Women in high office
In this contentious year, much attention seems to address the importance of women in U.S. politics. Let's examine the leading women of the Democrat Party. First we have Hillary Clinton, who is being badgered for her lies and poor judgment in the email circus and the Clinton Foundation fiasco.
Next comes Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who occupied the highly powerful position as the leader of the Democrat Party. She was forced to resign before the Democrat Convention because of her antics regarding Bernie Sanders, Hillary's primary opponent.
Replacing Ms. Schultz as the head of the Democrats is Donna Brazile. It is now revealed that she probably gave debate questions in advance to Hillary Clinton. That was so disgusting that CNN (not a bastion of conservative propaganda) terminated its association with Ms. Donna.
The actions of these three Democrat women should, in my opinion, deal a powerfully nasty blow to women seeking high political offices. Of course, it is simply a coincidence that Republican women consistently conduct themselves above this shameful level.
JERRY B. JACKSON
Heber Springs
Get the shot, help all
With summer's end and fall upon us, many things are changing, and it's not just the color of the leaves. With the cooler weather comes the season that no one likes--flu season.
From personal experience, being stuck at home with an achy body, a headache, and feeling like you're dying is no fun. To some, the flu may not be as big of a deal, but to others it can be deadly. Luckily, we have the option to get a flu vaccination.
Unfortunately, many people decide not to receive the vaccination because they feel that they may be immune to the virus, they do not want to spend the money to receive one, or they just simply do not have the time. What people do not take into consideration is that receiving a flu shot potentially has more benefits than costs.
Getting vaccinated actually saves you time and money. For example, if you were to get the flu, yes, you saved the approximately $30 it cost for the shot, but now you must pay for the doctor visits, Tamiflu, and the time that you must take off from school or work. You are also benefiting others around you by getting the shot because it keeps you from spreading it to them.
When driving through Conway, you will pass many pharmacies that are advertising that they are now giving flu shots. I encourage you to take the time out of your day to benefit yourself and others.
LAUREN NICOLE MITCHELL
Morrilton
Disparaged martyrs
John Leder compares abortion rights to the Holocaust in his letter, "Babies can't fight back." The Holocaust, though, was a crime unique in human history: a systematic governmental attempt to wipe out an entire people.
Worse, Leder suggests that Holocaust victims were responsible for their own fate, writing, "Some of those Jews could have fought back." Even the most casual student of the Holocaust knows that some Jews did fight back, Exhibit A being the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Those brave rebels perished among the 6 million.
Leder is entitled to oppose abortion rights, but not to disparage the martyrs of the Holocaust in the process.
RABBI BARRY BLOCK
Little Rock
Think long and hard
I was just told about a friend's experience recently while waiting in line at Wal-Mart. My friend is American. Her father is Mexican American, and her mother is Caucasian. She's married to a Mexican who is here legally, and they have three beautiful Mexican American daughters.
She was struggling with her 8-year-old in line in Wal-Mart. The typical thing, "Mom, I want this ... why can't I have that? ... you let my sister ..." If you are a parent, you've dealt with similar situations and they are frustrating, especially after a long day at work. While dealing with her daughter, the man in front of her, the one wearing the big red hat saying "Make America Great Again" turned to her and said, "could you get your dog under control, it's making my blood pressure go up."
My friend said she couldn't remember exactly what she said to him through her tears and rage, but she does remember the fact that no one stood up to this man. No one in line. No one working there. No one!
I know that many of you cast your vote for Trump. This is Arkansas, after all. I'm not going to call you racist. I'm not going to call Trump a racist. But it is very obvious that his candidacy has emboldened the racists in our country. And if I were you, I would think long and hard about that.
Do you want to be on that team? Do you want those people, the racists, to feel like they are getting a president that shares their racist perspective? Think about it. Take as much time as you need.
JOHN COLLIER
Winslow
Sexism crossed line
Dale Sellers, I want to first say that my point of this letter is to not advise you of whom I voted for. That's not the point of my response to you. None of how you felt about particular politicians offended me in the least.
However, for you to call my right to vote deplorable is where you crossed the line. Your blatant sexism has no place in today's society.
Both women and men fought for the right for equal voting status nearly 100 years ago. For that I am glad. I'm proud that I have been given the opportunity to stand for over an hour last weekend only to ultimately spend 5 minutes making my presidential selection.
Our fight for equality is obviously far from over.
I'm sure you're now regretting your last statement in your recent letter to the editor.
May we celebrate 100 years proudly on Aug. 18, 2020.
EMILY SPURRIER
North Little Rock
Editorial on 11/09/2016