NWA LETTERS

Valuing human life

In response to Lowell Grisham’s Sept. 22 column, DNA has exonerated many from prison who were innocent of death penalty crimes, but it has also placed some on death row by its existence at crime scenes.

Now, to the larger question, do I, as a Christian, value human life? You best believe it. Am I being hypocritical when I am anti-abortion yet pro-death penalty? Perhaps not when you compare the two. The first is an innocent while the other is a perpetrator. One has a “clean slate” while the other has proven unfit to be among us.

As for the example of Johnny Lee (poor baby), it’s amazing how many inmates find religion once inside prison walls. And finally, the very fact the death penalty is our ultimate punishment, reserved only for those who commit the most horrific of crimes, shows how very much we, as a society, do value human life.

JIM STOWE

Fayetteville

The spread of a syndrome

I am alarmed to see that an infectious strain of the Greenberg Syndrome has reached the Voices page. The column by Dana Kelley, “Outsider’s View,” on Oct. 2 invokes and then preaches from Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America.” That fascinating commentary by a foreign traveler in the early days of this nation’s history never fails to charm, but it is increasingly difficult to justify applying de Tocqueville’s observations to a country he could hardly have imagined, recognized or understood.

It is, of course, no surprise that Paul Greenberg still invokes de Tocqueville, as he does in his column on Oct. 4, but because he still lives in the 19th century, that is understandable. Nevertheless the spread of this disease, or rash, must be stopped.

DAVID W. HART

Fayetteville

Ordinance would

protect water

I am disheartened that the proposed Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance, sometimes referred to as the “septic ordinance,” long in the making, appears to have mounting opposition in the Benton County Quorum Court.

The ordinance would require that existing septic systems in unincorporated parts of the county be inspected upon transfer of title of the property. The ordinance would not apply in cases of transfer to family members. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to help protect the drinking water supply and water quality from pathogens and increased nutrients entering ground and surface waters.

With all of the concern about karst topography and the concentrated animal feeding operation close to the Buffalo River, I am surprised some justices of the peace are not supportive of this proactive ordinance. The ordinance requires only that the seller and the buyer come to an agreement on repairing a faulty septic system. If the system is deemed “failing,” it is addressed under existing law.

Local officials tell us that more than 20 people move to Benton County every day, and many of these folks will live on unincorporated property serviced by a septic system. This ordinance is driven by common sense and a desire for good sanitation.

I call on the Benton County Quorum Court to act on behalf of all the citizens of Benton County and to summon the courage to stand up to any organization, no matter how powerful, that opposes this ordinance.

We’re watching you!

GRIMSLEY GRAHAM

Rogers

School doesn’t make sense

Once again the primary objective of rekindling the growth and revitalization in historic downtown Rogers has been lost.

Rumor has it the new owners of the downtown Peach Tree Hotel (the Waltons) will establish a new private high school.

Of all the things under the sun, I personally would never think a private school would help bring the common public to downtown to improve its vitality, not to mention the parking issues it might raise for those businesses trying to do so.

Ironically, Visit Bentonville, the idea generator group, is pursuing an entertainment hotel concept (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 25). Well, I hope it’s ironic, or maybe this is just a bad rumor. I hope so.

GEORGE SAYRE

Rogers

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