LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Give them a true holiday

As much as I love Black Friday shopping, I wish that we would abolish it. Or, if not abolish it, at least limit it in sensible ways. It’s bad enough that many workers are forced to start Black Friday shifts at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., or even midnight. But these “Black Thursday” openings are too much.

Around the country, thousands of workers are taken away from their families—almost before their Thanksgiving dinners are even digested—and dragged in to work at stores like Wal-Mart, Sears, Target and Toys R Us. The entire nation would benefit from declaring Thanksgiving a true national holiday: a holiday during which no one works but those in essential positions.

This isn’t coming from some kind of anti-capitalist. As I said, I love shopping on Black Friday. It’s practically a national sport. But respect for our fellow Americans should come before the love of material things. Respect for our fellow Americans should prevent us from trampling each other at Wal-Mart. Respect for our fellow Americans should prevent us from demanding that minimumwage employees cater to us before even the crack of dawn.

It’s Thanksgiving, people. If you are thankful for your family, please stop and think before you rush out for those bargains. Think of the workers. Think of their families.

We can’t give them every night to spend with their children, their grandparents, their brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts. But we should at least be able to give them this one.

VIRGINIA SLOTHOUR

Little Rock

Thinking is inside box

I was in Little Rock the other day and I had to go by our Capitol building.

I think we have one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the United States. The ground was beautiful, and I would like to compliment the secretary of state and the groundskeepers for their work. Even in the drought that we had, they have done a beautiful job.

I was just thinking that it would be a good time for the freethinkers association to put up its little display stating its positions. This would allow it to be the focal point instead of everyone getting lost in the beautiful Christmas decorations around the Capitol during Christmastime.

I am not quite clear as to what the freethinkers’ concepts are. I look at it as any idea that comes up, that they must think it to a conclusion. Then they must think it through to see if that would be the correct conclusion. As a result, they think, but don’t get anything done.

J.W. McCOLLUM

Stuttgart

A crueler punishment

I was saddened to hear about the Oklahoma boy sentenced by the court to hear sermons for 10 years as punishment for driving a vehicle involved in a fatal accident.

It seems a shame to me that going to church for 10 years is considered by a judge to be a penalty.

But think of how unusual and cruel it would be to sentence the lad to watch Fox News every day when Rush Limbaugh is suffering one of his hate-mongering seizures—chopping the air with his arms, sputtering and spewing and frothing and throwing up venom all over himself.

JACK McCORMACK

Fayetteville

Extinction looming?

So let’s see what we have here. President Barack Obama won the black vote, the Hispanic vote, the Asian vote, women’s vote, youth vote, the Jewish vote and the Catholic vote. What does that leave?

Old white men and evangelicals.

Unfortunately, old white men are dying off at an alarming rate, and the religious right is not attracting enough followers to make up the difference.

Tea-baggers in the redneck states can still send right-wing representatives to Washington and the state Capitol to try bringing down government for another couple of election cycles, but what comes after that?

Unless moderate Republicans (if there are any) can reclaim their party, it will disappear like the dodo bird.

Those of you on the wrong side of history need to take a long look at where you are, and join the rest of us for a truly United States.

DWIGHT WATSON

Conway

Let up on George W.

I have a few words for the George W. Bush haters who are still trying to make him pay for defeating their Democratic candidate while glorifying the skirt-chaser, Bill Clinton.

You overlook what a moral, great person Bush is. He wasn’t afraid to say that he believes marriage is between one man and one woman. He didn’t care what Hollywood and George Clooney thought of him. Look at your TV Guide and see how many G-rated programs you see and how many Rrated programs.

Well, we have four more years of porn and gaymo TV. Happy?

SUE PINCKARD

Fordyce

Awful impersonation

Would someone please contact police and have John L. Smith arrested for impersonating a football coach, and while you are at it, get our $800,000 back?

JIM HENNEBERGER

Austin

Why keep a lid on it?

I have a question for all the younger conservatives out there who still have functioning brains, unlike me.

Why can’t you counter some of the brainwashed, uninformed claptrap these Democrats constantly engage in on the Voices page? It seems the liberal point of view always gets the lion’s share of the space as opposed to the conservative view. Is it because you just don’t care? Too busy? Don’t read the paper? I would love to know.

