For some other reason
I am no expert marksman. During my long-ago time in the U.S. Army, I was only a mid-level qualifier with the M1 rifle. Still, within recent months, I've used a single-shot .22 rifle that's as old as I am (almost 75) to dispatch a rattlesnake, and two armadillos and two groundhogs that were tearing up my wife's planting beds. I didn't get a clean shot on one of the groundhogs and had to follow it and shoot twice; I felt bad about that.
When I was a young teenager, I was puzzled to learn that some folks used a shotgun to hunt squirrels. To me, that was overkill. Today, all kinds of plain hunting rifles fully capable of killing deer and other large animals are widely available. I will never be convinced that semi-automatic and other military-use weapons are needed by any competent hunter.
Those weapons are being purchased for some other reason.
CHARLEY SANDAGE
Mountain View
Homework assigned
It seems state Sen. Bart Hester's criticism of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's dance program featured on one of several billboards in the Little Rock/North Little Rock area is not the result of even minimal research nor well-reasoned thought. Many national and state-level studies recognize and applaud the creative arts for providing numerous benefits for communities, states, and the nation. Because Senator Hester's concern for the economy and business community seems to be where his heart is, I'll address only that issue.
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is dedicated to assisting states through creative leadership initiatives. In its recent publication, "Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development," Arkansas is commended for a conspicuous annual economic impact from the arts:
"Though the creative industries are broadly defined, they are important to state economies. First and foremost, they contribute directly to jobs, tax generation, and wealth. For example, the creative economy in Arkansas employs nearly 27,000 individuals and generates $927 million in personal income for Arkansas citizens. Creative enterprises are the third largest employer in Arkansas--after transport and logistics and perishable and processed foods."
To extend these observations further, according to data from Dun & Bradstreet analyzed by Americans for the Arts, 2.98 million people in the U.S. work for 612,095 arts-centric businesses representing 2.2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively, of all U.S. employment and businesses. So how can Mr. Hester dismiss the significance of the arts at UALR with his comment? "Not OK. They [UALR] lease a sign to encourage computer science degrees or math teachers? No, they push for dance majors."
To Senator Hester, I say do your homework.
WIN BRUHL
Little Rock
Presidential nickname
John Adams was known as "Old Sink or Swim," John Quincy Adams as "Old Man Eloquent," Andrew Jackson as "Old Hickory," and Zachary Taylor as "Old Rough and Ready."
In deference to Donald Trump's favored means of communication, I nominate him as "Old Twit."
ED CHESS
Little Rock
From old Republican
I am old enough (78) to remember some awful times in the political history of this great nation. In 1968, George C. Wallace of Alabama campaigned as a whites' rights champion. Obviously racist, he used the hot-button issues of the times: law and order, segregation rights, states' rights--and carried 13.5 percent of the popular vote. He won the 46 electoral votes of Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi ... and Arkansas. This occurred during tragic times for the USA: Martin Luther King, building a national following and gaining the attention and support of moderate whites, was shot dead on April 4, 1968. Robert Kennedy, campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president, was gunned down on June 5, 1968.
Now, 50 years later, President Donald Trump's "White Americans First" programs continue to push those same racist and isolationist buttons to stir the same white-nationalist emotions across America. But there is hope: The Chief Clown of Alabama, Roy Moore, managed to lose the Alabama senate seat to a Democrat. Other equally important (but not as visible) elections in Virginia, Missouri, and elsewhere show a lot of hope for us old moderates and "used to be" Republicans. Most important of all, women across America are rejecting the concept of male domination in business and politics, and adopting attitudes reflecting fairness, inclusion, charity, and reason.
So, fellow elders, let's forgive each other for all the times we listened to racial slurs and didn't speak up; for all the times we nodded in silence when we saw bigotry paraded as an American value. And, most important, let's watch the women go to work to fix America--you go, girls!
CLIFF HARRISON
Hot Springs Village
No equal seen since
I found your "Land of Lincoln" piece profound.
Lincoln was definitely a man gifted for his time. There have been few presidents in our nation's history who have risen above the superficial, caustic politics of the day to have the vision for this country, that still struggled in infancy, and carefully laid the stepping stones for the future.
There were many, even in his Cabinet, who would make deals for their personal gain; however, Lincoln never wavered in his belief that all were to be equal and the Union was to prevail at all costs.
There has never been anyone to his equal since.
HARDIN HANKS III
Fayetteville
Marilyn would know
Well, now that we have all the expert movie stars and sports figures giving us guidance, I only wish Marilyn Monroe was alive--boy, could she help.
CLARA FISHER FIELDS
Bentonville
Editorial on 02/19/2018