Serious wounds raise questions for Congress
Why are the wounds caused by assault rifles so lethal? The answer is the extremely high velocity of the bullet, approximately three times that of a handgun. The law of physics that determines force is F= mass times velocity squared, so when velocity goes up, force is dramatically increased.
A radiologist from a hospital in Parkland, Fla., noted a marked difference in the appearance of scans she read of the usual handgun wounds compared to those of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims. The bullet from a handgun created a straight track with very little damage to surrounding tissue. By contrast, the assault rifle wound created tremendous peripheral damage as if the tissue exploded and then fell back on itself. Which brings up the question: Why in the name of sanity does this country allow such weapons to exist in the public domain? Why doesn’t Congress do something in light of these recurring tragedies?
In dealing with this ongoing problem, how have Arkansas’ members of Congress been influenced by gun rights groups like the NRA? According to OpenSecrets.org, a campaign contribution tracking organization, and politico.com, Sen. John Boozman accepted $5,950 during his last election campaign from gun rights groups, Steve Womack accepted $9,000 over his six years in office and French Hill accepted $7,250. It is notable that $5.9 million was given to Republicans and $106,000 to Democrats in the 2016 election cycle.
So the question remains, will Congress ever stand up to the gun lobby and protect the citizens of our country and certainly our children in their schools by enacting meaningful gun safety laws or remain complicit with these tragedies by doing nothing?
PETE HEINZELMANN
Fayetteville
Turnout at prayer event reflects poorly on pastors
About 80 Bella Vista folks attended the mayor’s prayer event at the Bella Vista Community Church on May 5. In addition to Mayor Peter Christie, about six ministers — three from Community Church — attended. The theme stemmed from Ephesians 4:3. All pastors effectively led prayers asking for unity in America, in the church in America, in our families and among all ethnicities; and that we agree clearly, unite visibly and pray extraordinarily for the next great spiritual awakening in America.
God has clearly asked his followers to pray earnestly and continually. Recognizing that we have in excess of 20 churches in Bella Vista, I was especially disappointed that only a handful of pastors chose to attend this significant annual event. The presence of all or most of our Christian leaders would have visibly demonstrated widespread church unity for prayer and Christ. Further, there should have been at least 200 to 300 persons in attendance.
It is also well known that only a few of the Bella Vista pastors attend and participate in the Bella Vista Ministerial Association. This also fails to exhibit Christian unity. Are pastoral interests so centered on one’s own church that they are afraid to participate in a few events to show Christian unity and help stimulate a great spiritual awakening in our community?
I am very disappointed and hope this lack of unity might be reversed.
HARLAN PHILLIPS
Bella Vista