Bigotry versus politics
I think I am getting some sort of complex. Last year Hillary called me deplorable and now Howell Medders has called me (not by name) a religious fundamentalist and possibly a bigot. Us guys like this, according to Mr. Medders, make up a prominent wing of the Republican Party. And he thinks we would vote for some sorry, no-good SOB.
As far as the Senate election in Alabama today, I believe that is purely up to Alabamians who they vote for. This is an interesting election because it boils down to the question of bigotry versus politics. I believe Judge Moore is guilty as sin about the things he is alleged to have done. But the Republican majority in the Senate is a mere fragile majority. The election of Doug Jones, the Democrat, would further reduce this majority.
So what to do? As Mr. Medders has already labeled us Republicans with all kinds of bad names, the thing to do to hold on to the Senate is to elect Moore. Then he would be referred to the Senate Ethics Committee who probably would determine him unfit to serve. Then the governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, would appoint another Republican to serve.
Yes, you might call that a bigot's solution on what to do with Moore. I know, Mr. Medders, you probably would condemn Alabamians as bigots and worse. But according to you, they are already religious fundamentalist and bigots. What worse labels can you call them? It's all politics.
RUSS BAILEY
Little Rock
Fundamental beliefs
A writer to this page has stated that he believes "religious fundamentalism" to be a great and powerful evil.
He includes other religions along with Christianity. Were he to live in a Muslim country, a Muslim might be inclined to lop off his (the writer's) head. A Christian is less inclined to do so.
Now since ideology cannot be great and powerful itself, I suppose he is referring to the adherents of fundamentalism. It appears to me that fundamentalists are simply "true believers." They hold to the historical and orthodox doctrines of their faith. But what most of those who use this term as a slur really mean, or so I see it, is that those in question are radicals who cannot seem to forgo the logical consequences of their beliefs.
I will ask: What fundamentalist can compete with Nazism, communism, etc., which have taken the lives of over 150 million folks in the 20th century alone?
FRED SAWYER
Little Rock
Christmas past's nuts
Christmas is a "nutty" season. Nuts abound. Some go into making that perennial holiday favorite of the South--pecan pie. (Some say pe-can.) I attended a meeting once where the moderator, who was obviously a Yankee, as an icebreaker asked what was our favorite dessert. I answered lemon icebox pie. He said he had never heard of that. I imagine if I had replied pe-can pie his head might have exploded. I suspect that many Yankees are culinary deprived. Some, for example, have never heard of chocolate gravy or even plain ol' gravy and biscuits.
Back to nuts. I find it interesting how nuts are associated with Christmas. Various in-shell nuts such as English walnuts, filberts (hazelnuts), almonds and my favorite, Brazil nuts, always appear in stores around Christmas time. Growing up, my siblings and I would throw our long stockings over the back of a rocking chair on Christmas Eve. Next morning we would find in them an apple, an orange, some hard candy and a handful of in-shell nuts. I would try to make my meager allotment of said nuts last the entire day.
There is another way "nuts" are associated with this time of year that should be noted and remembered. In December of 1944 that nasty business called the Battle of the Bulge occurred. The German Army gave the embattled Allied defenders of the Belgian town of Bastogne a surrender ultimatum. Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe sent back his reply--"Nuts!" The Germans did not at first understand the meaning but shortly thereafter the 101st Airborne, the all-black 969th Artillery Battalion and the 10th Armored Division, with a little help from Patton's Third Army, provided an explanation by halting the German offensive in its snowy tracks.
May everyone have a "nutty," Southern, nearly always sunny Christmas.
JOHN McPHERSON
Searcy
Thank you to veterans
This is a huge thank you to all of the veterans who sacrificed so much, and their families, whose pain during World War II is incomprehensible.
Those brave souls of that generation would be shocked and amazed at how easy and free our lives are now. And seeing such a kind and generous culture that is Japan, where I'm writing this. Smiles and warm thoughts as you are greeted. I've never seen people in general that are so polite and generous.
We Americans are so spoiled and naïvely arrogant. The level of unawareness in the U.S. is simply ridiculous, but it's rapidly getting better. I surprisingly have become so much more aware due to our political climate--all are so binary; "our way is the only way" attitudes are such a waste.
But look how free we are! We can say anything. Those families in the '40s went through so much pain. God bless their souls. They gave us a gift that keeps on giving. Our world is now getting along in ways they never could have imagined, so thank you, veterans. You were braver than any of us today could possibly ever be.
CHUCK CHALFANT
Fayetteville
Editorial on 12/12/2017