Definition of madness
I just watched the House committee free-for-all with FBI agent Peter Strzok. When did the House decide that using the terms gentleman and gentlelady was appropriate? I did not see evidence of gentle anything. What I did observe was a definition of madness: asking the same question over and over expecting a different answer.
This country has so many critical issues and this committee spends time trying to score points. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
GWENNETH L. PRICE PICARD
Little Rock
An American outrage
I am ashamed to be called an American. Here are but a few reasons. The policy of separating women and children at the border and putting them in cages. Asking 3-year-old children to appear in court and state why they are seeking asylum. Neo-Nazis marching in the streets. The vicious language, tweets and vitriol we hear daily. The campaign-style speeches that belittle the efforts of past presidents and war heroes. The zero tolerance for religions, immigrants and the LGBTQ community. Taking away women's rights and funding for their health. Doing away with health care. Taking money away from Medicare and Social Security. Requiring work to obtain food stamps while people toil for $8.50 an hour. The poor struggle while the rich benefit from tax cuts. Americans are murdered daily, yet the NRA has Congress in its vise. Globally, pulling out of the climate change initiative and our partnerships with our allies while forging new bonds with dictators. Giving up our standing in the world by attacking our allies. Imposing tariffs on our trading partners and starting trade wars. Stacking the Supreme Court. Allowing gerrymandering to eliminate voting rights. Nepotism.
Thanks to Citizens United, we the people no longer control our country. Instead it is run by lobbyists, big money corporations and big money donors. Corruption is rampant. Ethics are ignored. Silence on the part of Congress speaks volumes.
Clearly, the fate of our democracy is at stake. Russia interfered in our elections. More than two dozen people have been indicted, yet many people refuse to listen to anything but the lies that come from this administration.
What Christian values do you cherish? Tolerance and acceptance, or fear and hatred? What would Jesus be saying if he read the above list? If you care about America, now is the time to speak up and let your voice be heard. Every day and again in November.
DORRIE MECKES
Cabot
Arkansas still idling
The medical marijuana amendment was voted in by the voters of Arkansas on Nov. 8, 2016. It is now almost two years and we are no closer than we were then.
Opponents of the amendment vowed to fight the will of the people of Arkansas at every opportunity; so far they have succeeded. How can our representatives--people we elected--obstruct the will of Arkansas voters? Canada recently passed recreational use of marijuana. It has had legal medical marijuana since 2001. Recreational use becomes effective in October of this year.
A whole country can vote on and enact in four months; Arkansas can't even select growers in less than two years.
It is obvious that Arkansas legislators feel that they know more than the voters of Arkansas, that they wish to allow black-market suppliers to flourish (kickbacks?), and they do not care for their voters who could benefit from medical marijuana.
FRANK WELBORN
Hot Springs Village
Restore natural state
Save the Historic White River Bridge? What about preserving the White River? What about allowing Mother Nature to reclaim what is rightfully hers? What about restoring the Big Woods to its natural state, to the wildlife, to the current, to the ducks?
I've heard a lot of back and forth on the subject, from out-of-towners claiming the bridge will become a tourist destination bike route connecting Memphis to Little Rock, to Clarendon residents concerned about the liability and cost of maintaining a faltering structure. We could follow the trail of lawsuits and petitions over the past several years, the legalities, hearings, and letters to Washington; however, I think it comes down to a simple question. Whether we choose to jump down that rabbit hole or not, we will ultimately end up at the same destination.
We have to ask ourselves: What do we place our value in? Do we put value in a beautiful, historical, albeit crumbling, man-made structure? Do we throw millions of dollars and city resources into preserving this large piece of concrete? Or do we place our value in the White River, the wildlife refuge, the flooded timber, the Big Woods? I find it a bit egotistical of us to think something we created could be superior to the master's handiwork.
I'm sure this battle will continue to be drawn out in court, draining donations raised by the Save the Bridge organization and time from those wildlife refuge employees named in lawsuits; however, it is my humble opinion that the true history of the White River near the banks of Clarendon is not a bridge but the legacy of a pristine wildlife sanctuary that we could honor best by restoring to its natural state.
CAMERON WELCH
Clarendon
Comic strip offends
Shortly after Wumo was first added to your comics section, a hilarious letter to you suggested that reading the strip was causing the gentleman's intellect to decline, to the extent that his "speling" had slipped and his grammar had taken a "nosdive down." Complaints about the strip have continued.
After seeing the obscene initialism that concluded a recent strip, I finally understand "What The Fuss" is about. Take it out, and while you're at it, please get rid of the horoscope, too. It's equally offensive and detracts from the quality of your newspaper. And, hey, does anybody read Judge Parker anymore? Just curious.
AMY HALL
Cabot
Editorial on 07/14/2018