LETTERS

Go on, pull the other leg

Nice try, Editor Paul Greenberg, using President Lincoln’s picture, apparently to try to add gravitas to your plea to resurrect conservatism. However, I’m sure everyone knows Lincoln would be a Democrat today, totally despised by Tea Party Republicans. Further, the attempt to associate Communism and liberalism … flop, splat! Oh well, “the best-laid plan” and all that.

The simple reality is that people understand tax dollars are limited, yet know all politicians spend more money than there is every year. The only meaningful difference between opposing politicians is what they want to spend our tax dollars on.

I believe Democrats want to invest our tax dollars in the 95 percent of Americans in the middle and working classes, the working poor, children, elderly and disabled. They want to help people get good jobs, earn a living wage, have adequate food, equal access to health care, a good education and a clean environment in which to raise their families.

On the other side, it seems Republicans are committed to spending nearly all our tax dollars on expanding already record corporate profits, increasing the immense wealth of billionaires who already control the vast majority of America’s money and resources and maintaining a massive wartime military to foment conflict where none is justifiable.

The next time you need a picture to push current conservative values and policies, consider one of Ayn Rand congratulating Ted Cruz for blocking health coverage for 40 million Americans while withholding food assistance from countless children, elderly, disabled and veterans.

JIM BLOK

Benton

If it walks like a duck

I think your editorial suggesting that no one be called a Nazi for their politics is lame. How do you think the Nazis got control over Germany? Creeping Nazism?

I just finished a book on German women who collaborated but were not Nazi Party members. They were “good” Germans, much like, I believe, the “good” Americans who hate the poor, calling them “takers,” who hate Obama because of his skin color, who want to fly the American flag every two feet in Eureka Springs, and who support the cutting of Medicaid, food stamps and any assistance to those in need, including hungry children.

If someone supports fascist programs, is a racist and/or anti-Semite, and is self-centered and greedy, why isn’t he also a Nazi?

I think the editorial writer should take a strong stand against the right wing Nazi-like behavior of some Arkansans instead of being a wimp about people who do stand up and do try to be true patriots, not empty-minded flag wavers who not only do not know the true history of the U.S. but are supporting Nazi-like programs.

I guess that is symptomatic of your paper’s move to the right. Whatever happened to your newspaper that used to be somewhat factual and liberal? Money? Fear? Ignorance?

Creeping fascism?

ANN McINTYRE

Eureka Springs

Made driving perilous

As a new resident to Northwest Arkansas, I am appalled at the Department of Transportation’s ability to clear main highways.

When traveling north on Interstate 540 Sunday, the roads starting at the Missouri line were clear and drivable. They had been plowed numerous time during the storm. The Arkansas roads were distinctly worse. Driving Saturday morning from Fort Smith to Springdale, we saw no plows the entire trip.

Plowing needs to occur several times during a storm, not when it’s over. The excuse that Arkansas doesn’t have enough equipment is lame. Over the last 10 years this area has had numerous storms and should have invested more money over the years to prepare. The trucking industry in this area should be furious, as well as citizens just trying to travel the days after a storm.

HEATHER LEMASTER

Springdale

Anarchy still reigning

The first part of November, I wrote a letter to Voices where I mentioned the Tea Party with Ted Cruz and the Baader Meinhof group of Germany. In his response, Mr. Wilburn Rowell from White Hall missed or ignored an important sentence in my letter.

I wrote: “Cruz reminds me of Baader Meinhof minus the violence.” I repeat: “minus the violence.” The Baader Meinhof anarchist group also started out as a nonviolent group and reverted to violence when its actions did not bear fruit. Mr. Rowell apparently lacked reader comprehension when he read my letter, which resulted in an “asinine” (his word) diarrhea of words. Fortunately, Obamacare will cover a case of diarrhea.

Perhaps the yellow banner Mr. Rowell seems to be waving obstructed his view.

I believe Americans have seen the colors of the Tea Party and Ted Cruz; unfortunately they are not red, white and blue. Tea Party followers profess that they want to go by the Constitution, pay down the debt, keep the deficit low and stop raising taxes. Ironically, it seems they used anarchist actions to ignore the Obamacare law of the land and caused a partial shutdown of our federal government, which cost us all 24 billion dollars in 16 days.

J’accuse!

