Nothing real anymore
I realized something the other day while watching the Hallmark Channel, a favorite activity of mine. Nothing is real. Commercials would have us believe testimonials, yet there it is, in clear language, "actor portrayal." Medicine for cancer patients--actor portrayal. Services for homes--actor portrayal. Glowing reviews for whatever--actor portrayal. Even those with alleged real people state "compensated for time." So real people giving supposedly real testimony yet admittedly being paid to do it. Nothing is real.
I was having my car serviced the other day and there were four of us in the waiting area. I appeared to be the oldest. I was reading a magazine, Smithsonian, while the other three had their phones out and faces engrossed. Not sure what that symbolizes but it has to mean something. I mention that there was a good supply of magazines from which to choose, including People, an archaeology magazine, I think Popular Science, and others. Pretty good selection. Oh well, a point to ponder.
Ladies and gentleman, the Grill Party reminds you that the finished product produced from our grills is always real and genuine. No actor portrayal or compensation provided. As always, slow down and grill.
DAVID KELLEY
Fort Smith
Sage foretold Trump
H.L. Mencken, born in 1880, was a writer and satirist known as the "Sage of Baltimore." He wrote this in 1920:
"As democracy is perfected, the office [of the president] represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."--Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920.
DANIEL SHERMAN
Bella Vista
Another investigation
I see we are going to have another Clinton investigation. I am going to pose three questions that I have seen online.
Has anyone in American history been investigated more than the Clintons? Is there a crime they have not been accused of? Is there a crime they have been convicted of?
In my opinion, this is a diversion to draw attention away from the Trump investigation. It also indicates that the Republicans are getting nervous. In fact, I view it as a de facto admission of guilt.
JAMES B. SAWYER
Fayetteville
Use funds for safety
Re Razorback Stadium: Apparently the fundraising for renovation/expansion of the stadium is exceeded by $13 million in available funds. I urge that this excess be used to put in place safety handrails along stairs between existing seats. We were fortunate to have had aisle seats and week after week would see see people slip and fall even when the treads were dry.
HOWARD J. BARNHARD
Roland
On innovative usage
Re John Brummett's column "Out of the piggy bank": The old guard, if any of them are still around, would admire Sen. Bart Hester for his innovative use of taxpayer dollars. In a Legislature dominated by those who would not spend taxpayer money to help poor women with family planning and birth control, it follows that support for using taxpayer money to make babies should follow.
However, I would suggest that a better use for the excess funds would be to aid public schools in teaching critical thinking. However, our Legislature is too smart to do something that would cut their own throats.
GARY D. ANDERSON
Conway
Form of government
Here is the problem, folks. We don't know what to call our present form of government. Is it an oligarchy, a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people? A 2014 study found that economic elites and special interests dominated our politics. The trend is surely increasing under Trump.
Should we call our system a plutocracy (rule by the wealthy)? Or is it a corpocracy where the interests of large corporations control economic and political decisions? Another possibility is that America has become a kleptocracy, ruled by those who seek status and personal gain at the expense of the governed.
A pathocracy is a system of government created by a small pathological minority. We clearly see personality problems among present leaders, whose shenanigans are humorous but also highly dangerous.
Some insist that we are living in a kakistocracy, or government by the worst.
But maybe the real problem is not what to call it but how to get back to a reasonable facsimile of representative democracy. That would require, among other things, no gerrymandering, repeal of the Citizens United decision, ending voter-suppression programs such as Crosscheck, and making sure that e-voting always has a paper trail (more than a fifth of U.S. votes can't be verified).
CORALIE KOONCE
Springdale
Power's in our hands
There are numerous challenges in our country and the world. Sometimes they seem insurmountable. There are many challenges in our personal lives. Sometimes they seem overwhelming. What we must remember is the power each one of us has to be a positive force in the world.
Imagine if everyone woke up every morning thinking, "What can I do to make someone's, anyone's, life better today?" The world might be a better place. Humans might feel more fulfilled, happier. The forgotten might feel a little less forgotten. The hopeless might feel a little more hopeful.
We have the power. We must use it. Just imagine.
JANET MUELLER NEILL
Little Rock
Editorial on 01/09/2018