Letters

Our rights in danger

This letter is two-fold. First, concerning the lawsuit by persons in Virginia contending they have a First Amendment right to make political robo-calls to people in Arkansas--question: What part of the First Amendment gives you or anyone else the right to deliver that political speech inside my home at a time of your choosing?

Second, the political cartoon depicting a well-armed militia as bigots, racists, terrorists, etc.: I and I suspect many other veterans take great offense. I have gay friends, I see skin color just like physical beauty--skin deep, and I certainly do not side with ISIS. I'm a military veteran, having served 20 years in the Air Force with two terms in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. I swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies both foreign and domestic. I do not recall an expiration date in the oath of enlistment.

On that thought, had it not been for a well-armed civilian militia 240 years ago, we may very well be known today as the United Colonies of the United Kingdom. Let's not repeat, and rewrite, history by disarming millions of law-abiding civilians who are willing to fight and die for our country and its Constitution.

DAVID WEAVER

Sherwood

The issue here: Pride

I hear and see the word "pride" being used by a certain group in our society and, in the opinion of this writer, the real issue and sin with any group who pushes its sinful lifestyle on a group of righteous people is the attitude of being proud of their sin.

I also hear from a certain group that "God is love." This is true; however, to really experience God's love is to live a life that reflects his design and plan for our lives. Real love comes with discipline and instruction and humility. We have to be willing to give up our sinful pride to gain God's forgiveness.

Pride binds us to our sins and deceives us to think that I should have my way with anything. Pride also blinds us into thinking that everyone else is a hater or a bigot just because someone holds them accountable for their sins.

I read in the Bible this: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." The Bible also teaches us "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

There is nothing wrong with being proud of a great accomplishment such as a new job or the birth of your first child or even winning an award for something earned. What we have to be on guard for is letting that pride dictate our future actions around other people and events.

I'm not condemning anyone, I'm just repeating what the God of peace is instructing for our lives.

RICHARD DUNCAN

Little Rock

Must stop the bad guy

After reading several letters, editorials, and politicians' ranting and raving, I feel that I must try to set a few things straight.

According to all comments, if we just ban assault rifles, all will be well. I believe nothing could be further from the truth. According to the 2014 FBI Uniform Crime Report, the number of murders by rifles of all types was 248. In comparison, the number of murder by hands, feet, and fists was 660. So according to these numbers, the human body is more deadly than rifles.

Banning firearms to those on the no-fly list/terror list, I have no problem with it as long as there is due process according to law. Being put on the list by some government official with no recourse is wrong.

This is all about control, not stopping the bad guys. If it was about stopping bad guys, they would be enforcing the existing laws we have about guns.

ALBERT L. MURPHY

McGehee

A visit to the mosque

One of Donald J. Trump's ideas is for officials to monitor mosques across the country to discover any terrorist tendencies among the congregations. Let me tell what I encountered at a recent visit to the Little Rock Islamic Center for Friday afternoon prayers. Fourteen people from my History of Islam class and I attended.

The Muslims in attendance were a mix of men, women and children. They were welcoming toward us visitors, and after the service some invited us to return anytime we wanted. The imam, Dr. Mahmood Hassan E. Hassanein, had given a very interesting and informative speech about various aspects of Islam to my class two days before. He, however, did not conduct the service this Friday, as there was a guest from Louisiana who did so.

After the prayers came the sermon. The guest imam reminded everyone to be considerate and kind to all people with whom they came in contact. All in all, most of his remarks would have sounded familiar in almost any place of worship for Christians, Jews, or any other religion.

Anyone attempting to find any hint of militant Islam at the Little Rock Islamic Center would be completely disappointed and, I suspect, in mosques across the country. Muslims have been here since colonial days and the idea that the great majority of American Muslims are not well-integrated into society in this country is a myth.

Surveillance of mosques would be unconstitutional and discriminatory and thankfully there appears to be no chance that the presumptive nominee of the GOP will see his illegal tactics adopted. Thank God for that!

RICH CORBY

Alexander

Certainly the loudest

Referring to George W. McClain's incomplete list of "self-anointed experts": The Republican voters have selected a "self-anointed" expert "on all matters large or small," Donald Trump. I don't understand how McClain could have excluded Trump, since he is the loudest self-anointed expert.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Republican Party makes the same selection, or whether the voting citizens of the United States of America make the same choice.

CHARLES W. TAUNTON

Fayetteville

A bit more education

I was originally against the establishment of the Arkansas Lottery. However, after reading that $5.9 million of unclaimed prize money was accumulated in one year, I have changed my opinion.

It would appear every bit of education is needed for lottery players to figure out if they have a winning or losing ticket.

NICK PALANGIO

Damascus

Editorial on 06/27/2016

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