Truth's been forgotten
I'm a retired marketing researcher. In my profession we have a saying: "It doesn't matter what the truth is; what matters is what the public thinks is true."
Unfortunately, the Democratic Party seems to have forgotten that truth. In recent years, it has alienated many of the working people who used to be its core constituency by appearing to advocate unlimited immigration and a lifetime on relief for any and all who do not want to work.
These ideas are diametrically opposed to the deep-seated belief of working people that they are willing to help those truly in need but will give nothing to support someone who just wants to sit on their backside because they do not want to work.
It's too bad that the liberals who now dominate the Democratic Party are unable to understand this.
JOE WHALEN
North Little Rock
Bar was already low
I watched the Correspondents Dinner because I have enjoyed it in the past. Neither party was spared by Michelle Wolf's crass comments. She wasn't funny; she was vulgar, tasteless, and lowered the bar to President Trump's level. It is not my intent to defend her; however, she did not say one word that Trump hasn't been heard saying on TV. As crude as her performance was, Trump had already set the bar for crassness.
I value the First Amendment, journalists and free press, and value being able to live in a country where you can share an opinion without fear of being beheaded or poisoned.
It's troubling when the president calls the press the enemy of the people and labels as fake news anything printed that isn't flattering to him. His hateful rhetoric and childish name-calling lowered the bar for civil discourse a long time ago.
How can we expect some children to think bullying isn't acceptable when they hear adults and people in power do it, excuse it, or look the other way?
VIRGINIA McKIMMEY
Little Rock
Indicative of the time
Regarding the White House Correspondents Dinner, its purpose was commendable, but has progressed to a level of objectionable. The use of humor is no longer funny. Laughter comes at a person or thing, not with. The humor is delivered with hate, anger, spiteful words and degrading attacks with no respect for a reasonable boundary of behavior.
This dinner is but one example of our world today. There has been a loss of consideration, manners, and decency toward others. The line between what is acceptable and what is not has vanished.
I heard that at a recent event on the Fayetteville Square, a Lutheran minister called the president a jack***. Have we no shame? Whether you like or dislike a president matters not. The office deserves respect, and certainly in a public space.
How far shall we fall as responsible, considerate citizens? When will we work together? When can compromise between parties again be an option?
What are we teaching by our words and actions to all listening and watching?
SUZANNE B. DOUGHTY
Fayetteville
Have a right to strike
A reader recently wrote wondering "if striking teachers are paid for the days they choose not to attend to their students."
As a teacher in a district in Kansas, I recall participating in a semi-strike for more pay because even this well-funded district fell below the average. Instead of leaving classes to protest, we wrote to the Board of Education that we would simply leave the building immediately after the last class until our request was met. We'd been required to remain in our rooms for at least 30 minutes for students who needed help.
We heard from a leaker that the board had laughed at our request, with one member declaring, "Everyone knows that teachers come to this profession to help students. They will feel compelled to stay and help them. We need not worry."
This is somewhat like nongovernmental organizations who do humanitarian work in war zones and leave when the danger becomes too great. "Well, that's what they signed up for," some will say. Or like employers of undocumented migrants who pay workers less or sometimes not at all because, "After all, they have what they came here for--a life in the United States."
Certainly, teachers who haven't received a pay increase in years, work one or more extra jobs, and must furnish students' supplies have a right to strike and demand to be paid what they are worth. Even if their No. 1 goal is to help your children succeed.
BARBARA YOUREE
Rogers
Editor's objectivity
I read the letter from Janet Davis with horror! What have we come to when a newspaper editor who is obviously trying her best to be objective is absolutely blasted for what she did not say? Since when is a columnist required to comment on every topic that her readers desire her to before even knowing them? Is she supposed to be clairvoyant? Oh, and to show her objectivity, she did print the very mean letter.
As a lifelong Arkie I am pulling for Sarah Huckabee Sanders and wish her the best, but the truth is that she is a shill for a dishonest and narcissistic president and forced to propagate his misinformation. I feel sorry for her, but she made her bed and has to lie in it (pun intended).
JIM O'HARA
Little Rock
Editorial on 05/09/2018