HSU department cuts
Dear editor:
Recently, it was announced that Henderson State University was cutting several departments, including music, English and theater. As someone who attended HSU and considers it some of the happiest time of my life, it is devastating. They're not just cutting jobs and enrollment. They are destroying dreams.
I was hoping my nephew would be attending soon and completing his education, but his dream and dreams of so many others are dashed. To the board who agreed with the decision, you did more than cut departments. You destroyed dreams and tarnished memories of a school that thousands of people love. Unlike you and the chancellor who made this choice, I know what being a Reddie means. It means being the best you can be and growing as a person and member of your community. I spent some of the best times of my life in the HSU choir and chamber chorale and am blessed to have many friends and wonderful memories.
You have taken a beloved part of my life and of Arkansas and turned it into something heartbreaking and unrecognizable. You should be ashamed. I'm sorry so many people are losing their education and jobs because of an idiotic decision.
Melinda Kinnaird
Hot Springs
Supreme Court leak
Dear editor:
With the recent leak from the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade, the finger-pointing has begun. I have no dog in the fight. As for the country, it is just itching to beat Rome's record of seven days.
But the Democrats blaming Trump for this one, and the American people for voting for him line they are towing, just isn't going to cut it. This falls at the feet of the Obama administration and its lack of backbone to fight for Merrick Garland. With 10 months of his presidency left, this is truly the most "Lame Duck" political move in history. This paved the way for our new conservative justices. Except with 46 days left on his term, Trump nominates Amy Coney Barrett.
Again, the Democrats roll over, instead of giving the Republicans the exact same treatment they were given on Garland, thus sealing the fate of Roe v. Wade. Now Congress could charge Trump's three appointments with lying to Congress a federal crime, also making false statements to Congress another federal crime. As they stated under oath, that Roe v. Wade was settled law in one way or another. So who knows? Should be a fun show to watch.
Ron Swanson
Hot Springs
Abortion ban law
Dear editor:
Regardless of the view of Arkansans on abortion, I wonder how many support some provisions of the Arkansas law that would take effect immediately if Roe is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court?
In particular, the fact that our law makes no exception for rape or incest. Will the law result in a teenage or younger girl being forced to go through months of a pregnancy and give birth as a result of incest or rape? That appears to be the case.
Ask yourself: what if that young girl was your daughter or granddaughter? You may want to ask your state representative, state senator or anyone running for these offices if they are OK with a scenario like this. If they are not, what will they do to change this law?
Gary Clingman
Hot Springs Village
The real reason
Dear editor:
This week's big news, the leaked Supreme Court (draft) decision on Roe v. Wade, was not an accident but a very precisely timed political move. This was Donald Trump's announcement and proof of his absolute power seizure of our once proud, honest nation. His timing was obvious in the middle of primaries. He demonstrated to all Republican candidates that he owns the Supreme Court of the United States of America! His politicians and government officials will never have to worry about any illegal actions as long as they stay 100% loyal to him, just as none of his loyalists in his 2020 coup attempt have, nor will, face any convictions.
The 2022 mid-term elections are guaranteed control for his minions in Washington and nothing big will happen until 2024. At that time, his well-organized state Republican parties will guarantee him the presidency, one way or another! What will he and his close friend Vladimir Putin plan for our world, until Putin does not need him anymore?
The United States is now hamstrung by many loathsome, greedy reptiles (politicians and other citizens) who have sold their souls, and our future, for personal/business wealth and power. Our founding fathers knew the greatest threats to free people are massive wealth, uncontrolled power, and corrupt politicians. Look at your world history books and the hundreds of countries that did not heed those warnings; pray we are not quickly diving into that catastrophic fate for our children!
Jim Pumphrey
Garland County
Conservative values
Dear editor:
"I have conservative values" is what we hear from politicians. Ten percent of the population claim to be conservative while 80% claim to be moderate. Some think conservative values mean less government and spending unless it benefits them.
Data show that people with conservative values may be more biased, racist, prejudiced, and bigots, and are against women's rights, civil rights, human rights, and voter rights, and in favor of the status quo without change. Research shows that conservatives most likely have a lower IQ and education level and are against funding education. Conservatives may be creationists that believe creation was six 24-hour days and one of 133 million people that believe that the Earth is 10,000 years old, and that people have only been here for 6,000 years.
Conservatives may deny science and the scientific research that proves that homosexuality and transgender are caused by DNA and errors in gene reproduction and that this condition is found in over 1,500 species worldwide.
They may claim to be a Christian but in name only and pick and choose the Bible verses that they want to use.
They may use lying, immoral, unethical, and illegal acts to achieve their desired objectives. They claim to support and believe in the rule of law but support the appointment of biased judges to ensure the results they want.
They ignore that the right for people to seek asylum is guaranteed by international law and do not consider subsidies going to farmers, ranchers, and even oil companies as corporate welfare, taking their tax dollars.
Conservatives may blame inflation on the government rather than admitting that corporate greed and the manipulation of supply and demand by the rich are causing the problem.
Conservatives may ignore that the declining middle class is contributing to the decline of society, Democracy, and Christianity. They may fail to understand that this country has 333 million people and that there are proportionately fewer federal civilian employees to take care of people and the increased laws, than in 1945.
The politicians that proclaim "I support conservative values" do not have the values, morals, and ethics that discerning voters should support, and these are not positive attributes for this nation.
Jerry Davis
Hot Springs