LETTERS

Repetition could help

A recent issue included a piece on the editorial page by J. Dana Stuster about the worst king tide in decades that had swept the Marshall Islands the week before. It further pointed out that by the most conservative estimates of sea-level rise, the islands will be wiped off the map by the end of the century given the appalling lack of effort by big emitters to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions.

On the Voices page of the same issue, a writer asked that somebody please explain to him again how freezing lakes and oceans are resultant of global warming. His reference is that this was previously explained to him so we may assume that he forgot.

Hey, one can’t be criticized for that; lord knows we’ve all fallen victim to a faulty memory.

Fortunately in this case, there are virtually limitless sources from which to review climate-change issues and the effects on temperature and rising sea levels. Granted here that the writer asked about temperature and I am referencing an article about sea levels, it is quite common to see both discussed as related to climate change.

I simply recommend to the writer, and others with similar questions, a little effort to access the plethora of easily obtainable research information. Take notes this time, and review often.

As has been said, repetition is the mother of all learning.

ROLAND ROBINSON Maumelle

That must have hurt!

The chuckle of the day does not usually come from court news, but … I’ve heard of people shot in the face, in the heart and in the back, but never before “on the 17th Street side of the home, only blocks from Arkansas Baptist College,” as Spencer Willems recently wrote.

VERLA SWEERE Little Rock

Can’t cut to the chase?

Here’s the real difference between the answers of Sen. Mark Pryor and Congressman Tom Cotton to the question of whether or not military service is a qualification to become a senator. When asked a yes or no question, Senator Pryor responded with a “no” for an answer. Congressman Cotton gave a response of over one hundred words, saying in essence, in my opinion, that he agreed with the senator’s line of thinking. His “no” was hidden in that fulsome response, but it was a “no” nevertheless.

And yet the writer of the editorial piece accuses the senator of a “blunt” response and praises the congressman for a “reasoned and principled” position. How can giving a hundred-word response to a yes-or-no question be considered cutting through the cant and a much shorter answer be deemed “talking points?”

If the questioner were to ask the senator his reasoning, I’m sure a response would be forthcoming. I, for one, would prefer cutting to the chase rather than dressing up one’s answer to make it appear to be whatit wasn’t-an answer of “no.” TONY HICKERSON Fayetteville

Military service value

Sen. Mark Pryor’s recent comments about Tom Cotton’s service in Iraq and Afghanistan are deeply troubling to me. As a veteran of the Gulf War and a third-generation war veteran, I left the service with a sense of accomplishment after defending my country, not a sense of entitlement that Senator Pryor apparently thinks veterans have.

I think the United States Senate could use more military men and women like Tom Cotton. Folks who have the courage to stand and lead rather than go along with the norm in Washington.

I have been a Democrat all of my life, and hate to say it, but Mark Pryor’s comments sounded completely desperate to me. I will not vote for someone who doesn’t realize the value of military service.

ROBERT GLENN CHATHAM Tillar

Thinly veiled papers

How thin is my paper?

My paper is so thin it has only one side. My paper is so thin I can read page five without even opening the paper.

My paper is so thin that my bird complains it doesn’t protect his cage floor. My paper is so thin that I now call it the “stealth” edition; it’s too thin to see.

My paper is so thin that I can’t hide behind it at breakfast anymore.

My paper is sooooo thin that even the digital edition curls my computer monitor at the corners.

WILLIAM G. FRANKLIN Jonesboro

Dignity not happening

Several observations are in order. Recently Mr. JR Cromwell wrote that he is “discriminated against.” He also refers to “yellow-dog Democrats.”

There ain’t no sucha thang. I’m a Rabid Yeller Dawg Democrat. It’s my job to discriminate agin Republicans.

But, contrary to Mr. Cromwell’s apparent assertion, I believe the paper does not do so. There’s a fair balance of opinions by the editor of the Voices page. I wish it were more like Mr. Cromwell sees it.

And Ms. Marty Henry asks politely for some “degree of dignity.” Nope. Not as long as the “Party Of No” (aka Republicans) are active in politics.

They are no longer a political party. You will find them described in DMH 4. In my opinionated opinion, they have become a mental condition. BUDD SAUNDERS Durham

Could happen again

I flew the route flown by Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 more than anyone probably, certainly from Arkansas. There are significant gaps in radar and radio coverage through much of the flight.

But I think we’re missing the point. Prior to 9/11, any one of 14 flight attendants could access the cockpit with their key, and if the door jammed, it was easy enough to kick in.

Now with triple-bolted doors, any one disgruntled pilot owns the airplane. There is a crash ax in every cockpit, and with the other pilot strapped in, the weakest pilot can overcome the strongest. It is an unintended consequence of 9/11, and I expect it to happen again.

PHILLIP FINCH Batesville