LETTERS

The grapes seem sour

The great Mensa-empowered authority speaks again! Editorialist Paul Greenberg apparently just did not want Shane Broadway serving as Arkansas Director of Higher Education, and the editorial page continues to rave on now that Broadway serves permanently in that position.

It seems the fact that the position is highly political, and that Broadway is eminently qualified from that perspective, makes no difference to “Mr. Mensa”; he just won’t accept the possibility that a good politician, albeit one with only a bachelor’s degree, can also be an excellent educator.

I’m guessing these editorials will continue as long as both of these individuals serve in their current positions.

But what do I know? I only have a bachelor’s degree from UA-F, and even then, just a B+ GPA.

JOHN M. DOUGLAS

Bentonville

In line with its values

I want to be a voice for the Catholic Church. No, I do not belong tothe Catholic Church. I do, however, believe in the same God, the same Holy Bible.

I believe Mount St. Mary could do nothing less to remain true to its teaching than let the teacher in question in the all-girls school leave.

It seems to me the only one being persecuted is the church. It is sad that the church apparently can no longer be a voice in this country as it once was.

INEZ ROSSI

Little Rock

Bitter pill to swallow

After reading of Jonathan Luigs’ recent speech at the LR Touchdown Club, I find myself asking what his motivation was. Hurt feelings? Hurt pride? Bitterness? It appears from the article that he took the entire time at the podium to trash Bobby Petrino.

As great a center as he was, a huge amount of the exposure that he (and other players) got was from two 10-plus-win seasons, a BCS bowl appearance, numerous ESPN-worthy highlights and the advanced quarterback and skill position performances produced by Petrino’s offensive schemes. And, unlike Houston Nutt, Petrino produced 10-win seasons while both Bama and LSU were at their peaks.

Obviously Petrino was not a back-slapper, best-friend type that some kids would rather play for. But he was an achiever and his teams were disciplined, in shape, intelligent and, much like Nolan Richardson’s teams, unafraid of anyone. That is obviously too harsh an environment for some of today’s players who are more interested in personal relationships and new uniform styles and colors.

Ask the Holtz-era Razorbacks their opinions of Lou. Most didn’t like him, but most respected him, his position and realize that a big part of their successes were attributable to his, and his staff’s, coaching style. It’s odd that you don’t hear them taking public stands against him.

GARY O’NEAL

Russellville

Sure, blame the name

Regarding the Washington Redskins flap, apparently some who suffer from white guilt want the owner of the team to change its nickname to something not racist.

In “Native America,” as it says on the Oklahoma state license plates, there are high school sports teams called the Redskins. The Broken Bow High School sports teams are called the Savages.

And we all know the city of Washington’s crime rate decreased when the pro basketball team changed its name from Bullets to Wizards.

STEVE HILL

Bella Vista

Horse’s already dead

OMG! Jeremy Muck must have problems in finding something to write about. There is no reason to keep the Mitch Mustain “saga” alive. He and his momma made their decisions. He could have stuck it out with Darren, Felix and Peyton but instead chose to go west and finish his college ball riding the pine. I think it serves him right to have what happened. Life is what you make of it.

One more thing. That arrest for reportedly selling drugs? I guess Mustain would like to blame that on broken promises if he could.

JEFFREY JETER

Springdale

Step toward freedom

Please assist in the passage of the disability treaty. It is a step toward freedom for all humans.

America was founded for freedom; we must not let our forefathers down. If we do, then we have failed our national heroes. Is this what we want our children to remember us for? It is your choice, and it is your offspring’s torture or pleasant life.

SHAUN BEST

Smackover

Teacher is not victim

Much ink has been devoted here recently to letters opposing the firing of Mount St. Mary Academy teacher Tippi McCullough following her decision to enter into a legalized lesbian union.

For comparison’s sake, let’s consider instead what might be the plight of a fictional teacher at the school fired for an alternate transgression against established Catholic morality. Suppose that the school principal had learned this teacher was discreetly moonlighting as a call girl. How vocal would the fired teacher’s supporters be? The silence would be deafening. No national agitprop group would schedule a presser protesting her maltreatment. No editorials would appear alleging discrimination and urging compassion.

Why? Because lesbianism apparently is sacrosanct among the morally relativistic, political correctness-imbibing crowd. Prostitution is not. At least not yet.

Isolated from the bluster of progressive voices, the matter is clearer. Mount St. Mary’s mission statement specifies a dedication to a strong moral foundation in its students, one necessarily grounded in the Catholic Church’s unchanging moral teachings. As a teacher and leader, Ms. McCullough had the responsibility to model them for her impressionable teenage female students. She willingly accepted the pay specified in her employment contract yet embraced a lifestyle that challenged its morality clause.

By all accounts, Ms. McCullough is a fine teacher who will be missed. But she is no victim. Kudos to school officials for taking a painful but necessary step to uphold its spiritual mission.

JIM BARRE JR.

Fayetteville

The truth on insurance

Amazing how much information is being put out that seems to have just fallen from the sky. In a recent edition, Mr. Bob Alexander, director of the state’s Employee Benefits Division, was quoted as saying that retired teachers need help on their insurance, too, for their rates are going up 20 percent.

I’m a retired teacher who is Medicare-primary, and my rate was to go up 61 percent. My wife is also a retired teacher, but she is not eligible for Medicare. Her rate was going up 46 percent, and her deductible up by 33 percent.

I don’t know if Mr. Alexander misspoke, didn’t know what he was talking about, just told a falsehood, or was misquoted. I can’t ask his office for an explanation for their phone is always busy, so I’m asking if you misquoted him.

LEE ROY BREWER

Batesville

Editor’s note: Reporter Michael R. Wickline says Mr. Alexander was quoted accurately, but that there was no detailed discussion to allow for the nuances of health insurance.