LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — New deer regulation cruel

I believe Game and Fish’s new regulation banning pet deer is cruel and not well-thought-out. I believe this will mean that it will be illegal to help an orphaned fawn, that we should just let it suffer and starve to death.

To use prevention of a disease that is not even in this state as an excuse is ridiculous. There is already a state law banning import of live deer which addresses the importation of disease problem.

Evidently, no one at Game and Fish, which says fawns are rarely orphaned, must ever drive our highways and see the large numbers of deer killed by vehicles. We’ve rescued several starving fawns, their mothers killed on the highway in front of our house, caring for them until they were able to make it on their own. They assimilated back into the local deer population and instinctively became more wary of man (a good thing).

Game and Fish should give us an option to deliver them to the department or an animal-rescue facility, and not make us criminals for trying to be humane. The agency has the responsibility to regulate and protect the wild-animal population but apparently doesn’t care about animal suffering.

I guess humane treatment of animals is just lip service when it comes to those who introduce these types of regulations. Make us all criminals by forbidding humans to practice humanity.

Enforce the deer-importation laws already on the books and leave the starving babies alone.

WAYNE SNYDER BismarckA little space, civility

Apparently I wasn’t quite awake when I read a recent issue of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

As I turned the pages of the front section, however, I immediately zeroed in on the headline, “Romney quizzed about alien order.” My first thought was: Heavens! He’s joined those others who have witnessed sightings of aliens from outer space.

Reading further assured me, since I do support him, that Mitt Romney was only being asked his opinion on Barack Obama’s recent policy change allowing young illegals to remain in the states for two more years.

Here’s hoping the pre-election proceedings for both parties maintain a degree of civility that resonates throughout all parties’ members.

Though conservatives have generally displayed respect in political situations, it was unfortunate that an irate conservative reporter chose to interrupt Obama twice during a speech he gave recently. No president, of the right or left, should be confronted with this type of behavior.

The office, after all, requires and demands respect.

DIXIE ANN COLE Fayetteville Giving half a chance

Any statistic comparing a motorcycle-helmet rider versus a nonhelmet rider is suspect. There is asmuch difference between helmets as hummingbirds and Rottweilers. The shell, padding, contour, fit and age of the helmet are critical.

Halfhelmets should be used by police only (for visibility). Add to that sequential brake lights, high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, properly inflated tires, a well-maintained bike and good hydration.

Remember: Helmetless riders are frequently referred to as organ donors.

EDWIN N. BARRON JR. Little Rock Something’s not right

It speaks volumes about how low we have sunk when our state Supreme Court says it is unconstitutional to take the life of a convicted murderer or rapist, yet it is okay to take the life of an innocent unborn child. Where did our state and our country go wrong?

DEXTER BARNES Beebe Priorities are skewed

Recently I made four calls to 911, and no patrol car responded. I had followed a car from Hot Springs to Little Rock, and the driver was all over the road, apparently texting. The car almost went into the woods several times, and worse, he almost hit several cars head-on. I called 911 twice on a long stretch of road andtold the dispatcher where we were, where we were heading and that the other driver had almost hit a few cars head-on.

Does that not matter? If texting is getting out of hand, and given the chance to stop a least one car, why is it that (as far as I know) not one patrol car answered the call? Does it take someone getting hurt or even killed? Later on I saw that two patrol cars had trucks stopped in the weighstation area. Why didn’t one of them come out to stop this car? Is harassing truckers more important?

Where are our priorities? I am upset and angry every time I think of it.

SHIRLEY WHITMORE Benton Tattoos are bad idea

Tattoos and piercings are the big craze nowadays, especially with young people. I have never seen a tattoo that improves a woman’s looks or appeal. Instead, they are repulsive and detract from a woman’s natural beauty. They also depict a low-life, unsavory lifestyle.

I remember when you only saw tattooed women in freak shows or the circus.

Hepatitis B is spreading rapidly, and according to a recent report, over 1 million people in the U.S. have it. It destroys the liver and is 100 times more contagious than HIV. Guess how you get it-in such ways as unsafe sex, sharing needles, blood and, you guessed it, tattoos.

The Bible clearly warns that the body is a temple and should not be defiled.

If you are considering getting a tattoo or body piercing, think long and hard. Remember, you will be stuck with it for the rest of your life. Chances are, in later years, you will be ashamed of it and wish you had never gotten the hideous-looking thing.

DAVE RICHARDS Hot Springs Who can define art?

