Know their agendas
Boy, do I agree 100 percent with Bill Dudley's recent letter. It seems most of the ads we see on TV are bought and paid for by national groups with their own agenda. They aren't going to be your neighbor, or even from Arkansas, and I'm tired of it.
The slash-and-burn mentality of lies and half-truths makes you want to hold your nose. Those groups don't know us or the needs of our state. But Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton do. I believe they are good men, good Christians, from good families. We have a choice to make, and we need to know the agenda of these men for the future of Arkansas.
EDITH SEAMAN
Lakeview
Nearly reaching limit
If I see one more Mark Pryor or Tom Cotton ad, I'm voting for the Green candidate.
MARK JENKINS
Little Rock
Move to healthy diet
For five years, I administered the Summer Food Service Program in Long Beach, Calif., which provides free lunches during the summer for low-income children. So it was with some interest that I read the recent columns on the editorial page concerning federal meal programs.
The Summer Food Service Program is one of our truly successful and well-run government programs, and has provided lunch for many children who might otherwise have no meal at all during the summer. The difficulty, of course, has always been striking the balance between what constitutes adequate nutrition, and what the kids will eat. (I can assure you that children are happy to eat baby carrots as long as you serve a cup of ranch dressing on the side.)
Michelle Obama's brave and well-intentioned drive to improve the quality of school lunches is now meeting the roadblocks and objections we might have expected.
Mr. Daren Bakst of the Heritage Foundation insists that parents "know what's best for their children." However, when we observe the rampant obesity among their offspring, I think we are entitled to challenge this conclusion. And if kids are allowed to choose their own menu, do you really think a lot of leafy greens are going to wind up on those plates?
We need to move, with patience and determination, toward a healthier diet for our young people.
ANN LINK
Little Rock
Seems a rotten tactic
Back to the Auburn game. I traced the sudden post-halftime lapse in the Hogs' efficiency following the "coaches caught in the elevator" incident to a rotten tactic by Auburn coach, Gus Malzahn. Ask yourself how many ways the Hogs assistant coaches' cell-phone messages could have been intercepted as they were forced to use cell phones to call Coach Bret Bielema regarding on-field corrections and potentially workable strategies.
The Jordan-Hare elevators have ears.
ROD PARKER
Amity
Using a false rhetoric
As a Muslim citizen of Arkansas with Turkish heritage, I am extremely disappointed with the actions of ISIS, the so-called Islamic State, that hijacks the religion for its dirty purpose. While killing people with no mercy, they use a false religious rhetoric, rhetoric which cannot be reconciled with any religious teachings, either in the Koran nor in the Prophetic tradition.
I believe this is a group of perverts that cannot even think of a basic teaching of Islam: The killing of one person is equal to killing humanity.
In the absence of strong voices from the Islamic world, finding a Turkish Islamic scholar, Mr. Fethullah Gulen, condemning ISIS in the national print media made me share my thoughts. In his words: "Their actions are a disgrace to the faith they proclaim and are crimes against humanity. Religion provides a foundation upon which to establish peace, human rights, freedoms and the rule of law. Any interpretations to the contrary, including the abuse of religion to fuel conflicts, are simply wrong and deceitful. ISIS is not the first group to use religious rhetoric to mask its cruelty--al-Qaida did so 13 years ago and Boko Haram more recently. ... Any form of violence against innocent civilians or persecution of minorities contradicts the principles of the Koran and the traditions of our Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings). ISIS members are either completely ignorant about the faith they proclaim, or their actions are designed to serve individual interests or those of their political masters."
MEHMET ULUPINAR
Little Rock
Show respect for all
Re Sally Goss' letter about scheduling of the Komen race: It seems restaurants are threatened if they show partiality to customers with church bulletins, praying customers, etc.
It seems like religions are the thing of the past. No respect for religion, race, creed or color nowadays. Hatefulness is in!
When Aretha Franklin sang "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," she also said, "Find out what it means to me." I believe she has and still does show respect for religion: Christian, Catholic, Jewish, all others.
How many people would throw ice buckets over their heads for R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N? I want to see that on Facebook and in the newspapers next.
MELBA SHARP
Little Rock
A small price to pay
Some people say that God does not exist because of all the suffering in the world. However, they forget that he allowed his only divine son to die a terrible death.
If we obey his Ten Commandments, I believe we will finally be eternally happy with him in heaven. It is a small price we have to pay to be happy forever with God.
LAMBERT G. SMITH
Pocahontas
Seeing red over white
Dear Coach B.: Great game. Great game plan. The white helmets suck. Correct it!
TOM WEBB
Bryant
Editorial on 09/20/2014