Listen to Huckabee
The editorial, "The Huck and his critics," is right on the mark. I believe it would do our nation a favor if those in authority would seriously weigh the Huck's warning. I have heard or read a saying to the effect, "Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it." I am a vet of World War II and I'm very concerned about the direction our nation is being led by the present administration.
My dad, an old-time Baptist preacher, taught me to never start a fight, but if someone else did, I was to finish it. If they were bigger than me, I was to pick up the difference. Our nation should "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."
Several letters have been critical of Mike Huckabee and his statements. I think his words come from serious study of history and his visits to Israel and to Germany. If you want to know what the real Jews think, ask those in Israel who are constantly being attacked by those who would destroy both Israel and the U.S.
Our armed forces should be built up and never downgraded! I do not want war, but I sure would like for us to have the "big stick" if war should come.
MORRIS L. CLOUD
Russellville
Rhetorical ramblings
Re "The Huck and his critics," I thought the piece more the ramblings of a college freshman's essay on political hyperbole graded C- for lack of focus--one that was hoping sarcasm would pass for clever insight.
Mike Huckabee likened to Winston Churchill? Really? The editorial bolstered the Huckabee/Churchill similarity with a potpourri of factoids supporting the sky-is-truly-falling thesis, and look-at-all-the-idiots-that-were-wrong in Churchill's case. We are to assume that all the folks that called Huckabee out on his oven door march comment were just like Neville Chamberlain, Arnold Toynbee, and Walter Lippmann; you know, slow-witted folks that lacked the ex-governor's insight.
The patchwork of examples supporting the editorial's comments point to those not agreeing with Huckabee's "oven door" statement being simply blind to the existence of evil, and wrap with a C.S. Lewis statement on Satan and people who don't believe in God's existence.
Say what? It continues to insinuate that we should pay more attention to Huckabee's visions and less to those who look for solutions that very well might lead to lasting peace.
It seems the editorial is more like a Paul Greenberg setpiece.
RON RIFE
Clarksville
Rid us of the South?
We are getting rid of the Confederate battle flag. A high school in Fort Smith is changing its fight song from "Dixie" to "Wabash Cannonball." People are considering changing the name of Confederate Boulevard in Little Rock.
There is one obvious change which has not been considered. We absolutely have to get rid of "South" on our compasses. We could call it Anti-North, or maybe just have three cardinal directions on the compass: North, East and West.
DAVID D. McGUIRE
Marshall
The problem of prison
Arkansas' perpetual crisis over prison space could be considerably relieved by a proactive approach to drug policy. Gov. Asa Hutchinson may believe that drug courts and other diversion efforts are a progressive step, but I think it's an old, tired Band-Aid. And it's not free.
An important first step would be to pass legislation requiring the state's criminal-justice system to track prosecutions, convictions, and prisoners by drug type. Currently, it is not possible to know how many prison beds are filled with persons convicted of marijuana offenses. Or any drug offense. A rough estimate is that nearly half of our prison population are drug offenders.
Even more important, however, is the screaming need to move into the 21st Century with our criminal code. We have to stop trying to legislate morality. For the state's conservatives, intoxication is a sin. The traditional response has been criminal punishment. We can no longer afford to be that ridiculous.
There's a big difference between crimes against people or property and a "crime" of getting high or even selling drugs. I believe drug use is no more of a crime than alcohol use. We've forgotten what we learned about the failure of alcohol prohibition.
If our intention truly is to help people struggling with substance abuse, then skip the criminal part and provide treatment resources in every community.
A few states have already legalized marijuana and it appears that crime rates are down, teen drug use is down, and tax revenue has increased. Couldn't we use some of that in Arkansas?
DENELE CAMPBELL
West Fork
Good climate change
A recent article told of a proposal by Democrats to change the name of their annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner/political event. This annual affair was named for presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Apparently Democrats found out recently that both presidents had slaves, so now they say a name change should be made.
There is speculation that the name could be partially changed to make it the Sharpton-Jackson Day dinner. This would pay due respect to two of the most admired Democrats in the party, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Sharpton and Jackson are both at the forefront in speaking out when issues important to the party arise. It seems both can speak loudly, both can march, both are never challenged by the media and most importantly, they have this open-door, anytime access to the president.
I concur with this speculated decision, and don't believe any Democrat would oppose Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Also, I believe it would be something that Republicans wouldn't object to. The resulting bipartisan agreement would be a welcome change to the political climate. This kind of climate change is good for the country.
JAMES GARRETT
Russellville
Department of Smears
Re "Happy birthday, Mr. President" and the comment that Barack Obama is a danger while on the job: What a cheap shot for a man twice elected by the American people.
This statement is beneath a great American newspaper.
JOHN G. BEECROFT
Mountain Home
Editorial on 08/06/2015