No fashion in science
I want to respond to your "As the world churns" editorial. Your statement about science having fashions like the clothing industry shows your lack of knowledge about how scientists work and reach conclusions. We do not change our conclusions based on how we feel when we awake in the morning. We change our conclusions when new information justifies it. Since we are constantly seeking new information, changing our conclusions does occur.
You also stated that global warming may prove to be fallacious. Consider this: If we plan as if global warming is correct and decrease our use of fossil fuels by using renewables, we gain a new industry that requires trained employees, less air pollution and less reliance on OPEC oil. What have we lost? If global warming turns out to be correct and we chose to do nothing, we have more powerful and more frequent storms costing lives and property and flooded coastal cities. What have we gained? It appears to me the prudent thing to do is to plan as if global warming is correct.
CLAY McCASTLAIN
Little Rock
Musings on president
Why is President Trump so infatuated with Russia? I heard last fall that only one bank on Wall Street will lend Trump money, and that was a foreign bank. I think Vladimir Putin knows more about Donald Trump than the people who voted for him; things they have yet to learn about the president.
Will this president ever put brain in gear before running mouth or tweeting? (Senility?) South Korea has elected an anti-American president because of Trump's remarks. France fortunately managed to elect a centrist for president. Where are the complainers who thought our foreign relations were so bad under the Obama administration? We now have distrustful relations with our allies, but want to get cozy with enemies of democracy. Why does the Republican Party agree with and defend this behavior?
Isn't it ironic that our forefathers left England to escape oppression by religion and the wealthy, and 400 years later, the United States taxpayer is paying the expenses of a billionaire and his family? We also have people who want to establish a national religion. The United States Constitution was written to protect us from each other, as well as from foreign interests. Why not honor it instead of trying to circumvent it?
MILLIE FOREE
Bella Vista
Fines are not so fine
So the charade at Damascus comes to a screeching halt. About time. But there is a new game in town. Jacking up fines for things other than speeding continues across Arkansas. A $25 fine for not using a seat belt is stretched to $100. A state representative called for it to be an established fine of no more than the original $25. Little towns said no way, they needed the revenue.
We drivers have become a revenue source, and we didn't even get to vote on it.
CARL E. BUCHANAN
Scott
Could be great, but ...
Is it just me? Or are there others that sense the fundamental change in this paper's editorial section?
For many, many years I looked forward daily to reading every sentence of every item, column, and op-ed letter; however, since the staff changes, I now take a deep breath before I open the section. I am finding an overwhelming number of the featured columns offensive; however, for lack of space, today I will write about Philip Martin, who has been a disappointment to me.
Whereas I previously looked forward to reading his earlier articles (not for the content, but for the way he seemed to have mastered the art of turning a phrase), I now have to make a mental decision to give it a try. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that he loathes Donald Trump? It seems to me a bit ridiculous how a man who only a few months ago was a movie critic has gained the personal insight and access to information that allows him to call POTUS a "pimp," among other unsavory descriptions. It is also rather humorous that a writer who loves to tease us with obscure, multisyllable words that require a dictionary must revert to street talk.
Why are we now subjected to Martin's dog stories, and on the editorial page, no less? I love a good dog story as much, or more, than most, but this belongs in the Style section.
And finally, the column "Up to a point, sir" absolutely left me cold as I would bet it left the vast majority of the readers. It was rather reminiscent of what I read in the New Yorker years ago before I tired of its snobbery and pretensions.
I think Mr. Martin could be a good writer, perhaps even a great one, but he needs to find his groove somewhere outside of politics.
ROBERT W. BEST
Greers Ferry
Pitiful rationalization
You've got to feel compassion for those poor newscritters at Fox who must, in spite of being able to read, write, listen and think, continue to spout the pitiful rationalization of their owners' skewed belief system in re Trumpolatry.
It is an embarrassment even for the viewers who can, mercifully, click those poor things away when the ... er ... doo-dah gets too deep. Frankly, sports fans, they couldn't pay me enough to offset the shame I'd feel at having to act as a mouthpiece for such a craven acceptance of our sadly unbelievable mess of a chief executive. Surely there would be mercy for even the Fox dummies if someone just shut down this mess before the Orange Creature does any more damage.
ELIZABETH K. HARRIS
Cherokee Village
Coif is very important
Napoleon brought shame and humiliation to France and was exiled. No world leader that held his hand in his coat (as Napoleon was supposed to have done) would fare very well.
No governor or senator would hold office very long if they grew a Hitler mustache.
Paul Ryan would not be speaker of the House if he had a Kim Jong Un haircut.
I'm sure there are many brilliant, innovative, charismatic, young politicians in this country, but let's face facts: If they have yellow hair and an orange face, their careers are going to be quite limited.
GARY USELTON
Benton
Editorial on 05/21/2017