Letters

Study alternatives to war

Concerning Sen. Tom Cotton's Iran letter: My understanding of the senator's position is based upon the concept of "American exceptionism." That is, there are international norms for behavior and also exceptions to these norms. The senator has accused Iran of meddling in the affairs of neighbors like Iraq and other countries in the region, saying this shows why Iran is dangerous and can't be trusted.

On the other hand, he doesn't complain about the U.S. meddling in the affairs of the same countries. The apparent reason is that, in his view, the U.S. owns a permanent exception to the normal rules governing international behavior.

In the same way he voices uncritical support for Israel, with its nuclear arsenal and military occupation of neighboring countries, Israel also gets an exception from international norms.

A previous U.S. senator from Arkansas, J. William Fulbright, came up with a different analysis. He called his book The Arrogance of Power. When Senator Cotton has some spare time, I encourage him to consider it.

Fulbright was elected five times to the U.S. Senate from Arkansas. His career in the military, as president of the University of Arkansas and 30 years in the U.S. Senate provided him with a broad view of America's true place in the world.

I wouldn't expect Senator Cotton to agree with Fulbright, but why not consider the alternative to endless war? Fulbright recognized that a big powerful country like the U.S. would always strongly influence world affairs, but how best to use this influence.

JOSEPH C. NEAL

Fayetteville

Where a solution lies

Many letters espousing approval and disapproval of Sen. Tom Cotton's letter to the Iranians have been appearing on these pages. I doubt it would have much negative effect on current negotiations.

I believe the president and administration have generally failed at international diplomacy. Their record does not raise my faith to anticipate any improvement.

Iran has lied in the past about its nuclear program. Most if not all other countries likely have lied about various programs or actions. I have every reason to believe the same will happen in the future. Point is, agreements come too late, carry too little penalty, and are not much more than feel-good pieces of paper. Unfortunately for the feel-good part, it is such for only a portion of the population, which may or may not be the majority. Rest assured the various news media will have frenzy with it, because it sells.

Conclusion: Iran will someday have nuclear-weapon capability, as will other unfriendly countries. What conclusive action will the rest of the world take? The solution does not lie with Iran, or countries of their ilk.

KEITH DE NOBLE

Bigelow

Service doesn't entitle

Kudos to the gentleman from Little Rock who wrote that Tom Cotton doesn't speak for all, and "for a Harvard graduate, he doesn't seem to be very wise."

I served with the U.S. Army in Iraq as a senior officer, albeit not as long as Capt. Tom Cotton. But I never felt my military service in Iraq entitled me, or qualified me, to be a U.S. congressman, or U.S. senator, although I might have liked to have served on Capitol Hill.

And I feel like our American history has shown that you don't have to have been an attorney to honorably serve in high political office with great integrity, honesty, compassion, and just good sense, for all Americans.

JOE SNAVELY

Hot Springs Village

To live under tyranny

Thanks to Mr. Jack Mayberry for his kudos to our newly elected senator, Tom Cotton. If I thought our good state paper would print more letters like his instead of the many Cotton-bashers, I might just sit and wait. However, since our side has much catching up to do, I ain't a-waitin'.

First off, I will admit even I can be considered "total knowledge of the Constitution" illiterate. I, though, like our president who admitted on national TV that he had a phone and a pen, am so equipped, but that does not equate to proper knowledge of the Constitution as witnessed by our economy and falling national stature under his leadership.

I do not really want to shortchange President Barack Obama, but I think more is required than those two tools in attempting to lead our great republic. What is truly at stake here, in my humble opinion, are the values of America such as freedom, and the laws and safety of "we the people," which I believe his governance is eroding and stealing from us, causing us to live under tyranny.

I say well done, Tom Cotton. I pray we gain more genuine conservatives who do realize the gifts of our great country of America and turn the direction of our country back to the greatest document as set forth by our forefathers called the Constitution.

LORETTA B. LONGINOTTI

Little Rock

GOP's secret weapon

Tom Cotton. Ah--the Pride of Arkansas. The finest political product Koch money can buy. Rates right up there with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Yeah--that's the ticket!

These two Koch golden boys could be the GOP's secret weapon. Finally--someone conservative enough for the GOP base. And with the Koch pledge to spend $889 million on the 2016 election, maybe even enough money to defeat Hillary Clinton.

Scott and Tom or Tom and Scott. Either way, they'd make a great morning drive-time radio program. Listen in as these rascally boys trade barbs and quirky quips about busting unions and ayatollahs. We'll show them furriners, ungrateful teachers and poor people what small government and endless wars are all about.

