Throwing to the lions
The Trump government is planning to deport a group of Chaldean Christians to Iraq, thus throwing them to the tender mercies of ISIL and other hate groups there. I read that Federal Judge Mark Goldsmith issued a temporary halt to this outrage.
Has the American President Trump now descended to the level of the brutal Roman Emperor Diocletian, who, legend tells us, threw Christians to the lions?
SARKIS NAZARIAN
Little Rock
All part of treatment
Philip Martin's Tuesday rant was a classic in what I like to call "the Martin treatment." I actually thought it was a parody of his style written by the head cat.
Start by making an understatement and proceed to the bragging. Four holes in one, yada, yada, yada, and I play a bunch of golf. Then to the obligatory attack on Trump. His disgusting remarks about women, yada, yada, yada, and he is a messed-up guy with a bunch of money.
So what evil deed did Trump do? He drove a golf cart onto a green. Oh, the humanity!
I cant wait for Philip's next revelation: Trump wears white after Labor Day.
ALLEN C. ATKINS
Little Rock
Orwell will be proud
So Trump devoted a week to energy--perhaps to tweet louder? There should, however, be no confusion as to real-world facts showing that the U.S. imports half (10.1 million barrels per day) of its daily oil needs (19.6 million barrels per day). In other words, we must "import" all the oil that we "export" (5.19 million barrels per day), as in robbing Peter to pay Paul.
This is a far cry from energy independence and what a recent Bloomberg article touted as "surging exports ... after decades of relying on foreign energy supplies." Furthermore, it states that "the U.S. is on the brink of becoming a net energy exporter" when in fact half of every gallon consumed is imported from overseas!
In my humble opinion, this is a fine example of Orwellian doublespeak combined with creative accounting.
PETER TRABANT
Hot Springs Village
Editorial was wrong
I was surprised to read in the editorial about health-care insurance costs a blatantly false statement: "Another problem with Obamacare is you don't have to buy insurance until you get sick." Wrong. The individual mandate under the ACA requires folks to have health insurance, thus spreading costs among both healthy and sick people and eliminating the so-called "free riders."
In addition, your statement that "Obamacare is clearly collapsing around the country ..." is disingenuous. Since its inception, it's been reported that Republicans have been sabotaging the law by eliminating "insurance corridors" to make costs of insurance workable for the carriers. And that's only one instance.
Please issue a correction, and refer to the law by its proper name: the Affordable Care Act.
ROBERT WOOD
Little Rock
Don't excuse behavior
With Independence Day around the corner, I will attest to the fact that I love the United States of America, its values, principles, and ideals. Yet, I am dismayed, repelled, and embarrassed by much of our president's behavior. He is rude, coarse, vainglorious, duplicitous to the core, and demeaning of women and minorities.
As a career educator of more than 40 years, I deplore the example that President Trump sets for young people (adults, too). I prize that we have the freedom to believe what we wish and to express our views freely, short of hate and sedition. The president seems to test even these limits with his undisciplined, utterly disrespectful rants. And he does not like criticism. Welcome to leadership in a democratic society.
Does Donald J. Trump understand the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the country's history? What would Washington, Jefferson, Madison, or Lincoln think if they were alive today? And believe what you will about health care. Choose a side. This is a free country, as we say. But who among us would suggest that the current debate might as well falter to abject failure so that we have nothing to rely on? Who among us who truly cares about all Americans of every economic circumstance would turn his or her back on any citizen out of disregard or carelessness? Those who defend and dissemble the president's nonsensical, mean, and vicious statements ought to think long and hard about their own motives.
Of late, America has clearly lost standing around the globe. I ardently believe that the world is far better when the U.S. leads. I am confident that we will regain stature and responsibility, but only when thoughtful, morally courageous leaders step forward and work collaboratively for the greater good. While not requiring agreement, the republic demands selflessness, integrity, civility, and backbone if it is to thrive. Where is our modern day Cincinnatus?
I will remain hopeful.
ARNOLD E. HOLTBERG
Hot Springs Village
Pay attention to dates
In a guest column, "Dedicated to Vets," by Margie A. Scott, Medical Center director of Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), she stated that "at CAVHS, we continue to improve access to primary care, specialty care, and mental health care within 30 days."
My daughter, who served our country in the Navy during Desert Storm, drove from Hot Springs to the veterans hospital at Little Rock on May 31. Her appointment was at 9:30 a.m., only to be told it was canceled, as the doctor was on vacation. She had waited for this appointment and testing since January. Her last letter verifying the appointment was May 17. This was with the eye clinic, which is very important to her, as she has multiple sclerosis and could become blind. Otherwise, she has received very good care. She was not the only patient turned away that day.
So, without a doubt, CAVHS employees need to pay more attention to notification of appointment dates, and any cancellations in advance.
KATHLEEN MUDGE
Hot Springs
Editorial on 07/02/2017