Hasn't earned respect
Why do so many Trump supporters think that if you don't like Donald Trump then you're a whiner, a loser, and hate America? I love America.
I don't love or respect what Trump has done to our country by constantly lying, insulting everyone who criticizes him, and making other bullies think it's OK to attack anyone, especially women and minorities, they don't agree with. That doesn't make me a precious snowflake who needs some thumb-sucking time. It makes me someone who pays attention when actual evidence of things he's said and done come out instead of taking his word for it that it's all fake, just part of a huge conspiracy against him, because only the bad stories about his opponents are real. Whatever happened to his claim before Nov. 8 that Hillary had fixed the election? Why was she not inaugurated Friday if the fix was really in? But since he won, it was completely aboveboard? Really?
I respect the office of the president, but I won't respect the man till he earns it, which he hasn't yet. To Trump: Get serious. Get off Twitter. Treat everyone equally regardless of money, gender, race, religion, or political beliefs. Let the legitimate media do their job instead of punishing them when you don't like something they wrote. Give others respect and you'll get it in return. Insult them, and that's what you'll get back. You're the president now, and all presidents face criticism. The smart ones don't feel the need to fight back against every insult because there are more important things to worry about, like running the country.
And for God's sake, stop spray tanning. Maybe then people will stop calling you Cheeto Jesus.
L.M.L. TERRELL
Dayton
That higher learning
I'm a college snowflake, loud and stout. I need a safe space, so hear me out. You sent me here on your tax/lottery dollar. Who's to blame? Try not to holler.
Everything is turned around (even the bathroom stalls). Every night is like Mardi Gras, co-eds in every hall. Why ever move away, when here we can have it all?
IKE ANTHONY
Maumelle
No one else to blame
Re Donald Trump's issues with the media: In the '60s, I believe, a man named Marshall McLuhan wrote a book titled The Medium is the Message. I did not read the whole book, but the title is something the tweeter-in-chief doesn't seem to understand. What we see him say and do on TV and the campaign is what we believe he is. His popularity is at about 35 percent; Barack Obama is about 57 percent.
Dan Rather says the camera doesn't blink. Well, 90 percent of the time, it doesn't. What you see is what you get.
STEVE WHEELER
North Little Rock
Lacks those qualities
Have you noticed? It seems most of the people savaged by Donald Trump on Twitter have certain qualities in common. They are, for the most part, the talented, the brave, and the morally upright. I think perhaps this is because these qualities are sorely lacking in this sordid individual.
One of his latest attacks came after Meryl Streep commented upon Trump's mocking of a disabled person. The boaster-in-chief then called Ms. Streep "one of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood." I don't imagine that she will lose much sleep worrying about that; however, Ms. Streep is generally regarded as possibly the finest actress living today, and my personal favorite.
I had always considered the country to be great, but this election has challenged this belief. What sort of country elects the sort of man whose mind is a total morass containing nothing substantial? God help us because we certainly need his protection from this demented person. I believe draining the swamp in Washington will not help because the swamp exists in the mind of Donald Trump.
CATHERINE LAMB
Little Rock
Safer, smoother roads
The Arkansas Legislature is not saving us much, if any, money by not increasing the user fees we pay at the gas pump. Arkansas state and local roads and bridges are deteriorating faster than we can maintain them. Research has shown that driving on rough pavement will decrease gas mileage by about 3 to 5 percent. Rough pavements, including the low-cost chip-seal resurfacing, wear out our tires much faster. Potholes require many of us to replace our struts more frequently and cause blowouts and bent rims. There is no "free ride." We either pay at the pump or pay more for automobile maintenance, repairs and increased gas consumption. I for one would rather pay at the pump.
Further, in the last five years I have replaced both of our vehicles, and on average I am getting 20 percent better gas mileage. As such I am now paying 20 percent less for the privilege of driving on Arkansas highways and streets. There is no reason for me to be paying less, especially when highway construction and maintenance costs have increased.
More importantly, when the Highway Department resurfaces a roadway it often includes low-cost safety improvements like rumble strips and improved signing that result in less blood on our pavements, fewer trips to trauma centers, and fewer family reunions at funeral homes. As we know, Arkansas has one of the highest rural highway fatality rates in the country. Returning the amount of user fees we pay annually to the levels we paid in the past is not an economic burden on any of us, particularly when we were once paying well over $3 a gallon for gas.
A very conservative Republican governor and legislature in Iowa did the right thing, and increased the gas tax by 10 cents recently, with very little negative feedback from constituents. A one-penny increase in each of the next 10 months is a reasonable price for us to pay for smoother and safer roads in Arkansas.
TOM WELCH
Fairfield Bay
Remember birthday
Thank you for always remembering Robert E. Lee on his birthday. He was a true gentleman of great character and principle. Few and far between can be found to follow his manliness.
Thank you again.
HAROLD SADLER
Cabot
Editorial on 01/22/2017