Letters to the editor

Subdivision offers ‘thanks’ Dear editor:

We had so many people show their support for the approval of the appeal to the Hot Springs Planning Commission’s conditional use permit that would have allowed the city to build a 170foot tall water storage tank in a neighborhood that is zoned suburban residential. It is because of this support that we were successful in presenting our case to stop the planned construction. I think I speak for our entire neighborhood in thanking both our neighbors along Pakis Street and those from throughout the city for your support. It was a team effort from the beginning and our team just kept growing.

We presented our case to the Hot Springs Board of Directors on July 18 and I can’t say enough about the professional way this group handled themselves. They appeared to all be caring and concerned citizens who showed the utmost respect for the visitors to their chambers and were interested in all the comments. I believe they all give so much of their time to make Hot Springs a better place and while I may not always agree with each decision, I do always appreciate the honest effort. I commend the entire group and their staff on their professionalism and thank them for their vote to help save Broadmoor Subdivision.

I see so many positive things taking place in Hot Springs recently and am happy that I can again focus on the positive. Susan Batterton Hot Springs

GOP ‘desperate’ Dear editor:

The Republicans are living in desperation because they are stymied on the health care revision. After all, Trump was elected so that Congress could carry out his agenda. Wrong. Trump was elected because very few people wanted another Clinton in the White House.

Trump never had an agenda. He just vented what he hoped would sell, and it did. We should all be convinced by now that he has no principles and no real agenda. But he’s not lazy. Watch him. He is never for or against anything except what will make him more dear to his billionaire friends and his loyal base. Trump only has two agendas. Being stroked and acquiring more money. He is a very insecure man.

Today, the Affordable Health Care Act needs revisions and upgrades. But instead, if Congress passes a bill that leaves Americans with no health care, then President Pence will not be re-elected. And neither will the Republicans in Congress. Or yeah. Trump is going to decide to go back to his previous life when it becomes obvious he is going to be impeached. So Pence will have to pardon him and finish his term.

You know it’s a shame. There were several very promising candidates in last years Republican Party. Hopefully Trump will not have a long-lasting effect on our country. Hopefully our next president will be an honorable person. Ronnie Rogers Hot Springs Village

Don’t gut amendment

Dear editor:

If House Republicans succeed in their efforts to gut the Johnson Amendment, it would open the door for big money donors and political interest groups to pressure and manipulate our nation’s churches and charities.

Without this amendment, big donors would have free reign to use

institutions meant for the social good to funnel unlimited amounts of money into political elections in secret — and get a tax break for doing it.

The Johnson Amendment is crucial to uphold the integrity of our churches, our charities and our elections. This is why House Republicans should not gut it! Danielle Jensen Hot Springs Village

The Smith Act

Dear editor:

Loy Mauch is at it again with his pseudo-historical nonsense in order to justify his well-known radical beliefs about the Civil War, the Confederacy and racism.

He asked, to paraphrase, “to cite the article, section and clause of the U.S. Constitution or any other law passed by an American legislative body that makes it (a) crime” to engage in secession. Therefore, in 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed setting out punishments and imprisonment for “opposing or resisting any law of the United States” for “false, scandalous and malicious writing” about the president or the U.S. Congress.

In 1940, the Smith Act was passed making it a federal crime “to advocate or to teach the desirability of overthrowing the United States Government, or to be a member of any organization which does the same.” The Smith Act remains a federal law today. And, U.S. Code 2383 — Rebellion or Insurrection — states, “Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.” David Welch Hot Springs Village

The right to write

Dear editor:

Two writers recently expressed the opinion that some regular writers do not impress them with their ideas, political, social or otherwise. I certainly do not always agree with others’ letters, but I would not want to deny them the right to express themselves. That is a right many in the past fought and died for. That is one thing that makes “The American Dream” stay alive.

Not all letters have to be critical of city/county employees, but there is certainly a place for such. I am grateful for a paper editor that allows great diversity in expression. I do wish some writers would base their opinions more on fact and I do not believe name-calling is not a civil act of adulthood. Those who break up a friendship because of differences in thought, especially political thought, seem to me to lack an adult perspective. Leaving the marble game due to a loss demonstrates childish playground action. John W. “Doc” Crawford Hot Springs