In this summer of records The summer Olympics are here. The U.S., China, Russia, Brazil, etc., are competing obsessively to set new records to show their country pride.
In the summer of 2016 another kind of record was just set. On July 21 and 22, a record-breaking 129 degrees was recorded in Kuwait and Iraq. All over the world, temperatures are sweltering to new records. Even here. Also in the summer of 2016, occurrences of blue-green algae have filled watersheds in Florida. Utah. Everywhere.
I believe the techno-corporate farming model is contributing to record amounts of pollution in watersheds. The Olympians in Rio must choose between competing in sewage-contaminated Guanabara Bay or give up their 2016 chances in hopes that their bodies can endure four more years' training and the next Olympic location will be more hygienic.
Closer to home, on the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, while kayaking, recreational tourists are encountering pea-soup slimy and foamy rocks in the precious freshwater of our state's most iconic river. Excess nutrients feeding algae are suspected to come from the Brazilanaire-contracted and Olympic-sized factory hog operation. All over, from Rio to Sochi to Greece to Atlanta, we earthlings are feeling the record-breaking damages in Olympic-style proportions.
In sports, records are being kept and scoreboards are flashing. In climate and earth matters, the scores are measured in life and death; winners and losers. Social justice begins with the environment we are raised in. Bad environment equals no justice.
We won't hear about the record amounts of pesticides and larvicides used in Rio this summer. We won't hear about the massive deforestation going on there. Nor will we hear much about the Olympic-sized ticket prices that most locals in Rio can't afford. The corporate press tells us only what it wants us to hear.
In this summer of records, God bless the planet earth and the U.S. too!
SUSAN PANG
Garfield
We did it to ourselves
A friend and I were eating lunch one day, and he made a statement that stuck with me. He said, "We are a nation of over three hundred million people. How did we end up with the choices we we have for president?"
What a question.
The answer, of course, is we Americans nominated them. One is a fluent liar and endangers our national security with her classified emails. The other is great at name-calling, talking too much, and not knowing when to shut up.
Over three hundred million people from which to choose, and we have chosen a couple of real "outstanding" candidates. Where are the John F. Kennedy- and Ronald Reagan-type people?
America is a great country and deserves a great leader. Cross your fingers and pray a lot. We have to live with our choice for four years. Scary, isn't it?
JOHN LANDERS
Benton
The other candidates
If the media would spend a third of its time reporting on the Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson that they do Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, I believe you would see him rise in the polls quickly. But that would mean they would have to have a realistic discussion of the issues instead of bemoaning our choices of Clinton or Trump.
The media would actually have to do some journalistic work on the issues we face today, none of which can be solved simply and clearly, nor, sadly, understood by the bulk of our voting populace.
Personally, I would just like one week of reporting without the mention of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. So, I'm turning to the Olympics. Oh, and football starts soon. Thank God!
PAM MONTGOMERY
Conway
Serious problem here
Hillary has a serious problem. FBI Director James Comey said that she did not lie when she was interviewed by the FBI, then Rep. Trey Gowdy asked Mr. Comey seven questions that Hillary testified to, under oath, at a congressional hearing. Comey said she was untruthful when answering those questions.
So I believe Hillary will never come clean or tell the truth about her emails because if she does she will be admitting that she perjured herself before that hearing.
A lot of people are in prison today, doing time, convicted of perjury.
GARY LEMON
Cabot
Expensive confidence
The University of Arkansas basketball team is on a trip to Spain to play four basketball teams. The basketball team finished last season winning 16 games and losing 16 games. This was the worst season under Coach Anderson in the last several years as the program has been in decline.
The coach says the trip is necessary to improve the team's confidence. Why can't current student psychology majors work with the players to help their confidence?
The frivolous spending in the athletic department needs to stop and more attention needs to be paid to academics.
Incidentally, I wonder how many administrators, counselors and other family members of staff are on this confidence-building trip at the university's expense.
NICK PALANGIO
Damascus
Hillary and her faith
As a young Methodist teenager to the present, Hillary Clinton has been a follower of Jesus Christ. In Iowa last January, a school counselor asked Hillary Clinton a question, saying she was a Christian and a Democrat and frustrated having to defend her to conservative friends who think progressivism and Christianity are incompatible. How, she asked, did Clinton answer?
