Lacks understanding
As evidenced by two recent editorials in the Democrat-Gazette, it appears that the editorial writers lack understanding of the issues and of the Buffalo River's importance to the state of Arkansas.
The first editorial seemed to imply that, with the decision to do away with the general permit, there would be no more hog concentrated feeding operations in Arkansas. But it appears operators can apply for an individual permit to operate under Regulation 5. Therefore, if the five-year moratorium should be lifted in the Buffalo River watershed, more operations of this nature could proliferate.
The second editorial stated they were sick of this hog-factory issue. Really?
Besides being the aesthetic crown jewel of Arkansas, the Buffalo River in 2015 generated $56.6 million in visitor spending. Tourism-related jobs total over 900 in the area. That is the kind of economic plus needed.
Recently the state of Arkansas produced All About Arkansas, a book serving as promotional material to attract businesses to our Natural State. Guess what figures in it? The Buffalo River, of course.
It is my hope that those who have the good sense to speak out for what they know is precious shall continue to work for the protections that the Buffalo River deserves.
It is also my hope that the Democrat-Gazette will provide balanced and in-depth hard-news reporting on this issue. The readership expects no less.
GINNY MASULLO
Fayetteville
What was intention?
Every day I open the pages of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette hoping to read some good news about my country and my state and maybe, just maybe, about my city: Pine Bluff. Unfortunately, the news from all over is usually bad or worse. Sometimes it's positively tragic. But I assume much of the bad news is describing bad people, bad decisions or bad situations.
That said, how can one classify the editorial, "Pine Bluffs galore"? Was it a compliment of our mayor badly expressed? Was it a slam at a city trying mightily to overcome challenges and change bad perceptions of itself around the state? Was it a reminder of issues like crime and derelict buildings, which are in no way exclusive to Pine Bluff? Was it helpful or hurtful?
One can only hope that no offense was intended by those scant six inches of type that closed with the thought that there's nothing easier than outsiders bashing us and our efforts for no explainable reason. But that's my opinion. Several public and private initiatives are working to address our challenges. Why doesn't someone emphasize that?
By the way, the editorial opinion also lamented "all the college scholarships its kids used to win" on the same day that our local paper published a story titled "Pine Bluff High School tops $3.6 million in scholarships."
RHONDA DISHNER
Pine Bluff
Secret Service costs
It would be interesting to compare the costs of Secret Service protection for Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. President Clinton is, no doubt, one the greatest politicians and campaigners of all time. Perhaps the campaigns the ex-presidents are working for should pay for some percentage of the Secret Service costs when they are in campaign mode.
Also, should the taxpayers entirely pick up the tabs for a jet-setter lifestyle?
CHARLES VERMONT
Prescott
Civility needed, please
It seems as though I hear more and more people bemoaning the growing rudeness and crudeness in our society and among our young people. How can we expect our children and teenagers not to be rude when they see such hatefulness and ugliness being displayed in political discourse and in athletics by adults?
There was a time when sportsmanship, statesmanship and class were valued as the centerpieces of American character. No need to worry about ISIS and Korea folks.
We will bring ourselves down fighting among ourselves and glorifying our differences long before any enemy does.
BILL RUSSELL
Maumelle
He makes good sense
Editorialists and columnists treat him like a nitwit--"too good to be true"; "Sanders' fantasy agenda." We live in a state where the majority prefers a candidate who seems to be a cross between Mussolini, George Wallace, and Don Rickles.
However, though he probably won't win the nomination, Bernie actually makes pretty good sense.
Anti-Sanders editorials and columns refer to a Tax Policy Center analysis which is "static," not "dynamic," meaning that they leave out half the story. The Tax Policy Center includes the cost but not what it would buy. For instance, single-payer health care would save the average middle-class citizen thousands in health-care costs. Tuition-free college would save parents from another big expense. And the Tax Policy Center doesn't factor in how millions of new jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure--roads, bridges, dams, parks--would create new consumers and growing economic demand. The ripple effect works, and trickle-down doesn't.
Sanders' plans are backed up in detail. For example, to pay for college tuition and some other public investments, he would levy a small sales tax on all financial market trades. This "Wall Street tax" would also discourage financial speculation such as led to the 2008 economic crisis. A similar tax works for the U.K. and other countries.
These are thoughtful plans, not empty promises like those of other candidates.
CORALIE KOONCE
Fayetteville
It's all about the plan
After reading the front page of the newspaper recently, the article about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and his "normalizing" to soon come as he goes "unchallenged" caught my attention, which had not been done in at least a week or so.
She is claiming that Trump has no ideas on how to make America great again, but that he will begin to reach out for more supporters by beginning to run a real/unreal campaign, and so on.
Yeah, I got confused in it myself!
However, I did come away with a thought, or two, or three ... One thought was how quickly there are winners in American politics way before the winner is announced; it just seems fixed. Second thought and the intention of this letter was that there are two types of leaders: dictatorial and democratic. The dictator (also known by many other alias titles) believes he has all the ideas and knows how to do everything without an inkling of knowledge of what the majority needs, and is too elite to care. Then the Democratic style of leader, one who does not really have a plan, but for whatever reason is able to lead others. He does not claim to know it all or even have a specific plan--especially before he's in the position, as it is not prudent to think that you can plan before knowing what the plan is truly supposed to be doing.
Hillary is right; she may have a "plan" for everything like she always has had, and Trump may have no plan.
SHANE HAMPTON
Fayetteville
Editorial on 05/28/2016