Letters

Prayers of founders

Like many Christians, I believe that America exists in part because God has graciously answered the prayers of our founding fathers. However, God did not bless the Christians who founded this country with divinely appointed rulers as with ancient Israel's King Saul.

These predominantly Christian colonists debated and chose not to found a protestant theocracy. Seeking the wisdom of heaven, they created a constitutional democratic republic, so in this country, our leaders are chosen by the people--people of all faith, social, economic, and political backgrounds.

Since we--the diversity of people--are by design represented in the government, God has not cursed us with fraudulent elections, or wicked-

cheating neighbors when we lose an election.

For over 240 years, Americans have accepted an election loss when other political parties or faiths have been voted into office. This is how God has blessed America. We were cursed, however, when Arkansas politicians refused to accept the election results in 1860.

This is why it is so sad when Christians attack a deliberating U.S. Congress in the name of God. In striving to overturn an election and "restore" their Christian nation, they are actually rejecting God's answer to the prayers of American heroes.

JAMES JOHNSTON

St. Paul

Not held accountable

I have been a Republican for over 50 years and I'm enraged. My party's continued reluctance to address Mr. Trump's previous activities, and now his complicity in abetting the attack on our nation's Capitol, makes the reluctance to hold him accountable seem unexplainable.

I heard the rhetoric denouncing the attack from numerous elected officials that night, even from some of the same self-absorbed officials who had been enabling Trump's agenda. Too soon, too many of them shifted to a "CYA" theme designed to camouflage their own involvement. I spent Internet time to reacquaint myself with the "Values and Platforms" of the Republican Party. The title of the opening paragraph said more than I wanted: "No GOP platform for 2020; we continue to support Trump."

Five people died as the result of Trump's "let's overturn the election" party, including Officer Brian Sicknick, a man who ironically gave up his life protecting our Constitution, our nation's Capitol, and our democracy, not to mention their lives. My faith tells me I am not supposed to "judge," but I can't help but feel Trump and his band of enablers are as guilty of Officer Sicknick's death as if they had done it themselves. If justice is ignored and the people responsible not held accountable, then we have all lost more than just a brave officer.

GARY STUMBO

Bella Vista

Has no competitors

Donald Trump continues his quest for greatness. He will be the greatest worst president in United States history.

NEALUS WHEELER

Mountain Home

Defending democracy

Congressman Womack, You were quoted in the Democrat-Gazette as saying, "He invited a large crowd to Washington. I thought it was a mistake. I thought the timing was terrible, on the very day that we are doing our constitutional duty and counting the votes." And then, "From what we control, I just don't see where impeaching the president a second time is going to change anything. He's going to be gone in a week, and we definitely do not want any more unrest in our country."

When, then, is good timing for an attempted coup?

The crowd he "invited" was meant to overturn our election. The timing was impeccable since it was meant to interfere with the counting of votes. And will he be gone? He has incited violently racist white supremacists, carrying guns, and a noose, in order to install himself as dictator. Impeachment caused the unrest? And even if he is carried out of the White House in a straitjacket, this movement will continue and consider him their leader. There will be more unrest. People of color, women and LGBTQ deserve equitable treatment under our laws, and this movement will violently protest that.

The U.S. must defend against the overthrow of our democracy. If he is impeached and convicted, he will not be able to again hold office. Congressman Womack, your statement appears unaware of the serious threat this insurrection was to our nation.

SHELLEY BUONAIUTO

Fayetteville

Neck-deep in chaos

Where is our attorney general? Our most righteous beacon of law enforcement, the moral leader of our state? Ms. Rutledge, are you feeling OK? How can such a violation of civil law in D.C. go without mounting your public podium to condemn the violations by now? Oh, that's right! You are part of the rabble that decided that democracy and law don't count when your guy loses.

Please save us from your list of the mea culpas and why you had nothing to do with the riot. You are neck-deep in all of this and we all know it. You are not gubernatorial material as far as I am concerned.

STEVE HEYE

Little Rock

On simmering down

Lower the temperature? Donald Trump, Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz fomented a seditious conspiracy that riled up a terrorist mob to the point of an attack on the Capitol. The lies that Trump and his cronies told created the mob, many of whom were convinced that they had to attack members of Congress to prevent the certification of the election.

Funny thing about mobs, though. They seem to be hard to control. After reaching a fever pitch, this mob went completely berserk, killing a Capitol police officer and declaring their intent to execute Mike Pence if they could get to him. Yes. Trump threw Pence under the bus, or, should we say, tried to feed him to the mob for not going along with the coup attempt. And now, some of the Republicans like Cruz have decided maybe it's time to turn down the temperature?

Keep in mind, it's not the Trump mob that they think should simmer down. Instead, they'd like the Democrats and all those who are outraged by the insurrection to forget about what happened and just go about their business. That's insane. If Trump and Cruz want to lower the temperature, they can stop lying about the election and beg forgiveness for the attempted coup. Having failed at overturning the results of the election, the Trump mob should be done, right? So why are they threatening to return to Washington to finish the job? Does Trump really think a second attack will be more successful? Who knows? The man is clearly insane but we're supposed to ignore that and just wait for his next move? That's insane. The only move we need to see from Donald Trump is out of the White House quickly, and hopefully, out of the country forever.

MICHAEL FOX

Conway

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