Hillary opened her heart and began an unscripted personal story on the subject of her faith, stating: "I am a person of faith. I am a Christian. I am a Methodist. ... My study of the Bible ... has led me to believe the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your might and to love your neighbor as yourself, and that is what I think we are commanded by Christ to do and there is much more in the Bible about taking care of the poor, visiting the prisoners, taking in the stranger, creating opportunities for others to be lifted up."
When asked, she always shares her faith. Her faith never makes headlines, but her story should be familiar to all Christian evangelicals. Her beliefs are personified in her politics. For a true Christian, there is no uncertainty which candidate represents their values. Hillary's faith is perhaps the most authentic characteristic of her identity as person whose lifetime work is a mirror image of the life of Jesus.
Some say Hillary can't be trusted. Have you ever made a promise only to discover it unattainable, or a decision that turned into a failure, tackled a dilemma that turned into a heartbreak? Of course. Hillary Clinton fights for justice and equality, is not perfect and makes mistakes. Nevertheless, I will vote for Hillary because I believe only she has the experience, understanding and knowledge to lead our democracy and the world.
GEORGE LINDHOLM
Hot Springs
Publishing of hokum
A guest writer on the Voices page avows that no "organized protest" ever does any good, and instead argues for the benefits of work and prayer to change the course of human events.
What nonsense. Superficial acquaintance with American history shows the power of organized protest, sometimes rowdy, lawless, and yes, violent. A few examples come easily to mind: The Boston Tea Party was certainly a mass protest by our forefathers, and presaged the American Revolution. Organized mass protests by women eventually led to the right to vote. Who can deny that mass protests by blacks and whites together against racial discrimination led to the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act? I believe the ultimate end of the Vietnam War was certainly triggered by mass protests of students, activists and just common citizens. These are a few examples that come to mind after only a minute or two of consideration.
However, it is not that important that common knowledge can refute the musings of some poorly informed person. Of more importance is what sort of people we have deciding opinions that appear in the only daily newspaper of wide circulation in our state. Do the editors of the Voices page just sit around a table and ask themselves how they can promote work and prayer, and they know a guy who needs an outlet for his misguided, unhistorical, inaccurate opinions? Do these editors think work and prayer are underappreciated in our society, and that these admittedly admirable virtues can be most easily promoted by publishing hokum? Readers of the Democrat-Gazette, consider that the "voices" we hear are often uninformed, ignorant, and what is worse, proud of these attributes.
DAVID CRITTENDEN
Fayetteville
No excuse for littering
My wife and I took a trip to Colorado recently, and while there is endless incredible scenery and many interesting places to visit, there is not a lot of trash in the Centennial State. The national parks were immaculate, the roadsides had virtually no trash scattered about, little city parks were neat and clean.
I was amazed at the lack of trash in public areas because I am from Arkansas where trash is ubiquitous. I have lived here all my life and love our little state, but felt ashamed to be from Arkansas when I thought about the trash we leave laying around--well, not we, because I don't litter. But it seems many Arkansans do.
Cut it out. Have some pride in our home. It isn't that hard to put litter in its place. Hang a Wal-Mart bag on your gear shift and put it in your trash can at home when it gets full instead of littering. There is no excuse for trashing our beautiful state other than slovenliness and immature selfishness. Grow up and pick up!
DAVID DICKEY
Sherwood
No right to badmouth
I do not think Barack Obama had any right to badmouth Donald Trump. After all, he is running for office.
I would not vote for Hillary Clinton if she was the last person on earth. She really tries to play up to people and it is all political.
ELIZABETH WADDLE
Sherwood
Feedback
All in bag for her
"If Trump were still a Democrat" I'm sure he would be praised by Phillip Martin--unless he challenged Hillary Clinton.
Horror and disgrace: It seems the great majority of the journalism trade are nothing but touts for Democrats with this year's total commitment being to Hillary Clinton, who admired the communist gangster Saul Alinsky and built her low character herself.
GERALD HOLLAND
Bentonville
The lowered flags
In reference to the recent informative article on flag protocol, I can only imagine this conversation.
"Daddy," little Johnny asks, "why is the American flag down so low?"
"Someone had died."
"Who died?"
"I don't know."
"Why did they die?"
"I don't know. And quit asking me silly questions."
LAYNE FLEMING
Sherwood
Editorial on 08/12/2016