We must not forget it
I hope once more people hear President Biden's speech on the one-year anniversary of the insurrection, they will come forward and speak out in support, for it was a clarion call.
I believe the riot on Jan. 6 lies squarely on Donald Trump's shoulders. There simply is no one else to blame. The man incited an insurrection and he should pay, in my opinion, with serious jail time. He lit the fire and watched it burn. Likewise for Republican "leadership" who continue to prop up the worst lie ever foisted upon the American people. And to those "good" Republicans who know better but remain silent, fearing the repercussions of speaking truth, good Democrats should not fear "offending" friends they know are delusional.
The time to come forward is upon us. We must save democracy from lunacy. Speak out! On social media, at work, where you worship ... but more importantly, with your votes. We must never forget the madness and despicable badness of the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
DANE BUXBAUM
Little Rock
Not honoring legacy
It is a travesty to the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by the selection of Mike Huckabee as the keynote speaker at an interfaith, invitation-only, MLK prayer breakfast to be held on Jan. 17, 2022. Then, to add insult to injury, the event is held at the mansion of a governor who just approved the redistricting maps to disenfranchise Black people in the largest Black-populated district in the state.
To have a person such as Mike Huckabee, who I believe has exhibited nothing but contempt and racist rhetoric, as a speaker to honor Dr. King's Legacy is not only pathetic, it is contemptible. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a revered man of principle who gave his life for justice, equality, human rights and for the rights of the poor.
Mike Huckabee knows nothing of the struggle for civil rights, nor has he ever exemplified any compassion for the rights and privileges of those who are neither rich nor Republican.
The MLK Commission is making a mockery of the celebration by having an event at the mansion after the new redistricting map was approved by Republicans whose intentions are apparently to guarantee that Black people and their voting rights are irrelevant. This commission had hijacked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for personal gain and to pander for favor. There is a Judas among us, and there are many more throughout the world. They do not love thy neighbor and are truly trying to destroy us and the legacy of what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for.
DEBORAH SUTTLAR
Little Rock
Scant condemnation
I read with great dismay the weak condemnation of the attack on the Capitol and democracy from our "representatives" from Arkansas.
Apparently the Trump Cult and money still rule. A pity.
BOB HADLEY
Fairfield Bay
Our secular scripture
As the past president of the Arkansas chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, I appreciate the recent editorial's take on Americans United's letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson about unconstitutionally posting Bible verses on official government social media accounts and the advice to "pick our battles."
The Bible verse you cited is indeed unobjectionable in its meaning, as are many verses from religious sources. But James Madison wrote in 1785, "It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties." He added, "We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens." Americans United takes this duty seriously, especially when as in this case we are asked for our help. We stand between the Constitution and any public official who would abuse government power to impose a personal religion on the people.
There is both value and honor in defending the principle. We are proud to defend the First Amendment. I suspect that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editors would be less cavalier were the principle of a free press trampled on weekly by the governor.
On the day the editorial ran, Governor Hutchinson told citizens in a new post to "Look to the Lord and His Strength; seek His face always." The post just above it contained information about the deadly pandemic, including the rising numbers across the state and vaccines. So people seeking out state information on how to stay safe in a pandemic must submit to state-sanctioned proselytizing--and that is the problem.
If Mr. Hutchinson wishes to post scripture to his personal social media, we'd defend his right to do so. But Governor Hutchinson may not use a government office to do so without offending secular scripture: the First Amendment.
JIM McCOLLUM
Emerson