LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Coverage isn't constitutional

It is appalling to read the letters to Voices from those who whine, wail and bemoan the fact that the president vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill. He and those who agree with him are called names of all kinds for not doing it for the children.

He vetoed the bill because it contained too much lard, but he refused to sign itfor the wrong reason. The bill, no matter the content or lack thereof, is patently unconstitutional. The bill might be noble, but it isn't the government's responsibility to provide health care to the populace. Medicare opened the door to government intrusion into health care, and it keeps growing like mold in a damp cellar.

At one time in this nation, it was the responsibility of parents to provide for the needs of the whole family. But now we have housing, food stamps, school breakfasts and lunches, day care, insurance and all sorts of other handouts from the politicians who demand that wealthier taxpayers pay the cost for the subsidies.

We have gone from a nation of independent people to one whose citizens insist that the prosperous give up some of their prosperity to those who think they deserve part of the wealth. Such notions are called envy and greed and it is ludicrous to believe that government should play Robin Hood to satisfy the appetite. Why is it the responsibility of government to provide insurance coverage for children instead of their parents doing so? The resounding silence is deafening.

DONALD E. CLEM Fairfield Bay

Growth has a downside

Jay Grelen's column, "Piece of past one of last still standing," was truly a jewel. It dealt solely with a single feature of the natural landscape that had enriched a boy's life, how that feature has been diminished by residential development and may be about to disappear entirely. But Grelen's story is repeated countless times in our state and country, and the cumulative effect of all these small losses is enormous.

So many people promote the growth of population and the consequent growth of the economy as if growth had no downside. But there is an immense downside. Our land, the air and our supplies of fresh water are all finite resources. If the population and the economy continue to grow unchecked, there has to come a time when society will bang its nose hard against natural limits.

This is not an experience that we should want our children or grandchildren to have to face. But a little study makes clear that many societies have run afoul of insurmountable natural limits, and few of them have ever managed to recover from the effects of overpopulation and economic overexpansion after they had reached that point. We deceive ourselves if we think we are immune to such disaster.

The only alternative for North America is to work for a society and a material culture that can be sustained indefinitely. And we have scarcely even begun to talk about doing so, much less begun to build such a society. Many thanks to Grelen for a poignant story that called our attention to the tip of a huge iceberg.

BILL SHEPHERD Little Rock

Nothing to worry about

Why is Nobel Prize winner Al Gore worried about global warming? Does he not watch The History Channel? There was a special on it about the May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens volcano eruption. The TV report said that this one eruption put more pollution and harmful gases into the atmosphere than all of mankind has done to pollute the Earth since the beginning of time.

Maybe Mother Nature knows what she is doing and can take care of herself.

Go invent the Internet, Al.

ROGER CHESNEY Little Rock

Consequences are dire

Many major newspapers have reported on a potential invasion of Iran.

The Military Times has reported the transport of six nuclear weapons fromMinot Air Force Base in North Dakota to the B-52 base in Barksdale, La. Transporting live nuclear weapons by the use of B-52 bombers has been prohibited for reasons of safety. They usually are carried on specially designed transports.However, Barksdale AFB is the jumping off point for Middle East operations, especially long-range B-52 bombing missions.

Nuclear weapons are not easily mistaken for conventional warheads, and protocol is very strict to prevent mistakes. Is this a mistake or is it part of a plan to nuke Iran? You don't like Iran or Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Then do not rally Iranians behind him by nuking Iran.

All wars are costly, but unlike all other wars, attacking Iran may precipitate a global Armageddon. If we nuke Iran and Iran then attacks Israel, which has had nuclear weapons at least since 1963, millions could die and Earth would be devastated.

Since neo-cons are pressuring the president to attack Iran with nuclear weapons, it is up to the people to pressure the president not to attack Iran, and Congress not to appropriate the money.

We must express such outrage at the prospect that both will consider it political suicide.

Are you pro-life? Then be consistently so by asking those in authority not to start World War III. The issue may be dismissed as a conspiracy. So be it-if it does not happen.

GWEN CARPENTER Magnolia

Revisit independence

It is always good to read of any conversation between the Jews and the Palestinians. My hope is that talks will revisit the idea of making the Old City of Jerusalem an independent city-state. Within its walls are treasures holy and precious to three religions. The Jews have the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), where prayers on paper and in hearts have been offered up for centuries; the Christians have the Church of the Sepulcher, believed to be built over Golgotha; and the Muslims have the Temple Mount, the Dome of which covers the huge rock on which Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac or Ishmael.

These and other sacred sites are respected by the four groups of people who live and work in the Old City. Jews, Christians, Muslims and Armenians run their markets and shops, each in a given quadrant, while crowds of multiple color, dress, nationalities and language fuse and flow throughout the lively mixture of produce and products.

