Now for the other side of the story
Recently, Democrat-Gazette state Capitol bureau chief Seth Blomeley wrote articles regarding the destruction of some computer hard drives in the governor's office during the last days of the Mike Huckabee administration as well as the depletion of a state emergency fund used by the office. Seth made several attempts to contact the governor for his stories. In his Jan. 19 story, he noted that Huckabee didn't respond to an e-mail. He also had called Huckabee's spokesman, Alice Stewart, who had called back and left voice mail saying she would try to get in touch with Huckabee. Neither she nor Huckabee called back. On Jan. 20, Stewart commented on the issue. Huckabee didn't return messages left for him directly. On Sunday, the newspaper printed, on the front page of the Perspective section, an opinion piece by the former governor. We believe that by printing the piece, the newspaper gave Huckabee the opportunity to address the issue on his terms and to avoid answering a reporter's questions about the issues-an opportunity that is not afforded to other subjects of the newspaper's coverage. The back-and-forth of "question, answer and follow-up question"lies at journalism's foundation. But the [commentary ] format employed by [Huckabee ] ensures that his assertions will remain unchallenged. Also missing was an editor's note explaining that he had been given opportunities to comment before the stories were published. This omission makes the piece's headline," And now, the rest of the story,"even more troubling to newsroom staff for it implies that Seth's coverage was unfair or incomplete. We stand by our colleague and his stories.
JIM BROOKS, ALYSON HOGE / Little Rock
This letter was signed by 40 other Democrat-Gazette newsroom employees.
Who profits from debt ?
The national debt now totals $ 8. 6 trillion, according to the National Debt Clock. Who really comprehends this huge sum ? How will it ever be paid off ? Each American citizen owes almost $ 29, 000. What incredible banks does the U. S. A. borrow all this from ? I've heard ones in China, Japan and Germany, but not their names or board members.
We pay them super interest, $ 760, 000 per day, according to former Sen. George McGovern on C-SPAN recently. Does this mean they own us ? Or are we just mortgaged ? How about declaring bankruptcy ? Relate all this to a minimum wage-earning taxpayer, say one who slaves all day to pay the tax man, or the Social Security recipient. Who works harder for his money, the tax slave, the bank president or the oil company CEO ? Who controls and profits from this accounting system ? Ask Congressman John Boozman or President Bush, who has increased the deficit more than all the previous presidents combined.
GREGORY CAREY / Harrison
Lots of reasons to smile
In just over two weeks, the Democrats took great strides in returning government to the people.
The last six years the president and his cronies and the Republican-led House and Senate have served the elite, the corporations and foreign governments while the average person in this country has suffered. The Democratic-controlled Congress is holding the first hearings of the new [term ] on universal health care access. Health care for every legal American is imperative. The Democrats are addressing the need for stem-cell research, which offers hope for finding cures from countless debilitating diseases. At this pace, the citizens of America may once again be able to smile. I'm so thankful that the Democrats are back in power in the legislative branch of our government and look forward to more gains in November 2008.
GAIL EDMONSON / Rogers
Watch peace happening
The picture of the rainbow over Frankfurt, Germany, on the front page recently was wonderful. It radiated peace to the entire world. Symbols of peace are appearing worldwide. The "Missouri miracle"is truly one of them. So we can simply enjoy watching peace happen.
JEAN WHITEHEAD / Little Rock
Many children in need
If you have not noticed, this old world is getting overpopulated, with 6. 5 billion people, 300 million here in the U. S. A. If we were an animal like a deer, they would open hunting season on us. And there is so much suffering in this old world, I could write a book on it.
A good many children are dying from malnutrition or by diseases caused by it. Many more people are going to bed hungry. As I hear on the news, there were a half-million children in the U. S. A. with disabilities in foster homes begging to be adopted. They said one little girl asked why don't they put her down like they would a dog.
What I am trying to say is that it is disgusting when people calling themselves Christian pick on women who need an abortion because their hormones got them into trouble. I guess some of you are so cold-blooded that you can't understand that.
Doesn't your Bible read that with God all things are possible ? In my opinion, it is a very sorry God who will sit upon his white cloud and let these young women get pregnant when they don't want to be and the ones who want to get pregnant can't. Doesn't your Bible read that whatever things you ask in prayer believing you will receive ? If that was so, these young women would not be pregnant. I have heard all of the glorified excuses about why prayers aren't answered and I am not buying them. When you adopt a couple of those children with disabilities, then you have a right to condemn abortion.
BILL MORELAND / Rogers
Generosity appreciated
I started carrying newspapers at the age of 11 between Broadway and Ringo Street and 15 th and 13 th streets in Little Rock. Back then we collected for the newspaper weekly and monthly. I went to a house about one block from the Little Rock Junior College. I knocked on the door and a very pleasant aroma came my way. I asked to collect for the paper and made a comment about the smell. Soon the lady came back with the money and a piece of pineapple pie. That was my first taste of that kind of pie. It was sooo good. That was between 1946 and 1948. This was a poor black woman who graciously shared her pie with me. I shall never forget her for that. As I reflect upon that experience today, I realize now how generous she really was to me. I think of her often, and wherever she is today, I humbly bow to her and thank her for her graciousness and generosity.
PATRICK MORGAN / Little Rock
Look to employers first
Fellow Arkansans, we have to stop letting ourselves be set up to be called racist, anti-immigrant, heartless dupes because we see the need to secure our borders. Folks who don't want a secure border must be pro-illegal drugs, pro-terrorist and pro-street thugs and gangs. Illegal aliens being stopped by a fence is secondary. In regard to hiring illegals, set mandatory jail time for each illegal hired to 30 days and [impose a ] $ 10, 000 fine to run consecutive. [Let ] conviction of hiring 10 or more to be a felony with a mandatory five to 10 years plus seizure of all business and personal assets. Dry up the slave-wage jobs. Any politicians with a backbone out there ?
FRANK A. CARUSO / Midway
Feedback
Ranting is not commentary
To quote from Bradley Gitz's recent column," Muslims are indifferent to acts of terrorism perpetrated by fellow Muslims"; "many, if not most, Muslims are capable of strapping on a suicide belt and blowing a busload of innocent people to smithereens"; and "if seeking to kill the terrorists who seek to kill us turns so many Muslims toward terrorism, then we truly are, and should be, at war with Islam itself."How does such simpleminded, hate-mongering, xenophobic ranting remotely resemble political commentary ?
J. R. HENDERSON / Little Rock
One more imposition
Politicians want to pass more laws pertaining to wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle. I normally wear a helmet, but there are times when I wish not to for my own reasons. My head does not belong to the state of Arkansas or to the politicians, even if they seem to think so. An enormous number of drivers do everything in their vehicle but drive-use cell phones, read papers, apply makeup, watch TV. Then when a wreck is caused by this behavior, an unhelmeted motorcycle rider is at fault instead of an indifferent driver. A properly maintained and controlled motorcycle is a safe and economical means of transportation, emitting fewer pollutants than a car or truck. In addition, this is supposed to be a free country with a choice in how you want to live your life within certain parameters.
JERRY WILLIAMS / Pine Bluff
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