LETTERS

Evidence is not debatable

I read the April 6 Perspective section piece, “Why we argue about climate change,” and couldn’t believe it. So I re-read it. Twice.

The author seems to make three points: (1) If we can’t accurately predict the impact of carbon emissions on the world’s climate, we shouldn’t worry about them and should just hope for the best; (2) people will be influenced by their biases rather than scientific evidence; and (3) new sources of energy are not yet affordable, and he wants his grandchildren to have access to inexpensive energy.

I agree only with the second point, but disagree that the evidence about climate change is debatable.

True, the world’s climate systems and the effect of human action on them are complex. But the vast majority of scientists agree that climate change is happening now, and that humans contribute to it. Many respected organizations have reached this conclusion, including the International Panel on Climate Change, the World Bank and the National Science Foundation.

As a person of faith, I believe that we are morally obligated to care for God’s creation. As a member of the Arkansas Climate Advocates, I support a balanced approach to addressing climate change, including reduction of carbon emissions from power plants and other sources; promotion of affordable, renewable energy; and vigorous energy conservation efforts.

In short, it seems the author wants his grandchildren to be able to accumulate wealth in a world of cheap energy.

I want mine to live in a rich, abundant, sustainable world of faith, hope and love.

RICK OWEN Little Rock

Article embarrassing

I think the recent article, “Why we argue about climate change,” in the Perspective section is an embarrassment to science, logic and reason.

It is no wonder to me that there is such confusion about climate change when you are running nonsense like this, doing much more harm than good. Shame on you!

PHILLIP SCHROEDER Arkadelphia

Maintain right of way

I would like to thank Ron Sligar and all his crew, and also Jeff Wheeler of the state Highway Department in Gentry. I have very limited vision entering the highway from my driveway. Keeping the right of way mowed and the surrounding trees trimmed are a must for safety. This gets neglected quite often.

I have lived here for 27 years, and in the past every time this has been cleaned up, I have had a hard time getting anyone interested. I normally have had no results in going to the Highway Department, and have in the past went to senators and representatives to help with this. Some have helped, and others have lost my wife’s and my vote next time around.

I recently got in touch with Ron Sligar at the Gentry facility. He sent a large crew out in a prompt manner, and did the best job that has been done. I wholeheartedly thank him and everyone who worked on this. Thank you!

By the way, when you see the right of way being neglected, it seems you can thank the Highway Commission for using subcontractors for this. As we can all see, the subs aren’t doing a very good job of it. Some of you will remember that last summer there were letters on the Voices page from Arkansans who traveled in other states and took the time to write to the newspaper about the shoddy upkeep and appearance of our rights of way.

Maybe it’s time for the Highway Commission to take heed and expand the Highway Department and get a much better job done. Let’s get the pride back in our state. The department will do a better job than the subs. Again, to Ron and crew, a big thank you.

DEL LAMPHEAR Decatur

Were two connected?

It was very interesting to me that, after 14 years, Cumulus Media fired Dave Elswick because his services were “no longer needed,” just a few days after his show was about Christianity.

I suppose someone got offended and called Cumulus and asked them to take Dave off the air. If that’s what happened, it’s a shame that just one or two people could get a popular talk-show host thrown off the air and out of a job. BETTY J. ADAMS Brinkley

Can’t change the rules

I was raised by the World War II generation. This generation for the most part taught us good Christian values that honored God’s design. We were taught that God has a purpose for his creation. Even if some of you choose not to believe in God, I believe there is common sense that tells us that there is a created natural order of things. Male was made for female and female was made for male. Redefining this creation is not only offensive to me, but more importantly, I believe it is offensive to God.

We can’t and shouldn’t change the rules just to satisfy our sinful natures (desires of the flesh). Redefining marriage from what God has designed is a rule-changer. It’s like playing a board game and, when you realize that you are not going to win this round, you decide to change the rules. This then affects everyone else playing the game and before you know it, no one has won fairly.

I think same-sex “unions” (not marriages) are a game unfairly played and never settled. The end result is a state of confusion for those affected by same-sex unions. A generation of innocent children are slowly being taught that same-sex parents (unions) are completely normal and should be widely acceptable. This hurts children and only confuses them.

The Bible teaches: “a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife and the two are united into one.”

