Consensus solution
Looking for a consensus: In an intelligently designed system, we should approve any application to be a foster parent, regardless of the applicant’s sexual orientation or green card status, so long as it is accompanied by a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Right?

Chris Barrier
Little Rock

Advertisement

Free clinic
Thank you for the encouraging story by Leslie Newell Peacock regarding Shepherd’s Hope, the free health clinic established in the Oak Forest neighborhood by Oak Forest United Methodist Church and Fellowship Bible Church. As a member of Fellowship, I’m familiar with a range of community outreach programs that the church either initiates or supports. I just wanted to say I appreciate Arkansas Times’ salute to this important ministry and the kind-hearted people who have worked hard to take it from a vague dream to a functioning reality.

David Lewis
Little Rock

Advertisement

Can it
I am a liberal person who does not endorse censorship, but I must say I was not impressed with the FULL-PAGE ad that appeared on the back cover of the Aug. 17 Arkansas Times. Nice cans?! I mean, come on. Can’t we do any better than that? I realize you probably do not have much say regarding the types of advertisements sent to you from specific organizations, but a little more sophistication would be appreciated, especially from a publication that professes to support women and women’s issues.

Andrea Tompkins
Little Rock

Advertisement

Who’s dumb?
Re Ernest Dumas’ column Aug. 24: So reading “The Stranger” makes Bush an intellectual? I checked it out of the library when I was about 13, because I was curious. What took him so long?

Still, it is not Mr. Bush’s intellectual capacity that gives me pause so much as that of the “smarter” people in media and politics. If Mr. Bush is an idiot, it appears he at least uses what brains he has to get what he wants. Yet all the smart people in the world have apparently not been able to figure out how to stop him, or even slow him down much. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it — or not.

Advertisement

Marilyn Dean
Springfield, Mo.

Make no mistake
As liberal Democrats, we know that it is easy to mistake Melanie Fox for a wealthy housewife looking for a new hobby, one who thinks that she can fix things by throwing enough money at it. However, if you have ever met her and seen what she has already given in sweat-equity to the LRSD, you know that this is not the case.

Advertisement

Melanie is a product of the Little Rock public schools. She has two children at Forest Park. Last year, she raised the already high bar of the Forest Park PTA presidents who preceded her.

Melanie works tirelessly to award teachers, administrators, and volunteers. She substitute teaches whenever she is called to do so. She is one of the few parents who know the names of virtually every child at Forest Park. She has already invested a great deal of time and money into the education of all of our children, and is anxious to do more.

Advertisement

A crucial aspect of being a liberal is being open-minded. This is an important election. Give Melanie a chance. Look into what she has already done. Find out what she plans to do for our schools in the future. If you know a parent with kids at Forest Park, call them. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have had a front row seat and seen her in action will tell you that she is truly amazing! Show up on Sept. 19 and vote. ALL of our children will benefit from having your vested interest in the school board and having her as an active member on it.

Becki and David Streett
Little Rock

About Asa
As we move on toward the November election, here are a few things to keep in mind about Asa Hutchinson, Republican candidate for governor:

1. On page 16 A of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette of Aug. 20, 2006, there is a list of legal maximum political contributions to candidates in Arkansas statewide races. There under Hutchinson are listed two from Sugar Land, Texas, the home and stomping ground of Tom DeLay, whose close friend was Jack Abramoff, the ill-famed lobbyist. Of course, Asa himself served some time as a K Street lobbyist!

Advertisement

2. Asa chose to go out of state to get a part or all of his college education! Why did he do this? Was there no Arkansas college good enough for him? Or was it the infamous, intolerant, un-democratic ideology at Bob Jones University that swayed him? He should explain this!

3. He now says that he is for and has been for an increase in the national minimum wage; but, dear readers, just follow his record. If there ever has been a strict, dyed-in-the-wool, GOP party-liner it is Asa! And the GOP has never shown a serious interest in raising the minimum wage!

4. He hugged Dick Cheney when Cheney was down here raising funds for him! Hugged him before the TV cameras! Don’t forget that Cheney played a big part in getting us bogged down in that awful Iraqi war! And said that the Iraqi people would meet us with flowers, and love us for coming.

Kermit C. Moss
Monticello

Justice Jim
Thanks for printing former Justice Jim Johnson’s Aug. 7 letter. It’s always a treat to hear from the old segregationist. Reading his dissent to Justice Donald Corbin’s opinion for the unanimous Arkansas Supreme Court upholding the right of gays to be foster parents was a double treat. Not only does our high court refuse to discriminate against blacks, it won’t even discriminate against gays.

The 20th century was way too permissive. Could you give us one more run for the Supreme Court, Justice Jim? Take us back to the 19th century when blacks and women knew their place and gays stayed in the closet.

Jerry Shell
Leslie

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article There are none so brilliant … Next article A loss for words