Respect of authority
White or black, if you are pulled over for breaking a law and you do not respond to the directions of a police officer, and you are armed or not and get shot, I believe it is totally your fault and not the officer's.
The officer's life matters because you are initiating force against him or her by your disobedience to the law.
HARRY HOHENSTEIN
Searcy
Along a thin blue line
Years have passed since my childhood in New York City. Back then, most schoolchildren had a label. Mine was "the cop's kid," and it stuck with me till I left for college. I hadn't thought about that old label until recent news reports about how the police have come under fire. While I don't know all the facts, I do know this--no other vocation is as second-guessed as is theirs.
Journalists, unlike police officers, have time to revise their columns or media reports on law enforcement. Police on the firing line, however, must decide such issues in a split second.
Lawyers, unlike police officers, in the comparative safety of a courtroom can take weeks or even months to decide questions about what is or isn't reasonable force in a given set of circumstances.
You and I, unlike police officers, can make our decisions about their actions in the comfort of our homes with the benefit of hindsight and information. For a police officer, the results of making a wrong decision can be tragic.
Howard Bangert's recent letter recalled the '60s and '70s, another time of conflict with police. A popular bumper sticker back then reminded people of the important service of our local police. It said, "If you don't like police, if you need help, call a hippie."
It is a reminder that it is the thin blue line of men and women in police uniforms who stand between us and anarchy. This Brooklyn "cop's kid" says, "Thanks, all y'all!"
JEAN GARTON
Benton
Good old boys remain
When Asa Hutchinson was elected governor, I thought the citizens would see an end to the "good old boy system" for jobs in Arkansas.
However, it appears to be stronger than ever. As an example, the father of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge was appointed to the state Board of Election Commissioners. He is 73 years old and will be earning a salary of $70,304. Also, no public discussion of the hiring was allowed.
Surely a younger, qualified person who needs a job to support his or her family could have been hired for this position.
NICK PALANGIO
Damascus
Cannot blame him
The U.S. flag stands for a lot of things. On one hand, the flag stands for love, peace, joy, happiness and harmony. But on the other hand the flag stands for being used and abused, overlooked, mistreated and hated for skin color. So it really depends on how the flag makes people feel inside.
The flag gives Mr. Colin Kaepernick the right to protest, and it does not matter if he is right or wrong. It's all about how it makes him feel inside. Period.
Nobody can fault or blame Mr. Kaepernick for that.
JAY JOHN JAMES
North Little Rock
Respect, admiration
I read a bumper sticker that said, "Trump that b****!" Wow. Republicans are obviously very angry. Many have called Hillary Clinton a liar, a murderer and basically a devil incarnate. I wonder how many foul-mouthed, hateful Hillary-bashers have met this beautiful person. None would be my guess.
Based upon the first and last times I met Hillary Clinton, I only have respect, admiration and fondness for her.
The first time, I was sitting alone in a high school classroom. I was a rather sullen, somewhat lonely student. The summer before, my sister was killed by a drunk driver. I was full of guilt, anger and despair. Sitting alone, waiting for class to start, in walks a fellow student. With at least 30 empty seats, she could have sat anywhere. But she sat right next to me. She introduced herself and engaged me in animated conversation. She was cute, smart, outgoing and delightful. She was Hillary Rodham. She became one of the leaders of our student body. She gave me a feeling that maybe I can get through high school and maybe even enjoy it and prosper.
The last time I saw her, she and Bill attended a concert in Pine Bluff. I was surprised to see an old classmate married to the governor. I introduced myself as an old Maine South graduate, and she and Bill accepted me like I was an old friend. They even invited me to the mansion whenever I came to Little Rock. How kind, gracious and overwhelmingly friendly they both were. Regretfully, I never visited.
How much of a contrast these two wonderful people are to the foul-mouthed, unpatriotic and slanderous folk who spew their poisonous tirades against them. They may not be perfect, but their enemies chill me to my soul.
DAVID SCHRADER
Hot Springs
Basket of deplorables
Hillary Clinton, we are not in the "basket of deplorables." You are most elitist. That basket is small and the same size in both parties. We believe the large basket against you is the one that thinks this country is going in the wrong direction. Liberals tag us with names like "unredeemable" and "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic--you name it." We are none of these!
I am one of five men that happened to retire in the same town. We were Democrats before the party left us. We are a businessman, pharmacist, union train engineer, longshoreman, and small-business owner. Although of different educational backgrounds, we all worked many 60-plus-hour weeks for retirement. We applaud this country that nourished us and citizens like Sam Walton, Dr. Ben Carson and Colin Powell. We are Christians that appreciate other religions, work with charities, and have raised our children in a family environment with one wife. We are proud of this country's flag, pledge of allegiance, history, and traditions, and we think this country is exceptional--our country's culture. America has made mistakes, but we are overcoming for the betterment of all.
Our open basket is tired of erosion of values, the family unit, foreign and domestic statutes, religion, safety, our military, race relations, financial standing, the Constitution, morals, borders, work ethic and traditions. We are tired of your cover-ups, untruthfulness, pandering, greed (per General Powell) and that it seems there are two justice systems based on name.
ROBERT DIXON
Heber Springs
Editorial on 09/25/2016