In the News

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Our gift to the world; down memory lane; against corruption

12/23/2019
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Our gift to the world

As I approach the holiday season, I ponder fear, hope, gifts, and action. For millennia, survival instincts and environment have taught us to fear new and unknown things. We look askance at things we suspect may change our way of life and at actions we might take but fear to because of the unknown consequences.

One of these things is climate change. Witnessing recent local impacts (e.g., unprecedented flooding events) and hearing of future problems--widespread droughts and famines, millions of displaced people, and disappearing landscapes that we've grown up loving--it's not surprising that we'd like to turn away. Then there are concerns about the how-tos and consequences of transitioning from fossil fuels.

By forthrightly acknowledging the climate crisis, we give ourselves and our loved ones a great gift: having a voice in creating smart ways forward. Things that can be done to minimize the predicted horrendous effects of climate change, things that can be done now without disruptive consequences. Concerted action by a majority of our citizens is necessary.

One essential is getting behind effective legislation. The bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR763), currently with over 70 co-sponsors, empowers the move to clean energy. It puts a steadily rising fee on fossil fuels and then returns the net revenues equally to U.S. citizens as cash. It contains provisions to protect U.S. jobs and agriculture.

Studying this bill, readers will learn that its implementation will reduce emissions 40 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050. It will improve lives by lessening pollution and creating jobs. Read about it at energyinnovationact.org.

As a gift to ourselves and our world, please tell Senators Boozman and Cotton, and Representatives Crawford, Hill, Womack, and Westerman to minimize future local and global damage by supporting legislation like HR763.

WILLIAM MELCHIOR

Little Rock

Down memory lane

I so enjoyed the column by Steve Straessle, "Finding meaning," in a recent paper. It made me happy and sad all at the same time. It was wonderful to read about his past Christmases and all the mishaps; I laughed out loud at some of his remarks. So refreshing and uplifting (as opposed to reading about politics and murders and world unrest).

On the other hand, it made me sad to think that the times I used to have at Christmas when my parents were alive are no longer. We would gather at MeMaw's house and sit around the aluminum tree in their tiny living room, taking pictures and the siblings pestering one another ... even into adulthood. Then we'd adjourn to the den where a folding table had been placed, and enjoy MeMaw's homemade rolls (her specialty) and all the trimmings.

As the years rolled by, trouble rolled in also. MeMaw could no longer remember how to bake those delicious rolls due to Alzheimer's, the grandkids scattered to various places around the country, and eventually the tradition died away. But it is with a grateful heart I have those memories ... and all those tons of photos.

The laughter and the joy of family will be forever etched in my heart, even though I no longer have my parents, nor either of my siblings. I have even forgiven my sister for making me look out the bedroom window when we were kids, proving that those jingle bells were not Santa, as I firmly believed, but Mom and Dad carrying our presents in from the trunk of the car to put under the tree to give us the best Christmas they could afford. I laugh now when I think about her betrayal.

Thank you, Mr. Straessle, for a chance to go down memory lane through Christmases past.

BILL RATCLIFF

Little Rock

Against corruption

Wouldn't it be great if Arkansas Senators Cotton and Boozman stood up against corruption? The president was ordered to pay $2 million in damages after misusing Trump Foundation charity money. His children were ordered to go to class to learn how to "account" for charitable donations. Trump was impeached after holding taxpayer dollars assigned to aid Ukraine against our common enemy, Russia. Trump wanted a campaign favor of great value in order to release these assigned funds.

All these two senators have to do is honor the oath they took to protect and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic; in other words, do their job! Will they?

LISE FRULIO

Bentonville

Is it too late for that?

Is there a statute of limitations on "high crimes" which were or may have been committed by former high office-holders?

SHARON KORNAS

Morrilton

Editorial on 12/23/2019