LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Importance of truth

The stories of Lance Armstrong and Manti Te’o are something to draw strength from, not disgust and sadness. Why should we despair that things are just growing worse all the time? This is a great reminder that truth and honesty are always best.

I do have empathy with the struggle to understand why and how they could do this. For over 50 years, I fought with all my expectations of how things should be. Then, life happened to me in a way that it has to these two human beings; I was finally shown to accept and embrace the truth of imperfection, and I’ve never been happier. The struggle is over and there is contentment.

As it is said, the truth shall set you free.

BEN JACOBS

Greenwood

What a salesman he is

I know it is hard to believe, but Barack Obama is the leading gun salesman in the United States!

ROBERT CAMP

Springdale

Respect beliefs of all

I am a registered Democrat. I grew up in a Clinton-supporting, global warming-warning, recycle-your-Wal-Mart-bags family. But I am now truly concerned that the Democratic Party-the progressive party I knew to stand up for individual rights and protect minorities-has trampled over business-owners’ religious liberties in the name of implementing a progressive health-care system. Gargantuan fines are being placed on businesses that refuse to pay for emergency contraceptives for their employees. The Supreme Court refused to delay fines as Hobby Lobby goes through an appeals process.

This is just three years after the same court decided that corporations are people-with the same freedom of speech that individuals have.

Why is it that these same corporations, these same groups of people, on one hand are guaranteed unlimited freedom of speech in political advertising and contributions, but on the other hand are denied their freedom of religion? It is distressing that our government believes it has the authority to force individuals to violate their legitimate beliefs-an aversion to abortion that is held by about half of all Americans.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Our president and our Democratic Party don’t have to force moral people into this unwanted dilemma. We should respect the diverse religious beliefs of those around us-and that includes business-owners’ beliefs as well. That is the inclusive Democratic Party I believe in.

KYLE BLAIR

Little Rock

Can’t be torn asunder

Trying to separate lying and cheating from adulterous behavior is like attempting to uncouple sowing from reaping.

AK ASHCRAFT

White Hall

When first isn’t a first

The headline: “Obama starts second term as president; With family at his side, U.S.’ 1st black president sworn in.”

Did the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette proclaim, when George W. Bush was inaugurated, “43rd white man sworn in”?

The headline was ambivalent at best. Perhaps it should have been “1st black president renews oath of office” or “Obama renews oath of office.”

But wasn’t President Barack Obama our first black president in 2008?

ED HANCOCK

Springdale

Obama’s plans good

As a teacher, and in the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting, I support President Barack Obama signing executive actions to close loopholes on background checks and make mental health care more accessible to students and young adults. Had these measures been adopted earlier, those poor kids might still be here.

I am definitely opposed to teachers carrying guns, or armed guards in the schools. More firearms is never the solution, and those of us in education shouldn’t be made to feel like soldiers on guard duty rather than educators. The only gun I own is an old Civil War rifle that belonged to my people, which I keep in storage and have only for a keepsake.

The Centers for Disease Control needs to do research to see what drives such people to commit tragic acts.

The right-wing media should be ashamed for accusing Obama of exploiting children and sarcastically referring to the signing ceremony as a dog and pony show. This is all for the children. Let us not sink to the level of the barbaric tribes who conquered Europe in 476 and reduced it to a feudal state where fear, poverty and wealthy privilege ultimately prevailed. Don’t let history repeat itself.

LESLIE PUTMAN

El Dorado

Looks like railroading

I have been reading Voices letters, listening to the politicians and watching/listening to the mainstream media rail about gun control.

I believe this is strictly a railroad job by the president, vice president and gun-control people. Bans do not work; see the assault-rifle ban that expired. The laws and bans only affect the law-abiding citizen. If they affected the criminal, we would not have murder or crime. Note to the above-mentioned people-criminals do not obey the law.

The NRA suggested putting a good guy with a gun in our schools. After much thought, I agree. Which would you rather have-a mass shooting, then call the good guy with a gun after it happens, or have a good guy with a gun on-site to prevent it from happening? Proper training of the good guy will eliminate the problems you have with him being in the school.

If gun-control people are concerned and outraged about firearm deaths, where is the outrage over deaths by automobiles? There are more people killed by vehicles than guns, yet there is no concern about this. Have you noticed that the politicians who are wanting to control/take our firearms are all protected by good guys with guns?

Did you know that so-called assault weapons are really just semi-automatic rifles dressed up? That they’re no more powerful or deadly than an undressed semi-auto?

Ask yourself-why do they really want to ban/control firearms, ammunition and magazines?

ALBERT L. MURPHY

McGehee

Nation too far in debt

A recent letter on the Voices page from Wayne Terry encouraged more foreign aid. Terry said that the U.S. is the first nation on Earth that could seriously combat global poverty. He seems oblivious to the fact that we have a national debt of $16.4 trillion and growing. Google “debt clock.” There is no end in sight.

Congress and the presidents no longer seem to adhere to the Constitution, especially the 10th Amendment, which says clearly that the federal government can only do that which the Constitution says it can do and that all else is for the states or the people.

After Googling “debt clock,” you might Google “world government.” You and I do not want a world government.

ROY HUNTLEY

Harrison