This is creation’s design, not man’s. RICHARD DUNCAN Little Rock

On board with plans

For the life of me, I cannot see why the Saudi monarchy is out of it over the U.S. freely negotiating with other allies over aiding Syrian rebels in overthrowing the oppressive regime. If the U.S. and its allies see the importance of overthrowing the current oppressive regime in Syria, why should not all allies get on board and aid the Syrian rebels?

This strike-out-alone business is very petty and childish. Same thing goes about a uranium production treaty with Iran. Why not have all our allies get on board and keep Iran from using uranium to manufacture nuclear weapons?

If the Saudis cannot be adult about these things, I think the U.S. should sever diplomatic relations with them.

LESLIE PUTMAN El Dorado

Get a suitcase ready

To all who think we are created equal, we are not. We may all have the body parts and similar features, but that’s where the road ends. For if it were so, we would have the same tastes, likes, share the wealth, IQ , etc., but I think we all know that’s not so. I surely didn’t vote for the same president. I also believe in God and accept Jesus as my savior.

It never ceases to amaze me the level of stupidity of the people in our country. They elected, I believe, the most divisive president and one who would unravel our country to its very core. A shame they are too stupid to see. I think when you put the good of man above the law of God, woe be unto us for we shall soon perish. So to all the liberals, atheists, homosexuals, etc., have a nice vacation in hell.

ELLIS WILLIAMS England

Who we should trust

Trust us. We know what we’re doing. We’re here to help. We won’t let them hurt you. The state Department of Environmental Quality asked us to do that at a recent meeting in Jasper.

It seems the Natural State is under attack by corporate greed in this Land of Opportunity. The Buffalo River doesn’t need to be built, but we sure can destroy it in a heartbeat. Then, talk about the devastation of the trickle-down domino effect.

I believe allowing Cargill to come, set up shop, and dump all that pig manure (they excrete copious amounts) on sides of our mountains is the stupidest risk this state has taken to permit us to poison ourselves.

At the meeting, when the head pork-pusher of Arkansas was allowed to “be an exception,” I was appalled. Earlier, the crowd was chastised for laughing when a self-declared expert said canoe paddlers alone made more fecal matter than the pig-factory slurry ever would.

The cards were in, the comments were done, and closing remarks were being made when he raised his trump card, literally, in his hand. He was allowed to speak. He opened with God and the saintly persecuted family, and closed with “it’s not about emotions.”

I believe Teresa Marks knew well who that man was and allowed him to break the rules and give a closing pitch. What else can we expect? Trust?

I implore all Arkansas citizens to research this crisis and see the dangerous line waiting to get in our state and use us up in the worst kind of way.

SHARON DAVISON Fayetteville

Treatment available

I would like to say I am pleased that Mike Masterson received the treatment that he needed for his skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma). As with all cancers, the earlier it can be treated, the better.

I also wanted to share with your readers that radiation treatment for skin cancer is, and has been, available in Arkansas. I personally have treated skin cancer patients at CARTI since 1985. Over the past 10 years, we have treated over 700 skin cancer patients with radiation at CARTI facilities.

Multiple different technologies exist to treat patients with radiation. Our linear accelerators, which can produce both photon and electron beam radiation, are state of the art. We radiation oncologists have a very good working relationship with our dermatology colleagues and are always happy to evaluate patients who may need radiation.

There are many radiation therapy centers across Arkansas, including CARTI facilities in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Searcy and Mountain Home.

Again, I am glad that Mr. Masterson found the treatment he needed in Sante Fe, but radiation treatment for skin cancer is also available in the great state of Arkansas.

ANN MANERS Little Rock

Feedback

Poetically inclined

There was a young man from Gillette who bought him a Democrat-Gazette. The curled corners enraged, so he ironed every page, no longer to fume and to fret.

He still needed to complain, so instead he’d grouse about something he’d read. So he read John Brummett and he wondered, dadgummit, what the heck was it he said?

He confessed cartoons were an addiction, liked the Voices page and its friction, editorial views, the Hogs and world news, and again he renewed his subscription.

LOU COCKMON Little Rock

Odds reconsidered

I recently watched a rerun of the 1983 movie WarGames. This continues to be an entertaining movie even after 30 years. My thought is always: This could never happen.

Read the Washington Post piece, “Missile Malaise,” on the editorial page. Rethinking that position.

PATRICK WOODRUFF Little Rock