Just not feasible now
A recent story stated, "U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs officials now expect the 1.8 million-megawatt solar panel system to be complete and placed atop the parking garage in January."
This would make this the largest power plant in the world, being many times the size of the Three Gorges Dam in China, which can produce about 23,000 megawatts, and the Grand Coulee Dam at Spokane, Wash., which can produce about 6,800 megawatts.
I won't go into the fact that it is over budget and four years behind schedule. Nor will I mention that when it comes online, if it ever does, Entergy will still have to have the capacity to provide all the power needed for the facility.
I believe solar and wind power without the subsidies are not economically feasible. In the future when the country has the grid, maybe.
THOMAS E. HOGAN
Searcy
Bad character traits
The Mayo Clinic defines Narcissistic Personality Disorder as one "in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism."
Our Republican presidential nominee, it could be argued, may have this disorder. His history of persistent personal attacks seems to bear this out. The best characterization of him might be "obsessively vindictive." Think of all the lawsuits he has threatened against individuals and entities who have criticized him.
One only has to look at the shameless attack on Marvin Roffman, a Janney Montgomery Scott securities analyst and broker who advised his clients to exit their Trump Taj Mahal bond holdings as it was apparent to him that Trump's casino would not be able to make the interest payments on them. Trump relentlessly pressured the small Philadelphia firm to terminate him and cast doubts on the analyst's abilities. Having no backbone and putting self-preservation first, the small firm dismissed Mr. Roffman. Only months later, the bonds plummeted in value and the Trump Taj Mahal declared bankruptcy.
We continue to see this pattern of behavior repeated 20-plus years later throughout this campaign. Whether it be belittling his Republican primary rivals with ridiculous charges, his unwillingness to endorse John McCain and Paul Ryan (even though they endorsed him) because they had the proper things to say concerning one or more of his gaffes, or his unwarranted attack on the Khans.
This is not a disorder nor are these the character traits we need our next president to have.
JIM LEWIS
Heber Springs
Not listening to him?
Catching up with Dodgy Don's calculated "Art of Distraction," I must have missed the coverage of Trump's appearance at the American Renewal Project conference in Orlando last week.
Just to remind you, Trump claims he supports LGBT rights. But there he was, as was Marco Rubio, speaking at a conference of evangelical pastors hosted by David Lane, whose anti-gay record is, I believe, 100 percent crazed. And in Orlando! Throw in Pence's 100 percent anti-gay stand and the latest "rigged election" paranoia, and you have two guys my dad would have called "shysters."
Almost daily Trump tells you why he is not fit to be president. Why aren't you listening?
MICHAEL PREBLE
Hot Springs
For a peaceful world
We are trying to get rid of guns for the same reason we are trying to get rid of nuclear weapons.
WAYMOND TEAGUE
Greenbrier
No longer have luxury
Our beliefs define how we view the world. They determine how we behave and interact with other human beings. In other words, once a belief system is stamped upon the brain, it determines that believer's subsequent behavior.
Unfortunately, I believe certain dogmatic beliefs about the world are leading us down the path to Armageddon and the possible annihilation of life as we know it. Religious faith is the major player in this role, but because it is taboo to criticize religious beliefs, it has been given a free pass. It is always exonerated despite what I believe to be its often diabolical interference in human affairs.
Liberals and conservatives alike agree it is not politically correct to criticize a person's ideas about their god and what he demands. Before some fool can say we must tolerate all faiths, a religiously motivated suicide bomber obliterates himself and as many infidels and heretics as possible. This means anyone not of his or her faith.
Let's get real. For the most part, the history of religion has been a bloody farce. That is not to say there are no noble concepts in religion, but one could write volumes on its grotesque history.
It seems the pivotal doctrine of every religious faith is that all others are dead wrong. This intolerance is fundamental to every creed. Moderates who refuse to say anything too critical about the life-destroying gibberish found in the Bible and the Koran do not seem to recognize the price we are paying for this ignorance. It should be obvious to all, we no longer have the luxury of such political correctness.
AL CASE
Onia
Ditch primary system
After 20 applicants for president of the United States of America from the Republican party alone, something needs to change. I believe this homo sapien, if I can call him that, does not have the experience, intelligence or comprehension of the human experience, et al.
Two former presidents, former governors, senators, et al., say they will not vote for Donald Trump. Mind you, these are Republicans, not Democrats or independents.
The United States should abandon the divisive primary election process. Instead, all American voters should cast their ballots on the same day in a national primary. I believe this would serve to dilute the undue influence of some states over others and prevent the inevitable demolition of political campaigns, from civil discourse to mudslinging. Of course other ideas prevail.
This august country does not need Donald J. Trump!
ROBERT E. HYMER SR.
Little Rock
What can't be taught
Now that I'm almost 70, I've learned the meaning of two words that I should have been taught years ago. Talent--something one is born with. Skill--something one is taught.
The children's home superintendent's wife wanted me to take piano lessons. Even though I learned to play well, I hated them because I could tell I didn't have the talent. If only I'd kept on, I probably could have become a skilled pianist.
One's heart doesn't always tell it right.
ALICE ANN LONG
Russellville
Editorial on 08/20/2016