Must rescue nation

To read the news these days is to read our democracy’s obituary. Cruelty, fear, our anthem replaced by the dirge of an egomaniac as his vile darkness descends upon our nation.

His is a cancer carried by a failed former businessman who intends to replace our democracy with his cruel autocracy. He seeks to turn the White House into an obscenely garish permanent tribute to his lordship. His egomania hungers for his likeness to be carved into Mount Rushmore.

Though he swore to uphold the Constitution, he seeks to sweep aside the enduring freedoms of expression and association our founding fathers bequeathed us. He sends his masked goons to beat us into submission, into silence, into a land of fear, not one of opportunity for all.

Hungry for absolute autocracy. Seething. Vindictive. Corrupt. A man who steals from the poor to fill his coffers.

Our very own six pallbearers from Arkansas, the ones who supposedly represent Arkansans, their acquiescence, their silence nourishes our freedoms’ demise. Like Jungian shadows, they shuffle under the weight of our democracy’s coffin.

Not even a year in and no pretending rids us of the stench, a Faulknerian’s “As I Lay Dying,” as buzzards circle overhead.

We have a choice. Whisper our fears, or use our voices, speak truth to power, loudly and repeatedly, carry freedom’s torch, persist in hitting the streets, question the coffin bearers, demand true representation, our freedoms, our nation, our democracy.

We must show up. We must speak out. We must not cower. We must say, “no more, no more.” We must rescue our nation.

Our silence is our gift to democracy’s thief and to the six court jesters we sent to represent us, not the insanity despoiling our nation from the U.S. Capitol to our own right here in Arkansas.

BOB REYNOLDS

Conway

Not so newsworthy

An article by Brett Barrouquere that appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Nov. 1 featured the headline, “Arkansas attorney general’s office wants to question jurors who awarded inmate $5,001.” Journalism professors have long taught their students that a story with the headline “Dog bites man” isn’t necessarily news, but a story with the headline “Man bites dog” is of interest because it is unique. The comparative headline to this story is “Man takes dog for a walk.”

Prosecutors and defense attorneys routinely request to meet with jurors after a case has concluded so they can get feedback on their arguments. It’s one way attorneys learn what is effective at trial and what is not. But it’s not newsworthy. And just because one reporter isn’t familiar with the practice doesn’t mean it’s news. Furthermore, the story began with the sentence, “Damien Ford produced something akin to a legal unicorn.” From the standpoint of journalistic standards, opening a straight news story with a blatantly editorializing statement isn’t great. It’s worse when the statement isn’t true.

The author cites a 2021 University of Michigan Law School report that included statistics showing how frequently lawsuits brought by inmates go to trial, as well as how frequently those cases that do go to trial end up with damages awarded to the plaintiffs. The author of this paper’s article about Damien Ford’s lawsuit erred significantly in his citation of the percentage of cases where inmates win at trial. He wrote that it’s between 1 percent and 2 percent, when the study clearly notes that in 2021 the figure was 12 percent. Twelve percent isn’t a high percentage of wins, but it is far from a “legal unicorn.”

I am perplexed by this paper’s decision to run a story about such a common occurrence, and I don’t understand why it incorrectly published statistics that are erroneous at best and misleading at worst. Finally, when my staff reached out to the editor responsible for reviewing and approving the story, we received no response.

TIM GRIFFIN

Little Rock

Tim Griffin is attorney general for the state of Arkansas.

Editor’s note: The percentage of inmates’ civil rights cases won at trial was 12 percent, according to a University of Michigan study. The figure in the story was incorrect. A correction to the story has been published online and in the print edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Cut down food waste

It is unethical that roughly one-fifth of all food is wasted. This staggering inefficiency portends devastating consequences for the environment and global food security. Our urgent attention and action are demanded and should not be delayed.

The figures are alarming. According to the UN, 8 to 10 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions are food loss and waste. The resources squandered—including land, water, and energy used to produce, transport, and store uneaten food—are immense. Simultaneously, this waste co-exists with widespread hunger.

Requiring leadership at every level to address this systemic problem will contribute to its solution.

We can make a difference by changing our habits. Write a shopping list, plan meals, store food properly, and utilize leftovers. Apps like Too Good To Go connect consumers with local businesses to save surplus food. A significant portion of food waste occurs at the household level. We should eat healthy, appropriate amounts.

Businesses can adopt practices that minimize waste across the supply chain. Retailers and restaurants can ameliorate inventory management with technology, use dynamic pricing for items nearing expiration, and donate surplus food. Food prices will continue to rise. Decrease overproduction and control portion size.

Explore and develop the infrastructure and incentives to scale up food waste solutions. Standardize confusing date labels for consumers. Mandate organic waste diversion to reduce landfill emissions, promote composting, and implement food donation policies with similar goals.

We should transition from a “throw-away” society to a mindset of resourcefulness and respect for the food we produce and the producers. Reducing food waste is a powerful way to combat climate change, protect the planet’s resources, and alleviate hunger. Let’s make every meal count.

Food wastage is not a revelation. It is neither religious nor political. It is the reiteration of information that some of us choose to ignore, going about our daily lives, thinking it is not our problem, and someone else will take care of it.

JHABLALL BALMAKUND

Rogers

Try paying attention

Re frequent editorials and op-ed pundits’ claims that Democrats were in disarray and didn’t have a message: The end of the Democratic Party? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Please try paying attention to (and reporting) what is actually happening, and what the candidates are actually saying.

Do not clasp right-wing messaging so close to your bosoms. You have a responsibility to your readers!

And do have some compassion for the workers who really keep the country together. That is definitely one of the Democratic messages.

JUDY WILMOTH WHITE

Little Rock