LETTERS

Voices, in a nutshell

After reading the recent collection of letters from Nutwest Arkansas, specifically the Frisco Progressive, the atheist and the genetically superior bastard (his words, not mine), I am just about convinced those folks are smoking an illegal substance or someone is spiking their Kool-Aid.

JIM HENNEBERGER

Austin

It’s more than enough

Open your closet. Do you see shoes, sweaters, pants, dresses? Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Look out the window. Do you see a tree? Grass? The sky? Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Look at a child. Look at the children, the things that may be learned. Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Look at the sun, the moon, the ocean, the stars. Think of the summer, the winter, the spring, the fall. Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Turn on the water in the sink. It comes whether you say thank you or not. Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Take a look at the newspaper and ask how many trees it took to make it. Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Think of your heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. Now, remind yourself you have plenty.

Remember, the computer is an attempt to recreate the human mind. You have a mind.

Now, isn’t that plenty?

ROBERT HYMER SR.

Little Rock

Pains, pains, go away

Go away, those of you posting the “Go Away POA” signs. Move to Bentonville. It’s a nice city with generally the same climate as Bella Vista. It has its own school district. No monthly assessments. So just move there and leave Bella Vista to those of us who appreciate our amenities and are willing to pay for them.

Thanks!

BEVERLY CANNADY

Bella Vista

At last, reason to cheer

As a long-suffering alumna of University of Central Arkansas, I was used to cringing every time the name of my university came up in your paper. On a recent Saturday, I was afraid that reporter Debra Hale-Shelton was going to reveal yet another financial scandal, shameful resignation or shady deal connected with UCA.

The news, however, was good, if not great. UCA became the first four year college in Arkansas to say no to concealed handguns on campus.

The state Legislature in its “wisdom” needlessly passed a law allowing full-time faculty and staff members with concealed-gun permits to bring their firearms to school. The UCA board of trustees wisely voted 5-1 to opt out of this new state law, but will have to remember to do so annually from now on, an unnecessary burden imposed by this dubious piece of legislation.

For once UCA is setting a fine example for all other colleges and universities in Arkansas to follow. My pride in UCA has been restored.

ANNELIESE B. MAUS

Little Rock

Ya know what I mean

I thoroughly enjoyed Frank Fellone’s recent article, “Do you speak Arkansas?” even though I am a transplanted Texan who understands most Arkansas. Fading regional dialects are bad for everyone, as far as I am concerned. I am originally from the Texas Hill country, which has a dialect very similar to Arkansasese.

A few that I like are: warsh-as in Monday is warsh day; rinch-rinch (rinse) the dishes; hove-past tense of to heave; gob-a large amount (this is especially good in a highly technical presentation); light a shuck to somewhere-go there; onliest-I have no idea where this came from; mainest-ditto; skeert-scared; a-feared of-afraid of; plumb out-don’t have any; slap out-as in Slapout, Okla. (there really is such a place); grip-luggage; roas N ear-corn on the cob; gully-warsher-heavy rain.

Awfully pretty?

Crick for creek is troublesome. The only places I have heard crick used for creek are in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota oilfields.

Thanks for the article.

EMIL A. SCHAEFER

Sherwood

A ray of hope for all

I was driving home from the grocery store recently when I spotted a rain-soaked lad on a bike trying to shield himself from the rain and wind with an unruly umbrella being cast about by the wind. I had on a rain jacket with a tie hood. I stopped the car and asked the lad if he’d like my jacket. He gladly accepted. I snatched a business card from my wallet, stuffed it into a jacket pocket and instructed him to call or email me to arrange a return of the jacket.

I neither expected to hear from him, nor ever see the jacket again. But that was okay; it was a thrifty flea market purchase. I just was glad to help him weather the rain. An old Christian/Jewish principle-go about doing good as you would have others do unto you-and as I told him on the sidewalk, pass it forward.

Well, folks, just because the youth who act like morons get all the media attention, never fret, there are young people of honor and integrity across our land. The lad emailed me that very day and asked for directions to return the jacket. The next day he appeared at my door, jacket in hand, offering thanks.

He gave me a ray of reassuring hope for our youth. I made a strong point to praise him and stress how important he was to his generation to be of such worth and personal responsibility. I may have overdone the accolades, but wanted him to be told he was a young man of sound principle.

Each time you meet such youths, encourage them. The ones of integrity need praise to remain principled when all those who don’t have any are getting the attention.

MARSHA ALLEN

Maumelle

Nation’s best days?

At the dedication of his new library, George W. Bush said, “our nation’s best days lie ahead.” Oh really, George?

The old story goes that Captain Smith, driving the Titanic, said the bad news is we’ve had a minor collision. The good news is we have plenty of ice.

Are the good ol’ days gonna happen before or after the collapse of the dollar and the bankruptcy of our nation, or before or after 75 percent of the people are on government assistance?

I’m glad George has a big ranch. I may need to pitch a tent there.

STEVE WILSON

Hot Springs Village

Editorial, Pages 79 on 05/12/2013

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