NWA EDITORIAL: Thursday's thumbs

Is already time for another batch of Thursday's Thumbs?

All the weather forecasts have kept our minds occupied, apparently for no good reason. Low temperatures and a chance of drama has proven a most accurate prediction.

Give’em a thumb

Want to give some brief feedback on news? Someone who deserves a pat on the back? An idea that needs a dose of common sense? Recommend a “Thursday thumb” by calling Greg Harton at (479) 872-5026 or by email at [email protected].

Can we give a lack of snow a thumbs down? You know it's been a long time since the area has had a good snowfall when people in the newspaper business are longing for one.

We'll turn to other matters, because we're told we can't do anything about the weather but endure.

[THUMBS UP] Who says history is boring, or that the study of it has to be? It's outstanding to hear that the regional National History Day context, slated this year for March 9 at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, has grown by 100 students for the 2019 event. That's up from 455 students last year. The 45-year-old national program provides a theme from which students can research a topic and present what they've learned through documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites. The approach engages students in an analysis of history, well beyond just recitation of dates and events. Too often, it takes decades before a lot of us develop a real appreciation for history and its impact on today. This program is an outstanding tool to inspire the study of history and the process required to actually learn from it.

[THUMBS UP] It's certainly promising news that the United Way of Northwest Arkansas has somehow managed to continue its 2-1-1 helpline service, which is designed to connect people in need with community services that have an opportunity to fill the need. The helpline serves people in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. As recently as December, United Way officials announced the approaching demise of the 24-hour-a-day service, but reports of its demise were apparently exaggerated. The United Way, which spends about $10,000 a month on the service, reported recently that it received some short-term funding and officials say they see some possibilities now for longer-term support. Sometimes, all it takes is for a need to be revealed and solutions can be found.

[THUMBS UP] Of course, it's tempting to give a thumbs down to the melee that broke out last week near the end of the Fayetteville-Springdale basketball game, but it's not unheard of for the intensity of athletic competition to spill over into the potential for emotion-filled violence. The good news from the tense episode is that the adults -- school administrators, law enforcement, coaches, etc. -- interceded to make sure the momentary outburst was quickly brought under control. And the players could, if they had wanted, have made things worse. It took a few minutes to restore order and finish the game, and the rules of high school athletics were set in motion to ensure everyone recognizes a responsibility to keep those emotions in check, or at least properly channeled into the spirit of athletic competition. Yes, the episode marred the game for a moment, but the response to it was admirable.

[THUMBS UP] It's beginning to look like Arkansas civil rights pioneer Daisy Gatson Bates and musician Johnny Cash might just be Arkansas' next contributions to the figures of Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Arkansas lawmakers have been bouncing around the names of nominees to replace a couple of statues that have been there for nigh 100 years. On Tuesday, the Senate approved the two figures with a 33-0 vote. The House of Representatives still must vote on the proposal. With Arkansas' great history of historic figures, maybe it's a no-brainer that there should be some disagreement over who represent the state in the halls of the Capitol, but these two figures certainly will serve the state well.

[THUMBS UP] Recent word is the city of Rogers plans to add four roundabouts in the developing area across from Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and now we hear the Arkansas Department of Transportation plans a Feb. 28 public comment session at the Gentry Public Library to review plans for a rural roundabout at Arkansas 12 and Arkansas 43 in west Benton County. The kinds of comments people will make is highly predictable: It's change, and oftentimes people don't care much for it. But roundabouts -- like horseless carriages, airplanes, microwave ovens and cell phones -- are happening because they make sense. They keep traffic flowing and, if there are wrecks, they're almost always less damaging than collisions at the standard cross-street intersections most of us grew up using. They certainly aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, but congested Northwest Arkansas can benefit from solutions that keep traffic moving.

Commentary on 02/21/2019

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