On blatant hypocrisy
The SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) is going on in Las Vegas right now, despite the fact that 58 people were murdered and 851 were injured in a mass shooting there mere months ago. It seems in poor taste. Even more distasteful is the fact that Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will be in attendance to help gun manufacturers drum up more customers.
But there's no need to worry about the safety of Hutchinson or the gun dealers in Vegas this week. It's not just gun-safety advocates who know that guns don't make us safer; these firearm manufacturers know it, too. The SHOT Show is practically a gun-free zone. Per their website, "No personal firearms or ammunition allowed. Only firearms on display by exhibitors whose firing pins have been removed (and have been inspected by SHOT Show Safety Advisors) will be permitted on the show floor."
These firearms experts are happy to make money off our tragedies, but clearly know better than to put themselves in the line of fire.
It's appalling that our governor signed a bill in 2017 allowing loaded guns into bars and on our college campuses, which are two of the very last places guns should ever be. And it's even more appalling that Hutchinson will enjoy a level of safety and peace of mind at the SHOT Show that he is denying to public college students in our state.
Has there ever been a more blatant display of hypocrisy?
AUSTIN BAILEY
Little Rock
Run by circus clowns
The Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus was billed as the "Greatest Show on Earth." It ran from 1871 to 2017, 146 years. However, because of declining attendance and rising operational costs, it had to be shut down. The owners had the wisdom and common sense to know that you could not spend more than you take in and survive.
That brings me to our current Congress. It appears to be a circus run by a bunch of clowns who don't have the wisdom or common sense of the circus owners. If our Congress doesn't get its act together soon, I fear that fate of the "Greatest Nation on Earth" might be the same as the "Greatest Show on Earth."
JIM RUDDY
Jacksonville
A weekend to recall
What a weekend. What a wonderful country we live in.
Saturday, many walked with signs and speeches to express their views. I do not really agree with most of the messages I heard, but I am very grateful they were safely able to march. I know many women who are knowledgeable and capable enough to be president of the USA, but so far none have offered. My heart cannot follow any of the women who have stepped up thus far, so I support President Trump, even though he is only a man, not a perfect man.
Sunday, many marched and prayed for in-the-womb babies that will aborted. Prayers went up for any man and woman to not conceive a precious life if they do not believe in the sanctity of that life. Prayers were made for our leaders, local and national, to respect the sanctity of human life.
Yes, this really was a weekend for our country.
MARY ANN VANCE
Morrilton
For political purposes
Almost everyone wants the children and young adults, who are now Americans, brought here illegally by their parents to stay. However, I believe calling them "Dreamers" is an expropriation of language for political purposes.
What about the tens of millions of children and adults who are American citizens who have dreams? Are they not dreamers too?
CHARLES VERMONT
Prescott
Prevarication not his
I note several comments in the letters section regarding Senator Cotton's visit at the White House. I know a liar when I hear him. Tom Cotton is no Bill Clinton.
BILL BURNS
Cabot
Keep the dream alive
I'm currently organizing a Dream-In for DACA Dreamers to take place in Fort Smith at the mayor's office at 623 Garrison Ave. on Saturday at 10 a.m. All are welcome.
There are nearly 8,000 DACA Dreamers in Arkansas and 800,000 nationwide who came to the United States as children. There's a March 5 deadline set for possible deportation to a foreign country where they'll be homeless, without food, and unable to speak the language. Why is this happening in 2018? Is the nation's clock on retrograde to 1950? Polls indicate 80 percent of the nation favors amnesty for DACA Dreamers.
Should push come to shove, I believe the onus is on every church, temple and mosque for sanctuary. Man's law can't begin to compete with God. I throw down the gauntlet to these organizations to practice what they preach. If they don't, I have only three words for them: Shame on you.
I am only one person, as was Jesus, as was Mahatma Gandhi, as was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, but from one came many and harmony for justice. Dr. King had a dream to reach the top of the mountain called freedom.
CONSTANCE DURKIN
Fort Smith
Military is not 'lowly'
To quote Mr. Paul Greenberg (in speaking of Senator Cotton) "he chose to join the U.S. Army as a lowly infantryman." Really? Does your paper really consider those who choose to serve this country as "lowly" individuals?
Those "lowly" individuals have, through the years, ensured that this country remains free and insulated from attacks from the outside. Although we, at times, have been misused by our liberal political masters (Vietnam), the United States military has responded in the most creditable manner throughout the years, and is generally well regarded by the American citizenry.
Unfortunately, it seems too many of our journalists today, Mr. Greenberg included, have forgotten that we are a nation of laws, and tying the future of illegal immigrants to our national spending is not popular among our population.
DAVID W. ORMSBY
Rogers
Should do their jobs
I have listened to too much of the U.S. Senate the past few days, and if I hear "bipartisan" again it will be too soon.
Why can't these people do the job they were sent to do? Pass a budget in a timely manner, and do the work of the American people that sent them to Washington, D.C. Who cares about party? I don't; I want what is best for the country.
I have come to the conclusion that all they care about is being re-elected, helping their party, and hurting the other party, never what is good for the country. I think they should all be removed and let's get a new batch.
MIKE SCOTT
Benton
Editorial on 01/25/2018