Letters

The way to afford it

It is obvious to me that Carl Miller does not understand economics. He supports the minimum-wage increase but at the same time says grocery and gas prices shouldn't increase.

Without raising prices, how are grocery stores and gas stations supposed to pay more money to their employees? The higher the minimum wage, the higher prices on everything have to be so that companies can afford to pay the new minimum wage.

As a wise man once said, "It's the economy, stupid."

JASON LAMBERT

Ward

Republican oversight

Since Burl Huffman of Centerton waited to respond to my letter, I waited for the Republican Committee for Investigation of Any Rumor headed by Rep. Darrell Issa to prove anything it had asserted.

Still waiting. Nine military officers have since made it clear that the accusers were ignorant of the conditions and capabilities of those involved. Issa is not a military commander nor privy to what they are privy to. It seems there's no big scandal, just Republican bias.

Nouri al-Maliki refused a "status of forces agreement" keeping some U.S. forces there, and as a result we had no choice but to pull out of Iraq. That was a requirement.

Fast and Furious was also a program under George W. Bush before Obama's administration. Only difference was a border patrolman was killed. Could have as readily occurred when Bush did it.

It seems the IRS debacle was simply a bunch of Tea Partiers who got mad when they were required to prove they were doing their stuff legally. Democrats were treated the same (it was testified in the hearings) but just not as many.

I believe Republicans don't want government oversight of their activities, just oversight of Democratic stuff. After all, Republicans are "special" and their wealthy friends should not be inconvenienced by the laws governing the hoi polloi!

What I said that provoked Mr. Huffman remains true, and I believe he and others of his ilk will see it in the end proven to be that.

KARL HANSEN

Hensley

Real fighters at night

As hummingbirds are described by Tom Candela as attacking World War I fighters, there is an encore. If one waits slightly until dusk, the real fighters appear. They are the bats! As the F-85s of the animal kingdom, they come swooping in at high speed using their "radar" to annihilate the enemy (mosquitoes, etc). They flip, turn, dive and put on a real show.

This is a good reason we should make every effort to preserve and protect both hummingbirds and bats.

As I watch over Loch Lomond, a glass of red wine (and maybe a cigar) really makes for an enjoyable sight. A sweetie at your side helps.

RONALD BURKETT

Bella Vista

Forestall destruction

Terry Howerton is no doubt sincere in a desire for moderate voices to bring about "reconciliation and a unity that embraces our diversities." Indeed, the No. 1 public criticism of Congress is the inability to "compromise"--the Holy Grail of politics according to mainstream pundits and pollsters. But do we really want compromise, or just the good feeling we get calling for it?

Attackers of the castle are always ready to compromise. "Send down your women and children so they will be safe and well-fed." Of course they immediately become hostages and are murdered in view of their husbands and fathers. "Throw down your arms, and we will have mercy on you." As their weapons hit the ground, so do their severed heads.

Many defenders understand these tactics and will fight to the end rather than endure the ignominious death from compromise. The others learn very quickly.

In our country today there is a battle to the death going on in front of our non-seeing eyes. I believe the Democrat Party and its green, socialist, liberal and progressive minions are attacking our cultural castle to bring about their leader's promise of "fundamentally transforming the United States of America." It seems they are doing very well, ruling against the wishes of the people in countless areas.

Yet those of us who believe in limited, constitutional government are berated for refusing to accept more of the same--for being unwilling to "compromise" with what we believe to be the destruction not just of our nation, but of Western civilization.

And when we compromise away America, we and our progeny will have no place to go.

ED HISERODT

Maumelle

Price of everything

Bradley Gitz asks the question, "Why [would] anyone produce anything ... without compensation, since there would be no sale and hence no profit?"

Apparently he does not know any answers. How about some of these: (1) because it is for my brother in Christ; (2) because it is to preserve the dignity of another human being; (3) because my country needs it to preserve our liberty; (4) because I wanted the satisfaction of being useful to myself and my society.

Mr. Gitz sounds like someone who fits the classic description, "He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."

LEN WHITE

Fayetteville

To better aid veterans

Veterans Treatment Court is already established in this state and many others. Using our veterans as a political tool is unacceptable. We need more veterans involved in their VA system.

Teach us civilians what we do not understand about combat and your struggle with getting back into society. Build more VA hospitals and clinics. Have a real live veteran on the phone on the suicide hot line, not a message. Families of veterans, educate yourself in how you can be involved.

It's no place for politicians.

KENNIE ZAREMBA

Bryant

Some sound advice

Hands up, don't shoot, huh?

How about hands down, don't loot?

GREGG MEDLOCK

Sherwood

Editorial on 09/01/2014

Upcoming Events