LETTERS

— Real life, fiction not same

The most recent letter supporting capital punishment by Wayne D. “Mr. CSI: Arkadelphia” McGinnis is a prime example, I believe, of why we as a civil society should educate our children to understand the difference between the reality of everyday real life and the fictionality of TV shows/ movie drama, namely the plethora of crime-based TV that sensationalizes crime and punishment today, and from which McGinnis’ imagery and passion seem to be based.

His distorted belief is that no matter the circumstances behind a murder conviction, premeditated or accidental, the convicted should not receive a chance at rehabilitation but must be executed without question. His suggestion of public executions as being salutary clearly shows a regression of his own civility and a lack of common sense.

We have transcended those draconian times in becoming a much more civil society. Our natural way of basic evolution is to progress toward the betterment of our species, not to regress to barbarians.

It’s obvious McGinnis has no real sense as to how the corrections system works. Forget statistics; the fact is that countless men who have been convicted of murder who have been rehabilitated while in prison and then released back into society go on to live productive lives. But if it were up to people like McGinnis, those men would never have had a chance.

I just hope men like McGinnis, who share a vision of civilization as it was centuries ago, are few and far between.

JEREMY MAC

Greenbrier

Turn out the lights . . .

Paul Greenberg, Charles Krauthammer, the Washington Post, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Bradley Gitz, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, those two Republican women cohorts and all those of the same ilk who refuse to graciously concede: The election is over. Barack Obama won. Could all of you, please, just get over it?

I admit I’m pretty surprised myself, still, but I am so tired of all your ranting. You keep trying to get the American people to join in your ire. None of us want to see any harm come to any of our overseas personnel. The only way to prevent that is not to be there. Let’s try to prevent future bad situations. Could our elected representatives try to put aside their personal issues and help solve the problems?

And, men, please: Let us women have control over our own bodies. Take care of yourselves. My freedom ends where yours begins and vice versa.

For those who have health care, please consider that everyone does not.

Could we try to be less selfish? The Lord God made us all.

HAZEL A. SMITH

Pine Bluff

Rude, condescending

So Rick Burry considers Al Case to be a thoughtful, intelligent person. I have some more adjectives you can use to describe both of them: Mocking, scornful, insulting, condescending, rude, offensive, abrasive and harsh.

I have had the misfortune of reading letters sent by both of these men over the years. When I am done, I am amazed how it is possible that either of these men have any friends or relatives who would be willing to talk to them. If I spoke to my friends in the manner that these men write, I would have no friends left. If I talked to my mom and dad in this way, they would slap me across the face and teach me some manners. I truly am glad that I only know these men through the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette because I would hate to hear the language that comes out of their mouths in ordinary speech where there are no restrictions.

The French philosopher Voltaire once said that if Christians wanted to convince him that there was a redeemer, let them act redeemed. I agree with his sentiment, and although I fail many times, I do try to live my life the way the Lord Jesus would want me to live. Perhaps Al and Rick and the other villagers can do the same thing. If they want to convince me that there is no God, let them live like there is no God.

Oh, wait a minute . . .

LONNIE WILLIAM CRAIG

Greenbrier

Pull out your glasses

A recurring theme of those busy adding Al Case to their prayer lists is that there has to be a creator who from nothing brought forth everything which 14.5 billion years later (time not a big deal for the eternal) yields us and, provided we pass some tests, companionship. Yakov might say, “What a deity !”

Science, though agnostic on the subject of creators, nevertheless allows a more factual understanding of what we experience. No living organism exists in final form. All are evolving-always have been, always will be.

The Gospel of Thomas states that the kingdom of heaven is spread upon the earth, and men do not see it. What is spread? Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. Jesus used the words “at hand.” It’s here now. One doesn’t need salvation. One needs glasses. Every particle now extant was present in the singularity that preceded the “big bang.” There was no space between the particles. There began to be space between them, a beginning that is still going on today yielding all that we see, have seen, will see. Nothing was created. To ask how that happened 14 or so billion years ago is a legitimate question. To assume a lonely deity back there is lazy-minded hubris.

Cosmologists have reason to suspect our universe is not alone, that there are more than four dimensions, that the cosmos may be eternal, with life a contingent inevitability. In a cosmos where all things in time are possible, what need a deity do?

LEE McCOY

Pettigrew

First, enforce the laws

One of the local television stations recently sought public input on the subject “There ought to be a law.” My contribution and fervent wish: There ought to be no more laws until all the present laws are fully enforced.

