LETTERS

Joy amid devastation

After reading about the devastation of two great central Arkansas towns in the Tuesday issue, I was feeling down. I moved to the Arkansas section and saw the most uplifting photo in the bottom right that changed my outlook for the day.

Arkansas’ most precious resource, our children, signing their letters of intent in El Dorado brought a big “yes” and fist pump from me at the breakfast table. This program sponsored by Murphy Oil is so wonderful. The owners are doing something we should all be doing: investing in the future.

I will proudly visit locations that carry Murphy Oil from now on. Keep up the good work.

DONALD GARRISON JR.

North Little Rock

Not all votes are equal

With reference to Brenda Looper’s recent column on using all votes cast to assign the degree of partisanship of selected politicians, I beg to differ! I believe all votes are not created equal and to ignore this reality is disingenuous.

Mark Pryor’s vote to advance Obamacare was necessary to secure final passage of this legislative disaster. This was a completely partisan vote. Not one Republican in the House or Senate voted for Obamacare. I believe the results will be a social and economic disaster for the American people. Arkansans showed their disdain for Obamacare by awarding all four congressional seats and the one Senate seat contested to the GOP.

Tom Cotton has recognized the dire straits facing the U.S. economy. We are more than $17 trillion in debt and borrowing 35 cents of every dollar we spend.

This harsh reality has led him to go against the GOP House leadership by casting votes that would drive down the deficit and lead to a balanced budget. Some of these votes are easy to demagogue, but I believe Tom Cotton has the courage to go with his convictions.

We can no longer afford “go along to get along” politicians who can’t seem to curb their reckless spending.

DAVID L. SUENRAM

Bull Shoals

Piggy went to market

I am so glad that Jeff Long is marketing the Razorback “brand.” I am so glad that our coaches and recruiters are having to convince athletes to be Hogs because they will be able to wear “new Cardinal.”

I am so glad that our uniforms are changing so that our “brand” can be “marketed.”

Silly me, I always thought our colors were cardinal and white. Silly me, I see where Bama and LSU are able to get good athletes without having to “market” their “brand.” And that most hideous of colors, the burnt orange of Texas, is able to get good players as well without being “marketed.”

I guess teams that win consistently can keep their logos and colors through the years because they are, you know, winning. I guess Long doesn’t mind the Hogs losing as long as they are dressed in some abomination which can be “marketed.”

Silly me.

DAVID KELLEY

Fort Smith

Some humility needed

It seems Al Case continues to ridicule those of faith, especially Christians, referring to them as nonsensical. He apparently concludes that his nonbelief makes him a reasonable man.

When I look at this world and the universe around me, reason tells me that I am looking at God’s creation. I believe that human emotions are directed by a spiritual soul, not by a chemical reaction in a soulless body, and that those emotions often control reason. Good emotions of love and service glorify God. Selfish emotions of hate and arrogance cause us to turn away from God.

Case speaks of evil and morality, but without God I believe the terms are subjective. If we are, as he implies, soulless accidental beings evolved from lesser animals, morality becomes relative to each individual’s desires. Such relativism can be used to justify anything. Case the man makes judgments about morality and evil but I think he can’t understand a God who judges the souls of men.

There is nothing more irrational, Mr. Case, than listening to a man without vision. Great works have been accomplished in science, medicine, engineering and the arts by men who had faith in what they could not see or touch. Maybe your failure to grasp the spiritual side of life is simply a lack of vision, but there is no need to lash out at believers. A little humility and some prayers can open your eyes to the wonder of God’s creation and to the peace of his forgiveness. Give it a try.

DALE LANGE

Bella Vista

On violence in schools

We are living in the days where it seems wrong is right.

Not too long ago in Maumelle, a student brought a gun to school. He was arrested and the gun was seized. After that in Pennsylvania a 16-year old high school student came carrying knives and went on a stabbing spree.

Parents need to know if they have a problem child before anyone at school gets hurt.

Today it seems our schools are a police state. Years ago the teachers and principals handled discipline matters. I believe we need God and prayer restored to our public schools. At least the parochial schools have it. We don’t need war and violence in our schools. Make it safe and a happy atmosphere.

DONALD L. PUTMAN

El Dorado

Same level of success

Imagine a fire chief saying that there were 47 people in a burning building, and the rescue effort was a success because we saved seven of them.

Using that as a guideline, the recent Obamacare enrollment was a similar success.

DONALD R. SHORT

Farmington

Editorial, Pages 19 on 04/30/2014

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