On the American way
Oh dear, another mass shooting! Another large group of our innocent fellow citizens killed and wounded. What can we do?
I have just heard that some people in the know, including honorable national legislators--even potential presidents--say that we can't let such tragic events threaten our sacred Second Amendment rights for everybody to have a gun who wants a gun. The only way to stop this kind of senseless slaughter, say these people in the know, is to keep guns out of the hands of crazy people.
That sounds like a good idea. But other people who may also be in the know, including psychiatrists and psychologists, are saying we can't identify all the crazy people until one of them has killed or wounded another group of our innocent fellow citizens. So, we really can't keep guns out of the hands of all the crazy people. I guess that means that next week or next month, or sometime soon, another crazy person with a gun will shoot and kill or wound another group of our innocent fellow citizens.
Gosh, looks like we're stuck between everybody having a gun who wants one and having unidentified crazy people who want one to kill or wound more of our innocent fellow citizens.
That must be the American way. Because, otherwise, honorable people, even potential presidents, would try to do something about keeping guns out of ... well, you see the problem.
TOM KENNEDY
Fayetteville
No-brainer solutions
As a voter and mother, I expect immediately for my congresspeople and representatives to get their heads out of uteruses they do not have, and focus on strict gun laws.
Universal background checks make sense. Ceasing all online sales of guns and ammunition is a no-brainer, no-brainers.
JULIE HARDEE
Cammack Village
All political posturing
I am writing regarding the most recent attempt by politicians to defund Planned Parenthood. Just like the last time politicians tried to shut down the government, this is nothing more than political posturing that panders to a particular base.
Defunding Planned Parenthood would do nothing more than remove care such as well-woman visits, contraception, cancer screenings, and STI screenings and treatments. We should be talking about ways to expand access to health care, not reduce it. Defunding Planned Parenthood would not prevent one single abortion. In fact, defunding may actually increase abortion as women lose access to contraceptive services.
Many people rely on Planned Parenthood for quality, nonjudgmental health care. Don't take away options from those who rely on the multitude of services Planned Parenthood provides.
ALEXANDRA TAYLOR
North Little Rock
It is wholly a pleasure
When this paper announced that Paul Greenberg was to relinquish the helm of the editorial page, I was shocked, heartbroken; would we lose his brilliant eloquence forever? Then, when he continued writing, I was thrilled but afraid I could never find adequate words to express my gratitude for his years of educating, inspiring, and challenging us, his readers. I can only try.
Mr. Greenberg's gifts are so many ... a classical education ... a vast historical knowledge not just of our beloved United States of America, but of the world. He shares with us the tragic stories of his family's flight from the brutal Nazi regime ... schools us about his heroes, often filling in our own educational gaps. Mr. Greenberg has that rare ability to see not just two sides of a story, but other important thought-provoking sides as well.
I enjoy such sweet remembrances as that of his grandson "Bob's" bar mitzvah ... pay attention when he cautions us about such errors as following "leaders" into the foolish abyss of "equality" ... I smile at his kind and, yes, charming, responses to those "dear readers" whose correspondence is meant as comeuppance.
Thank you, Paul Greenberg. It is wholly a pleasure to open the paper and find you there.
Would I really like to live in a society without the richness of expression flowing from your astute, discerning mind? The answer is a resounding "No."
LETHA MILLS
North Little Rock
Possum Poot dispatch
It is with sadness we report that the mayor of Possum Poot's father succumbed to age-appropriate behavior: At the age of 93, he up and died.
In the meanwhile, the mayor has ascertained that a personage formerly regarded as "friend" has revealed himself to be a mere "acquaintance." He is a professor at some librul college between us and that damnable basin of liberalness, Little Rock, and apparently teaches English as a first language to the hillbillies he serves. The mayor's father was, himself, one of the smartest persons on the planet, and then he saw the light. He became a firm supporter of Ronald the Reagan and George the W. Bush.
Well, this here former friend had the audacity to suggest that global warming was real and people were to blame. He went on further to state that the One True Party Of GoD (Republicans) was told to never challenge a fellow Republican, an art that has been practiced constantly at our day spa and retreat donated by Donald the Trump. Also, regardless of any facts to the contrary, never threaten the status quo. Finally it is against the rules to even suggest that God himself did not tell, in person, King James what to write in the Holy Bible.
We shall have to keep a strong watch upon this new person of strange behavior and ways. His facts have bumfuddled us and made us angry and he may never be welcome in Possum Poot. Other than that, all is perfectly well in the great village of Possum Poot. Y'all come see us, ya hear!
STEVE GIBSON
Little Rock
That's the greater sin?
Where was the Huckster when the Ashley Madison scandal broke? Where were all the rest of the Christians when this scandal broke? This is an adultery dating club.
Huck and all those good people came out of the woodwork when it came to issuing a marriage license to a gay couple.
BOB MASSERY
Little Rock
Editorial on 10/04/2015