LETTERS

Families sacrifice too

The obituary page of April 15 included the obituary for Irene (Helmich) Schrader of Bryant, Ark. Her husband of some 65 years, Walter Schrader, died almost three years ago in the Veterans Hospital.

Throughout most of his adult life, Walter wore a metal cranial plate for head injuries received during World War II. He is most deserving of any accolades that may have been passed on to him for his service so long ago. As a nation we recognize this service through our various patriotic holidays and traditions.

However, special honors are also due the wives, children and families of our veterans whose bodies are forever changed by the ravages of war.

Irene Schrader stood by Walter all those many years, shouldering his family duties as well as her own. It was she who kept the family together and provided their children a legacy that he was unable to provide. And it was always done with a generous smile without seeking recognition or reward, but simply out of love and a selfless sense of duty.

As one small voice, I offer my thanks to the Schrader family, as well as the families of those who serve today, for their many sacrifices.

PAUL N. REVIS Conway

See cyclists as people

It seems Danny DeClerk of North Little Rock confused the role of vehicles with the definitions of roads.While his Jeep may not gain access to mixed-use paths, many modes of transportation are not allowed for the vehicles he indicated should be banned from all roads. For example, bicycles and farm vehicles are not allowed on interstate-style roads, while his Jeep, originally designed only for off-road usage, is allowed to use those limited-access roads.

I would suggest that incidents of road rage would be reduced if more drivers saw the rider as a person, not an object. His Jeep isn’t running over a bicycle, it is killing a mother of two children. His Jeep isn’t crowding a cyclist into a ditch, it is injuring a grandfather.

But that illustration works both ways because Mr. DeClerk’s Jeep isn’t threatening another vehicle with a well-established legal right to the road.

Mr. DeClerk is threatening those people.

BILL SMITH Jonesboro

The dangers of debts

So Vladimir Putin of Russia is calling Ukraine on its energy debt if it doesn’t hold “referendum” elections on parts of the country joining with Russia.

What’s to stop China from calling the U.S. on its debts if we don’t back off on defending Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, etc.?

We can’t have our cake and eat it too; we’ve either got to cut runaway spending or we could cease to exist as the leader of the free world.

We may not be able to borrow our way out of debt, but we can sure borrow our way into oblivion. Don’t think that could happen? The Soviet Union was the leader of the Communist world, and pretty much spent its way into non-existence. It seems Putin is trying to bring it back-with a vengeance.

DAVID WEAVER Sherwood

Long and short of it

I could not believe my eyes when I read the letter about long obituaries from Jimmy L. Martin.

Since when is it anyone’s business how long others’ obituaries are? Some people need comfort and understanding, and that’s what they use to vent, tell detailed information about a funeral, or for whatever is needed.

You can be stingy, but take it out on loved ones who might want to tell their story in writing, because voicing the grief could be too much for them.

I loved James Arness and the whole crew at NBC, CBS and ABC.

MELBA SHARP Little Rock

That’s not patriotism

“Patriotism and religion are the last refuges of scoundrels” is a truism attributed to 18th Century author Samuel Johnson.

There are many such refuges, but those are prominent, in my opinion.

Conservative outfits and candidates often stake their claim as the most patriotic among their rivals, who are usually quick to argue the point, which is, in my opinion, pointless.

The fact that Rep. Tom Cotton advertises his military service as a qualification for office is a reason for me to vote against him. Reminds me of a politician in my hometown who “ran on his wooden leg”-from a war injury.

I was a combat infantry platoon leader in the Vietnam War, but that does not make me patriotic. Thank you for thanking me for my service, but I prefer that you thank those who served our country by convincing our political leaders to get us out of Vietnam and Iraq.

If I wanted to brag about my patriotism, it would be about how I cheerfully pay taxes to support my national, state and local governments. I would like to pay more taxes to help meet the many needs.

I should not question anyone’s patriotism, but I do. I think candidates who advertise their patriotism, and especially those who demonize taxation as an evil of our society, are behaving unpatriotically.

Taxation is not evil. It is good. Paying taxes is patriotic.

HOWELL MEDDERS Fayetteville

Keeps business here

Ms. Bonnie Barton Cook, in her recent letter, was concerned about our legislators voting to not charge tax on sand for drilling.

As I understand it, the sand is a part of the process and should not be taxed, just as other industries have tax-free items used in their processes. Would she rather tax the sand and have the industry move to another state and lose the jobs and taxes they do pay to do business here?

I don’t understand people who don’t seem to care that Arkansas loses business to other states because we seem to have such an unfriendly business climate.

ROBERTA WILSON Hot Springs Village

Streets in need of fix

Most Arkansans probably would agree that UAMS is a world-class medical facility, attracting patients throughout the U.S. and many foreign countries.

However, I think it is deplorable that the access streets to UAMS are in such a state of disrepair. Cedar Street going south is terrible. The corner of Cedar and Capitol is mostly a nightmare and constantly in need of repair. I believe the city of Little Rock should be ashamed to be so inattentive to this problem. I have been a patient of UAMS for five years, and I haven’t noticed any significant improvement in street conditions during that time.

SCOTTY FREEBAIRN Little Rock