This sounds familiar
In a recent column, Paul Greenberg berates political leaders for not using the word "genocide," but only for events in the 20th Century. He cites the genocide of Armenians in 1915 and the Jews in the Holocaust. Greenberg suggests that calling genocide genocide has become a sign of moral leadership in the world. He states that the Armenians were generally treated as a population to be eliminated.
Does this sound familiar in our own history?
I would ask Greenberg and our political leaders to acknowledge the genocide against the first Americans. That would be a start of true moral leadership.
BETTY IRENE McSWAIN
Fort Smith
More than realistic
In a recent column, Tribune News' Merrill Matthews expresses his distress about the mandate that will require American vehicles to meet a 54.5 mpg standard by 2025.
Rolla and I were quite surprised by this.
Rolla (she is, of course, my 1998 Toyota Corolla) will be 18 this year. And according to the little gizmo under the steering wheel that gives me a monthly printout about her, she currently gets 44 miles to the gallon on the highway.
How, you wonder, does she achieve this exemplary mileage at her age? Perhaps it's partly because she began her career on California freeways rather than the rutted hog troughs that residents here think of as roads. Maybe it's the scrupulous care I've taken of her, and the great mechanic she has. And of course, Toyota and Honda are the gold standard of small, economical, dependable cars. Maybe it's my driving: attentive, measured, no jackrabbit stops and starts.
Whether it's some or all of the above, 54.5 doesn't sound prohibitive to me and Rolla, and we anticipate seeing fewer lumbering, massive, gas-guzzling pickups blocking our view in the parking lot.
ANN LINK
Little Rock
Odd news judgment
A recent editorial raised the alarm for inappropriate news reporting. Tom Brady and his flaccid football trumps North Korea and Baltimore. Yes, it does seem a strange shift of priorities.
I, for one, am overdosed on news. Newspaper, magazines, Internet and, of course, TV and radio.
We need a break. Give us a little football, baseball, horse racing ...
Our historians will sort it all out later.
FRED SAWYER
Little Rock
Word choice matters
Words are powerful. And the political left in this country is proficient at using words and terms to their benefit. I think George W. McClain, in his letter on the Voices page, is a great illustration.
In his criticism of Fox News, he refers to the four conservative-leaning commentators on The Five as "far-right." Now, it appears "far-right" is a term used constantly by the left to mean anyone who isn't a liberal. I believe one almost never sees liberals, no matter how over the top they might be, described as "far-left."
Back to the Fox critique, I couldn't care less what Mr. McClain thinks of Fox News. But if he thinks that Dana Perino or the others are "far-right," then he must be drinking the "far-left" Kool-Aid. News alert: People who believe in smaller government, adherence to the Constitution, closing the borders to illegal immigration, personal responsibility, and a right to life for all, are not "far-right." To even take that position shows a very insular political view.
But, to be fair to Mr. McClain, tonight I will tune into ABC News and watch the "far-left" George Stephanopoulos, or perhaps tune into any news program other than Fox to watch whichever "far-left" commentator or newsman they feature.
TOM CANDELA
Bella Vista
Stop with the attacks
I've seen a lot of letters talking bad about Christians lately. I applaud you for stating your opinion--that takes courage--but you're talking bad about Christians, stating that they believe in something false and all kinds of other stuff.
One letter asked why the Ten Commandments are so praised unlike other things in other religions, mentioned crimes like child abuse that weren't mentioned in the Ten Commandments and asked why they weren't, and asked if Christians were followers of Christ or Moses. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God; Moses only wrote them down, and the Ten Commandments aren't the only rules given. Jesus gives us plenty of rules in the New Testament to follow. The Ten Commandments are like the basics.
Another letter stated that only two commandments should be followed. I believe they're all important, and Jesus states that the two most important are to "love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. These are the most important because one cannot be without the other."
As for gay marriages, God said man is for woman and woman is for man. I don't like homosexuality--I think it's wrong--but I'm not going to discriminate against you over it. Jesus never discriminated when he met a sinner. His friends were sinners; he told them it was wrong and should repent.
So please stop this attack on Christians.
AUSTIN McCLUNG
Sherwood
Test who for drugs?
Seems like the Legislature wants a drug test for welfare recipients. What about themselves? I think they need a drug test also.
You can say our legislators are on welfare. They certainly don't work. On top of that, they get gas mileage, plus food and lodging. And on top of this, they get pay raises.
Legislators need to be first in line. Bring on the drug machines.
BOB MASSERY
Little Rock
Editorial on 05/21/2015