Just the smell of cash
About all I know about hogs is that, without them, we would never know what a bacon and tomato sandwich tastes like and that would be a shame.
I would like to know the name of the first person to say "Let's do it" when the idea of that hog farm near the Buffalo River was presented. From what I've read, the waste is spread over fields. With that many hogs, those sprayers must be working morning, noon and night.
The thing I wonder about the most: Doesn't the whole county smell like hog waste? And we all know what hog waste is. But I guess to the owners that hog waste smells like money. All I know for sure is I'm glad I don't live there.
LOTTIE BARNES
Warren
Restrict use of guards
Labeled by the government as high-value detainees, prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center are complaining about the use of female guards. These prisoners are Muslims who, under their religious customs, are forbidden to have physical contact with women who are not related to them.
I believe that when transporting the high-value detainees, the military should restrict the use of female guards and allow the prisoners to be escorted by male guards. Because some detainees will not attend meetings due to the use of female escorts, these prisoners are refusing to appear at legal and medical meetings; these meetings can keep a prisoner's daily life continuing smoothly. We cannot hold the Islamic faith against Muslim detainees under the First Amendment. The use of female escorts is putting a roadblock between us and the high-value detainees.
I believe the United States military must remove this roadblock; it is unnecessary. The removal of female escorts will respect Islamic customs and allow detainees to function within the strictures asked of them. Knowing that female guards are no longer used, future detainees may also be more willing to cooperate.
JESSICA REED
Winslow
Ebola focus too much
The most recent short-term fathom around the United States is the so-called outbreak of Ebola. Although Ebola is a deadly disease, the virus has only started its course in the United States.
Since the first U.S. case, doctors have been working day-in and day-out to come up with a cure for a disease that has only killed two human beings in the United States. The last thing America needs right now is another deadly disease spreading throughout its citizens, but in my opinion this outbreak will soon become less publicized and nobody will even talk about Ebola anymore. America's citizens have many more illnesses to worry about that are far more likely to cause deaths besides the Ebola virus.
One of these viruses includes influenza, which affects the health of 5 percent to 20 percent of U.S. residents each year. An average of 200,000 people are hospitalized, and there can be up to 49,000 deaths in the United States alone each year due to the flu.
I think Americans need to spend more time making sure that the population is being vaccinated for influenza so that the number of lives that are at risk each day is reduced. Instead, I believe that we are overly concerned about a virus that hasn't yet had a huge impact on the wellness of our citizens.
OLIVIA KARNES
Springdale
Gotta be team player
"Come in, Mr. Johnson. Have a seat. You're here about the opening in our department, right?"
"Yes, sir. I read that your department is looking for a researcher with a background in statistical analysis."
"Well, that's not quite true. But we had to advertise something, didn't we?"
"Sorry, I'm not sure I follow."
"We do have an opening, but we're not emphasizing pure statistical analysis. We'd want you to move data and statistics around to support our executive decisions. You know Twain's hierarchy of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics?"
"Yes, sir. Everyone in our graduate program knew that one. But I have to ask, what would you expect me to do?"
"Oh, it's easy, Johnson. You run statistical data from anywhere you can find that reinforces our accusation that the basic problem with Arkansas' public education is the teachers. That satisfies the taxpayers, misdirects the focus on a messy problem, and protects our jobs."
"But, sir, much data says teachers are not the problem. As a group, there is far less difference between veteran English or math teachers than there is among the members of a family of five. Across the board, from Parkview to McClellan, from Wabbaseka to Rogers, teacher ability is about the most reliable constant in a district. You've seen to that yourselves. Teachers have to meet rigid criteria to certify. According to your own departmental guidelines, certification should guarantee competence."
"Now, son, don't rock the boat. We're looking for a team player here. Believe me, we know about this. Blaming the teachers works for all the rest of us, even parents. Come on board and you'll see. It's a real soft ride."
JERRY COOKUS
Maumelle
Just enforce the laws
As usual, it seems the president, Congress and the media have missed the point. I believe we do not need immigration reform via new laws passed by Congress, nor do we need another executive order. We already have very explicit, workable laws on the books. Our problem arises from a lack of enforcement of these laws.
Regardless of whether Barack Obama is playing political games or not, I believe the result is just another failure of our government to protect this country. Just as with marijuana, if you can't seem to get a handle on it, make it legal.
ROBERT W. BEST
Quitman
Formula discovered
The formula has always been there--it had to be tweaked and on a raining Saturday afternoon during the Razorbacks versus Ole Miss game, it was revealed. Our "Never Yield" Razorbacks + Bret Bielema brilliance as a coach = A bowl game.
Woo pig soooie!
J.H. BAXTER
Fayetteville
Editorial on 11/25/2014