I feel that another great injustice has been done to Razorback fans.
I cannot get over the fact that Gus Malzahn is coaching at Auburn. How did this happen? The man helped win 10 games as offensive coordinator on the hill in 2006; Game Day was in Fayetteville, and Arkansas won the west. We don't hire him. He goes to Tulsa and has the best offense in the nation for two years, then goes to Auburn and helps win the national championship.
I think he is an obvious offensive genius to anyone that knows the game, and is a proven winner. I wasn't complaining about Gus and Cam Newton not being Razorbacks when they won the title. Life was good in Arkansas; I was at the Super Dome watching a BCS game myself.
What happened next is an absolute travesty. Jeff Long fires Bobby Petrino, which I disagreed with but tried to understand. Gus is at ASU and waiting for the Hogs to call ... and we never did.
I've heard all kinds of conspiracy theories such as Gov. Mike Beebe is an ASU alum and appoints the board that hires the coach. I want someone to stand up and take responsibility for not hiring Coach Malzahn. Jeff Long, Mike Beebe, board members--somebody stand up and admit you were wrong about Gus.
Razorback Nation deserves an explanation or a resignation, Mr. Long.
Somebody put your big-boy pants on, break out your checkbook, go make Gus an offer he can't resist, and let's win a championship.
WILLIAM LANDERS
Benton
Vote to preserve life
As the general election approaches, pastors face a crucial decision: whether or not to publicly speak out for the sanctity of human life from conception. The temptation will be great to remain silent, fearing loss of financial support and the disapproval of their community, and justifying the silence by calling the issue "political."
It grieves me when I think of the possible outcome if pastors fail to speak out: the election of candidates who contribute to the defeat of pro-life legislation resulting in more aborted babies and more mothers torn by grief and guilt.
Speaking out for the sanctity of human life would include an appeal to church members to carefully examine candidates' voting records on abortion, and vote to uphold life. If pastors are hesitant to do this, I hope they will reflect on the famous words of courageous German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
Silence gives consent.
STEPHEN L. CLARK
Little Rock
Slackers and frauds
Pursuant to Mr. Frank Newman's letter, I would like to respond.
How dare the Arkansas Department of Human Services propose big changes to Obamacare's Medicaid? At the Human's Services website, they had the audacity to use buzzwords like accountability, personal responsibility, transparency and encouraging responsible choices! What?
Mr. Newman opined that these proposals appear to be a blatant attempt to sabotage the Medicaid portion of Obamacare. If many on the Medicaid rolls practiced accountability, self-responsibility and made responsible choices, perhaps they would not be on Medicaid. Not referring to the elderly, (truly) disabled or children.
If able-bodied adults choose not to assert themselves and try to succeed, I believe they are not worthy of taxpayer dollars, and those frauds using SSI as the new welfare should be imprisoned. Think of what we could do for those truly deserving of help if the slackers and frauds did not exist.
CHARLES NICHOLS
Maumelle
United as Americans
I ordinarily avoid politics in the hope of avoiding dissension. However, I believe now is the time for political expression in America that unites us as Americans.
As I read of the execution abroad of Americans whose only crime is being American, I am reminded of the words of Cicero when describing the protection afforded to any Roman citizen anywhere in the world: "Civis Romanus Sum," or "I am a Roman citizen."
You could, according to legend, walk the length and breadth of the known world protected only by those words. People would refrain from harming a Roman citizen simply because they knew if the smallest harm came to him, the response of the Roman government would be swift, sure, and in the case of those who did the harm, quite unpleasant.
Given these executions in the name of religion and in light of the treatment of innocent Americans worldwide, perhaps now is the time for our government to heed those words from Rome and adopt our own bywords, our own national pride and our own refusal to capitulate to terrorists: "Civis Americus Sum." I am an American citizen.
My heart goes out to the family of Steven Sotloff, whose only crime was being an American. To our current administration, I say Civis Americus Sum.
And so was Mr. Sotloff.
SCOTT STRAUSS
Little Rock
Another hospital gone
Though Nevada and Hempstead counties are a distance from Crittenden County, we have had fights to save local hospitals. Won one, lost one. Crittenden County has a population of around 50,000, and many will lose easy access to health care because a major institution in their county closed--true, even given the proximity of Memphis across the river.