As for all you Barack Obama groupies out there, don’t get too elated until you see how the next four go. Press on.

HAROLD HICKS

Mabelvale

Those voters at fault

Barack Obama has said that the voters sent a very clear message that they want parties to work together to cut deficits and spending and raise taxes on top earners.

Not true. I believe blacks voted for Obama because he’s black, Hispanics for citizenship and entitlements, unions for his support, gays for marriage and benefits, those on food stamps, “fraudulent” SSI and welfare for more entitlements. And the ones who elected him, the white females, who bought that only he would protect their body parts and rights.

So no, I don’t believe Obama was elected to reverse our nation’s downturn; he was elected by single-issue voters that couldn’t care less about the state of our nation.

CHARLES NICHOLS

Maumelle

Deep discounts here

I just read that Obamacare is supposedly reining in Medicare spending by curtailing payments to hospitals, insurers, drug companies and other service providers.

We should apply that technique to our personal bills. Just tell the cashier at the grocery store that you’ve decided to pay them $50 for $100 of groceries.

Yes folks, it’s that easy to lower all of your bills. Thank you, Barack Obama—you are the smartest president we’ve ever had!

GREG GIUFFRIA

Paron

Deaths are in parallel

I recently viewed the short film Death Mills, originally made to document what the Allies found when they liberated the Nazi death camps in 1945. Military leaders who witnessed the aftermath of the atrocities were reportedly so enraged when those living nearby the camps claimed ignorance of what was happening that they marched the townspeople through one of the camps. One part of the film shows some people laughing and smiling before entering the camp. However, as they departed, after having viewed what had been taking place in their own backyard, the townspeople appeared to be in a state of shock, many walking away in tears. I suspect many of those folks wished they would have stood up to the Nazis during the Holocaust. By their inaction, these people were complicit in the mass murders that occurred.

I believe a similar scenario is in play today at Little Rock’s “abortion mill.” What if our citizenry were to parade through that facility while abortions are being performed—how many who now believe abortion is okay would still cling to that belief? My guess is that here, too, most would be shocked as to what is actually happening in their backyard: tiny babies being torn limb from limb. I think many minds and hearts would be changed.

My prayer is that more people will see abortion for the evil it is, without being force-marched. Over 1 million innocent babies in the U.S. are condemned to a horrible death every year through no fault of their own. Be not complicit.

JOE N. FRANZETTI

Little Rock

Sandy’s just the start

Re Charles Miller’s letter: I just had to write and tell him he must be living in another country besides America.

It’s been avowed that this was the most corrupt, mudslinging election ever held. Miller can praise the anointed one all he wants, but Michael Moore produced a pro-Barack Obama ad voiced by elderly people using the most offensive language ever heard. God help them. Yes, Jesus is love, but he is also a god of vengeance.

Franklin Graham has said that Obama has “shaken his fist” in God Almighty’s face with his acceptance of sex sins. God will judge this nation and when he does, it won’t be pretty.

Hurricane Sandy is just the tip of the iceberg. My advice to Miller is to awake and shake himself because the last four years were just a taste test for us compared to what lies ahead. The smooth going he speaks of is just a pipe dream, as he has a full agenda with Congress trying to wiggle out of Libya, Generals Allen and Petraeus and so on. The list is long and still growing.

NETHA STARK

Sherwood

Feedback

Selective morality

President Barack Obama was quick to accept Gen. David Petraeus’ resignation. He also embraced former President Bill Clinton, who carried on his fling in the White House, during his campaign. It sounds like Obama overlooks whatever helps him. If you voted for him, I hope it works out for you. Re Lucy Nolen’s letter: She lives in a free country because our forefathers fought for it. Would she rather live like they do in the Middle East? An unborn baby is a human who should have the right to live. Animals are more protected than an unborn child. For shame.

JEAN SHAHAN Jacksonville

Rich just crybabies

Ever notice that when taxes are raised, it mostly affects the middle class and we pay it, no ifs, ands or buts or bellyaching? Ask the top 1 percent to pay a little bit and all hell breaks loose. You’d think they were going to the poor house. They whine and cry like babies. “I’m gonna take my ball and go home.” That’s them for sure.

BOB MASSERY Little Rock