Makes the difference
After reading about the Obamas' feeling the sting of racial bias, I sympathize with Michelle Obama about someone in Target asking her to reach something off a shelf for them.
I also have that "problem" in the Wal-Mart in Heber Springs. I didn't realize it was racial bias, however, since my ancestors were mainly English and Swedish. When I smile and look at the other shopper, I usually see someone who is shorter than I am, older than I am or in a wheelchair. If I don't see one of those things, I assume they are less healthy than I am. In any case, I am happy to help them in any way I can.
Maybe the difference between Michelle Obama and me is that I see someone who needs help, not someone who is trying to belittle me.
JANET CLEARY
Tumbling Shoals
Here, torture merited
If torture actually works, why are we not using it on all those bankers and Wall Street executives who stole all our money back in 2008? After all, I think they have probably done more to harm this country than al-Qaida. Bank of America, for one, has been caught red-handed foreclosing on houses they did not even own, turning American citizens out into the streets for the sake of a greedy buck.
There's a ticking time-bomb scenario for you--you and your house could be next, and we've only got a few hours to catch the bankers before they strike!
Granted, there could be some downsides to torturing bankers and CEOs. For example, they are used to the finer things in life, and so caviar and other delicacies would have to be included in their rectal-feeding regimen.
But on the plus side, while the torture of terror suspects has produced blowback, creating more terrorists, it's doubtful that torturing bankers would create more bankers.
GUY LANCASTER
Little Rock
Doing what's needed
As I sit here watching the Bill O'Reilly show about the police and the CIA, I think everyone is free in this country. I was raised with black people and have had a lot of black people as my friends and still do. They are as good as anybody in this country.
Now, as for the police problem, I suggest you ride with one for about a week or so and see what they put up with. Better yet, go to the police academy and get a job as a police officer and see then what is justified. My husband is a retired police officer and he went through hell in his job.
Now the CIA--I don't think the people need to know anything about them or how they got their information. Information was gotten in ways I don't want or need to know.
I believe if you just slap the terrorists on the wrist, America as we know it will cease to exist. There will be more 9/11-type attacks. Three thousand people died in that attack and I believe more people will die!
SUE SHANNON
Fairfield Bay
Strengthen the police
William David Wynn writes of police officers who kill unarmed opponents, that "police officers are poorly trained, insane or are fledgling serial killers."
I beg to inform Mr. Wynn that he is either inexperienced, uninformed or simply a propagandist.
I can tell Mr. Wynn that no matter how tough, how well-trained, how experienced a man is, there will be people out there bigger, meaner and tougher. The policeman will meet the meanest and toughest of our society, and some of them will try to kill him.
I don't want our policemen (or women) to be beaten or killed. To allow this would put the criminals in charge of society. We arm our police so that criminals are not in charge. When a law enforcement officer is placed in life-threatening danger, I want the criminal attacker, armed or unarmed, of any race or national origin, shot dead. Dead, not wounded.
Further, I want our governor and our top law enforcement officials to notify protesters that there is a difference between protests and riots, and that looters and arsonists will be shot on sight.
I suspect that more people will agree with me than with Mr. Wynn.
CHARLES M. STURM
Harrison
Dictionary rings true
Now that the political races are over for the year, I wish to comment on Bradley Gitz's "Campaign season dictionary." At first I assumed it to be tongue-in-cheek, but as I read further, I realized how true his definitions had become. In this age of intolerance to one another's views, and the ugliness of many of the political campaigns in our state, I believe Mr. Gitz successfully illustrated how snippy the public sector has become.
Thank you for your views and for not attacking the candidates personally, as another columnist in this newspaper did quite often.
As per the dictionary, I could be labeled as a privileged profiler, racist extremist, low-information voter. Also, I am a voter suppressor since I, too, want to be identified in order to cast my ballot, just as I am when I bank, pay taxes, register a firearm, travel via airlines, get a library card, testify in a court of law, etc.
JAMES R. LANG JR.
Little Rock
Something to think on
In response to the letter from Richard Witherspoon, I think the difference between racial profiling and committing a crime needs to be distinguished before rushing to judgment. For further clarification, the word "profiling" should be researched and studied if the meaning is unclear. All people should definitely pay for their crimes, where applicable.
Just wanted to separate the two. Can't think of anything easier. This is the solution that truly benefits everybody.
JANICE CLAYTON-JAMERSON
Bigelow
Editorial on 12/22/2014