On my first visit to Jerusalem some 15 years ago, I was obviously a tourist and was saved by a Jewish merchant who grabbed me and pulled me into his shop, saying, "Today, Ramadan begins. You will be safe here." Immediately, gates opened to thousands of young men shouting and running to the Dome. I watched in awe at the faces of joy, faith and determination streaming by in torrents.

Life in the Old City works remarkably well, given all the factions. Within her walls, I have sensed a "live and let live" attitude and a recognition of a power greater than those who war outside her gates.

JUDITH BAUM North Little Rock

Only focus is on money

The first thing I do in the morning is pick up my paper and read the Sports page. What I saw recently made me turn against Razorback football. I saw Houston Nutt telling us his contract will expire in 2012. That proves to me that he doesn't care if he wins football games as long as he fulfills his contract.

My opinion? I would not have hired him in the first place. As far as Darren McFadden is concerned, I think he is the best running back Arkansas ever had. Mr. Contract thinks he is the only one to win ball games. It takes the whole team, not one man.

From now on the money I would have paid for Razorback tickets will go across the river to the casino. Good luck, Hogs.

FRED STEWART Little Rock

Blame lies with majority

Regarding Adria Kimbrough's recent letter blaming the Democrat-Gazette's editorial position for the current "toxic environment" surrounding the Little Rock School Board, I couldn't disagree more.

I consider myself a person of "good faith and conscience," as she puts it, yet I'm convinced that those who constitute the current school board majority and they alone are to blame for the racial tensions that have arisen as a result of their willful, secretive, self-serving and fiscally irresponsible actions over the past year. This group has made the school board the unflattering face of the Little Rock School District.

The Democrat-Gazette has served us well by publishing the facts behind the havoc this board majority has created. We would have no way of knowing much of it without the newspaper. In my opinion, the editorials and endorsement of the only clearly qualified Zone 2 school board candidate, race being beside the point, should be praised rather than criticized.

CAROLYN B. DAVIS Little Rock

Past is back to bite Nutt

Last year Mitch Mustain started five SEC games. The Razorbacks won all five games. From the end of last year through this year's Auburn game, Casey Dick has started seven SEC games and the Razorbacks have won only two.

I've been a Razorback fan since the 1950s and have suffered the ups and downs. I sat in the stands and rooted for players named Gray, Burnett and Crockett. I listened to the great '69 Arkansas-Texas game on a radio in Saigon, Vietnam. I loved all those old games. Where have the old times gone?

Not keeping Mustain and the young receiver Damian Williams and forcing out Gus Malzahn are coming back to bite Houston Nutt. I see it, other fans see it, anyone who really knows Razorback football sees it, and it's time that those who donate their time and resources to the Razorback Foundation also see things as they really are. Clean house on the Hill on Jan. 1.

BILL NELSON Tucker

Diabetes research vital

The clock is ticking on a critical issue that is pending before Congress-the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program. If Congress fails to approve a multi-year renewal of the program by December, clinical research at the National Institutes of Health involving over 60,000 patients will be at risk. We cannot afford to let this happen.

I know all too well about the importance of diabetes research. My teen-age son has type 1 diabetes. No matter how hard we try, controlling his blood sugar level is a daily challenge even though we do everything right. I often think ofthe long-term consequences that can result from diabetes, but I find comfort in knowing that researchers are making great strides.

We are so very fortunate to have such a wonderful congressional delegation that cares so much about diabetes research and this program. Recently, the members met with me, my son and a number of other families to discuss diabetes issues. The members understand and are working hard to make a difference.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln plays a particularly important role. As co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus and member of the Senate Finance Committee, she has a strong voice on this issue and is working with her colleagues to make the multiyear renewal of the Special Diabetes Program a reality this year. I am truly grateful for our delegation's strong support.

KAREN HALBERT Little Rock

Much needs improving

I am a student at North Pulaski High School. I and a few other people agree that the cafeteria food is some of the worst we have ever eaten. We want the food to taste better. At least put salt on the fries.

Another thing that we are concerned about is the condition of our school. Our air conditioners are always breaking down, or they did at the beginning of school.

JOSHUA GRETZMIER Jacksonville

Feedback

Paid leave outrageous State auditors should look into Danny Nutt's sick leave. As much as he has been off work due to illness, it seems impossible for him to have 477 hours of sick leave.

When I worked for the state, once sick leave and vacation time were used up, one went into leave without pay. We had to take up a collection to pay insurance premiums.

Frank Broyles and Houston Nutt should be fired for signing a contract for someone who cannot do the job. It appears that different standards are applied for state employees unless one is a relative of Houston or Frank.

University of Arkansas employees are considered employees of the state.

DOUG LINGO Lonoke

Coach's priority clear

The Hogs lost six of nine recent games. Five of those losses have been against SEC teams. Two of the three wins have been against Sun Belt teams, the other against a I-AA team.

What does Couch Houston Nutt have to say about concerns expressed about this record? "My contract says 2012." Is this arrogance or stupidity, or both?

JAMES H. FROST Little Rock