Selfish preservation
A recent cartoon demonstrated better than any words the need for expanded benefits for all workers by showing the waitress sneezing as she served food. The lack of sick leave and health benefits expose all of us to those who are encouraged to work in spite of illness.
I'm selfish. I want to be able to go to public places, purchase items at local stores, and eat in restaurants. I would like for those I come in contact with to have their immunizations as well as appropriate treatment for their illnesses instead of unnecessarily exposing me and my loved ones to communicable diseases.
Personally, I'm willing to help pay for the care of those around me through taxation. I advocate for that because it is not just in the best interest of my fellow man, but also because I'm selfish.
DENNIS MOORE
Batesville
Views not threatened
Based on the purpose of the bills proposed and passed into law, the Arkansas Legislature appears to be attempting to turn Arkansas into a state of conservative Christian law.
The senator from Conway and others seem to be trying to paint all Christians with the same conservative fundamentalism brush. As a Christian, I refuse such an attempt to be included in that theological group.
My religious views do not demand the breakdown of the constitutional concept of the separation of church and state. My freedom to worship is not threatened by anti-discrimination laws. I am more concerned with the pseudo legalization of pro-discrimination and the push toward laws based on religious fundamentalism masquerading as laws to protect Arkansas commerce.
And now I may be getting a letter from a certain senator asking me if I died today would I go to heaven or hell, and why.
ED ROGERS
Little Rock
Cowboys conundrum
As a Cowboys fan, I'm rather concerned about whether they keep Demarco Murray or Dez Bryant. While I'm aware that both players are keystones in the Dallas football program, what do you personally think? If they can only keep one player, which one should they choose?
KYLE PARK WALKER
Little Rock
In heaven or in hell
I hope others took note of the recent comments by Sen. Bart Hester in response to a Presbyterian minister who voiced concerns about Senate Bill 202, which bans cities from passing anti-discrimination laws. He asked the minister if she died today would she go to heaven or hell and why. He claimed ignorance of what Presbyterians believe.
I believe he should reverse the questions and answer them for himself. I don't know his eternal destination, but he certainly has the uncanny ability to create hell on earth for some people.
BETTY IRENE McSWAIN
Fort Smith
All ready for a grilling
With the presidential campaigns seemingly under way, and the accompanying polls, questionnaires, debates and other assorted annoyances, I would like to propose some serious questions. These questions are not necessarily answerable at this time, but I would like them to at least be considered.
First, as we will undoubtedly be bombarded by pompous and all-knowing "experts," the question begs--what actually makes an expert an expert? Is there an accreditation board somewhere with criteria which must be met? Is there an Expert Approval Board which operates in secrecy? As the announced presidential candidate for the Grill Party, I obviously do a lot of grilling, but I certainly do not consider myself an expert.
Secondly, why must pundits and commentators all talk at the same time without even the pretense of listening to what anyone else might be saying? I realize that these folks are called "talking heads" for a reason but, goodness gracious, they do have two ears which surely must function once in a while. Or do their brains lock up when their mouths start working, thus preventing any attending to the words of others?
As candidate for the Grill Party I assure you that the most important thing a candidate can do is listen, not talk. After all, when I tailgate at Arrowhead Stadium, much of the joy comes from simply listening to what others have to say and share.
Thirdly, I question why people don't grill more. Come on, folks, as candidate for the Grill Party I can attest to the serenity and happiness produced by the time spent around grills and the sharing of the bounty.
DAVID KELLEY
Fort Smith
Vintage-variety eyes
Regarding the recent letter to Mike Masterson about the loss of his youthful viewpoint on writing, isn't it interesting to know that "someone" has been reading his words for over 40 years? And, no, Masterson has not lost his sense of outrage over the injustices that so many people are willing to look the other way for. We, as Arkansans, need Masterson to continue to speak up and out for the political, educational, moral and ethical messes that abound, and this goes back to Dan Harmon, Fahmy Malak, Mutt Jones ... the list is exhaustive.
Thank you, Mike Masterson, for leaving behind the idealism of youth, and embracing the righteous indignation as seen through the eyes of a vintage model journalist.
PRISCILLA STONE
Vilonia
It's all a Commie plot
During the 1950s and 1960s, some opponents of water fluoridation suggested that fluoridation was a communist plot to undermine public health.
Arkansas House Bill 1355 brought back memories of the movie Dr. Strangelove (1964), where a general sealed off a base and would not recall a B-52 wing on its way to attack Russia because he believed the Russians were using fluoride to rob us of "our precious bodily fluids." Remember?
WILLIAM C. KRAMER
North Little Rock
Editorial on 02/28/2015