LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Space exploration is essential

The recent letter from Arthur Luck of Maumelle demands response. Luck contends that space exploration "is not research, it is engineering," as if engineering just happens without research. It is obvious that he needs to bone up on the manned space program's contributions to the technology we enjoy.

God forbid it should happen, but someday Luck might end up in an intensive care unit connected to any number of machines monitoring his vital signs. Most, if not all, of these devices exist as a result of research done by NASA for the manned space program.

He may one day drive an electric car powered by lithium ion batteries developed by research engineers for our space program. Or it might be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Oh, darn, there's that pesky manned space program again.

On another level, I don't know if Luck stood up and cheered when he heard the words, "Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." But I did. I don't know if his eyes welled up with tears of joy and relief when the Columbia, on her maiden voyage, rolled to a stop on that dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base, but mine did. I could go on, but I don't believe Luck would understand.

We as humans have to explore. As we learn more about our planet, our solar system and the cosmos beyond, we learn how vulnerable we are. Space exploration and colonization are essential to our survival as a species. We can't rely on luck. Back to the moon. On to Mars.

R. J. ROSS Hot SpringsHow to tackle the debt

I have a possible solution for how we can begin to pay down the national debt. We can rent out the Oval Office. President Obama does not have any use for the office, since he is out every day showing his face and giving speeches, selling his programs. (Is anyone else tired of seeing and hearing him?) The Oval Office is a high-profile space and would command a premium price. What do you think?

BILL GRADY Hot Springs VillageA master of the game

Even though I did not share his political views on most issues, I truly believe that our country lost a great leader with the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy. He was by his own admission a liberal Democrat. In being that, he was able to champion many human rights causes.

He was unique because he could disagree completely with others on an issue and still call that person a friend at the end of the debate. He was able to compromise. He knew how to play the game of politics, and he played it well.

Our political system should take a lesson from this great American: Get rid of the hate that has filtered into so much of the debate. Politicians tend these days to not just hate the ideas, but to hate the ones who have the ideas. Some of the best laws and the most lasting relationships have been from heated debate, but never from hate.

MARY ANN MARSHALL BatesvilleThey're two of a kind

I am fascinated by Paul Greenberg's skills as a wordsmith. I appreciated his description of Malcolm Gladwell's pseudo-intellectual writings as "[p]retentious, ponderous and mostly piffle when it's not just plain wrong-headed." I had very similar thoughts, though not as astute, when reading Paul Krugman's column, "Republican death trip."

In defending Barack Obama, Krugman has no such imagination, but only recycles for the Republicans what the Democrats had said for years about George W. Bush. See if this Krugman statement sounds familiar with only the names changed: "President Obama is now facing the same kind of opposition that President Bill Clinton had to deal with; an enraged right that denies the legitimacy of his presidency, that eagerly seizes on every wild rumor manufactured by the right-wing media complex." Sounds eerily like the attacks on Bush right from the start and continuing for his eight years in the White House; he was called the unelected president, a warcriminal, a military deserter, a doofus and worse by the left-wing media complex.

What goes around comes around, but Krugman makes no mention of that or his part in it. Nor does he recognize his continual engagement in such "wild rumors,"castigating any "right-wing" challengers such as Sarah Palin to his pseudo-intellectual world view. He is entitled to his opinion, but not to his deceptive selection of facts if he desires any credibility for what he writes.

CLARENCE RICHMOND Searcy Desperation apparent

I never thought that I would see the day when our government would launch attack ads against American citizens, but that is exactly what is going on. A year ago, dissent was the highest form of patriotism. Today, citizens who are concerned about the president's health care takeover are referred to by Democratic Party leadership as Astroturfers, i.e., not real, and right-wing nut jobs.

I would ask the president what is wrong with a little community organizing. My very liberal friend who also opposes this plan would surely take exception with being called a right-wing nut job.

The truth is that this is a desperate act of an administration up against the wall. A majority of the American people rejects health care reform as presented by Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress. But instead of addressing their concerns and presenting a health care plan acceptable to the majority, they have chosen to attack those with concerns and to marginalize the dissenters.

TROY ELLIS BeebeDon't rush into reform

I am against current health care legislation. This legislation will ultimately result in a costly, single-payer, government-run health system. Below are the results of my research.

A single-payer, government-run health system will be the ultimate outcome. Private insurers will be run out of business. Implementing it will be very expensive. It will increase the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office agrees.

To date, no other country or any American state that has tried similar programs has been able to implement such health care reform and keep it out of the red. See France, Great Britain, Canada, Hawaii and Massachusetts.

If the government enters health care, competition becomes shackled. The government does not have to make a profit. See the auto industry, the sub-prime mortgage disaster, Cash for Clunkers and, ultimately, cap-and-trade.

While rationing of health care is not addressed in the bill, it will ultimately occur as out-of-control health costs will necessitate such. See Great Britain's, France's and Canada's systems and the rationing there.

Doctors will have no increased protection from malpractice claims. In the current bill, I see nothing which prohibits coverage for illegal aliens. Passage is being rushed by Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. Anything this massive should be carefully thought out.

BETTY R. BECKHAM MonticelloFeedback Get it right next time There you go again. First you gave us "Res ipsa loquitor" instead of "Res ipsa loquitur." Then in the tribute to Walter Cronkite it was "vox Deus" instead of "vox Dei." Then in the editorial about the slaying of a Shetland pony with a baseball bat, you give us "homo sapien" instead of "Homo sapiens." A Latin quote is a nice way to spice up an editorial. It's even nicer if the Latin phrase is correct.

ALBERT SCHNEIDER Little Rock Editing needs work I was employed as a secretary for many years and corrected a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes made by the bosses for which I worked. Well, someone needs to edit Jeffrey Slatton's articles better. I'm referring explicitly to his "Major makeover at Rogers course." In it he writes, "Since the 2008 event was played 13 months ago, the course has went through . . . ." I rest my case.

JO BURKE Hot Springs Village