Needing moral growth
Thanks to Mike Masterson for his "A troubled nation" column. In the column we are challenged to look after our own good and the good of all, to strive for truth, good character and spiritual strength.
Even before this presidential "episode," the need for moral growth was obvious, and now we are faced with a turbulence for better or disaster for all. (And may all sewerage problems be controlled, if not eliminated.)
ROBERT L. ANDERSON
Hot Springs Village
Enlightenment at last
Arkansas Delta racism has been the subject of observant writers for years and the area is known for its consuming bigotry. You can read about sundown towns and racism in the online Arkansas Encyclopedia of History and Culture.
During the Jim Crow era, racism was more obvious in everyday activities. With the arrival of civil rights legislation, it became more subdued and hidden. Today some citizens of the Arkansas Delta continue to deny the existence of racism.
Coming to the realization that blacks, whites and others are in no meaningful way different is the first important step to take. Does Jesus teach us that color makes us different from our neighbor that we love with compassion and view as equal? The way to overcome racism is to talk about it and commit to its eradication.
Reaching out, talking to one another and changing my attitude is a good and wholesome feeling that is productive. You can say that you are not racist because you have black friends and that is commendable. Please think it through carefully and know for sure that you are having a meaningful relationship with people of another race and that you have shed old generational prejudices.
It is hoped that an awakening will evolve in the understanding of those that cling to past generational beliefs. It is true that I am white and cannot know what it is like to be of another race and culture. Tomorrow I will wake up with all the white privilege that my birth endowed me with.
We look forward to future generations not being influenced by current racist opinions. Our history is a passing on of condemning racial feeling to the succeeding generation. It will require a conscious effort to accept that racism is detrimental to a civilized unprejudiced world. We must want to have an undivided world and see the value in attaining it.
RICHARD BULLARD
Stuttgart
Education legislation
To Arkansas' legislators: Many of us who have dedicated our lives to teaching are awaiting the 2017 legislative session with bated breath and some trepidation. There are bills and rumors of bills that will do much damage to the public schools of Arkansas. It seems that there is a desire to dismantle due process, to allow waivers of all kinds, and to remove incentives for future teachers pursuing this noble and rewarding career.
A word of advice: If you value the children of this state and their education, do not listen to the voices that tell you that privatization, budget-slashing, suspending the Fair Dismissal Act, and tinkering with retirement plans are beneficial for public schools. They most definitely are not.
Here is a novel idea: Ask teachers and students what is needed to improve their schools. Nobody ever asks the young people what they need, just as nobody ever asks school staff what would best serve the children. I'm not talking about a handful of educators on committees, or asking administrators. I am proposing that you survey, interview, and visit those for whom you presume to create laws. Only then will you understand what issues we face and how to best serve--which is what you were elected to do--the people of Arkansas.
Please know that we are watching, listening, reading, and discussing your actions, and we will be in touch.
SHELLEY SMITH
Fox
Voter dissatisfaction
Once the crying and the gloating ends, maybe consider this. Donald Trump pulled off a jaw-dropping political feat and defeated Hillary Clinton and her powerful political machine. For some reason the pollsters and media were surprised.
Since President Barack Obama was elected, my party has lost 63 House seats, 10 Senate seats, 14 governorships and now the White House and Supreme Court.
U.S. voters signaled strongly in the last two midterms their dissatisfaction. The Democrats' answer was to give these voters more of the same from a party and president many did not like or trust. There's a lesson there for both sides.
Mr. Trump apparently flipped three blue Midwest states and 44 electoral votes. Mr. Trump received over 62 million votes, not all from unwashed, uneducated, despicable homophobes, Islamaphobes, racists, sexists or misogynists. Like it or not, there's a new POTUS-elect in town, albeit a split decision.
Hope Mr. Trump stops late-night tweeting and starts acting more presidential.
Hope the Democrats treat Mr. Trump better than the GOP treated President Obama during the last eight years.
Hope Washington, D.C., puts the voters first and stops infighting. It shouldn't take eight months to fund the Zika vaccine, or bringing the government to the brink before funding a budget, or allowing infrastructure to crumble because one side disagrees with the other side across the aisle.
And hope in future elections all voters are willing to send anyone home who won't set aside differences and put our wonderful country first, ahead of party and re-election.
JOE SEAMAN
Lakeview
Lies, misinformation
Will the newspaper industry research the origin of the public view that newspapers print lies instead of truth? I am very alarmed concerning reports that many people rely only upon Internet posts for all their news.
Will your newspaper start a fact-checker column to highlight just some of the misinformation that is posted? Will you print the names of people and organizations who benefit from a public that has grown distrustful of traditional sources of information?
DALE GOSSIEN
Little Rock
On common ground
I believe it is unlikely that the incoming presidential administration will retain the Clean Power Plan implemented by President Barack Obama.
For the sake of future generations and to honor the Paris climate agreement, it is imperative that Congress provide a solution. I believe a revenue-neutral fee on carbon fuels is an approach that will find common ground with Republicans and Democrats.
FRANCES DAVILLA
Eureka Springs
Editorial on 12/06/2016