Wonders never cease
In his Voices page letter, Paul Christ concluded that reducing human population is a sensible way to slow climate change. Finally, someone on these pages is making sense of the climate-change debate!
JEFFREY BARNES
West Fork
The needs of humans
Many scientists agree, or so I recall being told that humans need food, water and shelter to survive. We homo sapiens, being highly advanced species, have no question evolved over the years--most recently at an exponential rate. Now we are in the midst of a technological boom era, which I hope is a phase and leads to the right progress: positive in nature and unadulterated or misguided.
Most, not all humans, rely on some sort of technology. As some scientist in my field theorized, humans have other needs, which I tend to classify as social needs (although not sure about current theory). In other words, loneliness would prevent you from surviving as long, as a loner is less fit (survival of the fittest--Darwinism) to survive as a species. But I wonder how we define this social need. I like a wide range of socializing, even if vicariously through reality TV--no, not me, but millions of others. I do like to socialize through as many different places and people I can given the fact that I feel comfortable and desire the communication. I have not reached the point where I need Facebook or other social media to talk.
But I also cannot understand how or why the teenagers in our schools have evolved or are somewhat changing into a generation of earbud-wearers (listening to their music through phone), and escaping communication at school with their peers, etc., to text, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. That is not communication, nor considered a method to sufficiently fulfill the arguably fourth need.
Parents, talk to your kids more, put the technology down every once and a while and just kick it old school ... or jump on the bandwagon and hope it's a phase!
MICHAEL S. HAMPTON
Fayetteville
He's no good ol' boy
Growing up thinking Hank Williams Jr. was the epitome of country music, we drove for hours across Arkansas to see him in concert at Rogers. He did not come across as a good old country boy.
He was wearing a diamond ring bigger than a Super Bowl ring and took pride in using it to point to his hat, which said "ICON." His demeanor shattered my idea of him. It is the adult version of "Santa is not real." He did not complete one full song, and spent a lot of time making lewd gestures with his fiddle bow and hitting on very young girls. His music is amazing if he would actually sing a complete song.
To all country fans: He is not the same man today that wrote those songs so long ago. It breaks my heart to know that. He was so self-centered it was sad. Money changes people and for him, this is true. I will always love Hank's music but I am sorry to say I am so disappointed in his lack of Southern pride and character. He is a big star and he knows it. His daddy would be surprised at how he carries himself. My hope lies with Willie Nelson at this point. I still have yet to see him, but maybe his appreciation of his fans will show.
It is a humbling day here in the Delta.
LAURA WHEELER
Poplar Grove
Ignore fearmongers
With the coming vote on Ordinance 5781, the citizens of Fayetteville again find themselves facing a choice: to be viewed as progressive or to viewed as out of touch.
The opponents of this bill warn of a "gay supremacy"movement. No doubt a similar argument was used 50 years ago during the civil rights movement. Opponents warn that this law is only for gays, yet it draws directly from the Arkansas Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act, which serve everyone. Opponents warn of all sorts of other dire consequences, yet a few minutes spent reading the law disproves every single one.
To argue that a group doesn't need protection because there are no concrete examples of discrimination is like arguing against a traffic light because even though the intersection is busy, there has never been an accident. Such an argument is illogical and unsupportable. However, it is no surprise to me that it is largely pseudo-Christians making such an argument. Such Christians seem determined to create a caste system in which they are supreme and everyone else bows down to them.
I, for one, will not bow down.
I encourage everyone to visit www.forfayetteville.com and read the actual text of the ordinance. Don't be drawn in by the fearmongers who can't even cite a specific section to support their arguments on their signs or their website. Ordinance 5781 is a substantial improvement over what was passed and repealed last fall, and I for one will be voting for it.
JUDSON HANSON
Fayetteville
Protect our privileges
Politicians talk glibly about Amendment 14, Section I only, which was adopted in calendar year 1868. Five sections are manifested in this part of the Constitution. The primary intention of this section was to make the former slaves citizens and to protect their fundamental rights from any action by the states.
Because of later interpretations, the meaning has been so broadened that Section I is now one of the most important of the most important parts of the Constitution. It defines citizenship both in the United States and in the states themselves. It also prohibits states from interfering with the privileges or immunities of United States citizens.
Most important are the words: "nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." These words have come to mean: (1) that the states must follow fair, legal procedures when they try to take away a person's life, liberty, or property. For example, a man may not be abused to make him confess to a crime; (2) that in some instances states may not deprive persons of certain rights and privileges no matter how legal the procedure. The words are used, for example, to protect freedom of speech, press, and assembly from interference by the states.
The last words of this section mean that whatever privileges are given or regulations imposed must be extended equally to all persons to whom they apply.
ROBERT HYMER
Little Rock
Editorial on 08/29/2015