Children's campaign
I'd suggest a change or two in the "platform planks" noted in the letter from Kay Hicks: Play with your child. Walk with your child. Spend time with your child. Be kind to your child.
But most importantly, change the last line in her platform to read: "Pray with your child."
JOHN COOKE
North Little Rock
Must remember this
We Democrats are happy for the success of our becoming the majority in the House, primarily because our candidates focused on health-care needs rather than other controversial issues. However, as a majority our elected reps need to remember two important things if they expect to be effective.
They must remember that regardless of the negative and questionable rhetoric of POTUS, it is the GOP majority Congress that has been a failure more than President Trump. Except for his desired parade and wall, it seems he has kept most of his campaign promises, even though we lay Democrats and those elected may not like them. The only real success of the GOP Congress was the tax-cut bill, and that proved to be controversial due to its major benefits going to the very wealthy and to corporations. The strong claims of success for POTUS lie in a growing GDP and continuing employment growth, though many of us do decry the lack of growth in our moral GDP, as even a number of conservative columnists do.
Our Democratic reps need to be careful about crying "wolf" too quickly in judging POTUS and the GOP. One example is the recent charge of troops being sent to the southern border, when four presidents of the past, two Democrats and two Republicans, preceded such a move. Moral charges, also, might prove us hypocritical when we remember that several past Democrats have experienced moral issues (Hart and Clinton are only two examples).
Our reps now have a chance to mold opinion with positive attitudes and centrist thinking, understanding that "compromise" is not a dirty word, but rather an often necessary tool for success.
JOHN W. "DOC" CRAWFORD
Arkadelphia
A remarkable facility
We read the letter to the editor on Saturday from Jeanette Wood of Cabot. She was right on target with her glowing review of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Home in North Little Rock.
We have a dear friend who is a World War II veteran and is a resident there. We visit him weekly, and our impression of the facility is so very positive. The uniqueness of the home-like atmosphere of the Veterans Home as well as the dedication of the staff are most impressive. It is a really unique setting.
Our only disagreement with Ms. Wood's review in her letter is that, in our opinion, Heroes Home 3 is by far the best of the eight Heroes Homes at the ADVA Veteran's Home.
Our thanks to the administration and to the staff at the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock, especially the staff in Heroes Home 3. We are thankful that our WWII friend is cared for in such a quality way in a remarkable facility during the latter years of his life!
PENNY and GREY FERGUSON
Arkadelphia
Concern about safety
While attending the 4:30 p.m. mass this past Saturday, an event took place that really got my attention. The service had started when a strapping young man came down the main aisle, waving his arms and shouting incoherently. He paraded for a while and sat on a pew for a few seconds before his shouting restarted. I was so thankful that we had a full complement of ushers as well as male parishioners that sprang into action.
While this is happening, all I could think of was the horrific shooting that took the life of 11 people at a synagogue a few days back in Pittsburgh, Pa. There was no way any of us could have known if the young man was mentally ill, under the influence of drugs, or if he had a gun in his possession. It was a tense situation; one that I would rather not encounter any time soon.
We have had incidents of people wandering from the street, misbehaving in a manner not expected in a house of prayer. However, because of the times we sadly live in, we can no longer ignore the situation at hand. I hope and pray that this issue will be addressed rather quickly by those in charge so we parishioners, visitors and clergy will be able to enjoy the time we spend at the lovely Cathedral of St. Andrew.
SOL A. ALBERTSON
Little Rock
That's no guarantee
Occasionally Bradley Gitz writes something I agree with, or at least something to think about in a different way. In Monday's column he writes that the knowledge level of the typical voter is more important for effective self-government than the sheer number of people turning out to vote.
Unfortunately, however, he suggests that knowing enough to obtain a photo identification card is an adequate measure of knowing enough to vote intelligently. But millions of people who have ID cards have voted for officials who deny scientific evidence, who privilege power and wealth over environmental considerations or social justice, and who are indifferent to basic American values like family unity, racial and religious tolerance, and freedom of the press. Millions of card-carrying citizens have voted, time after time, against their own interests.
We needn't worry about getting dummies to the polls. They are already there. Having a voter identification card is not a guarantee that the holder is an intelligent voter.
ETHEL SIMPSON
Fayetteville
Editorial on 11/14/2018