LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Guten Morgen, Deutsch

As the head of the German program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, I thank you for your editorial regarding UALR’s decision to close its program. Your excellent comments focused especially on the importance of the language in accessing the works of great scientists, writers, artists and philosophers.

It is also important to note that German is and will continue to be incredibly useful in business and technology. In spite of the eurozone crisis, the European Union is the United States’ largest trade partner, and Germany is one of the strongest economies worldwide. It is a leader in scientific innovation, especially sustainable energy. According to a 2012 Arkansas Economic Development Commission report, Germany is the country with the most foreignowned operations in the state.

With as few as four semesters of German, our students at the UA have completed internships in Germany at companies such as BMW, a tech startup, an architecture firm, and an engineering laboratory. One of our alumni was recently hired by Google, and they were particularly interested in his German skills. We recently began a new German major program for students in other colleges such as business and engineering.

Students in Arkansas who would like to avail themselves of important international opportunities will continue to be welcomed in German courses at ASU, ATU, Hendrix, NWACC, Ouachita Baptist, UA-Fayetteville, UA-Fort Smith, UCA, and the University of the Ozarks.

KATHLEEN CONDRAY Fayetteville Our crumbling nation

America is on the decline. For some unknown reason, our populace has been conditioned to believe we will morph into a utopian society where everything is just grand. Our government will legislate all of our problems into oblivion and we will all rejoice in our newfound freedom.

We were once a rugged society that dealt with our problems within our communities. Granted, we were not always right, but we tried. As Americans-if you can really call us that anymore-we made decisions and moved on.

It is a sad day when our lives revolve around the media, government intervention and unrestricted moral irresponsibility. Alas, we are fish in a pond motivated by our desire for food. We don’t teach our children to swim and hunt for food; there are no lessons on responsibility and self-reliance. We let well-intentioned social engineers direct our behavior, having lost the ability to direct ourselves.

There may come a day when we are forced to revisit the Old West. Perhaps that will initiate the individual spirit that has allowed us to accomplish all we have thus far. I am not sure what we are now, but it pales in comparison to who we were.

MARK L. BERNTHAL Bella Vista All must follow laws

We had an overnight group bicycle ride from Greer’s Ferry to Mountain View on a recent weekend. I wish to thank the drivers along the highway who were friendly and gave us plenty of room when passing.

As a reminder to drivers, there is a statewide 3-foot-clearance law when passing bicyclists. We tried to get into two groups with a gap so that cars could pass us easier.

As a reminder to bicyclists, those on bicycles should follow traffic rules, and ride with the traffic and toward the right side of the lane going their direction, but not too close to the curb or car doors. Bicyclists should obey traffic signs, announce turns with hand signals, be visible, and not ride against the traffic or on sidewalks, where cars are not expecting them.

JAMES BRITT Little Rock What logic cannot do

Jason Sharbaugh’s letter, in which he says experience is less essential than logic because humans must use logic to interpret sensory and otherdata and that the original intent of the writers of the U.S. Constitution is more important than the interpretation by current judiciary members, isquite cogent.

However, it is said by some that we cannot “logic” our way to God. The experience of God will usually prevail over a good argument about God. Moreover, we have people as judges instead of computers for a reason. We want a human interpretationof the full situation before sentencing someone. An old question is whether justice or mercy is more important to a fair judicial system. Arguments of merit can be wielded by both points of view.

Until recently, a literal interpretation of some state laws would permit husbands to beat their wives with a rod of no greater diameter than your thumb. If your daughter had lived in a state with such a law, would you want the judge to follow the letter of the law, or would you prefer the judge to interpret the law in a more modern schema to allow for social progress?

Bench-made law has changed over time because of the leeway we allow judges. Not all cases can be addressed by prior laws. That is why we need judges with good sense, compassion and wisdom to sit in our courts. Computers as judges would be cheaper than paying a judge; however, I am happy to pay their salary because they offer something logic cannot supply.

FLORA SALYERS GreenbrierDetails are important

Re Ed Merrick’s recent letter: He states that a friend of his incurred a massive head injury in a motorcycle wreck resulting in several weeks in ICU and rehab. The bill approached $700,00.

