Smoke and mirrors
Re the petition drive in Fayetteville to get the recently passed Civil Rights Ordinance 119 on the ballot for a special election: While I always encourage civil involvement, I believe this petition drive has been carried out in a manner that is dubious at best.
At one of the city council meetings where this ordinance was discussed, ministers warned of women running around shirtless if the ordinance passed. Others warned of people using the bathrooms of the opposite sex, and of pedophiles coming out of the woodwork. A friend of mine recently stated that she opposed the ordinance because it bans public prayer; incidentally, the word "prayer" can be found nowhere in the text of the ordinance. Still others ranted about their "freedoms" being taken away.
All this is a bunch of smoke and mirrors. I believe what the opposition really fears is the loss of the right to discriminate because they believe a 2,000-year-old book and a deity they've never seen says they should.
I find it disheartening that the leaders of this petition drive lack the moral integrity to be honest with the public about the content of this ordinance. I hereby issue a public challenge to these leaders: Obtain an official copy of the ordinance from the city. If after reading the actual ordinance, a person is still willing to support the petition, he will at least be fully informed when doing so.
JUDSON HANSON
Fayetteville
Must stay informed
A lot of people don't read the paper. Too many have very little exposure to news of any kind. This is unfortunate. If you do keep up with news, not gripes or marketing campaigns, please help spread the word to others.
It's important for us to remain informed. Very important votes are coming up on electing representatives, raising taxes, etc. Informed voters create better election results.
Don't just listen to what someone wants you to do. Demand facts, discuss objectively, think for yourself. Watch for those very inconvenient but very important special elections.
I appreciate the news reporting by Emily Walkenhorst, but by the way, I don't get what's going on in the Pulaski County Quorum Court. Why is Little Rock still paying so much more for jail inmates?
KAY CARPENTER
Little Rock
His two old jalopies
Am I stupid or have I been asleep when the new theory of campaigning came about on the new TV ads?
Please tell me what driving a truck with 130,000 miles, and a wife with a car with more than that, has to do with serving as governor.
My advice is to get Steve Landers, Crain Auto, the Russells and all other car dealers out to vote for Mike Ross because Asa's platform for governor is to keep your old vehicles and cut down on spending.
I think this ad gets the gold medal for stupidity and is absolutely ludicrous, as well as his computer ad for schools. He is living in the Dark Ages. Maybe he's been so busy in Virginia that he doesn't know Arkansas people have come alive.
Get the vote out for Mike because we don't want two old jalopies parked at the mansion. Case closed.
NETHA STARK
Sherwood
Seeds of destruction
America will lead a broad coalition in degrading and ultimately destroying what amounts to a hybrid terrorist army but will not "get dragged" into another prolonged war of regime change and nation-building. This was President Barack Obama's effort to project both resolve and reassurance.
"I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said, as he talked to the nation about how he will destroy the Islamic State terrorism that seems bent on killing all persons unwilling to bow to their so-called god and their way of life.
It is obvious to me that the so-called Islamic State is not a "split the difference" kind of foe. They cannot be negotiated with, contained or dissuaded with compromises. They are true believers in the most fundamental sense, eager to eviscerate themselves in suicide operations, to slaughter nonbelievers and captured opponents in mass executions, and to cut the heads off American journalists, all in service to their nihilistic vision of a medieval caliphate ruled by tyrants in religious garb.
President Obama's speech was an important marker because it indicates that the United States is now going to mobilize an international coalition against Islamic State. We may look back on this as the moment when it became a victim of its own catastrophic success, capturing so much territory and making so many enemies with its brutality that it sowed the seeds of its own destruction.
JAMES MITCHELL
Little Rock
A fine, proper salute
In regard to the proper salute in the military, I spent three years in the military in World War II. In basic training, we learned the correct way to salute, and you'd better salute everybody you see.
Later I learned it was a recognition of the superior officer's rank. A snappy salute was required, but the officer's return salute was normally a casual salute. So I think the president's casual return salute is fine and proper.
ROBERT WHITE
Little Rock
Winner, hands down
I have been reading all the letters about the president's sloppy salute. Legina Boswell's letter said she has seen thousands of perfect military salutes.
Nobody has mentioned the position of the airman's hand. You do not have a picture of the salute. The position of where her hand is could be two things: Perhaps the salute has been made and her hand is coming down, or it could be going up to make the salute. It seems the president's hand and thumb are in perfect position for going up to make the salute or coming down. If the salute has been made and their hands were coming down, then he could have his hand in that position to be saying something to her. I have done it.
Of course anything written about the president or pictures of him will start your mouths working without facts. This is my first letter to the Voices page, so I'll be waiting to read the responses to it.
C.W. SMITH
De Queen
Putting children first
Since the Little Rock School Board incumbents lost, it has been declared "pitiful," as not enough people turned out to vote and Joy Springer and Jim Ross won due to influence by "union bosses," the devil, and blah, blah, blah.
I read this paper every day and don't remember it being an issue when their people were elected. Get real, man!
There is a change coming in Little Rock School District and it is being initiated by people who really do put children first. "The times, they are a-changing."
RICHARD REYNOLDS
Mayflower
Editorial on 09/23/2014