Record Or Not, Bear Baiting Isn't Sport
I'm not against hunting game but feel the killing of a 500-pound bear (One For The Books, July 17) obtained through baiting is not sporting. Record size or not, I'm not impressed. (The hunter) might as well have trapped the big guy and shot it in the cage.
Marilu Walla
Lowell
Compassion For Kids Possible
On July 27, two columnists and the subject of your editorial advocated a policy of care and love for the children fleeing life-threatening dangers in Central American countries.
Regular columnist Doug Thompson writes: "Stop thinking about the kids coming this way as an immigration issue. Start thinking of it as a child protection issue." He also writes "The lack of a decent life is what those kids are fleeing."
The columnist and Rev. Lowell Grisham asks what a Christian should do for these children, and replies: "We are to love them!" And the children come to us legally.
The Rev. Ronnie Floyd, according to the editorial, went to the border to see for himself, and returned calling "on Christians to help comfort and care for the children."
They suggest various methods. Thompson urges us to be informed, citing the March 2014 report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and to patronize businesses that share their profits with Central Americans. Rev. Floyd urges a "spiritual awakening among those able to help and prayer for government leaders so they'll make the right decisions." He adds "the first obligation we have to each other is compassion and love," to which the editorialist agreed: "It's hard to argue with that." Rev. Grisham reminds us that most of the children have relatives in the U.S. and should be reunited with them under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 15 percent should be welcomed by our communities. Already some churches and towns are starting to do this. (On July 21, the OMNI Center at a rally downtown raised money for a welcoming church in McAllen, Texas) Like Rev. Floyd, Grisham concludes, "You simply love them."
In this spirit of compassion, with these methods of practical assistance, the citizens of Arkansas can help children "fleeing exploitation and violence."
Dick Bennett
Fayetteville
Commentary on 08/10/2014