He walks a fine line
Gov. Asa Hutchinson, in my opinion, earned his recent rating of the sixth-best governor in the nation.
The same, however, can't be said for the Arkansas Legislature, which a recent poll indicated state citizens ranked it negative by a margin of 12 points. That's reportedly the first time in the history of the Talk Business poll for such to happen.
Why is the governor so popular and the state Legislature so unpopular? In my opinion there are too many right-wing legislators trying to implement laws that most Arkansans seemingly don't want. Examples could include guns in bars, on college campuses, at the state Capitol and even at college athletic events. The "well-regulated" clause in the opening sentence of the Second Amendment seems to be ignored by the right-wingers.
Arkansas, in my opinion, is a moderately conservative state, but I don't believe the masses are right-wingers.
We have a moderate governor who thus far has been able to stop most of the far-out bills which might be constitutionally suspect. He has to walk a fine line, but I believe he is making the right decisions most of the time.
As for executions, the governor must follow the law knowing that despite his personal beliefs the Legislature would probably override his veto if he attempted to stop them.
VERNON McDANIEL
Ozark
A question of courage
I thank the governor for his piece in this paper on Friday. I wondered where he stood on the commercial hog operation in the Buffalo River watershed. Now I know, and I'm deeply disappointed.
I share his views on private land use but wonder what in his opinion are the "rare circumstances" that would justify restrictions. He must oppose eminent domain, and it appears he would have opposed preserving the Buffalo River in the first place. Indeed, our national river came at a great cost--the private land rights of hundreds of Arkansans. (A good read is Stolen Water, Forgotten Liberties by Jenny Barnes Butler of Conway.) We forced people off their ancestral land for the greater good; now we insult them and all in the Natural State by not denying a large commercial operation that will eventually damage this natural treasure.
The governor claims the decisions of the Department of Environmental Quality are "scientifically and environmentally sound." I couldn't disagree more.
To read his piece one would think all the science is on the side of the hog operation and nothing but emotions are on the side of the river proponents. I remind him that geology is a science, and it is not on his side. I found his words to be arrogant and condescending.
As to his feelings about the Buffalo, I found his words to be empty and his actions insufficient.
Not mentioned was the economic impact to the state. I can't remember in my 67 years a case where so much was put at such great risk for so little benefit.
I feel the governor shows a lack of foresight and even political astuteness--and if I am wrong there, then there is the question of courage. I guess I need to work on those things myself since I voted for him.
DAVID T. JONES
Heber Springs
A recipe for mud pies
Have your readers noticed the following: Duly elected President Trump sits at his desk in the Oval Office while Little Spanky Brummett (D-Hillcrest) sits in his mudhole making pies to throw at that mean ol' Trump. However, the mud pies don't stick to our president, they only stick to Spanky's chubby little fingers as he pecks out his columns which he then excretes onto the pages of this outstanding newspaper. Thankfully, Spanky's hollow work product invades our privacy in the print edition only three times a week.
Say goodnight, Spanky.
BERNARD A. FRAZER
North Little Rock
Self-protection wise
In response to Carolyn Moseley's letter, I disagree. Recently an escaped convict was loose in our area. He fought off and escaped an officer. The convict broke into a resident's home and was confronted by the homeowner and held at gunpoint until the police arrived.
This isn't a rare occurrence. I would encourage that letter-writer to look up The Armed Citizen on the Internet. There she will find many stories about armed citizens saving themselves or others with a gun. Our law officers are great, but can't protect us at all times.
You will never keep guns out of the hands of criminals, so self-protection is wise.
SUSAN GARZONIO
Mountain Home
On objective sources
Our governor admits that his passion for the Buffalo River colors his response to the available science. First he says, "Science, not emotion, must drive our approach to protecting the Buffalo National River." A bit later he says, "My love for our state and my passion to protect our water compels me to ensure that the studies are scientific and impartial."
Unfortunately for the river, love and passion are not the measures by which science is ensured. Unbiased rigorous study design and adherence to set protocols are the basis of true science. Despite assurances from the Department of Environmental Quality and Big Creek Research and Extension Team reports, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, Karst Hydrogeology of the Buffalo National River, and Arkansas Game and Fish all beg to differ in their reports of impairment.
If wishes were fishes, the river would be swimming with healthy organisms and species. Instead, the USGS shows the tributary next to the C&H CAFO is alarmingly low in dissolved oxygen that allows smallmouth bass to breathe and flourish. The Department of Environmental Quality ignores the data, claiming it's too much information to process. Although the Big Creek research team reported high nitrate levels and peaks in phosphorus that promote stringy algae blooms that obscure the clear waters downstream, it continues to repeat that the water is okay.
We applaud our governor's love for the Buffalo, but ask him to keep an eye on the science, read the Regulation 5 comments on the Department of Environmental Quality's website from the Buffalo National River superintendent, the Ozark Society, Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, noted geologists, and former Environmental Quality employees.
Sometimes, Governor, your closest advisers are not your most objective sources of impartial information.
MARTI OLESEN
Ponca
Editorial on 04/18/2017