Such optimism seen
I am amused by the increasing number of people, many of whom were previously alarmed by the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency, who have become positively giddy about our future now that he is the POTUS-E.
I liken this to a person who, after an ill-advised leap from a cliff, immediately knows that he will have a magnificent future following his soft landing in the “yuge” pile of cash below.
ED CHESS
Little Rock
Commendable service
The Arkansas State Police lost a wonderful servant. Longtime State Police Commissioner and
current Chairman Frank Guinn’s term on the commission has ended.
M r. G u i n n , who lives in Paragould, served the men and women of the
state police faithfully under two governors. His leadership and devotion has been demonstrated many times by his actions. He has worked tirelessly on several successful projects such as the fallen troopers’ memorial, the new driving track, and the ASP Foundation, which is the crown jewel of his tenure. Although he is too modest to say he started the foundation, many give him the credit. He has also been the first, on several occasions, to come to the aid of a trooper’s family after a house fire or a terrible vehicle accident.
Mr. Guinn once said that he didn’t have the guts to be a trooper. But because of his support and work, all troopers can work better and safer each day. They can also rest assured that many people across the state appreciate their sacrifice and service.
As a former trooper, I appreciate Frank Guinn and commend him for his service to this state and to the men and women of the Arkansas State Police.
LANCE HUEY
Sheridan
A Yankee? It depends
I write today in mourning for the recent passing of my beloved fatherin-law, Enrique “Doc” Miyares, Havana lawyer, Buffalo high school teacher, and New Hampshire legal editor.
Long ago he told me that to someone from outside the U.S., a Yankee was someone from the U.S., but to someone from the U.S., a Yankee was someone from north of the Mason-Dixon Line. To someone from north of the Mason-Dixon Line, a Yankee was someone from New
England, but to a New Englander, a Yankee was someone who lived in the upper Connecticut valley and ate apple pie and baked beans for breakfast. When he lived there, Doc swore he knew such people.
Now, there is diversity!
KARL T. KIMBALL
Little Rock
A toast for the future
While watching the news New Year’s morning and becoming more and more depressed, I decided to come up with a New Year’s toast of hope and optimism.
Here’s the best I could come up with: 2016 is gone and for me the election was a big fat zero, but that’s all right, for after all, we’ve already survived Nixon and Spiro. Happy New Year!
HUMPY FISHER
Wynne
Meh, just ignore that
Picture this scenario: On a Tuesday, a leak from U.S. intelligence sources reveals that China has assembled and manned troop carriers holding a total of 75,000 soldiers and equipment and they have headed east into the Pacific. President Trump tweets out a message saying not to worry, that our intelligence services aren’t really very intelligent anyway.
On Friday, satellite photos distributed by some of the news services show the armada 500 miles from Hawaii. President Trump tweets that, as usual, the news sources are lying liars.
On Sunday, photos and videos appear showing armed Chinese soldiers at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Not real, tweets President Trump. Clearly plants by Democrats angry about losing the election.
At the same time there are reports from U.S. military sources saying that our forces in Hawaii are still awaiting orders regarding the appropriate response to the invaders. There are no invaders, tweets the president. It’s all being fabricated by my enemies. Besides, Hawaii went big for Hillary. Who needs them, anyway?
The following Wednesday, the People’s Republic of China announces that it has annexed what was formerly Hawaii as its new province called China Pacific, with its capital, once Honolulu, now being called East Beijing. President Trump, incredulous at China’s unwillingness to negotiate, attempts to vote them off the island(s). The Chinese response is half the peace sign—the half farther from the thumb.
Is this scenario likely? No, it isn’t. Is it possible? Sadly, considering Mr. Trump’s self-absorption, yes, it is.
DENNIS BARRY
Little Rock
Do your job; it’s time
Dear Republicans: You had years to come up with a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. But we know why you didn’t.
Before it was called “Obamacare,” the nation knew it as “Romneycare.” We Dems met you halfway in 2009 and gave you a version of your own plan. What did we get in return? (Rhetorical question.)
Now the ball is in your court. And by “ball,” I means the lives of millions of Americans. Real people in life-ordeath situations.
Time to do your damned job. The clock is ticking.
JAY BALL
Little Rock
Who pays for the aid
I just read Mr. John Brummett’s column of Jan. 8 and the following statement leapt out at me: “Democrats like to tell people to do something for their own good and then help them with direct subsidies.”
I believe that is a prime example of the arrogance that exemplifies the left of today. It seems they believe they are perfect and everyone else is, well, a basket of deplorables. Of course, the deplorables are the folks who paid for those subsidies.
My grandparents called this robbing Peter to pay Paul. I personally find this thinking reprehensible.
Of course, “those people” are why I moved from California to Arkansas back in ’89.
B.W. DART
Stuttgart
Editorial on 01/15/2017