Only disinformation

In response to Bradley Gitz’s divisive and disgusting opinion piece last Monday: Although Mr. Gitz knows better, he claims that Democrats are being unreasonably preoccupied with safety in this pandemic, that politics are guiding their unreasonable approach, and that their attitude about addressing this pandemic will suddenly change after Joe Biden’s election on Nov. 3.

Instead of denigrating Democrats and instigating defiance of the work closures, I suggest that Mr. Gitz study the example of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is moving as quickly as practical to properly reopen the state’s economy. Governor Hutchinson is opening various work locations and churches based on analysis of Arkansas pandemic data by our medical experts, and he is leading us forward out of this pandemic in a measured, united fashion instead of blaming others for holding us back. Governors in other states are doing the same or they will face voters’ wrath in the next election.

Since Mr. Gitz sometimes provides a list of recommended reading to his readers, I would like to return the favor and recommend that he Google Russian disinformation in the 2016 election and read Volume 2 of the Senate Intel report. Since the chairman and a majority of the committee are Republicans, this was not a hit piece by the opposition party. This report details how the Russians used social media to spread incorrect information on socially divisive issues such as race, immigration, and Second Amendment rights. Since there have been no consequences, the Russians will continue to interfere in our elections, and they will simply add this country’s response to the coronavirus to their list of socially divisive issues. The disinformation and divisiveness that Mr. Gitz and others are peddling makes it easier for the Russians to keep meddling. PAUL SIMMS

Little Rock