Those darn windmills
Does anyone remember Don Quixote? That lovable--and delusional--Spanish aristocrat who galloped through the scenes of a classic novel and popular musical attacking windmills because he thought they were dragons?
Fast-forward to 2017 and the "real" world, where the current president insists on tilting at the windmill of voter fraud, even though (a) he won the election, and (b) there is no evidence of widespread fraud. His obsession with voter fraud is so great he has created a committee of Sancho Panzas to prove his unprovable point. Unfortunately, this group has chosen to weed out fraud by tramping on states' and voters' rights to such an extent that, if not stopped, I believe they will be committing voter intimidation on a national scale.
What is the point of having curtained polling booths if this committee is allowed to reveal all on the public stage? What possible legitimate reason could there be for them to know about my military service? Even worse, all the information being requested--including partial Social Security numbers--makes identity theft easier than taking candy from babies. Couple this unprecedented intrusion into our privacy with the increased incidence of illegal hacking of government sites, and it doesn't take a doomsday prophet to see the potential for harm.
As governor of Arkansas, it is Mr. Asa Hutchinson's responsibility to protect and defend the rights of the state and its citizens. I am asking, sir, that you refuse to pander to this witch hunt. There is too much at stake here to play into this bizarre, delusional game.
KATHERINE TUCKER
Perryville
Reclaim lost virtues
I believe President Trump is trying to help this country reclaim some lost virtues, but it seems that the critics are opposing him at every turn. The Democratic senators and representatives are working hard to oppose everything he does. Even some of the Republicans are standing against him.
If America is once again strong it must come from our homes. The home unit is the oldest known to man and I have said, and still believe, if the home unit as God created it ever fails, so will this country.
How can we, as grass-root Americans, help our president make this country stronger again? The church can be a great support, but the ministers preaching must quit tiptoeing through the tulips and preach the word of God out of a dedicated love for God and stop worrying about what men will think of them. It is also my belief that our churches are only as strong as the homes that make them up. So to strengthen the church, we must strengthen the home, and the result will be a stronger nation that will make our president's job easier.
Do our homes have godly fathers and mothers? Or could it be we are expecting our TV programs to help our children grow to maturity? If we do not have an influence on our children, who will? I doubt you want that answer! I close with this text on behalf of President Trump from 1 Timothy: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
FREDDY N. BOEN
Fordyce
Affordable health care
Wow, what a swell guy! Ashton Miller III brags that he owns numerous businesses, refuses to provide health insurance for his employees, but gives bonuses to those who take fewer than three days of sick leave a year. No wonder we need the Affordable Care Act.
Lots of Arkansawyers work more than one job just to keep food on the table, but still can't afford outrageous health-insurance premiums. A single-payer plan would guarantee that all Americans could count on preventative care and hospitalization when needed. Many other capitalist countries manage to do it--we can too.
We can all thank God that at least Mr. Miller did not claim to be a Christian--WWJD?
SUSAN S. HENLEY
Cherokee Village
Soul of city is at stake
Who will raise the hue and cry? Rex Nelson, in his column "Capital city crisis," is one valiant voice.
It is tragic the reputation of the great city of Little Rock continues to be defamed, justifiably, because of naked violence, now commonplace. The problem the city faces is not new, reaching national proportions 23 years ago with an HBO special, Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock. So is that cancer in remission? No--it has metastasized.
What's the solution? There is an answer somewhere, but who among us will have the resolve to see it achieved? The city fathers appear bewildered and therefore inept but, in their defense, I see no groundswell from our citizens--inexplicably, we seem just to accept status quo.
Sixty years later, vestiges of negative economic consequences still persist from the school events of 1957. Now we are engaged in a new, somewhat analogous reality with even more negative potential, and it's called rampant crime. Driving around this beautiful city, it is hard to come to terms with the realization of the rot within when she presents such a beautiful face.
Wake up, city fathers, do something meaningful; the corrective steps are out there--somewhere. Rudy Giuliani turned New York City crime around. Can't we also? Maybe an ad hoc committee could be productive. It is beyond imperative that measures be taken.
So, citizens--be heard. Do something. Demand. Raise the hue and cry. Find an answer soon--the soul of our city is in the balance.
JAMES H. BARRÉ
Little Rock
Divine intervention?
It seems that a few of my local acquaintances have said that everyone needs to pray for President Trump. When Barack Obama was president, some of these same good people said Obama should be impeached and used racial slurs when speaking about him.
We are all in need of prayer, especially myself. After reading some of President Trump's tweets of late, I would suggest that prayers might not be enough for his condition. He appears to be possibly quite ill.
Some sort of divine intervention may be required.
RANDY BLAKEY
Cabot
Expressed them well
Re Sunday's editorial page: Kudos to both Rex Nelson and Mark Davis of the Dallas Morning News. Both on point with their feelings and passion for a local and a national subject. Great job of expressing my own personal feelings by both.
ROY B. RIDINGS JR.
Little Rock
Editorial on 07/12/2017