Context in definition
In Thursday’s paper, in a letter from John McPherson titled “An apology is owed,” I think that instead of the AP team of reporters and this paper owing an apology, he could easily find the actual person owing an apology by looking in the mirror. I believe the reporters referring to Charlie Kirk as a provocateur were right on the money if one considers the other common definition of the word from the Cambridge dictionary: “Someone who intentionally causes arguments or discussions, or intentionally makes other people feel angry, offended, or uncomfortable.” Not just words matter, but also their correct definition in the context in which they are used. Cherry-picking an out-of-context definition is not helpful.
JOHN LEE
Rogers
America, do better
As I have often been told, America can do so much better than it is acting, as can its leaders. And that goes double for these times!
TYLER THOMPSON
Little Rock
Preventable illnesses
The recently concluded Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting on vaccine protocols was a slap in the face to such medical heroes as Jonas Salk and Louis Pasteur. After Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s firing of the career doctors on this panel, and their replacement with his sycophants, the proceedings were addressed publicly by highly qualified experts in various pertinent fields; all of them expressing shock at their “findings.”
To highlight just one, Dr. Susan Kressly, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the meeting “promoted false claims and misguided information about vaccines as part of an unprecedented effort to limit access to routine childhood immunizations and sow fear and mistrust in vaccines.” This lady leads an army of U.S. pediatricians; she’s certainly an expert on the subject.
How many Americans have to die of preventable illnesses before we wake up to this charlatan?
I spent over 20 years as a pulmonologist treating hospitalized patients with ravaging pneumonia, some of whom died. I don’t know their vaccination status, but those who didn’t wish they had. Get your kids their shots; if you are in an at-risk group for covid, get your booster! Don’t let the Neanderthals in Bobby Kennedy’s panel dissuade you.
PETER MARVIN
Little Rock
Griffin will be missed
If I imagine that Little Rock had a speaking voice, it would sound just like Robert “Big Griff” Griffin, who lent his voice and a whole lot more to radio station KABF, 88.3 FM, for more than 40 years.
Radio in heaven got just a little bit better. And it’ll never be the same down here.
STEVE and CINDY TAYLOR
Little Rock
Words won’t hurt him
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Seems to be Vladimir Putin’s modus operandi.
JEANNE QUICK
Little Rock
Find solace in songs
As an avid reader of this paper as well as following multiple news sources, it was no surprise that I was aghast when President Donald Trump offhandedly and openly remarked that maybe Americans were ready for a dictator if it makes them feel safe. As an American who loves our country, I understand that our freedoms are founded in our democracy and Constitution, our foundational strength as a nation along with all other Americans.
Putting aside my anger and disbelief with our current president, I find my solace in multiple song lyrics, like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s going on?” “We’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today … we don’t need to escalate … only love can conquer hate” are powerful words. “For what it’s worth” by Buffalo Springfield tells us, “There’s something happening here … it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down. There’s battle lines being drawn, nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong.” Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Teach your Children” says all “must have a code you try to live by.”
When I reflect on these lyrics, I think of my own children, my grandchildren, and the many students I taught in my career as a teacher, and want to believe that they are all watching. My final thoughts are echoed in Jackie DeShannon’s words. “think of your fellow man … put a little love in your heart.”
NANCY FISCHER
Jacksonville
Guarantor of rights
I see a lot of comments about someone stating that our human rights come from government rather than from our creator.
Though the idea of many of our “rights” are expressed in our Bible, there is no guarantee until adopted by our governments. We recognize that we are endowed certain rights by our creator, but those rights are not enforced unless adopted by our governments.
For example: We have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” but if our neighbor infringes on any of that, it is the laws adopted by our governments that offer protection.
Another example: In 1 Timothy 2, the word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” That proclamation has not been adopted and made law by our governments, so it is not the law in America, though it is in some countries.
CLIFF HOOFMAN
Enola
Read more on Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
