Made to be printed?
Yo, Brenda! I'm not one of those who inundate your office with repeated, unsolicited diatribes, so this issue is not paramount in my life, but I take umbrage at your reference to those who violate your rules that allow for only one letter per writer in a 30-day period.
You write, "Sigh. That policy box on the bottom of the page isn't there just to fill space." Suggest you read the policy box again, as I just did four times to be certain. No reference to a 30-day limit.
SCOTT D. STUBENRAUCH
Roland
Tire's been deflated
In response to Mike Burson's letter, I think Mr. Burson obviously overlooked what is quite obvious to other Razorback fans, and that is, our Michelin-Tire-Man football coach, as Mr. Burson described him, has obviously let some air out of his tires this summer.
Coach Bielema is working hard to have our football team in great shape for this season. I think anyone who compares him to the Michelin Man is not a Razorback fan. Wooo pig Soooie!
J.H. BAXTER
Fayetteville
Must end the stigma
I was fortunate to meet Robin Williams a few years back when he came to Arkansas for his stand-up comedy show. I was so nervous all I could stutter out was "I loved you on Mork and Mindy."
He smiled and said, "That was a [expletive] long time ago."
I, like Robin Williams, have bipolar disorder. I recently got out of the hospital from two suicide attempts one day in June this year. The only way I can describe depression is to tell people to think of their worst day and multiply it by a million and imagine living with that pain most days of the year.
Depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, to name a few mental illnesses, are chemical imbalances of the brain.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, over 39,000 Americans committed suicide in 2011. In America, we have an epidemic of mental illness, which most Americans don't seem to want to acknowledge or discuss publicly.
We need to end the stigma of mental illness and put more resources into finding cures for these life-ending and crippling brain chemical imbalances. Those who need help can call the national suicide prevention crisis line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255); veterans can press 1. Veterans can also text 838255. Help is also available at veteranscrisisline.net or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
I will cherish my brief conversation with Robin Williams for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace, Robin Williams. May God be with and comfort his family.
PATRICK GRAY
Cabot
Seeing chaos on Earth
All these different religions we have in the world today. I believe in the fight over good and evil and that Lucifer brought in his own forces from other universes and put them in places that would cause chaos on Earth.
We know God made woman for man. It's in the Bible. The battle is on now, man and man, woman and woman. I think if you believe in the Bible, they're all going to hell. What is hell? We're back to: Where did all these other religions come from? How about looks, colors, tongues--something to think about. How powerful is the devil? I, for one, am a Christian and I truly believe the only way to get to heaven is to profess that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that you have to repent of all your sins.
I believe the more people in the world, the easier for Satan and harder for our God to show the right way to live. Think about it: How hard is it to survive this crazy, mixed-up world? I think the whole problem is God planned for the Jews to crucify Christ to prove you can get to heaven. Someone had to fit the bill. For me, I feel so sorrowful for the anguish the Jews have had to bear on their shoulders.
One more thing: I am an Arkansawyer, not an Arkansan. I can't stand Kansas.
PHILLIP NUNN
Berryville
Proud of their efforts
Rex Nelson's column, "The Renaissance Man" about El Dorado's Richard Mason and wife, Vertis, rings true.
Being an El Dorado native and returning regularly, my wife Sharon and I have met the Masons through a mutual friend, and are aware of their contributions to downtown El Dorado. Mason's company, Gibraltar, is located on the downtown square in the refurbished National Bank of Commerce building, where my father worked until his death.
El Dorado's downtown square, through the efforts of the Masons and other forward-looking citizens, makes me proud of my hometown.
GATES WILLIAMS
Little Rock
Redirect that money
If all the money being needlessly squandered on the Mark Pryor/Tom Cotton TV ad campaigns could be channeled into our education programs, I believe hate, prejudice and ignorance would be virtually wiped out.
LEE BOYETT
Little Rock
Let slip dogs of war
Brenda Looper has really made herself a target now. She put it in print. It's citable. Some conservative Christians are going to take her to the heretic post for "those other sacred texts."
Let the reliable reproach begin.
ED ROGERS
Little Rock
Music selection tired
Is it just me or are other folks sick of the music we hear on our Little Rock classic rock and oldie stations? I mean, it's like they all have the same CD that they share and play over and over. I haven't heard anything by the Beatles, Elvis, the Doors, etc., in months. I challenge anybody to surf these stations for 10 minutes and not hear the same old stuff by Fleetwood Mac, Prince, the Eagles, and Bob Seger. Gone are the greats of the '50s, the British Invasion and garage bands of the '60s, the sweet soul of the '70s, the power and poetry of the '80s.
I used to like the worn-out artists they now play over and over, but like in-laws and sardines, they stink after a while. There is a great station, 102.3 out of Wynne and Colt, that we love to listen to on the long trips to Tunica. They play it all and with virtually no commercials, but alas, it fades out around Hazen.
KAAY, we miss you!!
BOB CARNATION
Austin
Editorial on 08/13/2014