LETTERS

Overlooked organizers

The article on the Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette failed to give credit to the two co-chairs, Anna White and Jenna Mobley (our granddaughter). They were not mentioned or pictured.

These two young ladies worked their tails off to organize and put this event on, and we think they should have been recognized.

DON and JANET ROEDER

Piggott

Nurture indifference

Following Mike Masterson’s lead, I contacted Cargill and my representatives. Sue Scott said she was monitoring it. Same answer from Steve Womack. I take it that means “let’s see which way this blows.”

Likewise, many of my friends appear indifferent. They don’t frequent the Buffalo, and besides, many said, “I love bacon.”

I imagine this is true of 90 percent of the folks in the state. All indifferent, and all love bacon. The hog farm won’t become a ballot issue.

Cargill and our representatives, I think, believe this will slowly die off as nothing conclusive happens. As Masterson said, the Buffalo River does not contribute to political campaigns, Cargill does.

I understand there is a study under way to determine the probability that the farm will contaminate Big Creek, water tables, etc. I suspect the study will conclude with many contingencies, and not be conclusive.

North Carolina folks were indifferent until there was a huge storm, washing hog poo over huge portions of the state. They quickly passed legislation to limit hog farming.

Ignorance, habit and indifference. That’s what will maintain the status quo, until something significant happens.

So, until this farm sees a large enough storm and gets some folks riled up, I need to nurture my indifference.

I see Big Creek flows in just below Carver. I can limit my camping, canoeing, etc. to above that point in the river.

ROBERT “RG” SMITH

Rogers

Thinking about leaders

Hey folks, I feel it is already time for all of us to start thinking about whom we would like to have for our next governor of Arkansas, and our next president of the United States.

I would like to see Gen. Wesley Clark as our next new governor because he has a good, strong military background and would help run our state with a firm, strong hand because of this.

I would like to see Michael Bloomberg as our next president because of his financial wizardry, success and genius. I feel that because of his past business experience and savvy, he could genuinely pull us out of the budgetary financial mess that we are presently in.

I hope all, or at least some of you, agree with me. We really do need people with strong ways and past experience to lead our state and nation.

MIKE MURPHY

DeWitt

Wasted money, effort

Watching the news reports on the NSA scandal, and the Department of Justice scandal about the seizure of James Rosen’s telephone records, one would wonder why the Justice Department does not utilize the NSA’s files for its investigations.

It looks like another example of how one agency cannot communicate with another. This case clearly reveals that the different agencies of the U.S. government, such as the NSA, FBI, Homeland Security, as well as the IRS, do not communicate with each other about what they do or what they have a record of.

It’s no wonder the political appointees of these agencies are not aware of what is going on, who is in charge or responsible for anything in question. If this is the case, then where does the buck stop?

From what the American people have been told, it looks as though Congress is not in charge, nor is the president. Each agency operates independently of each other. It’s clearly a case of dysfunctionality.

What the American people think is going on is clearly not the case. Each agency generates tons of documents, all of which are filed away, warehoused somewhere and eventually forgotten or lost.

When the top leaders of these agencies plead ignorance, it clearly shows the agencies are not being properly managed to ensure the government is being properly served and that our tax money is producing the necessary work to run a democracy.

It looks to me like the American taxpayer is not getting his money’s worth. It’s just another case of wasted effort.

LUCIAN SIMMONS

Oil Trough

Silver lining by road

It is easy to sometimes get a bit discouraged from reading the headlines and listening to broadcast news reports. Gratefully, there is also an occasional silver lining.

Last week, while driving along Kavanaugh in the Hillcrest area, I saw such.

A man was walking along, wearing a backpack, carrying a plastic bag, and using a “grabber.” This gentleman, obviously a private citizen, was collecting trash from the gutter and putting it in the bag for later disposal.

I stopped and thanked him. He made me feel good, he blew away a few clouds.

Whoever you are, sir, I am grateful.

And if you, a reader, see this man out and about, please take a moment to also thank him.

SAM HIGHSMITH

Little Rock

Delivered aid, comfort

My dad always talked about how his mailman was so nice and friendly and would always stop by to say hello and to pet his dog, Dexter.

Last week, that mailman was there to help me after my dad had a fatal heart attack. I cannot thank him enough for helping me with CPR until the firemen and EMTs arrived.

Dad was right about him being a good guy.

L.R. CARROLL

Little Rock

Must respect the flag

Patriots, it is great that you fly the American flag in honor of the U.S.A. and the millions of our women and men who have served our country since World War I until the present time, especially for those who have died so that Americans enjoy freedom.

As a reminder, you do not fly the American flag when it is torn, faded or at night unless you have a light on it.

It is amazing and deplorable how many Americans across our great nation never ever fly the flag but profess to be such dedicated Americans.

God bless our country and our troops.

CHARLES A. METZGER III

Sherwood