LETTERS

Concentrate on academics

A recently observed news note stated that we have skilled, very high-paying jobs available, but no qualified applicants to fill them.

This is of high concern in a slow economy and may very well point to education shortcomings.

We do a tremendous job in developing the physically gifted in our public institutions of learning; to wit, identifying ability and doing whatever is necessary to field athletic teams. The criteria for team membership is based upon ability to do the assigned tasks only.

All that’s fine. I enjoy athletics, but why not spend the same effort with the very academically gifted, applying the same techniques and efforts as we do for athletics?

Start early by developing the embedded creativity that will help maintain our technological leadership.

The program would be national in scope.

This outdated octogenarian in no way presumes to be qualified to offer a program plan for accomplishing this, but its development should involve input from corporations, educators from all levels, professional people and, by necessity, politicians. We have present school programs that make some efforts, but are in few ways stressed and not nationally coordinated.

We beat the Germans with the Manhattan Project in developing the bomb, and the Russians to the moon through NASA.

The maintaining of world economic leadership, in some ways, is just as important. Let’s get with it, no special interests involved.

DOYLE E. COLLINS

Arkadelphia

Take care of our own

I’ve been reading about Republicans objecting to the private-option health-insurance plan. They are objecting to taking about $900 million from the federal government because in a few years they might have to fund the whole package.

That seemed to be a good point until I analyzed it.

First, it was “might have to”- nothing absolute about what’s going to happen in a few years.

Second, not voting for the plan was like telling a hungry person, “I’m sorry. I’m going to cut your food supply now because in a few years we might not have any food to feed you.”

The people needing the insurance aren’t hungry. They’re in pain. They’re suffering from minor and major illnesses and they don’t have the money to pay for their health care.

“We might not have the money in two years, so we’re not going to provide your health insurance now,” state representatives seem to be saying. “Sorry you’re hurting. Sorry you’re suffering.”

Tell that to my friend who has serious medical issues and no money.

Arkansas, I thought you were kind to people and took care of your own. Am I mistaken?

ANDRA ATTEBERRY

Bella Vista

Please help animals

I would just like to tell all you people that throw away all these little female dogs that you can have them spayed and get rabies shots for them for $45 at Arkansas for Animals Inc.

Please help the little animals. Thank you.

JEAN M. WALDERNS

Woodson

Point is not rudeness

This is in reference to a letter by Lloyd Hedden: I don’t do the things he mentioned-use my cell phone in a movie, play explicit-lyric music in public, or take more than 10 items in an express lane. But nor do I take out a gun and shoot anyone if they do any of these things.

There is quite a bit of difference in being rude and out of control, and what Hedden is talking about is two grown men with guns being out of control in public places where many people could have been hurt or killed because someone did something they called rude.

BILLIE JOHNSTON

North Little Rock

Throwback to old days

I had to read Frederick H. King’s recent letter twice. King wrote about two killings: Michael Dunn’s shooting of a teen playing loud music and Curtis Reeves’ shooting of a man texting in a theater.

Initially I thought King was describing the lack of courtesy and decency shown by Dunn and Reeves. It seemed an odd turn of phrase; certainly, shooting people out of irritation shows a lack of decency, but “the death of common courtesy” seems like a bizarre way to describe murders.

A closer reading showed that King apparently felt that the deaths were caused not by the men who shot their fellow human beings out of pique, but by discourteous texting and loud music.

Music doesn’t kill people. Texting in public doesn’t kill people.

Shooting people is an effective way to kill them, but apparently it doesn’t strike everyone as discourteous.

We’re really not seeing “the death of common courtesy.” Loud music and talking in theaters are not new phenomena, and we see just about the same mix of thoughtlessness and courtesy that we always have.

The idea that it’s okay to kill people who bother you seems less like a new idea than a throwback to frontier days. Is it really time to bring that back?

REBECCA HADEN

Fayetteville

Follow up on research

Why so many anti-medical marijuana editorials lately? Seems to be lots of opinion but little factual information.

