Letters

Some might be angry

I don't consider Kevin Elsken angry. Ill-informed, definitely, but not angry. How else to describe someone who still considers Jesus a "myth" like Thor or Zeus? The ramifications of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls completely obliterated this outdated view. Whenever someone makes this claim, I recall C.S. Lewis' words: "I want to know how many legends and romances he has read, how well his palate is trained in detecting them by the flavor. ... I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, myths all my life, I know what they are like. ... [Such scholars] claim to see fern-seed and can't see an elephant 10 yards away in broad daylight."

Furthermore, I don't believe Kevin has examined the evidence as thoroughly as he thinks he has. Otherwise, he would know that nowhere in the Bible does it say how old the Earth is.

And finally, Randy Blakey sneered that perhaps the mentally unbalanced hear voices. Randy is apparently unaware that a still, small voice spoke to Martin Luther King when he was at his lowest point. King wrote that he sat down and prayed, and, "At that moment, I experienced the presence of the divine as I had never experienced God before. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: 'Stand up for justice, stand up for truth; and God will be at your side forever.' Almost at once my fears began to go." Man, you got to wonder about that King, eh, Randy?

LONNIE HILL

Fayetteville

Invest in Head Start

As mentioned in the April 2 article, "Walton family funds pre-k success study," low-income children in Arkansas and across America often start school behind their wealthier peers because they do not have access to high-quality early childhood education programs.

As one of the researchers mentioned, although investments in high-quality early childhood education help close the achievement gap, state and federal investments have remained too low to accomplish this goal. As a result, we don't have the quality standards that kids deserve and that make our investments so effective. Our leaders in Arkansas and Congress must do more to invest in our children's futures. About 25 percent of kids in Arkansas live in poverty, and it's essential to help them receive a strong start in life.

High-quality early childhood education programs like Head Start and Early Head Start help low-income kids receive an equal opportunity to thrive. Since its creation, Head Start has helped prepare more than 33 million American children for kindergarten and beyond.

Our economy also benefits. According to a report by Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman, the rate of return on investments in early childhood development for many kids can be 13 percent per child per year due to improved outcomes in education, health, sociability, economic productivity and reduced crime.

Congress must invest more in Head Start and Early Head Start. Without these vital programs, many kids fall behind and it's often difficult for them to catch up.

Head Start builds bright futures. Let's give it the investment it deserves.

JASON FERGUSON

Little Rock

Map won't help him

Well, we have Mr. Magoo in the White House. He has no earthly idea where he's going.

BOB MASSERY

Little Rock

Return both comics

I was very disappointed to see that the paper is no longer carrying Mallard Fillmore and Doonesbury weekdays. Fillmore, in particular, is current, pointed, and has perspective too often neglected.

I would love to see them back.

ALVIN THOMAS KING

Fayetteville

Adults, take control

The first paragraph of the Chicago Tribune editorial on vaping, reprinted in the Democrat-Gazette, ends with something to the effect that "who knew" the kids would be taking hits (vaping) from something that looks like a flash drive or lipstick. It should have stopped right there. Instead, the editorial goes off on some predictable "concern" about as yet undiscovered health issues.

Health issues? Who cares? Have teens ever engaged in unhealthy behavior? The possibility that vaping could develop health issues is completely irrelevant.

The elephant in the room is that vaping or any other distraction should not be permitted in a formal classroom setting. Period. In a classroom you get to pay attention. That's it. That's all. And nothing else. You don't get to chew gum, slouch in your seat, talk, whisper, ask to go to the bathroom, pass notes, look around, and nowadays, eat chips or suck on a bottle of water.

"Who knew" implies that vaping is just some sorta trend that kinda came about like teen fashion, hairstyles, dance steps, or speech lingo (daddy-o). But hey, what can ya do? These are different times and "they are a-changin'." Oh yeah? This is a telling indicator of how much control we adults have allowed to give up by "negotiating" with the urchins on their wants and needs. Who gives a "you know what" about their wants and needs? We are supposed to be forming their wants and needs, not consulting them. The paper needs to get with the "old school" ideas, most of which worked well and would work again today if those in charge (that would be we adults) have the nerve to put them in place.

JAMES HATCH

Little Rock

Saw a bright red flag

On April 11, there was a wire report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette titled "Poison-laced fake pot fatal in Illinois." The very same day, an editorial from the Chicago Tribune titled "Teens and vaping" appeared. Hopefully, I was not the only one who read these, but a bright red flag went up when I read the pieces.

Apparently it is the "cool" of today to use e-cigarettes to aid in quitting smoking. However, the youth have caught onto these as also "cool," called "vaping," where marijuana can be added. Teenagers hang out together and "vape," thinking how cool they are as they watch the smoke rise up and out.

I believe this is just another ploy to introduce our youth to the use of drugs--hence, drug addiction. Every parent of a teenager today should stand up and scream "no" to this "toy" and demand it be taken off the market. Just another way for drug peddlers to smuggle their wares in, not only to our young people but also adults.

CALLIE WILKINS

Hot Springs Village

Editorial on 04/16/2018

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