Spark of Reformation
This year's Halloween, Oct. 31, 2017, will be the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany. Luther's action on Oct. 31, 1517, turned out to be the spark that ignited the Protestant Reformation.
These days, there are many friendly contacts between Protestants and Roman Catholics. Groups from each faith tradition sometimes hold meetings in facilities belonging to the other. I am certain that there was a friendly smile on the face of the Rev. Vincent Heier of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis when he welcomed some visiting Lutherans from Missouri and Kansas, who were holding a meeting in St. Louis Cathedral some years back. Heier greeted the Lutherans with these words: "We are pleased to provide the cathedral. Please don't nail anything to the doors."
RICHARD FROTHINGHAM
Little Rock
End its cruel tradition
Thank you for the recent editorial that took Yellville to task for throwing turkeys out of a plane at its annual Turkey Trot Festival ("Find a better way," Oct. 17).
I can't even imagine the terror that these turkeys must have felt as they were tossed from planes, buildings, and stages into bloodthirsty crowds that scrambled to catch and capture them. Last year, two turkeys died on impact, and according to reports, turkeys were injured this year. This is cruelty to animals, plain and simple. How anyone can condone or participate in an event that causes harm, injury, and possible death to any living being is beyond me.
We must do better. Most Arkansans are compassionate people who are embarrassed and disgusted by this horrifying event. It's time to stop perpetuating the "Faux Phantom" ritual and start practicing real kindness to animals by demanding that Yellville end this cruel tradition.
DANIEL J. LYSK
Sherwood
Need better security
The music festival in Las Vegas was supposed to be a happy occasion. Until a terrorist opened fire at a Jason Aldean concert.
We don't know his motive. He reportedly didn't belong to a hate group or have ties to ISIS. I suppose he wanted fame.
We are going to have to beef up security. Police, SWAT teams, K-9 units and the National Guard. There is just no sense in this. It's better to take precautions, and to be safe rather than sorry.
DONALD PUTMAN
El Dorado
Did a wonderful deed
On Oct. 17, my friend and I were waiting in line to check out at Wal-Mart. The beautiful lady in front of us turned to us and said our purchases were paid for.
In this day of so much unrest, it really does a person good to give credit for such a wonderful deed. Bless you, kind lady. Hopefully we can do the same.
R.E. FLEMING
Little Rock
Robots will take jobs
After World War II, American workers became more productive through improvements in technology, and there was talk of work weeks falling to 24 hours. It was suggested that Americans would experience an abundance of leisure time and that boredom might become a common curse. It's obvious to many Americans today that these predictions never materialized.
Today, however, unemployed and underemployed workers have leisure time but no financial security. The November/December 2017 issue of Mother Jones has an article by Kevin Drum titled "You Will Lose Your Job to a Robot. It doesn't matter what you do for a living: Machines are about to do it better." Elon Musk and Bill Gates have sounded the alarm about coming advances in artificial intelligence and the permanent disappearance of jobs that in the future will be done by robots. Mass unemployment will leave many Americans with no jobs and little chance of becoming employed again.
It would be a mistake to blame workers displaced by rapidly advancing automation. Our country must look ahead and support jobless Americans with universal health care, education, and a guaranteed income with no time limit. Some will fare very well with technological advances, but as a nation, we must keep the displaced from falling through the cracks.
BETTY HUNT
North Little Rock
Give program support
Dear Hog fans, friends, and fellow Arkansans: Greetings. My letter today requests your consideration whilst pondering the Arkansas Razorback football program, football coach and athletic director.
Consider this please: College-level sports and the Southeastern Conference deserve considered judgments after careful thought, and not based upon an emotional high or low. Football programs and individual coaches must command both your respect as well as opportunities to succeed. I for one want Coach to succeed. I am confident you want him to be successful.
Let us agree to pull back on our emotions and allow Coach and Mr. Long to make the right decisions which will enable all of the community, the players and students, and give them the latitude to marshal the necessary resources and players to truly have a world-class football program. Haste makes waste, as the saying goes.
This is not the moment to make monumental changes in staff and coaches. This is the time to show support, not condemnation. Negative talk engenders negative actions, and conversely, positive talk motivates and encourages. Sports at the college level are supposed to be character-builders.
Come along with me and climb on the bandwagon. Support the coach, team, and athletic director. Make it happen. Thanks.
Go Hogs!
LOUIS R. BURNETT
Little Rock
Editorial on 10/27/2017