LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Insult to Arkansas values

I have learned, as a person of color living in the South, to dismiss ignorant, discriminatory behavior as the exception rather than the rule. However, in this election cycle I have witnessed so much ignorance and outright prejudice that I have to raise my voice and say “Enough.”

In Arkansas, we have the unfortunate examples of state Reps. Jon Hubbard and Loy Mauch, both of whom have said slavery was a blessing in disguise. I don’t understand how good Republicans aren’t mad as hell by being represented as racist, greedy people with no concern for their fellow human beings.

Are these Arkansas values? I think not.

My biggest concern is that this rhetoric is not only divisive, it is also dehumanizing, and we are seeing the results now. Hate crimes against blacks and Hispanics are commonplace, which is what happens when you normalize this kind of hate and divisiveness.

I have a plea for those good Republicans out there—please hold your leadership accountable and do not allow them to use this divisive racist rhetoric to simply advance a political cause. It is not enough to simply say the comments are offensive—they offend us all. Remove your support and don’t allow them to represent you.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” How will our children and history judge us?

Please demand more from those who represent you.

MARIA HICKS

Fayetteville

A world of difference

Mike Masterson’s column on climate change cited Steve Goreham’s book as proof that climate change doesn’t exist. Goreham’s premise is that since no record highs were recorded this past summer, climate change—and especially humaninduced change—is a hoax thrust on an unsuspecting public.

Last winter was exceptionally mild. We did have a couple of weeks of miserably cold weather, during which this paper was inundated with letters saying, in effect, that with temperatures that cold, the global-warming crowd must be hiding their heads in shame.

Now, I’m no climatologist and make no claims to the inside track on the subject, nor am I making a claim that humans are affecting a change. But I, unlike these letter writers, Masterson, and his “expert” Goreham, do know the difference between climate and weather.

Temperature spikes in either direction are what are part of what is known as weather. Climate is the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.

I will continue to put more faith in those who, at the very least, know the difference.

LEWIS NEIDHARDT

Sherwood

He stands for nothing

Something doesn’t make sense. My representative, Rick Crawford, didn’t show up for the candidates’ debate on AETN.

I read that he said he could reach voters more effectively without debating. What?

Tim Griffin made it to his debate. He defended his positions with the other parties.

I understand that Rick has more than enough PAC funding and favorable voter polling. He could have showed us how he measures up side by side with other candidates, edifying thousands of people across the state.

I guess he doesn’t stand for anything, and he certainly doesn’t stand for his constituency. Something just doesn’t make sense.

Maybe it’s the root of all evil?

MICHAEL FARAR

Fox

Where credit belongs

After reading Austin Stewart’s letter, I’m convinced that he is totally intoxicated from the Kool-Aid that our super-hip president has been peddling for the past three-plus years.

He mentions several things that Barack Obama has accomplished, with killing Osama Bin Laden as one of his greatest achievements. Therein lies the problem. He didn’t kill him. The Navy SEALs exterminated that creature from this planet, but our president has taken credit. Any previous president would have given credit where it was due, but not this one. Even the bailout of the automotive industry started with George W. Bush, but have you heard Obama or the media mention that? Obama has blamed Bush for the economic meltdown that started before he took office. It did start with Bush, but Bush inherited a serious problem from Bill Clinton’s eight years in the White House, Osama bin Laden. So, Bush inherited 9/11 from Clinton, and in my opinion, that’s when the economic demise of America started.

Bush never blamed Clinton or whined about his duty to guide this country through eight years of incredible expense and grief. Bush did and said some stupid things, but one thing he did well is give the proper people credit when it was due, and he accepted responsibility for most mistakes. That’s what an honorable president will do. I believe that when Obama leaves office, we will learn just how corrupt this administration has been.

DOUG PARCHMAN

Springdale

Lift, don’t tear down

The people should not tear Barack Obama down for all the things going on.

They should pray for him and lift him up.

BRENDA LEE BURLINGAME Little Rock

Colleague and friend

It was with sadness that I read of the passing of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Political Editor Bill Simmons. I knew and worked with Bill for 20 years, he as assistant bureau chief and then bureau chief at The Associated Press, and me as editor of community newspapers in Arkansas.

I learned a lot from Bill, who was always ready to take time to explain a decision on a story. He was a consummate newsman, while at the same time always a consummate gentleman. And as well as a colleague, I was proud to call him my friend.