As I understand it, much of what little research on marijuana in the U.S. was done right here in Arkansas at the National Center for Toxicological Research facility in Jefferson back in the 1980s. Why not send a reporter down there to see if anyone involved is still around and talk to them about their study results?

Time is changing opinions of many about this plant, and if restrictions are eased on its cultivation, Arkansas farmers just might get a new crop to grow, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette a new source of cheaper newsprint that won’t curl on the edges.

DOUG McDOWALL

North Little Rock

A morning disturbed

Morning coffee, a toasted bagel and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette are a sacred ritual.

I sit on the couch and carefully lay out the paper. The front page features articles of great political import. However, the page started curling and covered the face of the pontificators.

Then it started coiling from the bottom around my wrist. I turned the page and all four corners curled where I could look at my toes.

Next was local news. The front page finished coiling around one arm while the local news covered my other arm. The sports section created a vest on my chest. The business section enveloped one thigh. I got to the comics, held them closely, and they tried to encircle my head. The classifieds shape shifted into a ball.

Clothes now covered in newsprint, John Brummett’s face tattooing itself on my white pullover. Good grief, is there no justice for the masses?

ROBERT A. SPENCER

North Little Rock

It’ll work, eventually

Re the private option: It seems the definition of an idiot is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

LEE WOODS

Little Rock

An unconditional love

Some of you reading this may commiserate, and others may chuckle. I am an 82-year-old who sometimes lacks the ability to control my emotions and grief. I shall forever cherish memories of my loved one, “Mandy,” whom I lost one year ago this month. This beautiful creature, a short-time resident of the Bella Vista animal shelter, changed my life by, I believe, rescuing me. She displayed unconditional love. I would be remiss not mentioning the many evenings my pal joined me in my recliner to enjoy her repose.

I fully understand that euthanasia of some of God’s creatures becomes necessary due to space limitations, thus treating the effect, not the cause. Since uncaring humans are the cause, those deserting their unwanted may think their problem “fixed”; the poor animal’s troubles are only beginning. Think about it and realize that any form of life is uncertain, if not brittle. Some humans display total lack of compassion. Others feel the need to compensate for this frailty, and do.

I encourage any of you considering a pet (dog or cat) to visit your local animal shelter, and certainly not a puppy mill. I find it difficult to visit a shelter and not have my heart wrenched. If these creatures could talk, they would love to make their adoption your option. My age and medical condition prevents me from having another such companion. But since I’m wholly aware of needs of those not properly cared for, I now feed cats, and also fill my bird feeders and provide heated water on a daily basis.

An animal earns your love by displaying theirs. Humans can lose this love by exhibiting their disdain for the helpless.

AARON R. STRATMAN

Bella Vista

Truly caring people

I own property in east Pulaski County just south of Scott. We frequently experience unwanted animals, mostly dogs, being dumped on the road on or near our property.

Recently as I was entering and exiting the property, a rather large female dog kept approaching and barking at my vehicle. It was obvious she was pregnant or had already had puppies. After closer observation, I found three puppies in a fence row along the road leading to my property.

I called every agency in Pulaski County I could find. I was finally referred to Animal Control. I told them the problem and my concern and gave them the location.

The next day, a gentleman from Animal Control called and informed me he had found and secured the mother dog, but did not find any puppies.

Early the day after that, Animal Control called me and asked where to look for the puppies. I gave him explicit directions, and he was there in about 30 minutes. He retrieved one live puppy and took it to the mother. The other two puppies were dead (tears).

Please: Never badmouth Animal Control. They have a heart!

CAREY BASKIN

North Little Rock

Feedback

Slow down K Street

There are thousands of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., with millions upon millions of dollars being spent to influence our government.

What if congressmen could only be lobbied within the geographical confines of their district, and senators only within their states? It might slow down K Street some and bring government closer to the scrutiny of Main Street.

In any case, it would be good for the travel industry.

CHARLES VERMONT

Prescott

Clowns already in

It appears all the little kiddies are back in their Little Rock playpen for their annual visit. One tyke has come up with a game strategy to play the game every day until his side wins.

The rest of the session should provide lots of laughs for those watching this circus.

DOROTHY N. BUCHANAN

Marion