That time would be …
A short while back, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and its massive flooding, Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Scott Pruitt told us it would be insensitive to talk just then about the manifest effects of climate change and what to do about it.
Ms. Huckabee Sanders told us this week that the day following the horrific shooting in Las Vegas wasn’t the right time to talk about how to keep powerful guns out of the hands of people who clearly should not have them.
Were they, just maybe, suggesting there will be a time to talk?
CHARLEY SANDAGE
Mountain View
When on your knees
Now about those brave millionaire professional football players who choose to bow down like sacrificial goats during the playing of our national anthem: It’s hard to stand for anything when you’re on your knees.
BERNARD A. FRAZER
North Little Rock
Proud of nation’s flag
I am a 91-year-old World War II veteran. One of the proudest days of my life was watching the U.S. flag being put up on Iwo Jima as an 18-year-old. Another was in Tokyo Bay on the USS Ozark when the surrender was signed on the USS Missouri.
Unlike the NFL players, J. William Fulbright (U.S. senator from Arkansas), Jane Fonda and others, the flag to me is not a rag or a piece of cloth.
Old Glory has flown in my yard for years. It is just a part of my family, and I love it. If anyone wanted to take it down or stomp on it or burn it, it would be unwise to take my flag down.
VERL G. SANDERS
Valley Springs
And at least it’s pretty
The only orange monarch with dark edges that we should let dictate our lives is the butterfly.
DAN VEGA
Fayetteville
Know the importance
Thank you for publishing the recent article on sex education by Ginny Monk. Growing up in Eureka Springs, my classmates and I never had the topic of sex broached with us. I am very lucky to have parents that understand the importance of using protection and contraception, and that they were willing to explain them to me.
Many kids at my high school did not have that luxury and as a result, at least five girls from my 40-person class became pregnant before they had even graduated. They immediately became limited in their opportunities and career.
I am able to pursue my education and return to Arkansas with my goal of opening a small business to give back to the community that raised and supported me. It saddens me that other capable women would be robbed of these opportunities to become teen moms. The more people understand the negative consequences of abstinence-only sex education, the sooner we will have lower birth and STI rates.
MANON GROS
Eureka Springs
Confederate success
Many people seem displeased about the removal of Confederate statues. What great feats did the leaders and soldiers of the Confederate States of America (CSA) accomplish that should be honored and immortalized?
Here are a few: They turned traitor to the United States of America (our country) and joined an army that made war on the United States. They fought to retain slavery. In the POW camp at Andersonville, Ga., the CSA reportedly deliberately starved to death over 12,000 U.S. soldiers. Maybe that’s why so many neo-Nazis are Southerners—the Nazis starved to death many Jews; the CSA starved to death many U.S. soldiers. They killed over 360,000 U.S. soldiers. Soldiers of our country, the United States of America.
Here are a few more men, who, like the CSA, hated the U.S. and killed as many U.S. soldiers as they could. These men, who I believe thought just like the CSA leaders, should have a statue right beside those honoring the CSA: Kaiser Wilhelm II, World War I—killed 116,000 U.S. troops. Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito, World War II—killed 405,000 U.S. troops (the only enemies to kill more U.S. troops than the CSA). Kim Il Sung, Korean War—killed 33,000 U.S. troops. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam War—killed 58,000 U.S. troops.
I think to make the CSA statues truly show “Southern heritage” is easy. Place statues of a slave family on their knees, in chains, in front of each CSA statue of their “master,” the great CSA hero. If you want “heritage,” be willing to hear the truth about hatred and cruelty, not some Gone With the Wind modernized, sterilized and fictionalized version.
MIKE VOWELL
Little Rock
Danger on the bridge
Last Saturday I and several hundred others decided to take advantage of the Big Dam Bridge and the beautiful morning temperature. There were people out in all shapes and sizes walking, running, biking, with dogs on leashes and children in strollers, almost a continuous line of people.
Most bikers have the common sense and courtesy to slow down on the crowded bridge. However, a few who lack common courtesy or common sense continue to maintain their speed on the bridge. Several bikers whizzed by at 15-20 mph. The last biker who passed me on the North Little Rock side was going at least 25 mph.
Before a horrible accident happens, I hope the powers-that-be will consider painting on the sidewalk right above the phrase painted there that says “bikers slow down now” the additional phrase that says “to 5 mph.” Apparently many bikers who lack common sense and courtesy have failed to see the 1-inch lettering on the sixth line of the “rules” sign facing away from both entrances to the bridge which says “Bikers, 5 mph max.”
GREER GRACE
Little Rock