The silent nightmare
Last Sunday evening I attended an annual Mental Health America vigil in support of mental health care for those who suffer from this silent nightmare.
The theme for this year's event was "End the Stigma" surrounding mental illness. The speakers were generous with their moving and compelling stories representing perspectives from mental health professionals, educators, advocates, senior care providers, veterans' peer counselors, substance abuse consumers, and affected families--many of whom who have experienced profound loss.
Even with a master's in behavioral psychology and four years of advocacy experience with the JEMI Coalition of Northwest Arkansas, I came away much better informed and even more motivated than ever to help solve a problem that has become a national disgrace. Everyone who spoke left me humbled by their strength and resolve.
Unfortunately, on the following evening I watched a video clip of a presidential candidate who apparently believes that military veterans who are affected by war and develop PTSD are weak. An unconscionable lie uttered by a supposedly "serious" (?) candidate for president of the United States--one in whom human compassion and genuine empathy appear totally lacking--chills me to the bone and scares me to death. Leaders are most effective when they lead by example. If this is an example of qualifications for leadership, we are in a world of hurt.
Our national decision in November will reflect our character. Someone once said that "our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about the things that matter." It's something to consider come Nov. 8.
LINDA A. FARRELL
Bella Vista
His moral obligation
We strive to be a nation of laws. While I do not support Donald Trump's candidacy for president, I do support his right to take advantage of the income-tax laws. Still, following the letter of the law does not relieve Mr. Trump of his moral obligation to shoulder his share of the cost of the government. After all, it is that government which allows Mr. Trump to live in the style to which he has become accustomed.
Job creators are handsomely rewarded for their efforts by economic markets. Until we see the charitable contributions on Mr. Trump's tax returns, we will not know whether his moral judgment is as substantial as his acumen in hiring tax accountants.
LEN WHITE
Fayetteville
Questions to be asked
Everyone is in a panic over taxes again this election cycle. Last go-around it was Harry Reid's lie about Mitt Romney's taxes. This time it is "Has Donald Trump paid taxes?"
Here are the questions that need to be asked. I asked the first to our resident liberal John Brummett via Twitter with no response. 1. Did he (Trump) break any tax laws? 2. How many of you paid more taxes last year than you had to? 3. Did you look for every legal deduction you could take and then take them? 4. Starting to see how stupid this liberal-made tax issue is now? 5. If Trump has not paid taxes in years, what does that say about the current administration's business tax laws?
For the record, Trump was not my first choice, but what choice do we have now but to support him?
STEVEN SPARKS
Russellville
Whether or not liked
So it seems all Paul Greenberg can do, apparently, is slam Donald Trump at every column opportunity like most of the writers on the op-ed pages.
Why not consider just why it is that so many people love the man and support him? Do all of you Clinton Cling-ons really think she has the stuff, the endurance, the honesty, the sheer ability to lead this nation? Trump does. He has it in spades and hearts and will club the daylights out of the opposition to seize the diamond. OK, OK. So I couldn't stop.
Anyway, how can you keep propping up an old flabby woman who it seems disappears on a regular basis for meds and rest, a has-been who passed her use-by date decades ago?
Trump is bringing it against all odds whether you like it or not.
MARY McREYNOLDS
Eureka Springs
Race issue, illustrated
The best illustration of the racial issue in America: When a cop pulls behind a white driver, that driver fears getting a ticket. When a cop pulls behind a black driver (particularly a male black driver), that driver fears being killed.
Clearly, our police departments nationwide have a serious problem eliminating cops who still believe that blacks are inferior or that whites are superior.
And we were naïve thinking the Civil War settled that issue. Who has continued that belief system of "white supremacy" for generations? The South, primarily, of course!
BOB SCOTT
Rogers
Lucky to have facility
My hat is off to the young team of radiation therapists at the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Center in Little Rock. Through 45 treatments over several weeks, numerous other men and I were treated efficiently, with respect and courtesy, as we battled this insidious disease. Many lives were saved.
From the top oncologists and urologists to the front-office personnel, this is a classy, professional operation. Little Rock is lucky to have a facility like this.
LLOYD HEDDEN
Benton
It can always worsen
Just when you think things could not get worse, along comes an election.
SUSAN FRANZ
Hot Springs Village
Editorial on 10/09/2016