Twisted by ideology
Steve Bannon isn't physically in the White House, but his ideology lingers on. I believe Donald Trump thought that with alt-right instigator Steve Bannon at his side and Russian sympathizers in his Cabinet, he could change our government system from a representative republic to a quasi-dictatorship. I believe Trump is just too twisted by Bannon's ideology. It appears he's still trying to change our system of government to a quasi-dictatorship by trying to turn people against freedom of the press. Sebastian Gorka let that slip out when he said we didn't know what was coming.
Some people, other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists, support him in his effort because apparently they want a one-party government, and we know where that leads. I think the CEOs of those corporations who left Trump's councils understand what's going on.
If we give away our republic, we'll never get it back.
MILLIE FOREE
Bella Vista
Fighting against USA
If someone asked me if I were liberal or conservative, I'd say it depends upon the issue. I've been a Democrat all my life, though I cross-voted depending upon candidate and issue.
This incident of the black football player who knelt quietly during the recognition of American symbols of freedom is being blown up ridiculously. The issue, as I see it, is as black and white as the words of our Constitution, Article One of the First Amendment as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Perhaps the squall is because that first football player is black. Or that football itself has become the rich, powerful and fighting spirit of America, while I see the protesters of this player and others as fighting against America itself. Maybe the flag has suddenly become the sacred symbol in a land too busy for God. Or maybe there are just people who like to fight and divide. I do imagine that had I been at that game I would have joined that player. Now I join in spirit with the circles of respectful protesters I see on TV at game openings.
Seems I'm getting ultra-conservative. I like it.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
The peacocks prance
I am always fascinated by the posturings of the Irate Canceler, who proudly cites the foul and filthy columnists who have ruined their formerly wonderful newspaper.
Gee, sports fans, just think what goes with that peacock-prance cancellation. Road closings, weather news, school lunch menus, local sports heroes, Dear Abby, local political activity, statehouse adventures ... Now that you've canceled and withdrawn into your mini-me cocoon, don't come whining next door to borrow a cup of essential local skinny ... it's your tiny world; live in it!
ELIZABETH HARRIS
Cherokee Village
A waste of tax dollars
U.S. Sen. John Boozman's recent guest op-ed told everything needed to know about priorities and how tax dollars are wasted. Boozman touted World Trade Center Arkansas, a taxpayer-funded institution ($7.5 million in federal grants). Huge, ritzy location in Rogers.
Heard of WTCA? Probably not, because it seems they haven't done anything but waste tax dollars. Boozman's sole example of accomplishment was representatives traveling to Washington to submit documents on re-negotiating NAFTA. He did also boast of "hosting foreign delegations," and "sending representatives of our state to other nations." All on our dime.
My family owns numerous successful businesses, and don't need Boozman or WTCA to tell us thousands of U.S. jobs have been sent to Mexico or the Far East. Average Arkansans don't need Boozman to tell us that under his watch Whirlpool left Fort Smith and took its jobs to Mexico. We don't need WTCA to tell us Boozman and his colleagues have done nothing to reform a tax code allowing billion-dollar corporations to send profits and assets overseas to avoid taxes.
My family strongly supported Boozman his first term, donating financially and strongly encouraging our employees to vote for him. In our opinion, he's done nothing for Arkansas.
My grandfather once told me, "When a politician talks, 98 percent of the time it's self-serving, a blatant falsehood, and self-aggrandizing."
When I asked about the other 2 percent, he smiled and said, "Being right 98 percent of the time ain't too bad."
ASHTON MILLER III
Hot Springs
Country not the same
The president has weighed in on athletes and others who have refused to stand for the national anthem or salute the flag. I, too, no longer do either because this is not my country. I was born 75 years ago to a far different one.
In my East Coast small-town youth, there were two primary political parties, not angry tribes. People spoke graciously to each other, socialized, volunteered and stood together and passed the same hat when others suffered. Protestant kids, Catholic kids, Jewish kids, black kids, white kids all played Kick the Can, made yummy mud pies, and swam in the same ocean. And most of the time, no one had any idea what political parties their neighbors espoused, let alone the mayor, councilmen, police chief or judges. Only their characters mattered.
As we matured, our innocence eroded a bit when grainy newsreels showed Nazis and cowards in white hoods raising straight-armed salutes or lighting the night with torches. Somehow we knew--even as children--that we were looking into the face of pure evil. Perhaps the world was losing a bit of its luster.
But there was a man in a big white house in Washington who understood the power of both actions and words. As we gathered around the radio, we heard him speak with humility, maturity and quiet wisdom. We listened as he articulated our national values of decency, honor, justice, compassion and hope.
That country is gone now. Until that country re-emerges, I will "take a knee."
LINDA A. FARRELL
Bella Vista
Editorial on 10/02/2017