Solutions to problems
The plain ol' truth as a student and lover of history. Nothing has changed other than there are many more of us than there used to be. We used to believe that with knowledge would come wisdom, thus leading us as a society to a better place. Obviously knowledge and wisdom do not follow one or the other.
Enough of history. Now today. The negativity is not 24/7, but pretty much 20/7 of what is wrong with us. Our "news" media, the online gaming industry, Hollywood, social media and family breakdown are very some of the problems.
Now solutions. Family, truth, communication, values, morality, honesty, logic, empathy and understanding. These are just a few that could teach our children well to move their busy world forward. Be positive, God bless us all, and thank you.
MARTIN ANDERSON
Bella Vista
While anthem plays
Hail to the defender of Old Glory, our national flag. Our president, Donald Trump, was very upset over football players sitting or kneeling during the playing of our national anthem at football games. He viewed that as disrespect of the flag. So he bullied NFL team owners to deny the players their First Amendment rights by fining them if the kneeling continued in future games.
I must assume our president has never attended an NFL game in person. I have attended many. Let me paint the picture.
When they start playing our anthem, many of the fans are milling about, eating hot dogs and nachos and drinking cold beer. Some are still searching for a seat or taking selfies. Those standing and facing the flag are singing the lyrics, others are lip-syncing or mumbling what they think are the words. With all of that lax patriotism going on, our president chooses to criticize the players who are peacefully using their First Amendment right to protest police brutality on black citizens.
I believe we all love our country and our flag. But we live in a country that doesn't force us to, every minute of every day. Our Constitution guarantees the right of free expression and assembly. That's what those players were doing. We all should take a metaphorical "knee" when we see injustice.
BILL FARRELL
Bella Vista
What we come to see
Simple solution. Eliminate the national anthem at professional sports venues. It's unnecessary and way too divisive. Just play the doggone game. After all, that's what everyone comes to see.
And while we're at it, quit playing that offensive song, "Hail to the Chief." It serves to subjugate people and it fosters a collective sense of inferiority.
JACK ALBERT
Eureka Springs
A breath of fresh air
Why not begin the front page of the newspaper each day with a positive story and/or picture? The May 20 edition did show a picture of the royal wedding--a happy occasion--but right above it was another article about the unfortunate school shooting in Texas.
Yes, more news should be presented on that subject, but why not use an inside page? It seems that every sorry person with a gun who commits an act of horror can grab his little moment of pathetic glory because newspapers will use the event as a headline.
I challenge you to restructure the front page. We read plenty of bad news. Please give us a "breath of fresh air" each day.
CAROL ANN BONE
North Little Rock
On personal beliefs
As I stated in a previous letter, some people who hear voices are sane and some might not be. Four scenarios were given to demonstrate that people can say they hear voices from different sources.
Two of my new friends in Northwest Arkansas seemed to take exception to that opinion. They wrote that it takes a fair amount of arrogance and nerve to demean someone else's personal beliefs and that I was sneering when I penned my opinion. I've only known three people that I would consider to be someone who sneered at people. One of them is dead and I don't associate with the other two. I agree that it does take a fair amount of arrogance and nerve to demean someone's personal beliefs. It seems that my new friends may have been trying to disparage my personal belief, which may not have been the same as theirs. Some might have even considered their written response as arrogant and possibly delivered with a sneer.
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Many people even change their beliefs as their circumstances change, while others might keep the same beliefs no matter what happens. Some believe that not everyone who claims to speak with God actually does. Just because one says he receives his instructions from God doesn't always make it so. Some might also believe that God would not tell a televangelist to fleece his flock to purchase a $54 million jet.
I still personally believe that some who hear voices are sane and some might not be, but I do appreciate my new friends' criticism and concern.
RANDY BLAKEY
Cabot
Morals and motives
The current political divide and chaos in this country are not a referendum on our leader Donald Trump, but are a referendum on the morals and motives of those who put him in office, and continue to support him.
I believe this divide and chaos are much more important than Trump, a four-times bankrupt, three-times married draft-dodger, racist, serial womanizer and congenital liar. He's of no account. He's just a modern day Elmer Gantry, a seizer of opportunity and a money-grubbing womanizer. He's not important. He will soon be gone, one way or another.
No, it's much more important than Trump. This is about the morals and motives of those tens of millions of Americans who voted him in and still support him. What can they possibly be thinking? Are they not familiar with the Sermon on the Mount? And what of those spineless Republican members of Congress? When will they stand up and shout "Enough"?
America is at a crossroads. We'll see what happens. My guess is it's all downhill from here on. I hope I'm wrong, but ...
REG EDWARDS
Compton
Editorial on 05/31/2018