PORFIRIO GUTIERREZ

Bella Vista

Treatment’s superb

I disagree with news reports regarding the Veterans Home in Fayetteville. I have been a resident there for four years, have received superb care, and I am living in comfort during the twilight of my life.

VIRGIL STALLS

Fayetteville

Make right decision

People are different in their upbringing, religion, color, culture and nationality. There is a way in which people are the same. The day will come when the house we are given, that breathes in and out, heart pumping, mind active, will be no more. The breathing will cease, the pumping will stop, the mind will be inactive. The house will be no more.

Some believe this is all there is. Most believe that within the house is something called the soul. It is eternal, a concept difficult to conceive.

So what is the destination of this soul? Some believe it comes back to inhabit another house and continues this process over and over again. Some believe it goes to a very special place. Most believe there is a very good place and a very bad place the soul goes to reside forever. Some believe all souls go to the very good place. Others believe that if the house was a good one (whatever that means) and follows certain instruction, that soul will go to the very good place. There are many who believe that there is a certain way to go to the very good place, and if that way is not selected, the souls ends up in the very bad place.

Regardless of beliefs, it would seem wise to thoroughly investigate the possibility of there being a very bad place. Some have already made their decisions and will never change. A few, after intense investigation, have chosen with certainty where they want to eternally be.

It is a perilous decision not to be taken lightly. Each occupied house makes the choice alone. I sincerely hope it is the right one. Merry Christmas.

GORDON SWAIM

North Little Rock

A bit of introspection

’Twas a great way to start a bitter cold morning: Letters from Rod Grieg are always sure to warm one’s “coronary cockles.” They are consistently well-written and researched and heavily laced with wisdom and gentle humor. His points about the 15 savior-like hero stories written well before Christ’s coming and that no contemporary historians even mentioned Jesus are particularly compelling ones.

Apparently, Mr. Grieg and I have the same basic philosophy: That mankind would be better served as a species to spend more time thinking and learning than just believing.

All people of faith, and that includes faith in science, can do with a bit more questioning and introspection. Doubt isn’t something to fear, as so many believe. It is the genesis (no pun intended) of human progress. It wouldn’t hurt any of us to heed our moms’ advice to “use the brains God [or our parental genetic legacy] gave us.” We’re probably the best thinkers in the animal kingdom (with apologies to border collies), and it wouldn’t hurt any of us to do a lot more of it and as often as possible. Those of strong faith need not fear it.

As for Mr. Grieg personally, I sincerely hope I have not read his last letter to this paper and that there will be many more to come.

And for those celebrating a time of special birthdays, miracles, or the Earth’s axial tilt and proximity to the sun, may this season of peace and renewal be joyous beyond measure.

LINDA A. FARRELL

Bella Vista

Discover joy and peace

I wish Mr. Rod Grieg many blessings for his 93 years, and commend him for his studiousness.

I, too, am aware of what he has summarily asserted as the conclusions of his research into the origins of the beliefs of Christianity. I am also aware of scholarly refutations of those claims made by others who have also dedicated years of rigorous study to those matters. I hope that Mr. Grieg will find opportunity to furnish at least one more letter with reference to a cited resource that others may use to check on the validity of the claims he has made.

Nevertheless, I do hope he lives the remainder of his years discovering joy and peace, which I have found in believing the virgin-born, miracle-performing, crucified, resurrected (and historically investigated) Jesus of Nazareth.

DAVID ROGERS

Biscoe

Reasons to stay active

Put off retiring to avoid internal decay, feel useful, make a contribution, find satisfaction in work, and be aware of the needs of others.

THOM and LINDA LAKSO

Russellville

Feedback

No one else dared

We’ve had no mail delivery since last Thursday, no vehicles of any kind are traversing our street, and the city sand truck turned around before getting to our house Monday morning, but our paper has been laid on our porch every morning by 5. Our carrier and her son have persevered where no one else dared. This dedication to the job is not seen very often any more, but is greatly appreciated.

I’ve sent her a Christmas gift, and I hope others in our neighborhood show their appreciation.

M. JACK HITT

Little Rock

Angels in the world

Someone dropped by our house and shoveled a foot of snow off our driveway. We did not see who it was; it must have been an angel.

All we read about is the bad in people, but there are many, many good people in this world and we thank you for your good deeds.

JIM and RAYLENE ODEN

Rogers