Ignore the naysayers
For all the youth of our nation who hear the voices of the naysayers saying that you cannot do it because you are the wrong gender, the wrong race, the wrong ethnic group ... get on your electronic device and put in the name "Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey," who recently died at 101. Read her amazing story. It will put zip into your confidence.
Well-done to the two young women who finished Army Ranger training. For those angry souls demanding to know why they can't be Rangers in more than name, there are still privacy and safety issues to resolve. Before you ask what issues, scratch your heads and think about the tasks that Rangers are called on to do.
THOM LAKSO
Russellville
Consider their effects
Ted Cruz toured Arkansas and talked about what he would do if elected. Besides reversing President Barack Obama's executive orders, and some regressive social stuff, he would end the ACA and the IRS. He did not mention Social Security that he favors privatizing. Senator Cruz's ideas differ little from those of other Republican candidates.
I hope people will put a pencil to these proposals: All will make life more difficult for most of us and further enrich the already-rich. A consumption tax to replace income taxes is the dream of rich Americans. We have seen the program partially enacted in Arkansas: Everybody except low-income folk get tax cuts; those people get service cuts, and maybe lose their health coverage on a whim. The big goodies go to those with capital gains.
We have seen Republican economics in effect since the election of Ronald Reagan, and we have 35 years proving it does not work. The top 1 percent got the tax cuts and a lot wealthier; the rest of us lost ground.
I recommend people read the columns Paul Krugman has written lately. He says this better and backs it up with more data. Voters in Arkansas are angry and many want to vote their anger. The anger is justified, but it is important to get the target right.
ROGER A. WEBB
Little Rock
Tyranny of majority
Mr. Dana Kelley's column, "In non-theists we trust," showed confusion about broad and narrow interests.
The desire to prevent governmental endorsement of a particular religious activity (such as the display of "In God We Trust," which is surely one) is certainly a broad interest, while the desire to display the particular phrase in the national currency and in a state motto, even though a lot of people want it, is certainly a narrow one.
One of the purposes of the U.S. Constitution is to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority.
ARTHUR LUCK
Maumelle
Defends Constitution
Does Mr. Dana Kelley know any non-theists? It appears he doesn't.
Arkansan non-theists see an abundance of separation of church and state violations. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is but one of the organizations defending our Constitution from theists who either don't understand the concept, or ignore it because of their place within the majority.
Had that City of Jonesboro Facebook post said "May Muhammad bless you," what reaction might have come about then? I can tell you that my secular community would have reacted exactly the same way as it did to the Christian greeting.
Where "In God We Trust" is concerned, the secular community wants to return to our previous motto, E pluribus unum. Translated, it means out of many, one. A national motto should be a sentiment all citizens can unite behind. Hell, I think if "In God We Trust" were actually true, there would be no need for a defense budget, yet that grows and grows yearly.
I am grateful to have the acquaintance of the FFRF, as well as American Atheists, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, United Coalition of Reason, American Humanist Association, Secular Coalition for America, and the Secular Student Alliance. Among these national groups I can also thank my local Arkansas Society of Freethinkers and all of the smaller groups under its umbrella for helping right some of the wrongs that occur here in Arkansas against our Constitution.
LEEWOOD THOMAS
Bryant
Go stand in the corner
Arkansas football practice has begun for the fall season. Alex Collins, Jojo Robinson and Cornelius Floyd are reportedly 30 seconds late for a team meeting and are penalized by carrying a heavy sponge mattress around the field in order to teach them a lesson.
Very mature. Is Coach Bret Bielema running a football training program or a day-care center for infants and juveniles? What is next, making them stand in the corner with their noses stuck to the wall? Bad boys! Very intelligent.
Hopefully, Alex Collins will transfer this season to another school that appreciates his efforts more than the University of Arkansas does. Whoo Pig Fooey.
RICHARD ARMSTRONG
Pottsville
Advertising agitation
OK, how many of you, like me, are fed up with those subtle cell-phone rings or vibrating sounds buried in the background of television commercials? They're there to get us to look up and are a pitiful ploy that really works, but go beyond annoying.
Does anyone sell a device that automatically mutes the sound when the programming stops and the advertisements begin? Oh, for the day. And let's not even get started on the toilet-paper commercials!
BILL WATERS
Little Rock
Editorial on 08/21/2015