Letters

Liberal lack of logic

I'm constantly dumbfounded at liberal logic. For years they have exposed the benefits of the socialistic government used in Canada and regularly tout its health-care system as something the U.S. should adopt. Yet, when Trump suggests a merit-based immigration system like the one used by Canada, liberals go ballistic.

Canada is currently cracking down on illegal immigrants who are fleeing the U.S. at Canada's southern border. While I seldom agree with Canadian liberalism, I do concur with its conservative immigration decision. Hopefully the American Congress will join Canada and support a merit-based program proposed by our Senator Cotton.

I personally doubt the sincerity of the Democrat opposition. I believe the only reason Democrats don't support a merit-based immigration system is that their survival as a political party requires that they have a continuing underclass of people that are indebted to them and government social programs.

TIM IRBY

Little Rock

Can do without these

Here are four phrases I can do without:

"Trump tweets." While social media is a useful tool for keeping constituents informed, it is a dangerous weapon in the hands of the man who is apparently incapable of understanding where his personal beefs should end and his presidential role begins.

"Fake news." Overused and overly simplistic, this phrase is the 21st century version of crying wolf--especially when accompanied by the phrase "Trump tweets."

"Genetically conservative." Once is too often for this phrase that smacks of fake science (as opposed to fake news). Pseudo-scientific genetics claims have been used to justify invasion, subjugation, and the attempted annihilation of entire races of people. Anyone using this or other similar phrases should be immediately returned to seventh-grade science class until they understand what genes really are--and can do.

"Good Christian." A tear falls in heaven every time someone brags about being a good Christian while fighting to ban immigrants, deny fellow citizens' rights (including reproductive and LGBTQ), and restrict or eliminate social welfare programs. Not only is this phrase boastful and judgmental, it implies that only those who agree with one morally limited viewpoint have worth.

You either follow Christ's teachings, which include charity, humility, and tolerance, or you don't. Good and bad will be determined by a higher authority. Rather than belabor this point, I suggest re-reading the words written in red.

KATHERINE TUCKER

Perryville

Unable to recall that

Seems that Our Boy Tommy Cotton, the new darling of the Republican right, has difficulty either with his memory or his attention span, as he is "unable to recall" racist remarks made by 45 last week during a meeting with senators on, of all things, immigration policy.

Here's hoping the good senator gets stuck like Gorilla Glue to our current president.

STEVE A. JONES

El Dorado

Like two peas in a pod

Although I did not and would never vote for Sen. Tom Cotton, I nonetheless have always respected him due to his service in the U.S. Army. That respect, however, has been undermined by his enthusiastic support of President Donald Trump, whom I believe to be an utter disgrace to the office.

I cannot recall a time when divisions within our country and with many of our longtime allies were directly attributable to insulting rhetoric from the occupant of the Oval Office.

The recent meeting at the White House attended by Cotton and other senators was just the latest example of President Trump's insulting rhetoric and Senator Cotton's refusal to condemn it. Sen. Dick Durbin confirmed news reports that the president questioned why our country should continue taking in immigrants from "****hole" countries. Yet Senator Cotton not only claimed the president did not use that term, but accused Senator Durbin of having a "history of misrepresenting what happens in White House meetings."

Senator Cotton's support of President Trump in this matter makes it clear that there is nothing the president can say or do that will cause him to object in any way. He is clearly nothing more than President Trump's lackey. I am sure that he and this disgraceful president will continue to have the support of many Arkansans, just as I am sure that my contempt for Senator Cotton will grow at the same rate as my contempt for this president, since they are two peas in a pod.

THOMAS G. MAY

North Little Rock

Step up, help UAMS

Per Nell Matthews' letter on the Voices page in Sunday's paper, I would like to say "Thank you!" and also urge our legislators to step up and help with this powerful and much-needed institution of health and research that I personally am so proud of and depend upon. So many departments in the UAMS system have won not just accolades statewide, but worldwide recognition that few other hospitals (i.e., MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins and Mass General for comparison) earn.

Please call or write your senator or congressman and urge him to represent our state and its place in line of states that have a real need for improved health care, and do all we can to rectify this now that the need has been spelled out for us with word of all the job cuts and freezes.

UAMS has helped so very many; let's do the same for UAMS.

KRISTI PENNEBAKER

Little Rock

Editorial on 01/17/2018

Upcoming Events