Not worth that fuss
I am a veteran of the Vietnam war. For the life of me, I can't see what the fuss is all about.
Last I checked, the president was/is a civilian, I don't think he even has to salute at all. But here's the hypocritical part about this manufactured indignation. Google George W. Bush saluting with a dog in his right arm. Can anyone remember any fuss at all about it?
Anyone with an iota of intelligence, and who is honest with himself, knows the real reason for all of this animus for our president.
There is zero protocol that dictates that the president of the United States is required to salute anyone.
ROBERT L. ENGLISH
Crawfordsville
Seems about right ...
I think Barack Obama is rendering the proper salute to the "Marine Corpse."
MARK MORELL
Benton
Lucky to have coach
I've been watching Razorback football since the days of Henry Moore and Gerald Nesbitt, and seen pretty much every in-state game during that span. And so I've watched our new coach, never more closely than at Arlington last Saturday, since we were seated just behind the Arkansas bench.
I think we are lucky. Coach Bret Bielema knows football, knows his players, knows what he wants, and knows how to communicate it. And his players are lucky. It's obvious that he also understands that these are just kids trying their best.
At game's end Saturday, having shooed all players back to the locker room, one sat alone, slumped on the bench. Coach Bielema picked up his helmet, handed it to him, and said, "let's go."
Thank you, Jeff Long, and thank you, Coach Bielema.
STEVE A. JONES
El Dorado
Government control
I'm only a Sunday subscriber but had to write even if I don't see my comments or responses. I have a hard time with government control of our lives. Does anyone remember communism? How about Russia's bread lines and empty store shelves from communism? They promised to make a good life for all, compliments of the government. All it did was supply the leadership with great benefits. It suppressed the urge to work hard because you didn't get the benefit of your success.
Look at the tremendous amount of waste and fraud in government benefits, enough to help those who really need it with funds left over. I bet everyone knows of one or two people who are milking the system, stealing from the really needy. Do those on government benefits ever report abusers of the system; does anyone? That's less money to help you and others.
Wake up! The government is wasteful and repressive to success. Why did all our soldiers fight communism? How many died for what seems to be embraced by so many today? Read George Orwell's Animal Farm and then look at our situation.
S.M. GARZONIO
Mountain Home
And in the real world
I have wondered why knowledgeable columnists won't refer to the obvious racism prevalent among us regarding President Barack Obama. So I asked a writer I have learned to trust for truthful answers to sensible queries.
He told me, in his words, that "racist" and "racism" in columns just stir up anger and resentment, and angry folks don't respond well to most challenges. I hadn't considered that before.
When racists are called out for it, they get angry and defensive and quickly deny that they're guilty of it. It can be painfully obvious that Obama is hated here in Arkansas and in the South generally because of his race. He got "uppity," in their terms, and "out of his place," as used to be commonly said in these parts. Terms used changed--but attitudes have not in many folks.
It seems Yellow Dog Democrats by the thousands here and in the South became instant Republicans when Obama was elected. Not willing to publicly admit their real reasons, they made senseless and unfounded accusations against him--and many still are doing so. The reasoning I hear on the streets from them is that, "if he does well as president, we'll have another one like him."
You won't hear it in public discourse, but it is facts from the real world.
KARL HANSEN
Hensley
Stand for whole state
Jackson Thomas Stephens Jr.'s family business succeeded by investment from individuals and various groups, including state organizations.
He chose to raise issue with the minimum-wage increase bill, stating it would hurt some people.
In 1965, in his family's home county, his aunt and uncle sold us land to build a home. His cousin helped us with legal matters and his uncle's firm assisted us with our home mortgage. A company from the Midwest chose a small town to build a plant.
Everyone was thrilled with the possibility of good jobs with benefits, and the whole county could thrive with the initial investment. It was indeed a miracle for all concerned.
Learn your history of the state and how it grew with the major companies' arrival here and learn of the success in the past 50 years.
Please read the Bible. God requires much of those to whom he has given much. Do you hear that message? Stand up for all Arkansans and see the total population grow into happy and successful citizens.
ANITA GATZKE
Little Rock
Editorial on 10/01/2014