They will be surprised
I believe Willa Romine and others who wait impatiently for Jesus to return and kick butt on the hordes of heathen sinners (themselves excluded, of course) will be aghast to see Jesus making wine and joining in the celebration of even same-sex marriages that serve as expressions of divine love, the quality deeply buried by dogma in the hellfire-and-damnation crowd who curiously continue to insist on branding themselves with the title suggesting they are Christ-like.
DAN VEGA
Fayetteville
Capitalism better way
It was gratifying to see David Sixbey’s response to my last letter about the dangers of utopianism under its various guises, as it is good to know someone not only read it, but thought about it. Yes, I had to stop due to the constraints of space after noting that schemes based on perfecting society through the coercive power of the state lead to poverty, enslavement and death.
Sixbey thinks that this principle should also be applied to religion and capitalism. I disagree. I believe only one major religion in the world preaches the use of coercive force to spread its malign influence. Others preach only moral persuasion, which the hearer can accept or reject. Examples of Christianity, for instance, being used as an excuse for oppression is just another example of the coercive power of the state being used, not as Jesus Christ prescribed, but as an excuse for the advancement of particular interests.
Capitalism is another story, and Sixbey offers no reason why Adam Smith would be appalled at the Koch brothers, whose mention appears to be a gratuitous Democrat talking point without foundation. If he is sincere in his concern for the environment, as I do not doubt he is, he should study the differences in environmental degradation between countries which have labored decades under the yoke of socialism compared with the situation in mostly free, mostly capitalist countries such as ours. There is no comparison in the filth and damage to ecosystems done under late and current communist governments.
Capitalism not only makes each of us more free and more prosperous, but provides all of us with incentives to protect our environment. The government picking winners and losers in the market is not capitalism, does not bring prosperity or freedom, and ultimately does not protect the environment.
KARL T. KIMBALL
Little Rock
Not fair and balanced
I was almost sick at my stomach after reading of the conviction of two home intruders that police say were part of a group of five robbers who terrorized the residents of a Little Rock home with death threats while displaying an AK-47 pistol and a revolver. The police found those weapons in the vehicle when the two were apprehended, as well as the items stolen. I doubt very seriously if those guns were registered.
For those crimes the judge gave them five years’ probation. Does the judge think for one minute these guys will not be right back at it in due time?
Then the same day I read of a man in Benton who police say showed his gun to another individual involved in a road-rage incident. The police arrested the man and he had a short-barreled rifle in his vehicle. For that the judge gave him 2 ½ years in prison.
Sorry, but that does not seem like fair and balanced sentencing to me. No wonder our police officers are so disgusted with the light sentencing or no sentencing prisoners are receiving. I have heard officers state that arrested prisoners are seen back on the street in mere hours of being arrested and released by judges.
WR CORLEY
Benton
Hold your nose, vote
A former Secretary of Defense once said we must go to war with the Army we have. To paraphrase, we must go to the polls with the candidates we have, and not the ones we wanted.
Donald Trump was not the candidate I wanted, but he has won a majority of the votes and a majority of the delegates. As a party loyalist I will support the candidate of my party. I find statements of nonsupport by party leaders or talk of a third-party candidate to be foolish and nonproductive. I am disappointed with some of the candidates who pledged to support the nominee of the party, and now show reluctance to do so.
I have been asked if I can “hold my nose” and vote for Trump. That will not be a problem; I have been holding my nose for the last eight years. I agree with a statement by a wise political mind that said an empty chair in the White House would be an improvement over what we now have.
If the bitterness within the GOP continues, I believe we are likely to lose the presidency to Hillary Clinton. I would not view the election of Donald Trump as the answer to all our problems, but I would view the election of Hillary Clinton to be a sickening event that would likely bring with it the loss of the Senate and possibly the House of Representatives. It could mean the end of democracy as we know it.
PHIL PHILLIPS
Fayetteville
A warm, fuzzy feeling
Stone County, home of 12,455 friendly people and one old grouch from Onia. Mr. Al Case, the Bethany Baptist Church is just down the road from you. On Sunday morning, there will be a wonderful song service, an uplifting message of love for community and fellow man. A call for aid for ailing neighbors and activities of the week, all of which focus on helping someone.
The jaded views of churchgoers are usually given by those who don’t go. Try it. You may well get that warm, fuzzy feeling yourself.
MIKE TEUTSCH
Magnolia
Was shameful action
The animal-control officer who shot the small pig is sick! He should be ashamed.
NANCY G. LAIDLAW
Hot Springs National Park