Deteriorating culture
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."
"Truth is like poetry. And most people hate poetry."
Opening quotes from the movie The Big Short. Hmmmm, reckon these profound statements could be the root of our deteriorating culture?
ROBERT McNEAL
Walnut Ridge
Sacrificed our GDP
A simple formula for gross domestic product is C+I+G+(X-M). This would be private consumption plus gross investment plus government spending plus (exports minus imports). Throughout the year 2018, Arkansas' average GDP growth was only 0.9 percent. The GDP growth for Arkansas' agricultural sector was -0.17. This negative number is probably the combined result of the Trump tariffs and our state's appetite for imported farm products. Obviously, the Trump tariffs are like a blanket suffocating the agricultural business of our state. These paltry GDP numbers come from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in Suitland, Md.
What will Arkansans do about this situation? Make it worse? Most Arkansas voters will probably vote to re-elect President Trump next year. Even if Trump were to increase tariffs on Arkansas chicken, rice and beef, wealthy corporate executives and farmers would still vote for Trump again anyway. Selling crops to Cuba may be out of the question, and Trump is making business with India more difficult at the moment.
Do we really think Trump is going to let up on the tariffs after he gets re-elected in 2020? The White House insists that tariffs are a great success for Trump, so what we need are more tariffs.
Arkansans have already sacrificed their GDP for Trump, and are bound to sacrifice much more.
GENE MASON
Jacksonville
Does not reflect well
There are so many things wrong with the decision by the UCA administration to remove a Lady Gaga quote posted on the university's library message board in support of gay rights that one doesn't even know where to start.
One of several rationales given was that the message supports a "personal viewpoint." Supporting gay and LGBT rights is no more a "personal viewpoint" than is supporting equal rights for racial minorities, for the disabled, or for any other minority community. The official statement issued by Amanda Hoelzeman went even further, implying that the recognition of the gay community should be hidden somehow from "minors" who periodically visit the campus, as though they might be offended, confused, or--even worse--catch something.
This position is very disturbing for an institution of higher learning, even one in this deeply red state.
STEVE A. JONES
El Dorado
This isn't New York
What a night at the Walton Arts Center, a place as cozy as your friend's dining room. Where the volunteer ticket-tearers always seem surprised that all the locals showed up. This is Arkansas, not New York, after all.
On tap was Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Misérables, sung so well I asked my wife if they were lip-syncing. Millennial cynicism was forgotten when boomers behind loudly and unsuccessfully attempted to follow the plot. Nevertheless, all recognized and rewarded Jean Valjean's redemption through God's grace with an enthusiastic and personal cheer--the highlight of the night!
Mixed in with applause was a new variation of the hog yell you hear in the Hog Pen in late innings when victory is assured. The hog yell signals a new high of satisfying goodness is about; the theater hog yell is more restrained in an attempt to show respect for the arts.
However, the yell went silent when the Parisians waved a giant red flag in revolution. Our minds associate red flags with communism, not liberty. And because we are all "temporarily embarrassed millionaires" and know commies are godless, the theater troupe might try putting a Razorback on the flag for greater effect.
Otherwise, the locals showed great appreciation for the cast who performed flawlessly with dazzling set pieces.
Drinking Lost Forty beer from the WAC sippy cup adds a delightful warmth to the experience and a feeling that we Arkansans are a good and measured people with a culture and faith worth preserving.
ADAM FLEMMING
Fayetteville
Short on advocates
In an era of political correctness and having to choose carefully every word, gesture and facial expression so no one of any stripe is offended, I am appalled that no one has pointed out the insensitivity of tall people to stature-deprived individuals.
Tall people look down on me. When will the ACLU come to my defense? When will the liberal/progressive movement point out this disparity?
Since Donald Trump seems to have a solution to every problem, perhaps he could address this deplorable situation. Hillary Clinton, being a strong advocate for women's rights, should voice her revulsion to this obvious bias since there are many diminutive females.
I think there should be a revolt of all size-inhibited people to address this intolerable state of affairs. Shrimps of the world, rise up and make your voices heard, even if you have stand on a chair!
DALE E. YODER
Searcy
Cast off in the wind
In reply to Gary Uselton's recent letter on the opinion page, I do too laugh when I see Trump's hair during one of his speeches, but not because his hair is blowin'. It's because of his relentless plan to rid us of Obama's horrible legacy that the POTUS has pretty much cast off into "the wind" and within a short period of time will be no more.
I'd be willing to bet anything that Jimmy Carter wakes up every single day with a smile on his face knowing that he is not the worst president of all time!
STEVE SHIRAR
Conway
Editorial on 06/23/2019