LETTERS

Not quite chivalrous

Contrary to Paul Greenberg’s column last Sunday, I found the comment made by President Barack Obama about California’s attorney general more awkward and inappropriate than chivalrous. If the attorney general happened to be a man and Obama had made the exact same comment, just imagine what the press and public would be saying about that.

I think, because of the times we live in, we should instead put into practice (and teach our children) the concept of kindness rather than chivalry. That means a man should just as graciously walk through a door opened by a woman and vice versa. If women are expected to compete against men for the same jobs and work alongside them equally, is it really too much to ask to keep it professional and save the chivalry for our significant other on date night?

But thank you ever so much for the nostalgic commentary that brought me back to a better time when complimenting a woman’s looks was more important to society (and perhaps her) than her own actions.

Bottom line, a seasoned politician like President Obama should have known better.

KIM FRADETTE

Maumelle

Whose opinion was it?

Who is this gun lobby? Are they a part of that vast right-wing conspiracy? And who are the other 90 percent of Americans? Nobody I know was asked their opinion.

Expanded background checks? Ever heard of doctor/patient confidentiality laws? Look it up. That’s why checks won’t stop crazies.

Finally, is it just me or is Obama/ Biden nothing but a second-rate carbon copy of Clinton/Gore? Think about it.

BRUCE DART

Stuttgart

Who owes an apology

More than once in my life, I have heard of local law enforcement broadcasting a warning urging residents to stay indoors with their doors locked because a fugitive from justice considered to be armed and dangerous was loose in their area.

Such is a time when Vice President Joe Biden would advise his wife to get out the double-barreled shotgun they keep locked in their house, and be prepared to blow a hole through their front door.

If ever there was at time to be ready to defend oneself at home with an armed terrorist loose in their neighborhood, earlier this month in Boston was it.

Rep. Nate Bell accurately voiced that advice, along with a telling reference to the fresh debate on gun control in the U.S. Senate. He was promptly forced to genuflect at the altar of political correctness while his colleagues threw him under the bus.

Is it intolerant to suggest that many who responded in anger are intolerant themselves? Does Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley owe Bell an apology for calling him a moron?

GEORGE SCHROEDER

Bigelow

Action was disgusting

After the tragic bombings, death, injury and chaos in Boston, it’s been clear the American people know how to stand together in the face of tragedy. It’s clear the American people always unite to uplift one another. We immediately start to consider strangers neighbors and neighbors family. It’s a truly moving silver lining to a horrific event, but the American people never fail to come together in the end. And that is one of the many reasons this country is so great.

The week of the bombings, the people of Boston showed us what it means to be a true American. Rep. Nate Bell did just the opposite, proven first by his disgusting tweet during the Boston manhunt, and again with his faux apology for the timing of his tweet, not the content. While the country and the city and police officials of Boston were banding together, this representative mocked those who were suffering. His painfully obvious intent was to shove the already vulnerable city and its citizens into the spotlight even more for his own political agenda as the city was reeling to work together and help one another with some of the most notable acts of bravery of our time.

This is not the type of leadership his district, Arkansas or this country needs. He should be ashamed of himself for what he did to the people of Boston, his own constituents and the citizens of this country who know what it means to be a true American. If Nate Bell didn’t resign from his seat, it would be his final and loudest slap in the face to these great people.

JENNIFER COOK

Little Rock

Aw, c’mon, Uncle Jed!

For years, I believed Jethro Bodine was just a fictional character on The Beverly Hillbillies. Now, I’ve learned that Jethro is real and serving in the Arkansas Legislature. His name is Nate Bell.

Bell’s disgusting tweet about the citizens of Boston was way, way beyond the pale. Granny needs to cut a big switch and take ol’ Jethro out behind the wood shed.

SCOTT T. VAUGHN

North Little Rock

Right to rebuke pair

It’s rare that I agree with editorial page editor Paul Greenberg, but the editorial page got it right in chastising Senators John Boozman and Mark Pryor for voting against national gun background checks.

Any time 91 percent of the American people support an effort to at least try and cut down the number of gun murders in this country, our two U.S. senators should listen.

If the above figure wasn’t enough proof, polls indicate that about 75 percent of NRA members support the effort, along with about 85 percent of Republicans and independents and 87percent of Democrats.

Yes, I know those figures wouldn’t be that high in Arkansas, but I believe that even here the silent majority supports an effort to solve the problem.

Background checks have little if anything to do with the Second Amendment right to bear arms for hunting and protection. How much longer must our nation be known as the gun capital of the world?

VERNON McDANIEL

Ozark

Helped spur problem

I voted for Mark Pryor.

I voted for John Boozman.

I apologize.

CHET STORTHZ

Little Rock

Can brighten the day

There are many senior citizens who do not have families, or their families are unable to see to their many needs. There is a group of senior volunteers who give of their time to assist them.

I pray that families and friends alike will take a few minutes of their time to go visit these seniors. It would mean much more than you can imagine to them. You could brighten their day, week or month with this visit. It means a lot.

My heart and hat go off to these volunteers.

JANEVA HATCHER

Sherwood