JEERS: To the City of Texarkana, Ark., and Texarkana, Texas, for not sitting down at the table and working out an agreement to share the costs of running the present animal shelter. I have lived in Texarkana for 53 years and as far as I can remember, the present animal shelter has always handled animals from both sides of the city and the surrounding areas. Why would Texarkana, Texas, now need to build a separate shelter? This would be a waste of a large expense to build the facility and to duplicate the services and expenses at two different facilities. It would only make sense to save both city governments money and to save the citizens of Texarkana money from increased taxes to pay for the shelters. In the long run, it will be the citizens of both sides of the city who will have to pay the price for this duplication of services. Please let your feelings be known to City Hall administration.—W.H., Texarkana, Texas



CHEERS: To Texarkana Gazette for featuring therapy dogs on the front page, focusing on the dogs’ importance in the lives of many. I have a long history of severe panic attacks and know how vital a dog can be in just getting out of the house and trying to live normally as possible. While my sweet black lab is not a certified therapy dog, his presence has made a world of difference in my life. God bless all the individuals who take the time to train canines to become certified therapy dogs and to these wonderful angels who lovingly help humans.—J.M.G., DeKalb, Texas



CHEERS: To UAMS on their new mental health center in Little Rock. The well-written article in the Dec. 3 edition of the Texarkana Gazette serves to highlight the disparity of mental health care available in our geographical area. Such a huge embarrassment to our otherwise high quality medical care that we so enjoy. I’m sure the family of the woman involved in the incident at the Arkansas Walmart, as given front page coverage, is thankful too. And Jeers to the editorial in the same edition of the Gazette concerning the “expense” employers will be forced to underwrite for mental health care as mandated in the recent federal legislation. Your opinion is the exact reason the U.S. will eventually have national health care insurance (otherwise known as socialized medicine) which will cover not only the young, indigent and elderly, but every citizen. As you continue espousing this philosophy, the feds will continue to move closer and closer to this goal, most especially with the highly anticipated arrival of our liberal Democratic congress and president. I am a registered Democrat.—L.A., Wake Village, Texas



CHEERS: To the Texarkana Gazette for a real taste of reality in publishing the editorial cartoon on Tuesday, Nov, 25. “President-elect Obama replacing the U.S. Constitution.” Patriotic Americans had better start understanding the political agenda of the Democrat Party. Their outright social policies are Marxist in nature. Any Democrat voter must take their own responsiblility for supporting such people and such a party. Obama said “... spread the wealth.” Karl Marx said “... from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” The Pilgrims quickly learned this philosophy was doomed to failure and then started capitalism in America. I mean, people, look at any socialist state, Germany under Hitler, Italy under Mussolini, Russia under Lenin, Iraq under Hussein, Iran under Kohmeni, Chavez in Venzuela, China under every leader. Socialism means two things for sure: it never works and you lose your freedom.—J.B., Atlanta, Texas



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