Glorious sight to see
Flying back from Houston recently, the full moon was an eye-catching experience. It was a glorious sight. As darkness crept slowly on, the moon became brighter still. Just below the moon were three bands of color: the first golden yellow band, then a beautiful pink, and beneath, a beautiful shade of blue.
As we glanced toward the left we observed bright golden daylight. Awesome! One side day and one side dark.
Then we observed a light on the ground. It was a reflection of the moon on a river.
As awesome in beauty as it was, I was reminded that our world, although growing darker, still has the light of God which will never cease to reflect--his son in all his beauty and perfection.
CAROLYN HOWARD
Searcy
Can see through ploy
Without interruption, I think the idea of impeachment of Barack Obama is a selfish plus for the Grand Old Party. It sets firmly the notion that Obama is making a mighty effort to impose a royal presidency on the nation. This august man is always accompanied by implications of arrogance, indifference, callousness, et al.
John Boehner plays hard on this with his rival lawsuit against Obama regarding the use of executive orders. He claims that his aims are noble, pristine and designed only to protect the rights of the legislative branch against the alleged unconstitutional assault by Obama.
Obama wanted to know how the GOP could sue and impeach him for doing his job. That's the point. I think he's done his job too well. A case in point is the hike in the minimum wage. He had no chance of getting this through the House. Instead, he issued an executive order that boosted the minimum wage only to new federal contracts issued and then only if other terms of a contractual agreement change.
There's always the possibility that the GOP's loose talk about impeachment could backfire, and turn off more voters than it turns on. It could make the GOP look even more rigid, rightist and desperate to do and say anything to tarnish Obama, even at the risk of making itself look and sound even more ridiculous.
It seems the GOP's hedge against this is to wink and nod at Sarah Palin's call for impeachment while publicly disavowing it, but still relentlessly assailing Obama as the imperial president. There are methods to the madness in this ploy.
ROBERT HYMER
Little Rock
Shameful rhetoric
I wholeheartedly agree with D. William Jansen's letter in which he expresses his dismay at another attack on President Barack Obama. The endless fault-finding, derogatory statements, mind-boggling insinuations and misleading or untruthful remarks are ugly and tiresome. I believe these attacks are more than editorial discussions, they are shameful rhetoric of the worst kind.
GRACE WATT
Springdale
Better use for money
I think if Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton would give the money they spend on ads--which run way too often--to a worthwhile cause or charity, voters would remember that a lot more than their ads.
L.R. CARROLL
Little Rock
Passion for the work
This letter is to do three things. First to thank Linda Farrell for her very factual, well-written letter on the Voices page. She has such an understanding of the facts and does an incredible job of presenting them.
Second, I'm not sure how many people in Arkansas watch Bill Moyers' program on Sunday mornings on PBS. His one guest recently was Senator Elizabeth Warren. As usual, again here is a lady that has facts and knows how to present them. Of all the times I've watched her on television, I believe this is the first time I've seen/heard how passionate, on fire and give-a-damn she can be. I know she doesn't want to run for president, so my choice is Bernie Sanders, another give-a-damn person about everyday Americans.
Third, this is for Mark Pryor and Mike Ross--if they missed this program, I recommend they get a copy of Bill's program today and spend 30 minutes watching. Then, I would like for both of them to show a fraction of the passion this lady has for her job and doing the right things to help struggling American families.
As someone said, "Remove the 'AR' and you have Kansas." That's Charlie and David's home state. We don't need or want them in Arkansas.
PHYLLIS LAFFERTY
Bella Vista
Not the whole story
I read with interest the John Brummett column last Tuesday morning. He mentioned three of Tom Cotton's votes against disaster relief, farm subsidies, and Arkansas Children's Hospital. Not the whole story.
Four of five votes opposing disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast were because of, Cotton said, the pork-laden contents of the bills. This was long before the disaster in Arkansas involving last spring's tornado.
The farm bill was opposed because it has become largely a food stamp bill with over 70 percent of the billions of dollars going for this purpose.
The vote involving Children's Hospital did not cost the hospital any funding because he did vote for the two agencies that do help the hospital. I think, had the ads revealed the whole story, most Arkansans would agree.
I believe turning down a Judge Advocate position in the Army and opting for a combat role shows a high degree of courage and fortitude that we need in our elected officials. Obviously, I strongly support Mr. Cotton in his efforts.
JOSEPH C. BECK
Little Rock
Home of polite folks
I came to Arkansas with my native-born husband 25 years ago. We have seen many changes and much growth.
The thing that really surprises and pleases me is how polite people are, whether it's giving you space to make a left-hand turn when the traffic is stopped for a light and the line is long, or in line at the grocery store. No wonder Northwest Arkansas is the place to live and raise a family.
But, gee whiz, we're filling up fast.
CLARA FISHER FIELDS
Bentonville
Editorial on 09/16/2014