Domestic tranquility
It seems Congress has, over time, been more than willing and able to erode our constitutional rights in every area except the Second Amendment. That is somehow sacred to them.
Members are willing to restrict free speech, willing to subjugate Native Americans and non-white immigrants to sub-human status. Both parties are happy to juggle voting districts to their advantage. Congress has elevated the rights of the paranoid gun-worshippers to a class of citizen that supersedes all others.
It has been a ludicrous idea that somehow citizens could bear arms to throw off an oppressive government since our own revolution. I think the Civil War proved that. I have not heard a response to Las Vegas from Congress' friends at the NRA, but I assume that they will argue that if all those people who were targeted by the terrorist would just have had their own fully automatic rifles they would have survived.
I and millions of other Americans would happily give up our weapons to ensure domestic tranquility. Congress, do your job!
MARK EASTBURN
Eureka Springs
While Rome burned
The devastation in Puerto Rico provides an opportunity to view Donald Trump through the lens of history.
Nero is noted to be one of the cruelest emperors of Rome, as well as one of the most inept. He was blamed for the fire that destroyed 70 percent of Rome. Half of the population had no home. When the people protested, he blamed the Christians and summarily put many to death.
Maria left Puerto Ricans without homes, and little food or drinking water. When the hungry, thirsty people complained about the inept response by the government, Trump reached into the Nero playbook and called them ingrates.
Nero allegorically fiddled while Rome burned. Trump choose to play politics with the NFL, and he is applauded in many circles. A true indicator to me that the soul of our nation is in jeopardy.
ED HUDNALL
Bryant
Protect the Dreamers
New polls are showing 86 percent of the American people support protecting Dreamers.
This is an important moment to stand with Dreamers, the nearly 800,000 young people who are contributing to the economy and their communities--but who would lose their jobs, be kicked out of school and potentially even be deported if they lose DACA protections, the contract they entered into in good faith. High-profile Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, is signing on to the bill to protect them.
It is time for the Arkansas representatives to do something to actually help people, a chance to start healing, a chance to lead us to greatness instead of following the voices of fear and racism. We are better than that.
PAT GUNN
Holiday Island
Flag's more than cloth
I was surprised by the letter to the editor whereby the writer stated the flag is no more than cloth. It is stressed in officer candidate school as well as noncommissioned officer's prep school that the flag is more than cloth. It signifies the sign of unity in that no matter if you were white, black, brown, red, or any other color, when you were on the battlefield the blood spilled has no preference; it is all red. Further, it is the beacon of freedom.
Frankly, I am embarrassed by football players going overseas to play football and kneeling when our national anthem is being played, then standing erect when the country where they are playing plays its national anthem.
I'm not saying all Vietnam veterans are agreeing with me; however, the ones I have been talking to have agreed.
EARL KENNEDY
Dover
When's time to talk?
I hear the declaration from the White House that now is not the time to discuss gun control.
To that, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I would simply declare, "If not now, when?"
RICHARD PICARD
Little Rock
Must take action now
If not now, then when? I remember asking that question after 20 children were murdered at Sandy Hook. Surely, this tragedy would wake us up--get us working to end our gun violence epidemic. But nothing was done. Fast-forward five years and more headlines saying "Deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history," we have the national tragedy in Las Vegas.
I'm sure the gun lobby will double down; I believe it has proven that profits, not people, are important. For decades the NRA has dismantled gun-safety regulations across the country with its message of fear--that we can only be safe if we are armed at all times.
I don't think an arms race is the answer. We need a policy that prohibits gun access to criminals and people suffering from mental illness, and allows research on gun violence as a health issue so we can really shine a light on the problem.
Together, we can make our communities safer and still respect the Second Amendment. Contrary to what the NRA says, this isn't a zero-sum game. Universal background checks on all gun sales, including sales at gun shows and online, would help enforce existing prohibitions and don't infringe on anyone's rights. This idea is supported by 93 percent of Americans, including gun owners and NRA members.
Please, take action, call your representatives--tell them now is the time to take a stand against the NRA, and pass common-sense gun laws. You can also join Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grass-roots organization standing up to the NRA, made up of volunteers in all states who are tired of seeing the endless gun violence.
Let's start now. When our country is faced with a problem, we fix it, we don't throw our hands up and say there's nothing we can do. Thoughts and prayers are needed in times like these, but if we don't take action, we won't escape these times. If not now, then when?
DANIEL BISHOP
Conway
Advice to remember
In these days of unrest, chaos, and disrespect of our country, it behooves us to remember the words of President John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
God bless America.
ANN WILLIAMS
Gillham
Editorial on 10/06/2017