Isn’t the definition of art an ageold question, and who is qualified to define art?

Since the opening of Tattoo Witness, dozens of new visitors to the Arkansas Arts Center have said they never knew they were welcome at the museum. The new visitors have spent time in each gallery exploring drawing techniques of major artists, the use of color and the stories told.

Yes, as a docent, I did question the exhibit, but after some education found the different cultures fascinating. Tattoo art does not define a person any more than a suit and tie do.

This exhibit brought many different people together at the Arts Center. It is a museum for the suit-andties, the tattooed and all to enjoy and explore together.

ANNE HYATT McCARLEY Little Rock Reasoning in 6 words

God loves you.

Love him back.

BRAD BLEVINS RogersCan prevent tragedy

The RESTORE Act has been called a “no-brainer” piece of legislation-it’s the congressional measure that would dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties from the BP oil disaster to Gulf Coast states.

Business likes the RESTORE (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities and Revived Economy) Act.It is a job creator, expected to create some 58,000 well-paying jobs over the next 10 years. Gulf Coast residents like it because, in addition to boosting the economy, it would help make communities safer when storms threaten. The measure saves valuable wetlands. Fisherman, seafood lovers and environmental groups like it. Republicans and Democrats like it, too. So what is the problem?

Recent news reports have showcased tension within the congressional conference committee on the future of the transportation bill, to which the RESTORE Act is attached.

Though this is troubling, lawmakers in both houses from both parties continue to express support for the measure. They understand that the damage from the BP oil disaster occurred in the Gulf, and so it is only fair that the fines paid by BP for that spill go there.

We need to urge lawmakers to takeaction and get the job done. Inaction means fine money goes into the general fund.

This would be a tragedy.

JACK STEWART Jasper The message is clear

Bravo!

Bruce Biggin’s response to a recent decision by the Little Rock Christian Academy to not enroll a 4-year-old Mormon child in their school deserves a standing ovation by all who know that Christianity is inclusive. Jesus is our example and liberally modeled the way.

My fear is that humanity is consciously moving into another Dark Ages stage that is guided by strategic propaganda that continues to drive the wedge deeper. This country and the people in it need to get a grip and take the splinter of doctrinal purity from their eyes. What type of Christian is against a child?

On the other hand, I would never put my baby in a situation where there are mean and hateful people who wouldn’t care for my defenseless child. These are developmental years for the child and are extremely important in building confidence and character. The child’s parents are lucky that the academy was open in stating the fact that it didn’t want Mormons in its exclusive Christian educational system.

What’s also interesting is thatparents and high school teens there apparently didn’t openly speak up about the error of the leadership’s behavior and decision. There should be a great exodus from the school grounds, but instead you see these pseudo-Christians digging in their heels for their rights as a private institution.

The message is clear to all in this community as well as those attending their academy. Great branding, leadership.

PAULETTE MABRY Little Rock It’s an embarrassment

What a shock! The Razorbacks lose, and Wally Hall writes a column whining about officiating.

Hawg fans should demand that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette dump Hall and replace him with an objective non-apologist.

I’ve been a Sooner fan all my life, and it was a pleasure to read the late Bill Connors in the Tulsa World. He sang the Sooners’ praises, of course, but never made excuses for their losses. He also pointed out very clearly the misdeeds of Barry Switzer.

Hall would have been apologizing for him, and screaming that Nebraska was doing things that were just as bad.

Seriously. Petition this paper to dump Hall. He’s as embarrassing to Arkansas as Wilbur Mills.

RON ENDERLAND BentonvilleFeedback Spirit of the artists

I read the comments about tattoos and the definition of art with interest.

It is amazing how differently we humans interpret what we see. One person thinks tattooing is revolting and repulsive. I went to the tattoo exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center and left thinking what a wonderful exhibit to have. The quality of the tattoos, to begin with, then the capture of the bodies with the tattoos through photography was exceptional. I personally felt the spirit of the artists as well as their “canvases.”

That, in my opinion, is art. Why else do we even bother to look at a canvas, a sculpture, a movie or any creation if we aren’t hoping to feel an emotion?

EJ OLDNER Little Rock Story underplayed

I find it interesting that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette chose to report the verdict from the Jerry Sandusky child-sexual-abuse trial on the sports page.

Lots of people (including me) don’t even read the sports section, and relegating this very important court verdict to section C of the paper diminishes its importance.

HARRIET KLEINHOFS North Little Rock