His letter lacks important details, such as the victim’s age. If he was under the age of 21, he would have been required to wear a helmet. Did his license have a motorcycle endorsement, and who was at fault?

Most important, his letter leaves us to guess whether or not his friend was wearing a helmet.

ALFRED W. KAHLER Alexander Take steps for safety

Gun violence in the United States is a complex problem and one that is difficult to understand. President Barack Obama announcing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must begin research into the causes of gun violence is a step toward finding solutions. Too many of us fire off letters to the editor based on our preconceived and unexamined prejudices and opinions.

As an involved citizen I plan to do the following:

1. Study the facts. I want to learn what democracies that average fewer than 87 gun deaths and 183 gun injuries each day (according to the University of Chicago Crime Lab and the CDC) do that make their societies safer than ours.

2. Speak up. Write letters to my representatives in both Washington, D.C., and Little Rock. Talk to friends and acquaintances.

3. Donate to groups such as Mayors Against Illegal Guns and The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence so that my voice can be amplified.

I hope that this is the beginning of a great national conversation and that, from our conversation, we will begin to reduce gun violence and create a safer society.

SUSAN OSTER HAYES Hot SpringsKnight of roundabout

I lived in England and learned to love roundabouts.

They are safer as there is no cross traffic, and since traffic continues to move, rear-end accidents are fewer.

They are faster because you enter and go right through without stopping. Since you don’t stop, you don’t waste fuel idling and you reduce pollution.

One can make a U-turn by entering and continuing around until you reach where you entered to make your exit.

The central portion of the circle is routinely landscaped. Once built, the only cost is to maintain the landscaping. There is no purchase, installation nor maintenance of signals and no electric bill to pay.

If the power goes out, traffic still flows; police are not required to manually direct traffic. Roundabouts also eliminate the need for the police to manually control signals after Razorback games.

Now the rules: 1. All traffic in the roundabout flows in a counterclockwise direction. 2. Traffic already in the roundabout has the right of way. 3. Always enter with a right turn after yielding to traffic already there. 4. When exiting, always exit with a right turn. 5. If you want to make a left turn out of an intersection, enter the roundabout with a right turn and proceed counterclockwise until you reach your exit and make a right turn out. You don’t have to wait for a signal.

See? There are many good reasons for roundabouts and only a few simple rules to use them.

JAMES HILL FayettevilleGet show on the road

I continually read about this road project and that project in Arkansas, Interstate 430 in Little Rock, I-540 in Fort Smith, etc., etc. Now it’s about how state wildlife and other hurdles are slowing projects around the state, so it’s difficult to spend the $1.8 billion dollars from the tax we as voters approved back in November.

But yet I have not heard when the interstate will be completed from the Missouri line around Bella Vista and to existing I-540.

Why not do this work and stop all those 25,000-30,000 vehicles a daycoming through Bella Vista (including some 8,000 trucks)? If any of our state or national representatives had to drive through or sit in traffic during morning or evening rush hours, I guarantee you the road would be on the front burner, but no, they live in Fayetteville, or Little Rock or somewhere else, so they have their pet projects, just like every other politician.

I would really like to hear from the powers that be, including the Arkansas Highway Department, why this new section of road is not being seriously planned. I have not heard of any endangered species that are of concern, so let’s get on with it.

DAVID WHELCHEL Bella VistaFeedback Inside paper, peace

Recently, I had an extreme crisis and was able to survive it immediately by taking a break and reading a copy of your marvelously exceptional paper, which calmed me down to such a peaceful level that it’s imperative to me that I tell you how splendid your paper is.

Thank you for what you do. I pray for the continued success of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Also, please notice that I did not call or write to raise a fuss when the price went up to $26 a month. To me, it’s worth it.

One of the best things about retirement is getting up when you get good and ready, having a tank of coffee and the peaceful perusal of the morning paper.

Blessings on all y’all.

MARIE M. CLARK Benton Sympathy for a cavil

I watched the coverage of the Lance Armstrong confession. Poor fellow. Doesn’t he realize this is America and adult males rarely enjoy redemption or sympathy?

His only hope is that he’ll wake up one morning and discover he has undergone a sex change overnight as a result of all the drugs he used.

Forgiveness? Is he serious?

Who does he think he is, Casey Anthony?

K.C. BYRD North Little Rock