LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Nothing but a fantasy

Women are not victims of the “patriarchy” as some recent letters here have implied, as far as I’m concerned.

Yes, left-wing feminists love to note that women make 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. They’re not so fond of mentioning that it’s because men work longer hours, with less time off, at more difficult jobs to earn those bigger paychecks.

If that wasn’t true, all you’d need to do to make a mint is start an all female business where the women would work at 77 cents on the dollar compared to men; then you’d undercut the labor costs of your competitors and make a killing. Of course, nobody does that because the “income gap” doesn’t exist in any meaningful sense in the real world- the one that the rest of us live in.

Boo-yah!

BILL WAVERING

Bonnerdale

Treat them humanely

While I agree that vicious dogs should be kept from hurting people, it makes me wonder why someone would have a yard full of pit bulls secured with, it seems, logging chains. They are visible to people in authority who could suggest a more humane way to secure them.

I’ve seen a pit bull recently who can be seen from the road and has one of these chains with a cinder block attached. Why would someone do this and why does it go on? I think the owner should be attached to a cinder block.

My dog may have it easy and wish all animals did, too. Secure your pets in a humane manner.

JEAN SHAHAN

Jacksonville

Face of globalization

In John Steinbeck’s novel about the Dust Bowl days, The Grapes of Wrath, California farmers sent handbills to Oklahoma urging people to go to California because there was a lot of work there. Many went.

A typical harvest morning would see 300 Dust Bowl refugees lining up for the 50 jobs available. The boss would say, “This is what we are paying; take it or leave it.” Most would respond, “We can’t live on that.” The boss would come back, “This is what we are paying.” Many were so desperate they had to take any pittance offered.

Today, international corporations seem to go from nation to nation (the people are captive in their own countries) saying, “This is what we are paying; take it or leave it.” If they take it and later ask for more, the corporation will simply move to an even more desperate country.

It is Grapes of Wrath on a global scale, and it is just as evil today as it was during the Depression-era events that inspired the book.

This is the true face of globalization.

JOHN GRAY

Greenland

Belief, condemnation

I have read all the letters printed recently concerning religion, hell and politics. Here are some observations.

1. No one this side of heaven can or should condemn anyone to hell.

2. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. Either you have Jesus as your savior or you do not.

3. Not all will believe. Those who do need no explanation. For those who do not, none would be sufficient.

4. Sadly, America appears to have some of the same seeds that destroyed the Roman empire: unfair taxation, corrupt government, ignoring God or saying he does not exist, unrest among the people and an ever-growing gap between the haves and the have-nots.

My prayer is that people will come to know that all are brothers and sisters under God and should act accordingly and not be so quick to condemn others without knowing all the facts.

LEE BOYETT

Little Rock

Just enforce our laws

“Mexican people are sick and tired of waiting for immigration reform,” a banner proclaimed at one of their rallies. This illegal population seems to feel no guilt for the problems and expense it has cost America.

The illegal immigrant crisis is not a complex problem. We need only to start enforcing laws that have served us well in the past. Those wanting to become U.S. citizens need to go back to their own countries and apply, as law-abiding people all over the world have done. Why do Hispanics seem to feel they deserve rights immigrants from other countries have not been given? In my experience, most do not even learn our language. Why should they when they establish their own Mexico here, and Americans install Spanish-speaking interpreters in nearly all public buildings?

In addition, we do not need unscrupulous American businessmen who break the law by not paying minimum wage. Their profits are great as illegals need jobs that pay “under the table,” thus avoiding detection and income taxes. These owners should be fined and monitored. Many Americans would be grateful to find work that pays minimum wage.

Our immigration crisis could be easily resolved. But I have reached a horrifying conclusion: Those who have bulldozed their way across our border may have reached the point of no return. Our politicians now realize the Hispanic vote seriously influences America’s elections.

Harry Truman, where are you?

DIXIE LEE ERD

Lincoln

The definition of ‘art’

Surely there has to be a limit sometime, and I think that the Arkansas Arts Center is way over the top with its programs on tattooing.

I cannot imagine anything much more revolting and repulsive that the current tattooing fad.

Haven’t we seen enough of that? Guess this will get some recruits, as if there were not enough. Send your grandchildren to the Arts Center to get tattooed-is that where we are headed?

Who is responsible for this lunacy?

Can you believe that the Arkansas Arts Center, with all of its financial woes and other issues, is hosting this foolishness? Who is on the board who would support such a stupid effort? Will there be a doctor or someone there to warn of the downside?

This has to be a low point in the history of the Arts Center. What next? Body ornaments and the art of creation and installation of same, to be followed by the art of removal of such madness?

Now there is a demand for removal of this “art” from the bodies of those so foolish as to have wasted themselves, money and time on such nonsense.

This is art? How about mutilation of corpses? Is that also art?

Is our body the temple of the soul to be respected and cared for while we enjoy the gift of life? Or is that some antiquated notion from another generation?

DON F. HAMILTON

Little Rock