Find, pursue your passion
Regarding Mr. Clint Vogus' essay, "Education inflation": Why has the cost of education risen faster than inflation? Perhaps he can answer his question better than I, but I see elaborate facilities on campuses. I see students bringing to school a semester's value of toys--cars, clothes, electronics, etc.--and I see them spend highly on fast food, coffee and alcohol. Are these necessities for their education?
Should everyone have a college education, what should be the major, and is a college education the key to a good living and a fulfilling life? Too many students often fall into the comfort of easy classes and an unchallenging degree with few real job skills. No wonder they move back home.
Our economy most highly rewards those who major in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degrees, not in polished social skills and advanced partying. Those who gain the best starting salaries are the same geeks, grinds, and nerds who took difficult courses, studied, learned, and earned their rewards.
We now live in an arena of worldwide competition. The top companies have the opportunity to find, recruit, train, and retain the best talent. An accomplished Ph.D. friend of mine pointed out that China has more honors students than the U.S. has students--and their competition for honors is fierce.
Does everyone need a college education? No. There are many challenging and rewarding careers for those with skills other than academics. Find your passion, pursue it with energy, continue to improve, be flexible and valuable. Most of all, be of high integrity and continuing optimism. Tackle the tough challenges and incur the least amount of educational debt.
JACK SCHMEDEMAN
Little Rock
Need moderate voice
Where is the columnist who writes for moderation? Is there any advocating a middle-ground approach, and if there is, why are we not able to secure their service?
Instead of continually reading the diatribes of far-left and far-right columnists who attempt to drive the wedge of partisan ideology ever deeper, it would be refreshing to hear from someone declaring for a healing of this destructive divide through consideration, compassion and compromise.
I believe the vast majority of this nation's populace embraces within themselves a variety of liberal and conservative views, yet it seems we are being continually coerced to join one camp pitted against the other. We desperately need a middle-ground voice of encouragement to return to a place of cooperation that is imbued with respect for the value of each citizen's input and a common desire to work together.
I do believe the majority of this nation's citizenry desires reconciliation and a unity that embraces our diversities. Pray with me for that voice in publication and all media.
TERRY HOWERTON
Prairie Grove
Those golden oldies
Mr. Bob Carnation, do you want to know a secret? I wanna hold your hand, or twist 'n' shout for the words of love you wrote about the lack of oldies music of yesterday. I've tried to listen to the so-called oldies music offered locally, but I should have known better.
I wish the local radio stations would please, please me and others of our era by playing the treasure trove of music from the '50s and '60s too. Think of all the untapped money the baby boomers have to spend on all of those advertising sponsors. If not, I always have a ticket to ride to Tunica to listen to the station you mentioned in your letter.
So, thanks, Bob. It's always nice to have a little help from my friends.
KATHY POWERS
Little Rock
Imposing their beliefs
A few years ago I had friends visiting me from Switzerland around Christmas time. On their way from Fayetteville to my home, they stopped at a convenience store to purchase wine for dinner, only to be told that there is no sale of alcohol on Christmas Day. To put it mildly, they were shocked.
As you can guess, that was a topic of discussion during dinner. I explained that this was put to a vote and and voted into law. Considering that this was Jesus' first miracle, to make water into wine, how ironic that we were unable to celebrate his birthday with a glass of wine.
The more sobering conclusion was how one religion with a majority of voters can impose its beliefs on others, with no regard to those who do not share those beliefs. Case in point: this new anti-discrimination ordinance.
Do not let this come to a vote!
CHARLES CONREY
Siloam Springs
Help save the animals
Many of your readers may not be familiar with the Little Rock Animal Village, which is Little Rock's animal shelter. It has to accept all animals brought to the shelter whether they are well, sick or injured. Unfortunately, without a quarantine area, sometimes the sick animals will infect the healthy ones and euthanasia is the end result.