KEITH DE NOBLE

Bigelow

One disconnected lot

Many of our elected politicians, sent to D.C. (disconnected) to promote the best interests of those who sent them, fail because of an insatiable, egotistical desire to continue feeding at the public trough with little or no desire nor honest effort to avoid ingratiating themselves and conforming to those ingrained to deceive and promote agendas such as damning the wealthy, phony marriage and even infanticide, aka murder. I find the latter two mentioned, boldly indicative of certain infidels’ efforts to defile the word of God.

Politicians who choose to extend largess to the unworthy at the expense of the worthy are themselves unworthy. It’s difficult to imagine why we’ve put decision-making that affects all into the hands of a few who pay no price for being wrong.

I also believe that any president who thinks he is powerful enough to change the world is, himself, infinitely more dangerous than mere crooked politicians. These are not intended esoteric nor random musings, only serious contemplation of the mess we’re in.

AARON R. STRATMAN

Bella Vista

No reason for shame

In Arkansas, 13.1 percent of youth ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, but ADHD is one of the most under-diagnosed disorders in adults. Taking into consideration that ADHD is one of the most heritable psychiatric disorders with a high rate of familial progression, if a member of a family is diagnosed with the disorder, it is imperative that other members of that family educate themselves on the disorder to possibly recognize the symptoms in themselves and their relatives.

In day-to-day life, people with ADHD can face negative effects on work, social and family relationships, daily activities, and psychological and physical well-being. Many people diagnosed with ADHD report impairment in productivity due to procrastination, poor time management, and distractibility. Though some adults with ADHD may appear to function well, they often have to put more energy into a task compared to a person without ADHD. Adults may also be put under distress by their ongoing symptoms of ADHD, which include restlessness, mood instability and low self-esteem.

More often than not, a doctor will only see a patient for short periods of time and it is left to the parents to do most of the observing for ADHD symptoms. This makes it necessary for parents and adults to retain an expansive knowledge base on the subject. I challenge the residents of Arkansas to educate themselves on the disorder and seek help when necessary. ADHD is not something to be ashamed of.

CLAIRE SMITH

Hot Springs

Address poverty now

As of 2012, the child poverty rate in Arkansas was an average of 26.8 percent, and ranked as the second worst in the U.S.

Though the financial standing of other families rarely affects us, the consequences of this problem will. Children raised in poverty now will be far behind their peers educationally, leaving thousands of future Arkansans working low-paying, unstable jobs. This will have an enormously negative effect on the economy. To make matters worse, more educated future adults will likely leave the state to find opportunities elsewhere.

It is critical to fix the problem now before it escalates.

One solution is to raise parental employment by providing welfare, but with a price. Poor parents will have to either work or receive work training to receive welfare. Businesses fairly employing welfare-earning adults would be subject to favorable tax incentives to increase the likelihood of them hiring poor workers. Workers receive wages along with welfare, which they stop receiving when they emerge from poverty.

This solution gives parents of children in poverty a chance for employment or training while helping temporarily with welfare and providing training for future jobs.

I believe the best way to execute this solution would be to contact your state representatives, warn them of the lesser-known problems of child poverty, and urge them to take action.

SOPHIA FLETCHER

Hot Springs

Spending, shmending

If the president and congressional Democrats do not think that Washington, D.C., has a spending problem, why do they insist on raising taxes?

R.N. HARRIS

Rogers

Feedback

Likely law-abiding

This is my thought on gun control: I had much rather be shot with a gun than be hacked to death with a machete or an ax.

The names and addresses of people who have a concealed carry license were printed in a New York paper. Now criminals there know where to go steal guns. Therefore, more guns in the hands of the bad guy.

My health does not depend on my knowing whether or not my neighbor has a carry license. If they pay for the class and permit, I feel they are probably law-abiding people. I do agree with the background checks and feel that mental health should be checked for all persons applying.

LINDA GODWIN

Little Rock

Backlash confusing

I am confused at the uproar from some concealed-handgun permit holders to having a list printed with their name and address in various publications.

What is the big deal? I am a concealed-permit holder and have no problem with my name and address being listed. Heck, post my picture also if you like. That way, everyone would know where I stand on the issue of concealed-carry.

Why hide like a cockroach when the lights are turned on?

PATRICK CAMPBELL

Little Rock

Editorial, Pages 15 on 02/22/2013

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