Arkansas needs more of what Comstock offers

We are living in a time when too much of our conversation, both public and private, is focused on expressing our own views, venting our frustrations and assigning blame for our problems. We must stop screaming long enough to listen.

To this end, we have an opportunity to elect Jon Comstock the next senator from Arkansas District 3. This is not a “throw the bums out” plea. It is a plea to intentionally elect a person who has the ability because of his training and profession to lead us toward listening and problem solving, and the compromise necessary to find effective solutions.

Jon is a former judge who has shifted his law practice to arbitration. This past year, he hosted public forums to address and discuss some of the divisive issues in Northwest Arkansas. They included questions concerning the death penalty in Arkansas, problems faced by people of color in Arkansas, and questions concerning the Confederate soldier statue in the Bentonville Square. At these events I saw exactly what I would love to see more of. Jon assembled excellent expert panels, members of the audience expressed dissenting views and listened and responded respectfully. Solving these problems was not the purpose of the forums, but they clearly demonstrated how the process of finding solutions should begin.

Civil discourse is rarely in abundant supply. It is now seriously overshadowed by fear, anger and frustration. If you are concerned about much of what you see in our state and country, please learn more about Jon Comstock, who he is and what he has accomplished. BECKY HILL Rogers