I wonder if the county received any help from the state institutions that we all pay to support: the governor, the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Medicaid, the surgeon general, UAMS, the private insurance companies, the federal government with its myriad rules and regulations.
It would be an interesting to read in-depth articles by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about the closing of Crittenden Regional and its aftermath. Perhaps we could find out who could have helped and why they didn't.
With all the talk and money spent on health care, the people in charge haven't figured out in many instances how to give the people (rural underserved, i.e., most of Arkansas, geographically speaking) what they need.
CHARLES VERMONT
Prescott
Down a pathetic path
Re "Editorial in a photograph": Tacky, pathetic and (sadly) par for the sorry course this once-great paper continues to take.
The editorial staff, apparently horrifically afflicted by Obama Derangement Syndrome, has sunk to a new low with this puerile attack on President Obama.
The tarnish on that Pulitzer just got that much thicker, Mr. Greenberg. You should be ashamed, sir.
D. WILLIAM JANSEN
Little Rock
Dial D for dialect
I noticed a story recently that there was an attempt to change the dialects of some employees at Oak Ridge, Tenn. The chairman of SPECTRA (Society for Pronunciation of Cantrell to Protect Arkansans) has approached me to clarify a few more terms for those who are mystified by our dialects:
Share (a light rain);
Bob war (a type of fence);
Ast or ax a kwarstion (to propose a query);
Manaze (a spread for a sandwich);
Flire (rose, pansy, etc.); and finally, a snack/lunch enjoyed by many,
Sody crackers and Vyeeney sausages (Saltines--I'm sure that there are more, and a canned meat product).
These are only a few that came to mind.
DAVE STUFF
Little Rock
Can't be efficient
A current legislator, apparently feeling that the lottery management is incompetent, suggests the state spend a bunch of money hiring a consultant to figure out what the problem is.
This guy has already identified the problem, so fire the incompetent and hire the consultant he is so infatuated with. It seems this shows why government at any level cannot effectively operate operate anything.
LEE ROGELSTAD
Greenbrier
May learn something
Mr. Frank Young's letter is one in a long line of letters that seem to have said to Christians, "Go into your churches, sit down, and shut up."
He states that in this country we have "freedom of worship." Actually, the Bill of Rights gives us "freedom of religion." That means our freedom is not limited to inside the church building. We have freedom to exercise our faith beyond the church walls.
Every law that is passed or executive order given flows from a set of values. Because Christianity apparently has lost some influence in our nation does not mean that we are to surrender and quit trying to influence public policy. That would mean that only those who hold to a secular value system would have a voice in our country.
It is ironic to me that he calls on Christians to be tolerant when it seems to me he exhibits little tolerance himself. He seems to describe Christians as "insisting everyone think like you or else." I believe Christians do not make such demands. We do want to be a part of the debate, though. Rather than allow us in on the debate, it appears he uses character assassination to silence his opponents. Rather than bolster his case, I believe it points to an insecurity showing that perhaps his values and ideas may not stand up under honest scrutiny.
Be smart and join the debate rather than hide behind insecurity and ignorance. It is a lot more interesting and we all may learn something.
ROLAND SCHUTZ
Benton
Reason and rationale
I am a 78-year-old black man and I have yet to understand the rationale of some black people. Michael Brown and many other blacks have been killed by police officers. Out come the protesters, looters, burners, etc., all with different motives. What bothers me about all of this is, since Michael was killed, many brothers have killed each other and no one appears the least bit disturbed.
The worst part of it all is our babies are being shot and killed by these damn black no-accounts and there are no protesters for them. Is that not a reason to go on TV heckling police officers and showing how stupid you are? Is that not an opportunity to break into some merchant's store and take a flat screen?
Where were the marchers when a lady's life was taken by black no-accounts who took her car out and robbed a bank in Crossett? They were caught, so it's not like you don't know who the guilty parties were. That was not one of your favorite opportunities.
Some police officers are more upset than some of you about having bad police officers tainting their departments, thus making the good ones not only look bad, but making the good ones targets.
How would you feel if some big bully walked into your home or business, took your property and pushed you around? Not to suggest that such a bully should lose his life, but should it happen, I don't think you would shed any tears.
AUSTIN PORTER SR.
College Station
Editorial on 09/06/2014