Getting his attention
There have been several demonstrations this past weekend, some concerning women's issues and some anti-Trump, and some combining the two.
Those people protesting, blindly oblivious to the many things that have been accomplished his first year (tax cuts, regulations rolled back, ISIS largely defeated, border crossings down drastically, the economy booming, etc.), could really get his attention by turning down the raises and bonuses and stock dividends generated by the economic upswing.
This would really show Mr. Trump a thing or two.
ED MERRICK
Benton
I object to your tone
Your editorial of Jan. 10, "Drill, baby, drill," shocks for several reasons. First, I hope you realize whom you are quoting and whom she was paraphrasing. If you do, you may see yourselves in an unwholesome lineage of hooliganism encouraging violence, if not mayhem. Besides, the urgency toward reckless exploitation is, by itself, shocking.
Second, I am shocked to find a prized part of my identity reduced insultingly to "alarum and blubbering from the usual suspects out to save the world from mankind" and to "panicky CNN types." The better angels of mankind willing, humanity and the editors of the Democrat-Gazette may one day thank such types. By the way, MSNBC is my first preference, which may suggest to you the inexactness of stereotypes and intended slanders, and I admire Jimmy Carter, so "sticks and stones," as they say.
My greatest shock, however, is one I endure perpetually from the discourses of business, industry, the GOP and, well, just about every quarter of modern American public policy: the debasement and reduction of all values to that of commodity (see also your Jan. 12 "Medical care is a commodity"; so, it is not care first of all?). Arctic National Wildlife Reserve? Oil, you say. No doubt you concur about Bears Ears and many other tracts of the great American West you might not tell apart. Cape Cod and Nantucket? Wind, you say, wind for sale to consumers of power. Relentless reduction of all values to the commercial is all around us, all but inescapable.
It is also ugly in the great extreme. Much of humanity hopes for more from mortal life in this world we must share with you and that, like it or not, you share with us "alarmists."
SHEARLE FURNISH
Little Rock
Protect our freedoms
The recent editorial exposing the hypocrisy at Harvard University was certainly thought-provoking. The gap between student choice in extracurricular activities and administrative rules is being challenged.
I'm no constitutional expert, but our Bill of Rights protects freedom of association. If a student attends Harvard, does he/she lose the freedom to choose his friends or to belong to extracurricular organizations? What message does that send?
In my view, becoming well-rounded in college means to become involved in activities such as social clubs, intramural/sport activities, mission outreach, school clubs (debate, Spanish, history, photography, etc.).
Parents: If Harvard can punish a student who belongs to a fraternity/sorority, what message does that send to the student body and prospective students? What about productive and well-rounded graduates?
Our freedoms are special; let us protect them forever.
JAMES LANG
Little Rock
Blasphemy at Capitol
The Holy Roman Church does not allow divorce and remarriage for a reason. It's a sin. It's adultery. Ask any Catholic priest. Evangelists may overlook it, but the Lord Jesus Christ said divorce and remarriage is adultery.
Mike Pence married a divorcee. This means he is an adulterer. The Kentucky county clerk who refused a marriage license to a same-sex couple has been divorced three times. She is an adulterer. Under that same rule of religious objection she should, or could, refuse a marriage license to marry any divorcee.
To bake a cake for the remarriage of a divorcee but not a same-sex couple is hypocrisy. One sin is no better than another. Bad choice considering divorce and remarriage is big business for a baker.
You can't pick and choose. The Ten Commandments on the Capitol grounds read, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." It's hypocrisy for a monument on the Capitol grounds to say "Thou shalt not commit adultery" when the state allows divorce and remarriage. It's adultery. I believe Jason Rapert placed that monument on state grounds to deceive the evangelical voters. It's blasphemy.
BARRY EMIGH
Hot Springs
Take the flu seriously
We witness a serious flu epidemic that resulted in serious complications including death. Children and adults have already died. I would like to see the health departments campaign on TV or radio for basic healthy habits, as flu vaccine and antiviral drugs alone may not help.
The public needs to avoid contact with people who are sick--hugging, kissing, handshaking. People need to stay home when sick, cover mouth and nose, clean hands, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and absolutely not share a cup nor eating utensils.
LUDWIK KOZLOWSKI
North Little Rock
Our carrier delivered
One observation I would like to make on the recent weather conditions of last week. I live at the bottom of a long, fairly steep hill. Tuesday morning, my Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was perfectly centered on my front doorstep. It was delivered by our awesome carrier Tequila Hardy, a young mother driving her own car.
In contrast to that, no mail delivery of any kind, although the street was mostly clear by noon. Is this another example of private enterprise versus government employment?
R.T. DALEY
Little Rock
Editorial on 01/26/2018