I agree with the person who wrote in recently about beautiful Gulley Park in Fayetteville, asking that it not be changed, as it is fine the way it is.
I could have said the same about our beautiful lake in Springdale's Murphy Park, but no one told us before the bulldozers went in and tore down trees, drained the lake, removed the waterfowl habitat, including the island that allowed the birds to breed and raise their young right here in the midst of our city. It was a joy to see and hear the wild geese fly over the neighborhood every morning and again each night as they came and went to the lake.
The park was a big draw for families; students from the high school across the street, who often painted scenes of the geese on the lake for their art classes; old folks; and many other people, winter or summer. We loved the Christmas decorations, the lake that reflected the city lights, and the wild birds found there: hawks, geese, many kinds of wild ducks, domestic fowl that have been dropped off at times, herons and egrets. People fished in the lake with their children or alone for the peace and quiet.
Now it is a waste land, a disaster area morphed into something no one I know ever asked for. The work has stalled, leaving a waste land where once there was beauty and life.
Joyce Murray
Springdale
A little lesson on the need for the Electoral College
I am amazed at the historical ignorance of those who are railing against the president-elect, Donald Trump, based on the fact that although he has amassed a majority of the electoral votes, he is trailing in the total popular vote.
These people apparently do not appreciate the wisdom of having an Electoral College populated by electors whose numbers are based on both population and the number of senators of each state. This is the same reason we have two entities in the legislative body, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Framers of the Constitution knew something about history, and the fact that true democracies always failed rapidly for the very reason that people discovered early on that in a true democracy they could vote themselves perceived power and wealth. Therefore these populations rapidly became takers from the governing body instead of contributors, and the governments failed.
If we had a true democracy, all federal laws and rules would be controlled by a very small portion of our country, the far west and the far east, because these areas are the most heavily populated. This so called fly-over country, in which we live, would be totally without political power. The United States of America is not a true democracy; we very fortunately are a democratic republic, thanks to the Framers of our Constitution.
Richard Eggert
Bella Vista
Veterans set to stand against pipeline project
From Dec. 4-7, hundreds of American veterans will converge on Standing Rock to speak out against the Dakota Access Pipeline, the destruction of Native American sacred lands and police brutality the peaceful protesters have suffered protecting their land and the water that belongs to all Americans.
Attendees will include Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and retired Baltimore police officer Michael A. Wood, Jr. As of now, there are more than 250 veterans committed to go to North Dakota. My question: Will Rep. Steve Womack and Sen. Tom Cotton join their fellow veterans in this extremely worthwhile cause?
Of the many reasons the veterans decided it was time for Veterans Stand for Standing Rock, other than the treatment water protectors are receiving, is the disgraceful lack of coverage from major television news people. It is hoped CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC will finally show up to report what has actually happened in America to fellow Americans -- especially Native Americans.
Mike Masterson, Arkansas' own water protector, it would be great if Mike Masterson, Arkansas' own water protector, joined Veterans Stand with Standing Rock and reported back to all of Arkansas. He has been beating the drums, so to speak, for clean water for years. People in Arkansas will be awaiting his comments.
Water is Life. You can't drink oil or oil-contaminated water.
Phyllis Lafferty
Bella Vista
Players tend to play as they're coached (or not)
NCAA football players play as they have been coached or disciplined (or not). Don't blame players unless they just ignore what they have been taught (or not).
When Bret Bielema says the Razorbacks amassed 55 yards of penalties ... don't blame a lineman who is trying to stop an opponent on fourth and one and jumps the snap, unless he's been coached (or not) in that same situation. Don't blame the safeties if they don't play deep when playing against a rifle-arm quarterback, unless they have been coached (or not) to take that position.
Coaches bear that responsibility.
Preliminary talks about bowl game selection has no part in preparing to play the next opponent.
Tom Goldsborough
Bella Vista
Editorial on 12/02/2016