Living with the pain
I read with great interest the article “Pain: Why we fear it. Why we shouldn’t,” which was in the Perspective section on Sunday. My chronic back pain returned in the summer of 2016, and I was hopeful that the author might provide some keen insight into how I can better deal with it. It did not. Instead, the author, James D. Hudson, a medical physician, wrote negatively about the procedures I have had that have provided relief.
The main impression I had when I had finished reading the article was that Dr. Hudson clearly had never personally experienced the level of pain that many people who seek help in dealing with their pain have. Just learning how to accept your pain and live with it is not going to be very helpful. Dr. Hudson offers no statistics to prove this point.
Embrace the pain? I don’t think so. I am grateful for the procedures I have had and for the pain specialist who has offered them to me. Do we really want to step back to how our ancestors dealt with pain, numbing their pain with alcohol and resorting to suicide to end their pain?
KAREN LITTRELL
Conway
Ban horse slaughter
As his constituent, I believe that Sen. John Boozman should co-sponsor the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (SAFE Act, S.2006).
Each year, about 80,000 American horses go to slaughter. Horse slaughter is inhumane and most Americans oppose the barbaric practice.
The SAFE Act would permanently ban horse slaughter in this country and the exporting of horses abroad for that same purpose. In 2017, Edge Research published data showing that 2.3 million adults in the U.S. (1.2 million households) have both the desire and resources to immediately adopt a horse. These findings suggest that homes are available to take in enough horses equal to the number that would otherwise be sent to slaughter for the next decade. There is no reason to subject these beautiful animals to abuse when there are plenty of homes waiting to give them the lives they deserve.
The SAFE Act, a permanent federal ban, is the only way to ensure that no more American horses meet this cruel fate. Contact Sen. John Boozman and ask him to co-sponsor this bill! Arkansans view horses as companions and as an icon of our great nation—not as food animals.
ASHTON SHAW
Diamond City
Can’t serve 2 masters
Senators Boozman and Cotton, and Congressman Womack: I have only one question for each of you. Are you for Russia or for America? You cannot serve two masters, and must choose: Vladimir Putin and his acolyte Donald Trump, or the U.S. Constitution.
Kevin McCarthy famously noted that he believed two Republicans were paid by Putin: now-former Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Donald Trump. Should he have added you three to the list of those paid with laundered money pilfered by Russians from other countries’ treasuries?
Your silence during the impeachment hearings has been deafening and noted by your constituents. You may think that we are all brainwashed by Fox and Sinclair, but no matter how many times you say our eyes are lying, we can still see the truth.
It’s clear to me that Donald Trump has betrayed his oath of office for his personal gain. He abused his office by using our money to smear his possible election opponent; he has covered up the truth and consistently obstructed Congress from finding out the details. He has betrayed us, and jeopardized our national security while plotting with Russia to steal the next election.
You can pretend that all is well, but history will not judge any of you kindly. It’s time to honor your oath of office and defend our Constitution and country. You must impeach and remove Donald Trump.
SHERI HANSON
Eureka Springs
Impeachment a pain
A recent visit to my doctor was interesting. I have been experiencing lower back pain. After an examination, Doc concluded my problem was not medical at all, but a recent new condition called Impeachment Pain in the Rear, or IPR.
So I quit. No more political news for me. From now on I will be watching National Geographic and football playoffs. Sweet Jesus, save us all from what lies before us.
GARY MORRISON
Jonesboro
Crimes against kids
In response to Steve Foster’s letter: I believe that every sex crime against children is committed by a functional atheist. A person who believes the scripture, which is our only reliable revelation of who God is, could never harm a child unless they don’t know what a millstone around the neck would be like.
ANNA JONES
Siloam Springs