Sickening statements
Congress is sickening. Some congressmen wanted to get involved in Syria, some in the Ukraine. One, John McCain, chose the wrong running mate. He also apparently thinks he is one of the few to understand the Shia and Sunni problem in Iraq.
A lot of us understand the Middle East because we read. Some thought that it was dumb to go into Iraq. They either knew the history or had a bad feeling about it.
I seriously doubt that any congressman or congresswomen could do any better than Barack Obama. Their statements led me to this conclusion.
STEVE WHEELER
North Little Rock
Reason for problems
When I grew up in the '60s and '70s, if you made an offending remark to a female, you were promptly slapped in the face, and justifiably so. If you did the same to a male, you very well might have received a punch in the nose.
My friends and I received whippings with a switch from our parents that left welts, and it was not child abuse, but they call it that today. Children learned social interaction skills through arguing, fighting, and yes, even bullying.
You could say and write what you wanted, short of yelling fire in a theater, without losing your job or being labeled a racist, bigot, homophobic, etc.
People talked to each other, got along with their neighbors, and were polite. No, it was not a perfect world, but it is a far cry better than where we are today. It seems social engineers have succeeded in making us believe childhood and life should be absent of all the bad things people say and do that hurt our feelings and make us feel bad.
No wonder we have so many problems today. It does not take a genius to figure out why.
MARK BERNTHAL
Bella Vista
How wrecks happen
It happened again. I was driving east along Seventh Street, just east of the state Capitol.
Several cars were parked along both sides of the street. I swerved over the centerline to avoid hitting a parked car, or an open door should someone open their door to get out. I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle just as I was approaching Cross Street.
I don't understand why they don't find some place off the street to park, as this is very dangerous.
Also, twice, I have pulled up to the light at Seventh and Main streets only to have two cars run the red light on Main. That's how wrecks happen.
JANET WAGES
Jacksonville
Not-so-free parking
Recently, after enjoying the Hillary Clinton Children's Library and grounds with my grandson from Pennsylvania, we drove to the River Market area to see the Game and Fish nature center. We also bought peaches and vegetables at the farmers market and enjoyed the sculptures along the pathways.
It was a really great visit.
When we returned to the free-parking area under the Interstate 30 bridge, I found two parking tickets on my car, totaling $60.
Little Rock, it will be a very cold day before I visit again.
CAROLYN BETTINGER
North Little Rock
Help our people first
Recently, Jill Biden visited Africa on a mission of women's rights. On another occasion, first lady Michelle Obama, her daughters and her mother visited Africa on a similar mission.
I have to ask: Why? It seems to me that other countries really don't care all that much about America's moral convictions but more about what types of aid they can receive from the United States.
If these ladies have had missions of helping at homeless shelters or Habitat for Humanity, I did not read about them nor see the photos. It would be uplifting to see any one of them with veterans who are receiving prosthetics, wheelchairs or therapy animals from Wounded Warriors or Paralyzed Veterans, both of which are exemplary organizations that provide for veterans what the U.S. government fails to provide.
If they are looking for charitable organizations, they probably do not have to look much further than their own backyards.
Whether our elected officials are Democrat or Republican is not the point. What is important is that we help our own first. It is similar to the instructions for using an oxygen mask on an airplane: Affix your own mask before attempting to help others.
PAM MILLS
Little Rock
Expert assessments
Ms. Ellen Roberts of Pottsville seems to know everything about health issues and birth control. Is she an OB-GYN or maybe a Ph.D. in endocrinology? Has she ever heard of endometriosis? She should Google it.
She says, "Health insurance is for health and sickness problems." What does she think of Viagra being covered in a health insurance policy? Is it a health issue if a man cannot "raise the flag" any more when he wants to? Is is okay to deny birth control to women but encourage and enhance a man's capability to create pregnancies?
By the way, pregnancies are not totally devoid of dangers to a woman's health. Faith should not have any say about health issues. Health insurance is a matter separate from faith, and there is such a thing as separation of church and state.
You are an American citizen and so am I, but you and I have very different beliefs. You have no business to interfere with my beliefs.
VIVIAN MICHAELS
Bella Vista
The path Reagan set
I think Austin Stewart hit the nail on the head with his letter about Ronald Reagan, the guy who I believe wrecked the middle class in America. He started with destroying the union movement where the good-paying jobs were.
Reagan is the poster boy of the GOP; all one has to do is look at the states with Republican governors to see where they are trying to take the country.
CARL ANDERSON
Hot Springs Village
Editorial on 08/02/2014