LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — A symbol of the past

Respectfully I write this to Paul Greenberg, the author of a recent column which ends with his detailing his overt infatuation of Tom Cotton. The column simply affirms to me how much Greenberg and the paper embody institutionalized racism (Robert E. Lee’s birthday endorsed on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and the presidential inauguration-give me a break) and classism (denying those in poverty and the working poor the Affordable Care Act).

These liabilities are unconscionably and inherently supported by the power of Mr. Greenberg’s and, by extension, the paper’s pen.

Combine this with the Democrat-Gazette’s support for the new “Republican” state Legislature, along with Mr. Cotton, and it strikes one as the quintessence of deficient thinking, loss of perspective and a newspaper that is culturally bankrupt. All of it a public symbol of one last grasp by thoughtless people who, like it or not, are going to have to sit side by side with all God’s children at America’s table with none of the iniquitous at its head any more.

The social, political and economic powers held by those who are still reminiscent of the past (Robert E. Lee-oh pullease) are eventually going to be granted to us all, regardless of the color of our earthsuit, the language we speak, gender, orientation or socioeconomic status. Get ready to scoot over.

J.S. RICHTER

Little Rock

Not even Mississippi

Re Senate Bill 134, the fetal heartbeat/abortion bill: Thanks to Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, nobody out stupids the Arkansas Legislature.

JAMES R. BABER

Fayetteville

When support begins

If life begins when a heartbeat is detected, isn’t this when child-support payments should also begin?

How would this issue play out if men carried the fetus (hey, male seahorses do it)? For starters, they would want a smaller probe.

BETTY HUNT

North Little Rock

We won’t tolerate it

Let it be known that women are not going to tolerate elected officials who sponsor bills such as the one from state Sen. Jason Rapert affecting our health and well-being.

When the authors of such bills believe God is speaking to them, it would be better if they were institutionalized and put on a massive dose of Thorazine.

Teabilly Taliban are not welcome in this state. Furthermore, I believe when someone is supporting abortion laws that are worse than sharia law restrictions, he should resign. This ain’t Afghanistan.

I should close with “respectfully,” but Rapert deserves none.

NANCY FRAZIER

North Little Rock

Should work together

Thank you, Paul Greenberg, for your impassioned, eloquently written column about participating in the Capitol march against abortion. I’ve always longed to read such a nondogmatic, non-fanatical piece by an anti-abortion supporter. I hope the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is wise enough to submit it for an opinion Pulitzer.

I was most impressed by the willingness to admit love for those who disagree with you. Like the great Martin Luther King Jr., admitting love even for those who vilify you is the best way to persuade people. I also agree that 50 million abortions since 1973 is deplorable. Shame on us. Unlike Washington’s professional politicians, I believe we common folks can find ways to practically eliminate abortions.

Not a single abortion supporter I know “loves” abortions; we just don’t want others to take away our right to one. Persuading people against abortion-not with legislation and underhanded policy changes that make it impossible for clinics to function-is the best way to win supporters. Lovingly teaching people about responsible sexual activity should be a no brainer. We should work together to make birth control widely accessible for any sexually active person.

Perhaps one day the “fors” and “againsts” can march together to celebrate the day that only a handful of abortions were performed in the U.S.-the ones in which a physician and family see the medical necessity because of a threat to the life of the mother and/or child.

DEBORAH L. HIGGINS

Little Rock

Disrespectful comics

In response to Michael D. Fowler’s letter, this Christian did indeed notice the negativity toward our faith by the strips Beetle Bailey and Zack Hill. I feel it was very disrespectful and ignorant. I also have some additional disappointments.

How very improper to regularly depict scenes at a bar with the characters talking about beer drinking as if it’s really no big deal. The Wizard of Id, Hagar the Horrible and The Duplex are frequently guilty of this.

With the tragic trouble that so very many young people are having with drinking and drugs, all of you who are in charge of the comics should honestly realize that you have become part of the problem when you influence young minds like this. Our nation continues to rapidly decline in its morals and values.

How long will this newspaper continue doing nothing about this problem, thus committing a sin of omission?

How about not publishing a comic strip on a given day whenever it violates good family values? Could you not tell the cartoonists about the content? Make it a condition for publication. Surely this is a very reasonable request.

Thankfully, there are a few good strips in your paper. Dennis the Menace is a good example of one that has consistently good standards while being charmingly funny every day.

LLOYD HOFFMAN

Hot Springs

That’s entertainment?

Well, there I was, coming back to the den after freshening up the dip bowls and, gee whiz, I thought my raunchy Uncle Freddy had switched channels on us and found one of them X-rated music shows he likes so much.

He said it wasn’t him this time and that it was the Super Bowl halftime show. I told the kids to go out in the yard until it was over. I myself thought it would never be over.

Gee, said grandpa, I didn’t know hookers could dance that good.

Got a message for ya, Gramps, those aren’t hookers, they are entertainers.

Coulda fooled me, said grandpa.

ELIZABETH HARRIS

Evening Shade