That isn't the problem
Re the editorial on the rash of school shootings: I believe the editor missed the main problem. I think the problem is not guns, gun laws, mental health or more police officers; the problem is the removal from our society of Christian principles.
What did you think would happen when the Bible was removed from our schools? What did you think would happen when Christian morals and ethics were no longer taught? What did you think would happen when teachers were no longer allowed to discipline students?
After a half-century of efforts to convert the United States from a Christian nation into a godless society, why are you unhappy with the results?
The editorial said "suggestions welcome." Well, here is one: Put the Bible back in schools!
BOBBY GENE WILLIS
Dardanelle
More insulting names
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's recent action on the Washington Redskins got me to thinking. That office has a lot more work to do on insulting names/trademarks.
Aunt Jemima? Gone.
Hooters? An insult to all women.
BenGay? No way.
Cajun's Wharf? Got to geaux.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? Adios.
On second thought, the Patent and Trademark Office needs to go back to sleep, just as it has been for the past 200-plus years.
SCOTT VAUGHN
North Little Rock
Opens the door wide
Re "No rest for the Rapert": Mr. John Brummett apparently thinks that homosexuals will be receiving unequal treatment if they are disallowed from marrying.
From his column, with minor changes:
The issue is inequality of treatment under the law in a country committed by its constitution to equality.
No one is permitted under prevailing law to marry a same-sex friend. Thus there is no inequality; everyone is equally stopped.
If the people of Arkansas passed a constitutional amendment saying brunettes could marry their same-sex friend, but redheaded people couldn't, then a redheaded person with a deep affection for his same-sex friend might have a case.
But as long as everyone alike is legally prohibited from marrying their beloved same-sex friend, then there's no problem in this great country.
I think it should be clear from the above that allowing homosexual marriage will open the door to many other variations.
RONNIE HARRIS
Gillham
The life of a politician
Re the practice of politicians jointly addressing and seeking clarity on legal issues with the public's involvement and participation: As constructive critics, we must not overlook the knowledge gained from those who believe they know another version, have a different insight into, have drawn radically different conclusions from and have had a near-lifetime of experiences in a variety of situations.
Knowing and following the middle road of comprehensive circumstances where traffic runs both ways often causes us to reflect upon the groundedness of our experience enriched through and within pragmatic and logical reasoning. The practice of reasonable thinking, when one feels good about a stated position especially related to politics and/or controversial subjects, is a place for the mind to be valued in the thoughts, practices and beliefs of seasoned progressive right-wing liberals and left-wing conservatives.
Both types of politicians think they are reasonable and generally pragmatic about the circumstances under which they yield to compromise and follow a middle road, motivated by the practice of sensibility. Thus the politician seeks to be perceived as a public servant, somewhat grounded in common sense, as well as local, state and federal law.
The life of a politician is about an adversary in undeclared and declared standoffs, preparing, clashing, retreating, rebuilding one's case, withholding and/or providing valued information until there is a more level playing field. Situational truth occurs when government can move on to deal with another situation that advances liberals and conservatives with popular opposite choices or options.
CECIL McDERMOTT
Conway
Will be his undoing
On Feb. 9, 2014, Mr. Karl Hansen printed a letter blasting Paul Greenberg for advancing the GOP agenda. In his writing, he slammed Republicans for having a vendetta against the first black president in our history.
I have waited for a while to respond to this letter because I knew there would be plenty more ammunition to respond with if I just gave it a little more time. Well, all I can say is "wow!"
Now it seems the community organizer in chief in the White House can claim the VA scandal, thousands of illegal children crossing the border, and the falling of Iraq. Add these to Benghazi, Fast and Furious, IRS, Obamacare, etc., etc., and I believe what you have is an amateur in the Oval Office who seems to be hell-bent on "fundamentally changing America" ... at any cost. But when he released the five terrorists from prison at Guantanamo, I think this will probably be his and the Democratic Party's undoing.
So, Mr. Hansen, I eagerly await your response.
BURL HUFFMAN
Centerton
Waiting for answers
In December of 2013 Senator Pryor had a political commercial on TV depicting him with a Bible and telling us how the Bible was his guide.
I sent him a letter (email) with questions on how he would vote on three particular subjects: (1) a constitutional amendment banning abortion, (2) a constitutional amendment allowing prayer in public schools, and (3) a constitutional amendment placing the Ten Commandments in federal buildings.
Senator, I'm still waiting for a reply. What was it Jesus said about "blind guides," and "hypocrites all?"
DAVID WEAVER
Sherwood
Editorial on 06/24/2014