Letters

A valued institution

Arkansans are doing a great job of addressing this awful virus. I have just a reflection to share with our greater community. One of our most valued institutions is facing the same tough times as so many others. I refer to the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs, closed since mid-March. But the dinos are there, along with the fish that need feeding every day and three staff people who are in maintenance mode, waiting for that better day.

Our youngest grandson fell in love with "the Cave" on his first visit as a 5-year-old. Two years later during his visit, the Cave was closed for just a bit for maintenance. He was not a happy camper and voiced his dismay, telling us to "Tell that lady [reference to the executive director] to get it fixed!" When the next visit was being scheduled, all he wanted to know was if the Cave was open. What a happy kid ... spent an hour on the Cave alone. He's 10 now. Still a "Cave-Man," waiting to return.

Mid-America has been a jewel in our state's crown for 40 years. She sits and waits to open to members and visitors alike. She'll be there another 40 ... and another 40. Keep her on your radar and in your positive thoughts. Then when the time is now, come and play and learn.

CAROL FREELAND

Hot Springs Village

Eternal consequences

For the one who chooses to believe in God, no evidence beyond holy scripture and creation is needed. For the one who won't believe in God, no amount of evidence is sufficient. This choice has eternal consequences. Choose life.

BOB WARNER

Hot Springs Village

A depression's ahead

Worldometer is an organization that compiles and reports data. Its compilation of covid-19 data is currently used by several countries and organizations around the world, including the U.K., Johns Hopkins, The New York Times, BBC, and Financial Times.

According to its data, covid-19, as of April 14, had resulted in 36 states that have had fewer than 50 deaths per one million residents. It seems reasonable that these states be encouraged to lift most restrictions and allow their citizens to return to work. Washing hands and other simple precautions can be observed away from home. A serious concern is many people will be afraid to return to work even if encouraged months from now. The economy will be beyond repair if this continues. A global depression is certain at some point; probably sooner than most would think. It is fast becoming a dire situation. When economies across the world collapse, given the unsustainable debt burden those countries carry, a catastrophe of global proportions will ensue.

Americans have accepted slow-growing government control over their lives for decades. Americans should demand their constitutional rights be restored so that we decide how to live. Sadly, I believe they will not. Every state capitol should experience protests for rights restoration. In Arkansas we are lucky. Our state government has been cautiously lenient. In other states the purchase of some ordinary products is forbidden. Police are arresting pastors for holding church services.

I fully expect to be deeply criticized for this opinion, but I believe it important it be said.

MICHAEL SANDERS

Little Rock

Return to old normal

In response to Kirk Wasson's letter, embracing the new normal is really to bring back the old normal. Before technology and both parents working to keep up with the Joneses, before fast food, convenience stores, instant gratification, before we got so into ourselves, the old normal was just fine.

Families liked and knew each other, divorce was rare, neighbors knew each other and spent time almost daily visiting in person. Kids did chores without whining and felt good about helping out. Being part of a group is a great thing. People were happier. We didn't need stuff; we made things, including our own entertainment. Depression medication wasn't necessary. Connection to one another, to be part of a bigger thing, a sense of belonging, that is the only medication necessary.

If this virus has taught us one thing, let it be that.

PAULA PUCKETT

Heber Springs

About that vote fraud

Karl Kimball's bilious attack on John Brummett is a typical Trumpian performance: attack, defame and spew unsupported allegations of voter fraud by Democrats where none has been proved to exist. The most recent publicly reported incident of large-scale voter fraud was by a Republican operative in North Carolina in the 2018 midterm elections.

It never ceases to amaze me how determined Republicans are to deny their fellow citizens the right to vote. Mail-in absentee ballots are used by servicemen and other Americans working or living abroad, by students attending school outside their state of residence and even by the president himself. It is a perfectly legitimate method of voting open to members of both parties.

Kimball attacks Brummett for assigning malicious intent to Republicans attempting to limit voting rights while at the same time implying illicit intent on the part of Democrats who favor fewer restrictions on voting. Informed readers can make up their own minds about which alternative is more likely to be true.

Let's not forget what I believe to be the greatest example of voting fraud in the 21st century. The Supreme Court of the United States dominated by Republican appointees stole the 2000 presidential election from Vice President Al Gore and handed it to George Bush on a silver platter. A single vote by a Supreme Court justice determined the outcome of the election.

Twenty years of American involvement in war and conflicts around the world, a worldwide collapse of financial markets in 2008, and a growing disparity between the haves and have-nots in our society followed that single vote. Tuesday, Nov. 3 is coming. Let's make sure all our citizens can vote and that all the votes are counted.

DAVID ELI COCKCROFT

Little Rock

Editorial on 04/26/2020

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