in the minds of readers. Such is the case with your latest education editorial.

However, once again, I find myself wondering if you are truly serious about reform or just using the subject as a topic for your attempt at sarcasm and alleged wit. To wit, the continued use of “educantist” when referring to those in the profession.

Please, there are enough uses of “-ists” and “-isms” without editorialists adding to the problems of us readists.

And your editorial did not go far enough. As you delight in listing the names of the failing schools, you could please have an investigative reporterist dig deeper and produce the following: percentage of parents attending conferences; incidents of behavior problems; attendance numbers.

Of course, you have in effect excused such things from scrutiny with comparisons to the world of Ward and June Cleaver and other dismissive phrases, as if such factors were not important. Au contraire.

Ask any teacherist and they will confirm that such items are of the utmost importance.

In the meantime, I look forward to your next pronouncement.

DAVID KELLEY Fort Smith

Editorial, Pages 77 on 07/15/2012

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