Get past the stigma
Well, we've lost Robin Williams. Once again, a talented, creative person, apparently with a severe mental illness, has succumbed to the hardest thing to overcome, and that's our own hand.
We often ask ourselves, "Why?" And there is really no answer.
You know, the beauty of this life lived, though it dies, is that it blossoms and sprouts anew to produce much fruit for the lessons and the good of man.
Get help. It's beatable. Praise God for modern medicine and the doctors and scientists who are absolute geniuses, who dedicate their lives to better treatment for severe mental illness.
Let's fight this stupid stigma that keeps people from getting help and moving on. Let's not define ourselves by what others think of us. The productivity and cost-effectiveness of treated mental illness, whether crippling depression, schizophrenia or any other mental illness, can often exceed pre-illness functioning.
Sick or sober, the good that can come from this tragedy, shedding light on the perils of paralyzing depression, could redirect countless lives to a new, better future.
Let's count our blessings and never take good health for granted, as it could be taken at any time. And let's also be thankful for having the love and laughter of Robin Williams. May he rest in the arms of the Lord.
KYLE M. CORNETT
Morrilton
Do something about it
Instead of crying on TV that you lost your insurance (because of Obamacare), pick up the phone and get some quotes from Blue Cross.
How did you get insured in the first place? Did someone give it to you?
JEFF MADISON
Springdale
Should double-check
It seems we have a secretary of state who cannot look at his tax statements and see that he is taking two homestead credits. This went on for years until somebody else found it.
It is very easy to see on your statements. Maybe we all should double-check our statements. There are a lot of people who got into serious trouble for stealing less.
And would someone help that pitiful couple in the ad with their health insurance? You can keep your health insurance company--Blue Cross, Humana or whatever you like--but they may change the plans they offer. They need help before they wind up bankrupt because of health-care costs.
URBA REED
Batesville
About time to awake
Joe Biden recently said that the Obama administration would not rest until the VA mess was fixed. This sounds like a perfect opportunity for a long-term sleep-deprivation study.
And another thing: Nobody has ever said how all those women were forced into taking those jobs at Hobby Lobby.
DON SHORT
Farmington
Fight climate change
Growing numbers among us are becoming alarmed about the dangers of climate change and the urgency to act to curb carbon emissions globally. While recycling, upgrading light bulbs, and driving more efficient vehicles help some, they are clearly insufficient. So we protest power-plant emissions, the Mayflower oil spill, and fracking, but progress is slow.
Then one day we receive a summons, "This is an invitation to change everything."
In September, world leaders will gather in New York City for a United Nations climate summit to "galvanize and catalyze climate action." With the eyes of the world on this summit, the People's Climate March is taking to the streets of New York City to demand decisive global action and strong domestic policy to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. More than 700 organizations are convening the largest climate march in history. Numerous trains and more than 400 buses are expected from across the country. One of these is coming from Arkansas.
While one action cannot solve climate change, we are building a movement and creating a turning point in the fight against climate change by building stronger connections with each other. Here at home, organizing the bus trip is raising awareness and bringing together individuals and groups from around the state, many of them young people fighting for their future. We need you aboard, too. Find out how you can contribute at 1in7b.net/PCM.
DONNAL WALTER
Roland
An unprepared man
I was born in 1915 and I am too old to try to do anything about getting this president impeached. But I do wonder what is wrong with the real Americans in this country that they do not do anything to get this president impeached.
I think he is the worst president I have seen and you can't imagine my surprise when he was re-elected! What is everyone thinking? Doesn't everyone know we are now isolated? It seems no other country respects this man. If they did, they would have some interest in him.
What is wrong with what was once known as the greatest country in the world that we would elect not once, but twice, someone so evidently unprepared to be a president?
LUCILLE HARRIS
Conway
Into the void again ...
Again and again I see letters directing venom toward Congress, and again I hear the cry "vote them out."
Ah yes, vote them out. Well, wasn't this the chant two years ago? Wasn't this what people wanted? Vote them out. Never mind that when a person is voted out, then someone must be voted in. Obviously, this simple fact was somehow neglected and not taken into consideration. By all means, vote them out!
Well, folks, that is exactly what happened.
Now once again the cry is repeated, "vote them out." When a void is created, something must fill that void. Never mind that what fills that void could potentially be worse than what was originally there. Doesn't matter.
"Vote them out."
DAVID KELLEY
Fort Smith
Editorial on 08/24/2014