Railroads and biking
Bicycling is fun and great exercise. And if you live in a large urban area, it is also inexpensive and an environmentally friendly way to get to and from work and shopping.
Riding a train is fun and socially enriching. And if you live in the suburbs, small towns, or rural communities, and commute to work and drive some distance to shop, public passenger rail service is inexpensive and an environmentally friendly way to get to and from work and shopping.
So with all the abandoned railroads in Arkansas, why do we not have more "Rails with Trails" (RWT-railway right-of-ways used by trains with a parallel recreational trail)? It's being done elsewhere, why not Arkansas?
Some of our leaders think building public passenger rail service is impossible, which is the kind of thinking that has put us on the wrong track. So before all the tracks behind us are ripped up, we need to persuade our conductor (elected officials) to back up and switch tracks. Because this one is going to dead-end one of these days, and we're all going to be derailed.
Forgive my railroad-track metaphor, but it's been on my mind lately that we are missing out on a golden opportunity to jump-start public passenger rail service in Arkansas as both Pulaski and Garland county officials (Saline County may follow suit) have recently voted to proceed with a biking and hiking trail along the old Missouri Pacific railroad. It could just as easily be transformed into a "Rail with Trail" corridor between Little Rock and Hot Springs.
JANIS PERCEFULL
Hot Springs
A new game to play
After working hard without a break for the GOP (God's Own Party), I took some time for a rest. I wandered into a local watering hole and joined some friends. Our topic of discussion was immigration and the illegals. We ordered our good ol' American beer and a plate of nachos and lamented all the damage being done to our American values by such illegals as those kids now known as DACAs.
During the wait for our pizza to arrive we designed a game for the clubhouse of the GOP. Sort of like "whack-a-mole" but we used figures of foreigners and called it "Whack-a-DACA." We laughed all the way until our pizza came. Then I noticed that a threesome had sat down near us and were talking very expressively and annoyingly. I immediately identified Professor Phineas Phogbottom and his despicable buddy Sassy Sue.
The third was a new person. She was very exuberant about her subject, something like love your neighbor and forgive and other librul hippie stuff like that. After observing a while I deduced she was a washed-up old hippie type. Then she started talking about mushrooms and the others were most attentive to this and I figured from the way she talked she had had one too many of the funny mushrooms in her time.
On my way out I leaned over and told old Phoggy that I was a true Christian and didn't need to hear this hippie stuff and that the only good Bible was the King James and the best of that was the Old Testament and not that New Age bit called the New Testament.
A short but rewarding rest with good American beer and nachos and pizza. How I loathe all those illegals and their influence on our God-given culture; who needs 'em!
STEVE GIBSON
Little Rock
Share some of blame
News flash to all white people who didn't speak out against these hate groups when they were killing black people only--you've got to share some of the blame for the death of that white lady in Char-lottesville, Va.
When President Trump is lying, he might be convincing himself he's telling the truth. The mind can play tricks on you if you let it. Example: When I didn't want to go to work, I would use my mind to make me think I was sick. When I realized what I was doing, I was able to correct it.
When Obama was president, some white people said the world wasn't ready for a black president. I wonder if they think the world is ready for President Trump. In my opinion, if President Trump said he's Jesus returned, some people would believe him. So sad.
HENRY GOODLOE
Pine Bluff
Fortunate to have him
On behalf of the residents of the Lazy Acres voting precinct, we would like to thank Rep. Steve Womack for taking time out of a full schedule before returning to Washington to visit our little corner of his Arkansas district.
The citizens he represents should be proud of the way he represents all of us, and was willing to listen to all sides of the issues presented. He is extremely knowledgeable, presented his positions, and answered the questions so the audience could easily understand them.
Above all, his upholding of the Constitution of the United States, belief in our checks-and-balances form of government, common-sense approach to balancing the budget, and support of our seniors and military make us happy that he represents us in Congress.
The people of Arkansas should consider themselves extremely blessed that our congressman is himself proud of the job he has accepted and approaches it willingly and enthusiastically. Most importantly, he is committed to his constituents, as was evident in the last statement he made: "Just remember I love you all, and am proud to be your congressman."
We are truly fortunate to have someone who cares about rural Arkansas.
BETTY KROLL
Peel
Unconscionable acts
President Trump's rescinding the DACA is an outrage.
Children brought here by their immigrant parents had no choice in the matter. They have gone to school here, have grown up here, have made a life here. They have enrolled in our universities. Many have jobs and are paying taxes. Most of these young people have no recollection of the country where they were born. They belong here.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced the Dream Act of 2017 (S1615) to the U.S. Senate on July 20. I urge his fellow Republican Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton to support this bill. To fail to do so is to stand for cruelty and injustice.
These children are here through no action on their own, and to deport them is unconscionable. This is not a partisan issue, it is a fairness issue.
I keep wondering what is really behind the president's action, as it can't be for the good of the country. Who benefits from it?
MAYA PORTER
Johnson
Where do you stand?
The U.S. Catholic bishops have put out a statement opposing President Trump's end to DACA.
Where do you stand, Rep. French Hill? With your church and with the 6,000-8,000 Dreamers in Arkansas, or with this president?
Do what is right. Support HR3591, the American Hope Act, and defend these young people. Follow your faith.
JULIA GARCIA
Little Rock
Editorial on 09/08/2017