About 'family values'
Friends, I have to tell you, if my dog were taken from me by strangers, if I didn't know she was OK, I'd go insane. And if anything bad happened to her, I'd be set on revenge at any cost even if it meant losing my own life. Now I sit here comparing this to a child taken? I'm getting sick, really sick.
The UN has said that separation of parents and children is a violation of human rights.
America is not Nazi Germany--not yet, anyway. We stand as the world's leader in protecting human rights, or so we say to ourselves and the others. And family values? Let's not forget about that noble idea which the right wing clings to when they're not throwing it in the left wing's face. If you value families, wouldn't you want to keep them together? And safe? Isn't that what family values is about? Got to be about more than slamming unwed mothers or homosexuals, or am I wrong?
Methodists are filing church charges against Jeff Sessions for child abuse, while the rump has said the children must be taken to prosecute the parents. Really? Then maybe his children should be taken from him. The Quakers went to Hitler in person asking him to stop persecution of Jews. I publicly state that I am a Quaker. Usually I keep my religion to myself. But now I stand up and speak out: Separation of parents and children is wrong.
This is going to backfire on America big time. Americans will pay for this. Big time. Already suicides are being reported. You do care if a loving family member kills him or herself, right? Or is staying alive not part of your family values?
MARIANNE BEASLEY
Fayetteville
Nuremberg defense
It seems to me that the argument given by the Trump administration for the separation of children from their parents is akin to the Nuremberg defense. Nazi human-rights abusers argued that they should not be prosecuted because they followed legally enacted laws. I am not saying current defenses supporting separating children from their illegal immigrant parents in any way are the same as what the Nazis did. But the basic support is the same.
The government argues that its policy of separation is legitimate because it is based upon a law that is on the books. The counter-argument, expressed during the Nuremberg trials, is that there is a higher law, one that adheres to human rights. Where one can find the natural law is a matter of continuing debate. It asks if the actions of government that seem to go against basic human decency are legitimate.
MARLIN SHIPMAN
Jonesboro
Lost in translation?
In pertinent part, the Statue of Liberty reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free." Where does that translate into: Come, you "invaders" and "infesters" and be greeted at our "new, beautiful, wall" by armed guards waiting to arrest you, take your kids away, and put them in segregated cages in 100-plus-degree weather? Oh yeah, and "Mexico is going to pay for all of this." To quote our less than honorable president: "Sad!"
JANICE W. VAUGHN
North Little Rock
Tribute warms heart
In today's society, where negativity and pseudo-friendships are too often the norm, it was so refreshing and heartwarming to read Jennifer Christman's column on her friendship with Lisa Fischer in Tuesday's Democrat-Gazette. Who knew that in less than 24 hours after reading Jennifer's column I would have the pleasure of a chance meeting with Lisa, whom I had never met but recognized and approached. (We were both stocking up on our sweets at Cinnamon Creme.)
Our brief conversation just reinforced Jennifer's tribute to Lisa. Even if I had not read Jennifer's glowing remarks about Lisa, I think I would have intuitively known from our brief conversation that this was a woman who genuinely cared about others, even a complete stranger. Her warmth and transparency convinced me that Lisa Fischer is the real deal!
MARYLEE NOBLE
Little Rock
Need some new blood
I believe our president is not much more than a shameless pathological liar, and what's worse is our senators and congressmen are spineless and don't have the fortitude to stand up to this man. It was breathtaking to watch President Trump emerge from his meeting in Singapore, acting like a spokesman for North Korea. This is the same skill he used in his business, resulting in six bankruptcies. He gave everything away, and agreed to suspend military exercises with South Korea, while North Korea has an estimated 2,800 artillery pieces aimed south. This was nothing more than a thinly veiled ego trip.
We can no longer claim to be a Christian nation when we treat the "least among us" as animals and keep them in cages, separated from their mothers. Where is the outrage?
Our senators and congressmen have voted in lockstep with this president, leading to a trillion-dollar deficit. The illusory tax cut has been eaten up by inflation. The trade wars are wiping out any economic gain we had hoped to see.
Nearly half of Americans cannot afford basic necessities, food, shelter or medical care, yet Congress is considering a bill which includes $25 billion for an unneeded wall and sending millions to Iraq when we have people starving at home. This is all borrowed money.
We simply cannot depend on our elected officials to represent us against this out-of-control administration. Hopefully we can find some new political leaders who will lead us back to a better time. W.B. Yeats said, "Things fall apart, the center cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." May I add oligarchy and plutocracy? I like "oligarchy": It implies wrongdoing.
J.E. JACKSON
Hot Springs Village
Surely is beneath him
Governor Hutchinson, if you have sent or are considering sending National Guard troops to the Mexican border to aid in separating children from their parents, I request--no, I demand--they be brought home now. To be a party to this obscenity is surely beneath you as a good Christian man.
I'm not a good Christian man, but I know for damn sure that we all should "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus' words that "as ye do unto the least of these, so also ye do unto me" come to mind.
Please remind "Hear No Evil, See No Evil Boozman" and "The Next President Cotton" that their silence dooms their souls to everlasting shame.
KEITH PAYNE
Bentonville
Will need forgiveness
God bless the children to continue this journey because they did nothing wrong. However, it seems people of color are under attack and that is truly evil. Also, God forgive President Donald Trump. The Book of Luke says Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
MARQUITTA J. CORBIN
Conway
Editorial on 06/22/2018