Yeah--think about that--and sleep well tonight.

JOEL EASLEY

Scott

Proud of the senator

It is amazing all the liberals that came out when Sen. Tom Cotton told Iran and the world the truth. Where were they when Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats did similar things? You would think they would applaud the truth since their president does not seem to know the meaning of the word. Senator Cotton stood up to a man who apparently thinks his word is law, and I am proud of him.

By the way, if you are ashamed of Arkansas, you can always move.

BARBARA CASH

Conway

Made the right choice

I have enjoyed seeing the weeping and gnashing of teeth by the radical left over Tom Cotton's Iran letter.

I met Tom Cotton in a Russellville restaurant a few months ago. He was quiet and soft-spoken. I didn't think he would have the backbone to stand up to President Barack Obama, but was I ever wrong.

I believe it has been affirmed that the people of Arkansas made the right choice. We have someone in Washington who is not afraid to fight to keep President Obama from destroying this country. I just hope it isn't too late.

RICK GRAY

Russellville

Strategic leadership

Well, young Mr. Cotton has surely poked a hornet's nest or two since his arrival in the nation's capital. Apparently it's kind of bracing to the political elites to have a newcomer be so forthright in addressing his betters on foreign-policy issues. We can and will debate the wisdom or lack of the same in how he is going about it as even some of the signatories to his Iran letter have expressed second thoughts about it. But by putting his life on the line in combat zones post 9/11, I certainly believe he's earned a right of hearing.

Our commander-in-chief has been leading from behind for so long now, he undoubtedly thinks he's in first place. Perhaps we may be in the eyes of those who see capitulation, appeasement and vacillation as noble virtues. I suspect, however, that our closest allies don't have the same warm and fuzzy feeling. Under his odd practice or even non-practice of strategic leadership, it seems we've proven consistently unsteady, untrustworthy and unreliable to those nations and peoples who should be our staunchest friends.

Under this administration we struggle to correctly define our enemies, much less contain them. Senator Cotton understands this and is not afraid to say what others will only think. Unfortunately history reveals the folly of confronting evil with hollow words and vapid actions.

Our young senator is nothing if not resolute in his conviction that we must identify, quantify and, if necessary, nullify our enemy. The only thing our president seems resolute about is in not offending our enemy. Tom Cotton's entrance to the U.S. Senate may have been awkward, heavy-handed and over the top to others, but I'm not one bit ashamed of him being from Arkansas. Keep it up, Senator!

MIKE STANLEY

Highland

What his voters want

Mr. Jay Stanley III and several others seem to be somewhat miffed over Sen. Tom Cotton's letter to the leaders in Iran in which he explains the workings of our Constitution.

In his letter, Mr. Stanley advises Senator Cotton to consider the effect on the nation's objectives prior to signing such a letter. I rather suspect that Senator Cotton did just that, which was, in large part, the reason for the letter. That being essentially that approval by the U.S. Senate must be obtained for ratification of any treaty and that a president cannot make any such binding agreement without that approval even though the current occupant of the White House seems to think that requirement does not apply to him.

One gentleman in the letters attempted to equate the "negotiating" by General MacArthur with the Japanese to end World War II and the "negotiations" by General Grant to end the Civil War with the current discussions with the Iranians. Both General MacArthur and General Grant, by force of arms, dictated the terms of surrender and the vanquished had no choice but to sign them. There were no "negotiations" in either instance.

Mr. Stanley made a statement to Senator Cotton that, "you were elected to represent your constituents," and also that the senator should ask himself the question, "What do my constituents want me to do?"

In reply to Mr. Stanley, I am happy to say I am a constituent of Senator Cotton and as such I also say, bravo, Senator, you're doing exactly what I want you to do, just keep doing it.

BOB BUZBEE

Maumelle

Feedback

Cannot negotiate

God bless Tom Cotton, a senator with the courage to stand up for America. Unlike milquetoast Mark Pryor, I believe Cotton has real qualifications for the office, not the least of which is serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He understands the mentality of the Middle Eastern warmongers.

Where do you critics get the idea that you can negotiate with these people, and that if they agree to the negotiations that they'll honor the agreement? We negotiated with North Korea, yippee. Many retired military officers have stated that these negotiations will end with Iran having the atomic bomb. What then, World War III?

DAN STEHLONG

Hot Springs Village

The sit-rep, please

Being a former Navy man, I have only one simple question for Sen. Tom Cotton regarding his letter to Iran: Whiskey-tango-foxtrot, Oscar?

HOYT LOUKS

Little Rock

Editorial on 03/26/2015

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