Unity made possible
A black hole consumes everything, even light, into a pure blackness of space. As a child, I saw Disney's The Black Hole and was awestruck by the imagined power of a black hole. I didn't realize until last month that no one has ever actually seen a black hole ... until now.
Creation of this first picture required the Event Horizon Telescope, a network of eight linked telescopes from around the world, and Katie Bouman, a 29-year-old female scientist. Imagine being in that awesome position--making the first picture of something that was only created in Hollywood (and by math). This amazing feat was made possible by an international collaboration of people with different languages, faiths, skin colors, genders, and ages.
When we stand united in a world community, we can do great, only imagined, things, but divided by false walls and blindness to what we share in common, we fail as a society. We fail as human beings. We exist on Earth only because those before us put aside differences to become a community. Words of hate and division by politicians and media make each of us small, and so we must tune them out and think big. Think of what we could do when we work as a community. Something real and no longer imagined on a computer in a studio. Then take action to get us there together.
GROVER MILLER
Little Rock
About that collusion
Webster's defines collusion as a "secret agreement or cooperation for an illegal or deceitful purpose."
The Mueller Report states that Russian "hacking operations coincided with a series of contacts between Trump Campaign officials and individuals with ties to the Russian government." Also, "although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government ..."
In the Mueller Report Part I, I counted eight--some saw more--specific contacts between Trump Campaign members and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign and prior to the inauguration.
I believe any rational, thinking person, looking at the above and witnessing President Trump in action today, would be expected to conclude that the referenced series of contacts would constitute blatant cooperation with a hostile foreign government in obtaining illegally gathered information to assist the Trump campaign. So, while no conspiracy was proven, I believe there certainly was secret cooperation for a deceitful purpose. Thus, collusion cannot be denied.
RICHARD PICARD
Little Rock
Democrats' old ploy
Democrats Rahm Emanuel and Hillary Clinton both have said to never let a crisis go to waste. It seems Democrats love a crisis because they exploit the situation for political gain. If they can't find a crisis they will create one ... and blame it on the Republicans. Jerry Nadler and Nancy Pelosi are the most recent Democrats to create a crisis and point fingers at others.
Does anyone still fall for this tired old ploy?
FRANK LATIMER
Sherwood
Transportation lack
The lack of transportation methods is a problem of concern. In small communities, many are not able to transport to nearby cities, where many services are offered, without owning a vehicle oneself. Need for affordable transit is critical for allowing members without vehicles or vehicles that are not in working condition to be able to reach certain destinations. The only options for those wanting transportation might be to call a taxi, or get Uber or Lyft. These services do not typically exist in rural communities, meaning those wanting these services need to pay more for longer distances.
I believe the best way to resolve this issue is to implement an organization, specifically for those living in and around a rural community, made specifically for carpooling. I am advocating for an organization that would be able to link up those in need of a ride with those who are willing to give rides. In a small community, there are many willing people in support of helping out those in need but do not know how to do so. By creating an organization, it would allow a method of solving the lack of transportation in an efficient, ecological way that overall helps the community out for the better.
ESTHER FILIPEK
Bismarck
De-stress and learn
Talk about stress relief! We made our first trip to the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center recently. It was an unexpected treat to see such a beautiful, artistic creation with such inspiring purpose and functionality. My imagination took off in the gardens and educational wildlife setting. What if we connected this area with War Memorial Park on the other side of I-630 by a pedestrian bridge for walkers and bikers and called it Unity Bridge? What if War Memorial was like Central Park in New York City with very family-friendly bike paths, etc., throughout?
What if the parking lot at Ray Winder was turned into Health and Wellness Serenity Square with a fountain in the middle, gardens and benches, and a building or two for public education about health maintenance and the role environment plays in that. The resources right there at Little Rock Zoo could be tied in. Maybe we could get lots of people out to mingle, learn, exercise and de-stress. We could all feel better.
KAY CARPENTER
Little Rock
Deputy still on job
I would like your readership to know that Garland County Reserve Deputy Joe Dempsey, pictured last Sunday in your file photo from 2006 working an accident on U.S. 70, is still with my organization. Deputy Dempsey has contributed much to our organization during his tenure. Thank you for some excellent reporting.
HANK NOWAK
Hot Springs
Hank Nowak is a reserve captain with the Garland County sheriff's office.
Editorial on 05/12/2019