What a mouth on him
I just heard some of Big Stoop's (Trump) talk in Minnesota, and was ashamed of such language coming from the mouth of a president. His potty mouth was heard by children as much as older people. What an example to set. Shame, shame.
And what was even worse were the people laughing, clapping, and cheering after he said it.
I would not want my grandchildren around slop mouth. Does he talk like this in front of his children?
BOB MASSERY
Little Rock
Sports superstitions
I have a friend who now lives far away, but like all true Arkansawyers his heart is still in the Land of Opportunity. Dan Adams told me he was thinking about his friends here when he went to his computer the morning after the last game of the World Series. Before going to bed the night before, he had checked on the game but hadn't wanted to hex his team by waiting for the final score.
Baseball is full of superstitions. Dan's catcher-father told him that his teammates would never step on the white first base line when taking the field. His dad had become a preacher and was pastor of Little Rock's 1st Presbyterian Church. During the Great Depression he had performed the Travelers' general manager Ray Winder's wedding at home plate. In lieu of a fee, Winder had given the minister a pass to the games--and the one-time-player promised that he would never light his cigar as long as the Travs' pitcher had a no-hitter going.
So naturally Dan grew up to challenge everything he was taught to revere. Dad loved the American League so son rooted for anyone in the National. Teams: one was a Detroit Tiger; the other cheered the St. Louis Cardinals. Greatest pitchers: dad, Lefty Grove; son, Bob Gibson. But there was one thing that somehow they had in common. The clergyman taught the boy to love all people--but to hate the nine who happened to be on the field in Yankee pinstripes.
His playing-day superstitions also bound them together from the time he took his newborn to his first game until the day Dr. R.D. Adams died. Dan says he has always believed he is possibly the worst jinx ever. So it was with considerable apprehension the morning after the series ended that he peeked at the final score. Washington--for whom he was silently rooting because it had not won the title since 10 years before he was born--had won!
Dan shared his joy with me. I'm happy for him--but have also asked him to stop rooting for the Razorbacks.
HARRY MARSHALL
Hot Springs Village
Country before party
To Sen. Tom Cotton: I trust you realize that a wave of history is about to crest. When the impeachment comes to the Senate, only you have the opportunity to ride that wave.
I trust also that you realize that the Republican Party is in the fight for its life. It's become a "cult of personality" centered around an amoral, divisive, narcissistic man-child. To survive it needs to make it to the other side of Trump, and the sooner the better. The opportunity to exhibit integrity and leadership awaits. And it awaits the handsome, self-assured young senator and war veteran with perfect conservative credentials.
To acknowledge the extortion, lies and self-dealing Trump allegedly committed and vote to convict will surely make you a standout to the entire nation. Putting country before party will become your brand forever. Even if (especially if) you're the only Republican to reclaim his soul, your reputation will be sealed in everyone's mind. You'd be a superhero.
What have you got to lose? Back in Arkansas, most of us were thinking the same thing about Trump but just wanted to keep our guns. Charles Koch won't abandon you for Josh Mahony. You'll be the obvious next-in-line when Trump finally melts like the Wicked Witch.
Go for it. Save your party. Be a hero. Be the next president!
ALBERT LARSON
Eureka Springs
Ashamed of the trash
I have recently been on a trip to Arizona and was amazed at the lack of roadside litter. Maybe it was just the areas I traveled in that brought this to my attention, but my first thought was if people from Arizona traveled to Arkansas to see our beautiful state, they would be so sad to see the amounts of litter on our local roads.
It makes me so sad to see the big trash, little trash and leftover "furniture" that haunts our roadways. I am not the best in keeping up with city, county, and state ordinances, but shouldn't there be programs that make people feel ashamed to throw out their trash? I guess people that do must have no respect for themselves, much less any for others.
RUTHANN MAGNESS
Mabelvale
Editorial on 11/02/2019