For protection of all of us
The recent striking of this state’s ban on same-sex marriage has generated a storm of protest from people who have a very, um, “interesting” view of the way our government should work.
One of the oft-repeated attacks on rulings like last Piazza’s is that they do not invalidate unconstitutional laws, but rather the will of the people. As has been repeatedly intoned by the proponents, 75 percent of voters approved the 2004 amendment restricting the definition of marriage. How, pray tell, does this make it immune to judicial review?
Are minorities supposed to wait until the majority benevolently decides to reverse its own discriminatory policies? What purpose do the Bill of Rights and the courts have if the only proper way to overturn laws violating the rights of a minority is to wait until the majority changes its mind and passes new legislation?
How long would it have taken for the majority to pass laws outlawing racial discrimination without Brown v. Board of Education?
On the issue at hand, we’d still have police arresting people for actions in the privacy of their own homes under the now-stricken sodomy laws.
A recent letter claimed that this most recent decision will eventually lead to anti-gay preachers being “charged with hate crimes.” Actually, this is impossible. Even if denouncing homosexuals ever comes to be considered hate speech, it would have the protection established by a long series of court rulings that overturned speech-restriction laws.
STEVEN L. HULSEY
Little Rock
See double standard
The double standard is alive and well-lubricated. I have watched the coverage of the elevator incident where rapper and business mogul Jay-Z was kicked and repeatedly pummeled by his sister-in-law.
I watched the coverage on five channels with dismay and disbelief, as not one single person even hinted that the sister-in-law should be charged with, at least, assault.
If the gender roles had been reversed, Jay-Z probably would have been arrested or at least detained, and the “war on women” chants would have been deafening.
I think it is disgusting that we men are so pathetically passive and have not realized chivalry is dead. In fact, it seems the autopsy report states chivalry died back in the ’70s as a result of millions of stab wounds from frenzied feminists.
Wake up, fellas, and stop popping those passivity pills.
K.C. BYRD JR.
North Little Rock
Where we’re headed
It seems Democrats want to supply you with all your needs, but with the ability to jerk the rug out from under your feet any time they want. Republicans in their true form will have a very limited few with the wealth control the supply and distribute it where they want. Either way, you’re screwed. Seem far-fetched? Take a close look how we’re headed.
ELLIS WILLIAMS
England
All in the execution
Does the executioner feel like a doctor? Does it make the executioner feel sick to be an executioner? What if we don’t have a death penalty and have a suicide-help doctor?
If a life is taken, the person did it and the executioner won’t worry that he might go to hell. In Korea, if a person gets too far in debt, suicide is the way out, so suicide is not for sure an unacceptable sin. I think it might keep them from killing since murder is easier than suicide.
ALICE ANN LONG
Russellville
Underestimated GOP
I think Paul Krugman’s column, “The illusion of failure,” was spot on. The Republicans likely will always say Obamacare is a failure, regardless of the facts. The Affordable Care Act enrolled over 8 million people, more than expected.
I was rather surprised to read that Krugman was concerned about a misrepresentation of the facts. I think this is nothing to consider; the Republicans will always submit disinformation.
Krugman also seemed surprised that the voters would not hold them accountable. Guess he forgot about Iraq and all those WMDs they led us to believe they had.
I read the editorials first. Gets me going more than caffeine. I thought nothing the Republicans could say about Obamacare could surprise me. Then I read about Stacey Campfield, a state senator from Tennessee, who compared Obamacare to the Holocaust. “Train rides for Jews” was part of his lunacy.
I should have known better than to underestimate the GOP.
JEFF LAHA
Little Rock
License ruling is risky
A judge makes a decision with the possibility of such a wide range of repercussions that I believe the head of each regulated profession and trade in this needs to challenge it.
Each person entering a regulated field is aware of the “due process” when signing up. You pass the educational requirements, graduate, pass the licensing exam, the background check, pay your fees, get the license, go to work. You then meet the required continuing education, renew your license on time or revert to an educated layman until you resolve the issue.
I think most professionals would consider the lapsed-license lawyers to be discreditable and showing unprofessional conduct. Should the ruling on late payment on law licenses stand, people from other professions might try to challenge their boards’ rules. This could cause chaos as the result could be no assurance of qualified professional care for family, teachers for children, plumbers or representation in court. This ruling must be overturned for the safety and well-being of all Arkansas citizens.
No license, no work, no excuses, blame yourself.
ROBERTA MILLER
Lonoke
Make them like us?
I am amazed that the suggestion has even been made that we should try to make flight attendants like us. Thanks to a major airline, our family including two granddaughters—experienced a most stressful return trip. Some employees (two in particular) were definitely not interested in helping the customers, were extremely rude, and totally uncaring about our plight which was a result of the airline being totally inefficient, which resulted in an overnight stay in Dallas.
Since we are paying customers, maybe they should try to like us.
MARTHA MITCHELL
Little Rock
By any other name …
It seems the George W. Bush nickname that he used for Karl Rove proved to be true. Like a fruit blossom, it finally ripened and rotted and fell off the tree and laid there and smelled.
CARL ANDERSON Hot Springs Village
Shameful comic strip
Recently, the paper ran a cartoon called Wumo that was poking fun of albinos. It was a blank strip with skiing equipment and a few dots for eyes.
Is that funny? I found it shameful. I cannot believe these type of cartoon jokes are even allowed any more. This is the 21st Century. Have we not learned from our mistakes?
MELBA SHARP Little Rock
Equipment’s purpose
Re local police departments getting surplus military vehicles: I am a retired Army officer. I was actively involved in the development of the M-1 Abrams tank, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, the AGM-114 Hellfire missile system, and the M-712 Copperhead cannon-launched guided projectile (artillery) system.
These systems were carefully justified, developed, produced and issued to our troops for the sole purpose of killing people and breaking things. I’m sorry, but there is no “politically correct” way of expressing that. That was the prime motive in the development of these weapons of war.
It is one thing for local law enforcement agencies to covet and aspire to a more capable handgun, rifle, or even an up-armored vehicle to make their mission safer. But there must be a limit.
The mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles now being received by many local police departments were procured with the same motive as were the others “weapons of war” listed above. This, I believe, is clearly an overreach of authority. Also, it will result in a requirement for increased personnel staffing and costs to local taxpayers. You don’t just park this vehicle and expect it to be ready to roll on a moment’s notice. Intense maintenance is a major factor with military equipment. Secondly, and probably most important, I believe this is not just a step closer to martial law, it is a giant leap forward toward that end.
What’ll you want next, Sheriff—M-1 tanks and Hellfire missiles?
JOHN E. McCOWN
Hot Springs Village
Public servants’ pay
I am very concerned that our firefighters, first responders, law enforcement and military personnel are not better taken care of. If not for the protection of our military on their daily watch, our firefighters on their 24-hour shifts, our law enforcement personnel on their daily beat, and our first responders with their feet on the ground at the first sign of disaster or emergency, our elected officials—House, Senate, governors and even our president—would not be able to sit in their cushy offices and use up our tax money in ways we can’t even imagine, not to mention all the other perks they enjoy.
Our first elected president, George Washington, at first refused a salary. He had a heart for the people and not the price tag of the office. This seems to be the norm for our elected officials these days. I wonder, too, which of our elected officials would run into a burning building not knowing if they would ever come out. Which ones would answer that domestic disturbance call?
Perhaps if we didn’t give Congress and the president portions of their salary for their remaining lives, we may be able to compensate just a bit more our military on the front lines keeping this nation free, our firefighters who put their lives on the line every time they get a call, and our law enforcement officers, trying to keep our streets safer.
MARIE GORTNEY
Sheridan