Letters

Play in-state schools

Now with a new sports administration and football coach at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, that has no association with previous fears of playing ASU, it is time to put ASU and maybe UAPB and UCA on the schedule.

UA-F is paying millions to bring out-of-state teams to Fayetteville and Little Rock. I think playing in-state school teams would create fan support and attendance, plus the money generated would stay in state and every school would make money. The suits can work out the financial details.

Open every season with UA-F versus ASU in Little Rock. It would create early football season excitement and be great for everyone.

BRIAN WRIGHT

Heber Springs

A gift worth regifting

Though Christmas is days away, I've already got my gift. It will stay with me all year and won't be hidden away. It came from my nephew, Trey. Trey's charm is celebrated. A fine fellow of 40, he doesn't drive, but works hard bagging groceries in Memphis and is a champion bowler who happened to win the gold medal at the Special Olympics. He was raised in a nonpracticing Jewish/Christian home, and I seldom thought about his spirituality.

Recently, Trey posted on Facebook: "I love God." I was moved. Then he posted a photo of "My tree," which he paid for with his own money. I messaged, "Decorations yet?" with the reply, "No decorations."

Sunday, I made an unexpected trip to Memphis and took ornaments for him. As I drove up to leave them, there stood Trey in the driveway. Surprise! What a wonderful feeling, what joy erupted over $15 worth of red and gold angels and snowflakes.

Joy is relative to us. We are not the family that can truly rejoice, no matter the season. While others worry over gifts and meals, we spend every minute quietly working for and awaiting the return of our granddaughter, Ebby Steppach. I watch every young woman that I pass, and the pain is great. But we walk on.

I notified family that Ebby's story would be on national TV last week, but hesitated to tell Trey. Yet, Trey loved Ebby. I messaged him. Trey's instant reply: "Just trust God; he will help you with your family."

Family, friends, and strangers encourage us with thoughts, prayers, and "thumbs up." In spite of all, we are so blessed and find numbness is always penetrable. This week, this ancient message, the lyric of faith forever, broke into my world and lightened my day. For all of Arkansas, I regift my present from Trey. No matter what is in your world this year, "Just trust God ... He will help."

DEBI STEPPACH

Little Rock

Now just a vanity title

Oh, joy in Arkansas. The leadership of our once fair state has decided to turn a legal/medical document into a vanity title of ownership to make all the homosexuals happy. Don't worry about the child turning 18 and wanting to know more about its background and heritage finding on its birth certificate that its ancestry ends at Mary and Sherry with no means to trace its lineage on its father's side. It didn't have a father (or mother, for that matter) according to the only document available to begin a search. Way to go, state. Hooray.

MICHAEL HIGGS

Fayetteville

Is not just tort reform

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial writer recently lamented the "significant medication mistakes" in our nursing homes. This was in response to an article in the paper about a watchdog report that found Arkansas nursing homes had much higher rates than other states.

This is tragic, but I find it ironic that the editorial writer wrote on Feb. 17 in favor of the "tort reform" portion of Senate Joint Resolution 8 that will be on our ballots in 2018. This resolution will cap non-economic awards in jury cases to $500,000. From the text of the resolution: "'Non-economic damages' means damages that cannot be measured in money, including without limitation any loss or damage, however characterized, for pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of life or companionship, or visible result of injury." Calling it tort reform suggests it is only limiting attorney's fees, but it limits punitive damages too for negligence or incompetence. Medication mistakes would surely qualify.

The editorial mentioned the sad story of the passing of 65-year-old Linda Cooper due to getting the wrong medication, but apparently feels that her family's pain and suffering is only worth $500,000. So do the senators who voted for SJR8--but the Arkansas voters can vote no in 2018. Don't fall for the lie that this is just tort reform.

MICHAEL P. VINING

Benton

Most odoriferous time

From the moment I spot the first perfume ad until the Christmas clearance sales are through, I am in tears. Literally.

As one of the many Americans who are allergic to scents, this is the worst time of the year. From department stores crammed with scented gift sets to newspapers bearing odor bombs (aka scent-infused ads), the assault on our overly sensitive senses can be hard to bear, causing symptoms from sniffly noses and tear-filled eyes to nausea, blotchy skin, difficulty breathing and even migraines.

And as the scents tend to cling to clothing and hair, the problem often follows me home. In some cases, I've had to shower and change clothes to end the allergic reaction.

Cashiers, fellow shoppers and the general public who use perfumes, cologne and even scented body washes have no idea the agony they are causing for the perfume-challenged. I have been forced to change seats and even left events because of someone else's perfume or cologne. And Sunday I had to stop reading my Democrat-Gazette because the ad inserts triggered an allergic reaction. The whole paper is now in a plastic bag, in the trash. And still the smell lingers by my reading chair as a tear hangs in the corner of my eye.

Please excuse me while I blow my nose. Again.

KATHERINE J. TUCKER

Perryville

Editorial on 12/13/2017

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