A wasteland on Web
Social media has become a wasteland for teen self-esteem. Websites like Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram have given way to a whole new type of animosity among teens.
Today, teens can’t even get on the Internet without seeing the biggest celebrity being brought down because of their weight, the way they dress or even how they styled their hair for an award show. What is this teaching our youth? If adults are bringing down people for a living, what is stopping teens from wanting to do it?
As teens have started using social media to express themselves and show who they are, many people have taken this as a right to bring down people by sending hate. This cyber-bullying has become so common that most people don’t even realize they are doing it. A single message can suddenly turn anything into a huge deal.
We teens should be using this amazing invention of worldwide communication for meeting and bringing up people instead of judging and tearing them down. Didn’t we all learn in elementary school that if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all?
JENNIFER STEPHENS
Sherwood
Demolishing history
The video “Saving the historic Big White River Bridge” circulating on Facebook is amazing! The bridge and roadway were built by the blood, sweat and tears of hardworking people, not to mention the engineering skills of the historic masterpiece. Why would we not want to save this bridge and area for our grandchildren, not to mention the tourism gained by bike and pedestrian trails?
Northwest Arkansas has invested about $37 million in the Razorback Greenway, yet bridge demolition is expected in fall 2015 in the Delta of our great state. While other states and cities plan bike trails and study the economic impact, it seems reasonable to address the possibility in the Delta.
MARY HUDNALL
Bryant
Cannabis not perilous
From oddee.com, here are the deaths per year from: texting and driving (U.S.)—6,000; hippo attacks (Africa)—2,900; falling out of bed (U.S.)—450; icicles (Russia)—100; jellyfish (Philippines) —20-40; dogs (U.S.)—34; ants—30; vending machines—13.
According to Pro-Con.org, the deaths per year from cannabis—0.
Medical marijuana is used as an aid to those suffering from illnesses such as HIV, cancer, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s, depression, insomnia, asthma, cardiovascular issues, PTSD, and chronic pain.
If something apparently is safer than most prescription drugs and essentially a “miracle drug,” why are we still voting against it on the ballot?
MARLEY MCKINNIE
Sherwood
Take responsibility
In response to Baleigh Ann Spriggs’ letter regarding auto motorists and motorcyclists, I agree with “Look Twice and Save a Life.” I am glad her friends survived a terrible accident and that they were wearing helmets. I advocate that motorcyclists and riders must wear helmets by law. While I am generally opposed to government stepping in to stir up problems where it may only be the PC thing to do, when the actions of others affect me and the general populace, I’m for it.
At one time Arkansas had a helmet law but bikers lobbied to remove it. When a motorcyclist is injured, his insurance picks up the tab. In time, the insurance company will recapture that loss by raising rates for everyone. I understand the sunshine in my face and wind in my hair fun. At 71, I just bought my second convertible after a lapse of 50 years. However, I have four wheels and sit in an enclosed vehicle versus a speedy, open two-wheeler.
The primary responsibility for the biker’s safety rests with him. Right after reading the Spriggs letter, I went on an errand. As I went down a side street, a biker came out of his driveway and followed me to the end of the block. I turned and went up to the 30 mph limit. He followed me and was soon on my bumper. We stopped together at the signal at the end of the street. We both turned left and I went to the 40 mph limit and he flew by me at about 50 mph on my right side. In the next half-mile, I watched as he changed lanes four times while still speeding.
We have all seen this many times. When bikers operate their vehicles in this manner, it is extremely difficult to see them and react to their frequently non-legal maneuvers. Yes, car drivers, “Look Twice and Save a Life.” And motorcyclists, follow the “rules of the road.”
JAMES HILL
Fayetteville
Dangerous driving
Do you gamble? No? Many everyday things we do could be considered a gamble, and driving could be the greatest one. A recent week in our state, at least 10 folks took this gamble and lost through no apparent fault of their own other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When one reads the articles about Arkansas accidents/fatalities, often the incident is a result of a driver either crossing the centerline or losing control. Why? I think likely distracted attention/driving. Occasionally speed is mentioned as a possible cause, otherwise I would guess use of a cell phone, talking, texting.
For all that is known through statistics, cell-phone use and driving can be an outright dangerous combination, yet there are those idiots (yes, idiots) that don’t put the cell phone away while driving. Recently while driving a freeway, I was in a left lane to yield to traffic entering from my right, when suddenly a gal entered the freeway and came right across both the right and left lane and cut me off, in passing, yes, on the cell phone.
Many of you would agree that these drivers are not only a danger to themselves and others in the car, but also to innocent drivers around them. I’m not going to mince words here as I have much contempt for these ignorant, stupid, idiotic, worthless slugs that would endanger other drivers—traveling extensively by auto every year, we constantly witness these idiots. For this reason I recently installed a dash cam on our car and have already recorded improper lane usage, passing on a double yellow, being cut off, irregular driving by folks on the cell phone and so on.
I would suggest a dash cam to others that are fed up with the dangerous driving habits of some.
ED HENRY SR.
Mount Ida