Islands in the stream
With all the focus on the Spratly and Senkaku Island disputes, we seem to be overlooking the dispute between Japan and Russia over the Kuril Islands--particularly Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai. Toward the end of World War II, only days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on Aug. 8, 1945, and seized the islands.
The Japanese have wanted them returned ever since. The battle cost the lives of thousands of Japanese and displaced thousands of people from the islands. Any semblance of Japanese culture was destroyed by the Soviets.
Like the Spratly Islands, the Kuril Islands are rich in fish, oil and minerals including gold, silver, iron and titanium. Etorofu is the only source in Russia of the rare metal rhenium (used in electronics).
Rhenium has many other important properties. It is a silver-white transition metal (atomic number 75) with extremely high melting and boiling points. Uses also include combustion chambers, turbine blades and exhaust nozzles of jet engines, making it a vital rare metal for the manufacture of fighter jets.
While Russia has previously agreed to return Shikotan and Habomai, it has been very reluctant to return the Kuril (Chishima) Islands. This has the potential of creating another volatile hot spot in Asia and should be more prominent on U.S. radar.
NORM NORTH JR.
Springdale
Don't let us be fooled
I don't understand why there's so much controversy over the proposed Iran agreement. It seems it is similar in nature to the controversy and negotiation between Congress and the president over the adoption of Obamacare. There are several differences. Now, a Republican Congress and legislation requires the Congress to OK any agreement before the U.S. will be allowed to adopt it.
Remember Obama stating the health-care law will result in lower health-insurance premiums and that you will still be able to use doctors and facilities of your choice? Both of these, as well as many other things we were told, were not true for many people.
Now we are expected to believe the credibility of our president? Surely we are not that ignorant. Deceive me once, shame on you. Deceive me twice, shame on me.
This time our legislators are doing their homework. They failed to do so with Obamacare.
Finally, let's consider who Obama is proposing we deal with, the country which is a virtual leader in global terrorism. While they intend to annihilate our longtime good ally, Israel; while they are holding Americans hostages; we are being asked to trust that they will do as we are being led to believe. Are you kidding me?
Already we have learned that some secret "side deals" have been made that have not been disclosed to we, the American people. Surprise, surprise!
Don't be deceived this time. The proposed Iran deal is not in our best interests. There will be a massive sales campaign delivered to us to convince us otherwise.
L.J. MICKEY JORDAN
Hot Springs Village
One thing in common
Quick--the Jerry Springer show, cable TV, reality TV and the U.S. presidential election campaigns: What do these four things have in common?
All of them appeal to the lowest common denominator! And, if you have no idea what I mean, then you fit the demographic.
JOHN ROACH
Yellville
On acceptance for all
The first ship of slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619. Three hundred years later, W.E.B. Dubois wrote in The Souls of Black Folk that: "The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife--this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face."
I think the time has come in America for white men and women to say to black men and women, "Welcome home." I think it is time for all children to be shown acceptance, affection and love, to be dignified for the little people they are and to be assured they have a place in this family of man, whatever color they are.
The suffering and humiliation of the black race over 400 years in this country has produced a spirit of strength, wisdom, courage and faith which we have seen in many black individuals and recently in the families who united to forgive a white assassin.
So we have multitudes of Mexicans willing to risk their lives to cross into America, and a multitude of blacks brought here in chains who have waited through war and words of emancipation and civil rights for this land of opportunity to give forth equal opportunity. Let us not miss the point for this great American salad bowl. A nation divided cannot stand, and unchecked hatred will fly in its own face.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
Out on the battlefield
Any student of Arkansas history must see the Reed's Bridge Battlefield to understand the takeover of Little Rock in 1863.
The fake cannons in front of the mobile-home park hold the key ... the high ground overlooking Reed's Bridge crossing Dioxin Creek (similar to Culp's Hill at Gettysburg). The story of the battle unfolds before your eyes ... Billy Yank has control of Mobile-Home Hill, the fire station and a power substation ... south of the bridge Johnny Reb has only a couple of seedy nightclubs and two liquor stores. As soon as the Yanks cut the power off at the substation, Johnny Reb has to give up the clubs and liquor stores, and thus Little Rock. Johnny then retreats to the woods far west of Little Rock near Williams Junction and lives off bologna sandwiches served at the store there for the rest of the war.
Maybe someday historians will determine which deserted mobile home served as Union General Steele's headquarters and the proper plaque can be installed.
BOB CARNATION
Austin
Editorial on 08/04/2015