Help Americans first
Even with the problems and danger going on in Syria today, I believe the United States shouldn't be letting Syrian refugees into our country. We are already over 18 trillion dollars in debt, and adding thousands of refugees would make that debt go way up, and we cannot afford it. I know that Americans seem to want to be the ones to go to the rescue every time that another country is in trouble, but we can't risk it every time. There are so many things that could go wrong.
Why should we put a Band-Aid over the Middle East and watch our own country bleed to death? We deal with many issues on our own and don't need to pile any more weight on our shoulders to tend to another country's problems. There's not enough information on these foreign people to know that they are even safe to let in to our country. These people could be extremely dangerous for all we know, and we cannot risk it.
There are so many helpless people, out of jobs, on the street, who try and try to get back on their feet, and it's not fair to not help our own people who need it. We would be wasting our money that we don't even possess to pay for all these people when we could be spending it on the homeless people, or feeding the hungry children here in the U.S., solving problems of our own.
RACHEL STUDDARD
Benton
He can do it, we can't
Paul Christ stated that praying enables us to believe we can exert influence over situations and events beyond our control. I believe that is not true.
When Christians pray, we believe and know that God can do this, so we ask him, knowing that without him we can do nothing!
Try it, Paul.
SHIRLEY HENDRICKS
Maumelle
Please explain need
I'd like for someone to explain to me what is so vitally important about Planned Parenthood.
There are thousands of gynecologists throughout the country in clinics and hospitals everywhere. There is Obamacare to provide insurance for women to see these doctors wherever they need to see them. So what does Planned Parenthood provide that the others don't? An abortion.
I believe an abortion should be a last-ditch effort to save a woman's life, and nothing more; abortion on demand is legal murder. If life didn't begin at conception, the child would not grow in the womb. There must be life for growth to occur. If you believe otherwise, try convincing God when that time comes.
DAVID WEAVER
Sherwood
Service and kindness
A big thanks to Kroger for allowing the small Pershing Boulevard Kroger in North Little Rock to remain functioning this long. Certainly no huge profit was made from it, but it's been a blessing to its customers, employees and management. You can feel it each time you enter the store. Sadly, we count our losses.
The market has probably been the best interracial community in Arkansas or maybe the whole South. It has a responsive and efficient pharmacy. With no blaring music or ads, conversation and laughter can be heard. No one rushed up and down aisles. In 10 years of shopping there, I was never charged by a basket.
The produce was fresh and products displayed nicely. I sensed some time ago that an effort was being made to make this little store more upscale, but it was frequented by down-to-earth people whose budgets do not stretch to the fancy.
Shopping there was as much for therapy as for food. It was like an extended family gathering to slowly walk the aisles and share little comments here and there. I never saw anyone irritated by standing in the checkout line.
This past Monday, I entered a store with many empty spaces. It was incredible. Finally I found a stocker who told me the store was closing at the end of the month. Two other shoppers and I couldn't believe it.
Value and worth went beyond foods and products to include service and kindness. The cashier circled fuel points on my receipt with pride and enthusiasm. We hugged hello and goodbye. The baggers always asked to take my groceries to the car, even though they told me long ago that tips are not allowed. I thank Kroger for the memories and the inclusion in this group of shoppers.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
Class on social issues
I am concerned that teens in high school don't learn enough about social issues that go on in our country and around the world. Lately there have been many tragic events happening like the attack in Paris, school shootings, and many other widely known events.
As a teen in high school I find that we learn more about what happened in the past than we learn about what is happening now. We need to understand and become educated on world events so we can get a different perspective. When people only know what the media is telling them, that alters the way they look at the situation because it seems they are only showing us what is going to make a lot of money.
Racism and discrimination against religions continues to be a big problem in our world, and when people don't educate us on it, some tend to say very rude things. Someone being hated every day for who they are is never okay, and the people in our society need to realize that they can't judge a group of people based on a couple of people. Teens especially have a major impact on the future, so if we are never told the whole story and have never been taught how to deal with certain situations that go on, I believe there will never be change.
I urge schools to have a separate class or lesson for social issues in our country and in others.
ALLY BENOIT
Bryant
Let's take a breather
My response to Mr. Paul Christ's letter regarding prayers is to inform him that Christians pray to God, who is in control of everything, including his next breath.
B.E. SPURGEON
North Little Rock
Editorial on 01/17/2016