Preserve open records
In theory, we the populace should not have to have a freedom of information law to get info from our government. We're the Regnat populi; we rule.
However, human nature being what it is, and Republicans being what they are, it appears that such a law is absolutely necessary if we want to find out what government is doing.
There apparently is something about being in government that leads its inhabitants to believe that they rule, rather than govern. They are now the exalted ones, and the longer they are in office, the more exalted they become. To question them is to insult them; they know what is best. If these people were your employees, you would not tolerate their keeping you in the dark about their activities. Yet in electing them as our representatives (instead of hiring them as our employees), it is as if the positions are reversed and we become the servants.
Hence the need to preserve freedom of information laws in their entirety. Also we must remember those who would diminish the Freedom of Information Act when election time comes around again.
RICK SCOTT
Maumelle
Hearts are hardened
I wanted to thank a couple of contributors to the Voices page on Wednesday and Thursday concerning both the concealed-carry law and the execution proceedings endorsed by Gov. Asa Hutchison. I think it would be appropriate for the governor and the legislators who pushed these executions to attend at least one of them. Does the execution of a man for the murder of another discourage other killings?
I was more surprised by the success of the concealed-carry law. I genuinely hope it doesn't come back to haunt Rep. Charlie Collins, a man whom I think has the best of intentions. Every week this newspaper is filled with murders. Angry lovers, impatient drivers, and disgruntled neighbors. The very idea of allowing concealed weapons on college campuses and in church sanctuaries is despicable.
Whether you believe mankind has existed for 2,000 years or 500,000, you can't say we've come very far. When you look at these two pieces of legislation, do you really see remedies?
I've seen plenty of Bible quotes lately that seem to be endorsing killing and revenge. I wonder how Jesus would really respond to this. Christ's death and resurrection established God's new covenant with his people that placed before us two all-encompassing commandments--to love and honor him and love his other children. This sounds so simple but is almost impossible for the human condition.
When I hear people say this nation was established on Christian principles, I wonder, where does this covenant fall? This has been the greatest nation for a reason. We've made plenty of mistakes, but our compassion, empathy and genuine concern for those less fortunate makes us who we are.
I'm afraid we're losing our capacity for these virtues, and many Christian hearts have hardened from anger and fear. Christians who genuinely trust God should have no fear. The grace of Jesus is not to be dictated as much by man's law as by his people's ability to carry out his grace.
WADE GREEN
Camden
Death penalty wrong
In the spring of 2006, I met Don Davis, who will die by lethal injection on April 17. A prisoners' advocate had invited a student from my journalism class to interview him. Davis answered questions about the murder he admits to, his life on death row, and his thoughts on the death penalty. He has had 25 years on death row to ponder these things.
As Bishop Anthony Taylor wrote recently, the man in that cell is not the same person who committed the crime. On the day we saw him, Davis candidly answered questions and talked about the sorrow he feels for his actions. Then he asked about my student's life. Davis' purpose was to warn the boy that the actions of a few minutes could ruin many lives.
As Bishop Taylor wrote, if the death penalty were necessary to ensure public safety and if it were meted out fairly to all offenders throughout the state, it would be just. Neither of those requirements exists today. The death penalty in Arkansas is the law, but I believe it's wrong.
GRETCHEN GOWEN
Little Rock
Fortunate Fayetteville
This is concerning criticisms of our VA hospital here in Fayetteville. The hospital has been a lifesaver for me and my husband for over 15 years. They really care, and it shows. Our main area has been primary care, where "Angels Dwell" in the guise of Dr. Maddock and nurses Susan and Cathy.
I don't know about other VAs, but we are truly fortunate to have ours here in Fayetteville.
CLARA FISHER FIELDS
Bentonville
Good, could be better
I applaud the efforts of the Arkansas Legislature, together with the NRA, in promoting gun-carrying in college classrooms (among other places). My only criticism is that this legislation does not go far enough.
The law should make it clear that a 9 mm Glock is just as much an educational expense as a textbook, and that students who purchase pistols should be able to buy them using money from financial aid and scholarships. We don't want poor students to suffer injury to their self-esteem by going off to college with shabby old secondhand armament.
The educational advantages of having guns in college classrooms are incalculable. There's just nothing that adds emphasis to a spirited intellectual debate like the clicking sound following a student reaching into his pocket.
It's unfair elementary and high school students can't carry guns. If anybody needs to pack heat, it's public school students. These poor kids may not know the birth sex of the other students in the restroom with them, so packing a gun makes perfect sense. How else can kids grow up to be responsible weapon-toting college students? They may shoot off a few toes or other bodily appendages, but how else is a kid going to learn?
Even the philosopher Socrates encouraged pupils who studied with him under the iconic plane tree to carry spears concealed in their tunics, so long as they had a parchment attesting to their attending four hours of active spear-poker training.
CONNIE MESKIMEN
Hot Springs
Immigration matters
In response to Mike Masterson's recent travel-ban column, let me start out by saying I agree with Masterson's assessment of the language of the law: The president does have a great deal of statutory authority to impose his will on immigration. I believe the recent injunctions against his orders did take risks by interpreting the orders in the context of our current president's repeated desire for a "Muslim ban." I myself approve of the risks, since to do otherwise would be capitulation to an absurd, inhumane ideology.
I was disturbed that Masterson appears to have been hypnotized by 45's claim that the ban is for "national security" and that the judicial system should be held accountable if a terrorist attack by someone affected by the ban takes place. Anyone who has googled the refugee or immigration process knows that it often takes two years of vetting, sometimes even more, to be allowed into the United States. Our country has accepted far fewer Syrian refugees than many other similar nations.
I find that shameful; I don't know how Masterson finds it, although this column helps me guess.
Finally, I am sick of hearing about how "lax" the Obama administration was toward illegal immigration. Yet another Google search would show you that Obama's government deported far more people than George W. Bush's, and indeed Obama lost the support of many because of those actions.
HENRY MURPHY
Little Rock
Editorial on 03/25/2017