Letters

Not yours to control

At least two Arkansas legislators, Rep. Bob Ballinger and Sen. Trent Garner, are already frothing at the mouth at the thought of having another shot at banning all abortions in the state.

A question for you two and other men like Jerry Cox who agree with you: What is it with your obsession with women's bodies and your insatiable desire to control them? Seriously. I think I know, but that's between you and your maker.

You plan to allow abortion only in the event the life of the mother is in danger, but not in the case of rape or incest. What kind of vile, sadistic person conceives of such inhumanity?

No doubt you are "pro-life." Are you also pro-health care, education, food, housing, nurturing for those you are forcing to be birthed? Does your pro-life stance include mercy for the 2,300 children who have been separated from their parents and are scattered to the four corners of the country?

Most of us know that if men could become pregnant, free abortion clinics would spring up on every street corner in the country.

Mind your own body, gents. My body, my choice. Keep your nose out of my business.

LEE JONES

Little Rock

Uncomfortable issue

As the father of a son who committed suicide, I read Saturday's guest column by David Kelley on the issue with great interest. Discussing this uncomfortable issue is important.

Equally important is to express a different opinion on the matter, if you have one. My opinion on this is no more, or less, valid than the author's, but it is different. I respectfully disagree with the idea that the author's brother "made a choice" when he committed suicide.

Also unlike the author, I have great sympathy for my son, not for where I believe he is now, but for his internal struggles while he was here.

My son was handsome, smart, witty, a star basketball player, very popular and had a loving family. So one could easily ask, "Why would he do that with so much for which to live?"

Frankly, we may never truly know the answer to that question, but if I could use one word that might provide an answer, it's "torment."

What we do know from those who have earnestly attempted, but failed, at suicide is that the torment is so great they believe there is no other option. In my opinion, if someone doesn't believe there's an option, then there's no choice to make. And the inability to see a way out other than death is a torment most of us can't even fathom.

Has it been easy picking up the pieces? No.

But he'll never lose my sympathy for the torment he dealt with while here. And I'll always be grateful for the peace I believe he has now.

TOMMY FOLTZ

Little Rock

Confirm him quickly

Re Brett Kavanaugh, if I may humbly suggest a course of action for the United States Senate: Question him, thoroughly but respectfully. Confirm him, quickly. Then move on to the business of restoring respect to your own once august branch of government by working together for the good of the people.

Put another way, "Know when to fold 'em."

CLARA J. JONES

El Dorado

More reasons to vote

Thanks for printing Ms. Coralie Koonce's letter on the importance of voting. If I may, I'd like to add a few random thoughts to her thread.

Your vote gets you out of the house on a boring Tuesday.

Your vote lets you meet new, civic-minded people.

Your vote makes you feel like you're doing something important when you actually are doing something important.

Your vote earns you that nifty little sticker that says you voted.

Your vote lets you use your wait time to use one of your "techno-thingies" to download a book to educate and amuse yourself. (Suggestions: William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here, or Madeleine Albright's Fascism: A Warning. If you can stream movies on your cellphone, try the original [Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury] version of The Manchurian Candidate. Earn extra patriot points if you watch this entire movie to the end before you vote.)

Your vote is your voice. How great is that? Your vote automatically earns you the right to complain about your government. (No vote; no voice.)

Finally, your vote gives even more meaning and value to the sacrifices made in your name for over 200 years.

We would all be wise to remember the story of the hapless frog in the pot of cold water. He is unaware that the water is slowly getting hotter and hotter, then realizes--too late--that the water is boiling, his freedom is gone and his fate has been sealed.

Thank you, Ms. Koonce.

LINDA FARRELL

Bella Vista

Not really so random

On Tuesday, our esteemed columnist Philip Martin stated, "The world isn't fair, it's random."

Now I believe that Mr. Martin was not trying to make a precise philosophical description. Yet in that short statement he displayed the great divide between naturalism and theism.

By theists I mean the folks who believe in a creator God and especially believe in divine providence. In this view there are really no "random" occurrences.

It is interesting to note the many references the "founders" made to divine providence in their writings. This is simply (and never really simply) the belief that God has designed this creation and every event has purpose. This is a vast difference from random.

Many things seem to be purposeless. Those who believe in an infinite creator may believe that the purpose is there whether we can or cannot discern it now.

FRED SAWYER

Little Rock

I think that's our job

Our country would likely be in better shape now if we didn't allow the Supreme Court or the electoral college to decide who occupies the Oval Office.

BETTY HUNT

North Little Rock

Editorial on 07/12/2018

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