New Jersey beautiful
Re Mike Masterson's "Seeing the signs": He stated that he "wouldn't wish the experience called New Jersey on anyone." He was homesick for Arkansas and prayed for a job back home, a prayer that was apparently granted days later with, as he calls it, a "GodNod."
We've experienced some of these spiritual nods ourselves, one being spending the first half of our lives in the beautiful state of New Jersey. Perhaps God brought Mike back because he failed to see the beauty all around him.
Living in Toms River, he was a short drive to the Sandy Hook National Seashore and Island Beach State Park. Does he miss those massive oak trees? A couple hours northwest of him was the Appalachian Trail crossing near the Delaware National Water Gap.
We lived in Northwest Jersey, known for its participation in the state's farmland-preservation program. After job-related moves to Maryland and Kansas City, each beautiful in their own right, we decided to retire to Northwest Arkansas, not only because it was near our children, but also because it was so similar to our home.
Perhaps someday Mike might be called back to New Jersey to fully experience it.
SUSAN and BRIAN WOODRUFF
Bella Vista
Can get things done
Do black lives matter? Do brown lives matter? Do poor people's lives matter? Will the Dreamers' dreams ever come true? They will if you make them come true. You don't have to march, destroy something, etc. All you have to do is vote. Help register people to vote. Talk to friends and ask them to vote. Get started. Get organized.
We can have pre-kindergarten, more public defenders, Dreamers can realize their dreams, more money for UAMS, higher education, etc., and many other things that will make Arkansas a better place for all people to live.
If the past is an indication, I don't think you will vote for Republicans. However, if you vote for Democrats, make sure they will vote for these causes. Ask them to introduce these bills. If they say there is not enough support, ask them to do it anyway. Keep up with how they vote--every single one of them. If at the end of their term, they have done none of these things, look for another candidate.
Remember, when your votes can decide whether or not someone stays in the Legislature or has to find another job, you will be very surprised at how much you can get done. You will indeed have a seat at the table. You bet! Remember, get out the vote, and vote for candidates who will move Arkansas forward.
BONNIE BARTON COOK
Fayetteville
Frankenstein no help
That monster stumbling through the national presidential campaign thickets has hired yet a third Dr. Frankenstein to make him look pretty.
Poor little rich monster, more and more villagers turn away from his ugliness to run home and lock up. "We called you, but don't call us," their parting concession and wish.
Poor little rich villagers, will they seek the protection of Democratic Hillarium or just slog on being big lower-lipped about not having a larger castle and more stuff?
GARY BRODNAX
Fayetteville
Deteriorated highway
We have traveled all over the country and although we've encountered our share of bad roads, we've never had to travel an interstate as bad as I-40 on the eastern side of Arkansas.
Yes, I know it has a lot of truck traffic. So does I-40 through Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, etc. And I-20 through Louisiana and Mississippi has heavy truck traffic and can be rough in spots, as can many high-traffic highways up north that endure lots of snow and ice.
But we have never been on anything to compare to our own I-40 East. It is a nightmare--for people and alignments, axles, etc. Keep your mouth closed tightly--your fillings may be jarred loose, and above all, don't put your tongue between your teeth.
Seriously, there were no signs to warn drivers of huge holes or lane-wide open cracks and trenches. There was no reduced speed and one can't slow down much for fear of being smashed by a truck. On one bridge, there were numerous hubcaps up against the sides, knocked off, no doubt, by the punishing road.
Shame on us, Arkansas! What has happened to our usually good highways? I know when we lived out of state, we'd always be thankful to get back on Arkansas' good highways. I saw our Legislature finally approved some highway matching funds before hundreds of millions in federal highway money went to another state.
What's up? Why is 40 East so bad and why does it look like we aren't doing a thing about it?
It sure gives a bad impression to anyone entering the state from east of the Mississippi.
CAROL BURT
Morrilton
Using common sense
Re the Wade Naramore trial: My guess is that the Legislature intended to write the Arkansas criminal statutes to reflect common sense, and for prosecutors to use common sense when enforcing them.
For example: (1) Have your kid in the back seat while you use the vehicle to commit a violent crime which results in harm to the child = criminal act. (2) Intentionally leave your kid in the back seat while you go gamble, drink, hunt squirrels, or attend yoga class, resulting in harm to the child = criminal act. (3) Inadvertently leave your own unconditionally loved, well-cared-for, doted-on sleeping kid in a rear-facing child seat in the back seat because of a stress-induced mental lapse, resulting in harm to the child = accident.
Extracting a pound of flesh in example three serves no public purpose, or as a deterrent to others. It simply torments a wound that anguishes four generations of your family and never heals anyway.
KENT HENDRIX
Hope
On train comparison
Re Ray McMillin's letter which compares the Trump train to a Lionel set. This can be taken two ways.
For Christmas in 1938, Santa Claus brought me a Lionel set which has been passed on to family. In December 2015, this set ran as well as it did in 1938.
I expect my train to be still running after the Trump train has long since parked at some obscure siding. Take your pick.
ALFRED KAHLER
Little Rock
Editorial on 08/23/2016