We are all poorer for his loss.

KAY A. BROCKWELL Hot Springs

Will get us out of ruin

I am one the 47 percent Mitt Romney referred to in his meeting with campaign donors. I don’t pay income taxes, and he was right—cutting taxes won’t entice me to vote for him.

When I retired in 2003, I was fortunate enough to own my home and be debt-free. I draw Social Security and my health care is covered by the Veterans Administration. While I don’t pay income taxes, I do pay all the rest of them—property tax, personal property tax, sales tax, gasoline tax, everything but excise tax.

And, while I am not going to vote for Romney because he will lower tax rates, I am going to vote for him because he is a talented, honorable, God-fearing family man, proud to be an American and anxious to lead my country and my family’s country off the road to ruin and back to the principles that made us, for more than two centuries, the greatest nation the world has ever known.

God bless Mitt Romney and God bless America.

JACK EDDY

Prairie Grove

Must protect liberties

Should a Christian vote for a Mormon? Historically, Christians have voted for candidates of different faiths, including Mormons, based on how they live their lives and how deeply committed they are to upholding the U.S. Constitution. Remember, God ordained government, and we are not electing a pastor-in-chief, we are electing a commander-in-chief.

Over a period of 223 years, our nation’s cities and states have been governed by people of many different faiths, including Mormons, from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Orrin Hatch, a Mormon, has served this nation as an effective senator and George Romney, Gov. Mitt Romney’s father, was one of the great governors of Michigan. His religion never interfered with governing, but his personal faith defined his strong marriage, family values and personal integrity. I believe this is the same for Mitt Romney.

Americans must remember that while our nation was founded upon godly principles, we do not have a state religion. Rather, our Constitution provides for the freedom to worship without interference of government. We must be committed to electing a commander-in-chief who will protect this liberty and uphold the Constitution as one nation under God, and who will ensure God’s moral law will not be violated by changing the law of the land.

I pray that all Christians and Godfearing Americans will put aside labels and vote for principles—God’s principles. Can a Christian vote for a Mormon? The answer is yes.

DON HUTSON

Rogers

Story merited better

With the most important election this country has ever faced in my lifetime of 13 presidents just days away, why would the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette bury the timeline of events related to the Benghazi attack deep in the paper instead of putting it on the front page where it belongs?

Does the newspaper have its own agenda?

HELEN J. ANDERSON

Bella Vista

Remember who rules

Once again we are voting to elect a president. Will it be four more years for Barack Obama or a new man named Mitt Romney?

It is a wonderful thing that we the people can decide in a peaceful and orderly manner. We do indeed live in the greatest country on Earth. I look forward to voting. It is a privilege to do so. It is an honor. Many brave men and women have died for our right to vote. I cannot understand why anyone would not vote.

Who will I vote for? I can better tell you for whom I would never vote: one who will not defend the right of an unborn baby to be born, and one who would not defend the tradition of defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.

I will pray about my vote, go to the polls and vote and praise God for the results.

But what if my choice does not win? I will praise God anyway.

My trust is not in Washington, D.C. There is one in the heavens who is king over all the Earth. The most high is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and he gives them to anyone he wishes.

Is who wins the election important? Yes, but not as important as remembering that the Lord Jesus is king of all the Earth. I don’t have to worry because he is control. God bless America.

DAVID REDDOCH

North Little Rock

Iceberg is dead ahead

I’ve heard it said, and it’s very true: Re-electing Obama is like raising the Titanic so it can take another run at the iceberg.

TOM C. BUCKTHORPE

Little Rock

Feedback

Can always switch

Re Harmon Seawel’s guest column on mailouts attacking Democrats: If he doesn’t want to be identified with the Democratic Party’s platform, it would be simple to change parties.

He complains about the mailouts, but if he doesn’t stand for the main points of his chosen party’s platform, then he’s not really a Democrat, is he?

I feel the same way about RINO Colin Powell. I wish he wouldn’t call himself a Republican.

SERENA GARNER Morrilton

What was expected

After reading Linda Stell’s letter about nonvoters, I’m reminded of a little excerpt from poet Ogden Nash’s putdown of nonvoters:

“They have such refined and delicate palates that they can discover no one worthy of their ballots. And then when someone terrible gets elected, they say, ‘There, that’s just what I expected!’”

MAXINE FREEMAN Stuttgart