Letter to the Editor

Facts needed in July 20 article

I strongly disagree with the lack of pertinent facts in the July 20 article "JBU's Pollard signs LGBT Letter to Obama," written by Tina Parker. Is it possible the author either printed her article too quickly to obtain important information about this publicized public letter or intentionally left out pertinent information having to do with homosexuality?

Out of the author's 740-word article she gives no quotes from Dr. Pollard and only 44 words from Lucas Roebuck, director of communications for JBU. She writes 25 words in describing where Holly Dickson, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, comes from yet quotes only 61 words from her.

Parker's only other source comes from Jacob Little, a JBU graduate and former staff member. He belongs to a group at JBU called OneJBU which consists of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) allies. She quotes 153 words from him, which is 20.68 percent or 1/5 of her article, and only 5.95 percent from Roebuck and 8.24 percent from Dickson, and 0 percent from Dr. Pollard.

Did Parker explain that a lesbian female is one who's romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to females; a gay male is one who's romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to males; a bisexual is someone who's romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to people of both sexes; a transgender is one who's internal feeling of being male, female, or transgender usually differs from that of the birth sex.

Did Parker include Newsweek's stats that only 1 percent to 2.6 percent American citizens claim to be homosexual? However, homosexual activists use 10 percent as a tactic to gain sympathy and power. So what about the more than 90 percent of us who are straight? Does America give priority to the minority groups over the majority groups?

Did Parker inform that Centers of Disease Control says 1,148,200 Americans aged 13 and older were living with HIV in 2009? Of those about 473,000 had AIDS the disease, not just the virus. In light of these facts why judge faith-based organizations for signing the LGBT letter to Obama? Webster states, "Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear."

Rather than criticize these courageous organizations why don't we praise them for their concern and efforts to protect the more than 90 percent?

U.S. flags a worthy investment

It is time for my annual tribute to our city government and the Siloam Springs Lions Club for the flags displayed along U.S. Highway 412.

My heart swells with patriotic pride every time I enter town from the east or west and am greeted by the wonderful row of proudly flying flags on the south side of the highway. I always feel as if I'm being escorted through Siloam Springs by these symbols of America.

What better statement of allegiance to the nation could our city make than this constant display of the stars and stripes on city utility poles? The city buys the flags (about $8,000 per year -- what a bargain!) and the Lions Club members personally handle this project. They maintain the flags by putting them up and replacing them when they get tattered and worn, according to proper flag etiquette.

I salute this civic-minded club for their dedication and consistent maintenance of this source of community pride. I know they respond quickly and efficiently when advised of a flag in need of replacement. Consider the height of the flag placement on the poles, and you will realize the challenge of using a bucket truck alongside a very busy highway to replace flags.

I consider the city's use of funds to support this project to be entirely justifiable, because the flags enhance our city's image and project the welcoming message we desire.

Thanks to our City Board of Directors and the Lions Club for making us proud, and for making us look good to citizens and visitors.

Words of caution for Elgin Street

Warning: Do not drive down my street or you may get a ticket or worse!

Late Wednesday night I was driving home when a nice young policeman pulled me over and informed me that I had crossed left of center. I thanked him and told him I certainly did and have and would continue to until this street was repaired. He gave me a warning ticket and allowed me to go.

When informed, my husband exclaimed, "Crossed the center line? There is no center line!"

This incident has been just another reminder to our neighborhood of how dangerous our street is. I live in a cul-de-sac at the end of West Elgin Street which begins as a one-way alleyway which goes for two blocks before opening onto a much wider, unlined, parking-lot-looking street before narrowing back to a very narrow, rough, unlined two-way street with no curbs, shoulders or sidewalks.

If just my neighbors used this street, that would be bad enough, but this street provides access to a Northside Elementary School and Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab Center. On any given day, one can see numerous cars dropping off and picking up very young children, buses transporting students, numerous large delivery trucks, ambulances, trash trucks and vehicles coming and going to the playground and nursing home.

In addition, we have numerous dogs, children, joggers, bikers and pedestrians who share this road -- a road that has been on and removed from the city plan several times. So, for now, people who drive down my street don't drive left of center -- they drive DOWN the center. This might sound humorous if it weren't so dangerous for so many of our citizens. Where is the plan to help them and this street?