Thanks to a very generous anonymous donor, it can now begin construction on a quarantine area to isolate the incoming sick animals. The Animal Village accepts donations, which are used solely to benefit the animals. These donations are tax-free deductions. If anyone would like to make a contribution, please send it to the Little Rock Animal Village at 4500 Kramer St., Little Rock, 72204.
VICTORIA M. YOUNG
Little Rock
Getting past the fear
I salute Patrick Gray for his compassion and courage in response to the death of Robin Williams and the matter of mental illness.
Forty years ago, I was diagnosed with a manic-depressive disorder. My grandfather had the same and committed suicide long before I was born. I went home, read about the disease and cried all night. What I did not do was accept it. Rather, I continued with a challenging job, a fast-paced lifestyle, taking my medicine erratically, and having breakdowns over the next six or seven years.
When a psychiatrist told me my brain didn't function right, I was furious. I went home and had a fight with God. He won because I knew I couldn't handle the situation by myself. I considered suicide. In my desperation, I allowed God to take over. I felt instant relief. Immediately I got my medication in order. I accepted that bipolar disorder was something I had and would live with the rest of my life. Acceptance is, I think, a key to sanity even if you're crazy.
Years later I was a mental-health case manager. The center where I worked considered moving from its tiny facility to a large, old home. A neighborhood meeting was called. The room soon filled to capacity with angry neighbors. It seemed hate reigned, but I sensed it was fear that was in control. We realized our clients did not need to be exposed to these attitudes. Love and acceptance were what they needed.
As I read about Little Rock's efforts toward the homeless and veterans and finding places for them, I am reminded that people don't change much. They can't accept people who are different from them. The real cure for fear is love and acceptance.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
A leader to look up to
It seems Gov. Mike Beebe will depart office more popular than when he began. I believe the reason Governor Beebe is one of the most popular governors in America is because he has always placed good public policy over partisan politics. Pragmatism and compromise aren't concessions with Mike Beebe, but simply how he conducts business.
Governor Beebe worked with the Republican-majority state legislature to craft and pass the private option, which led to a 45 percent reduction in our uninsured population--the biggest drop in the country. Governor Beebe's pragmatic leadership has made our state a national leader for innovative health-care solutions.
Under Beebe's leadership, we have strengthened K-12 education, raising Arkansas' schools. Governor Beebe delivered on his promise to cut the grocery tax--while responsibly balancing the state budget every year in the toughest economic times in a generation. Governor Beebe's focus on education and economic development has led to an advancement in the quality of life of Arkansans.
I'm eternally grateful to Governor Beebe for providing me with the opportunity to serve our state by appointing me to an advisory board. As an aspiring political leader, I view Gov. Mike Beebe as a role model.
The real test of our time is whether we can build a common future of shared responsibilities and shared prosperity, or a future of constant conflict. Governor Beebe has demonstrated that success and progress is based upon a willingness to listen and work with others.
VICTOR J. ROJAS
De Queen
Who are the racists?
Re William Johnston's letter in Wednesday's paper, I have no interest in discussing political views. However, his question, "Are we racist enough to vote against Obama because he is black?" raises another similar question. And let me state unequivocally that I agree that voting against someone because of race is racist.
But, in my opinion, voting for someone because of their race is just as racist. And if my memory is correct, a much higher percentage of blacks voted for Barack Obama than whites voting against him. So who are the racists? And yes, the same argument applies to gender.
RAY SKELTON
Little Rock
Let his dogs do that
I see where Little Rock purchased a dog for $4,200 to chase geese out of Rebsamen Park. I have two similar dogs that could the same for a lot less. Rather than me walking them on a leash around the neighborhood, I could bring them to the park. Being unemployed, I could bring them to the park for, say, $10 an hour for five hours, five days a week. That would be $2,600 a year and the city wouldn't have to pay for feeding them or sheltering. My dogs also come back to me when called, as this dog now still has to be trained.
I believe the city of North Little Rock also paid thousands of dollars for the same program in Burns Park.
DAVID MAHER
Sherwood
Editorial on 08/25/2014