As 2018 comes to an end, we’d like to thank all the letter writers who shared their opinions with us. We read every letter and appreciate those who…
As 2018 comes to an end, we’d like to thank all the letter writers who shared their opinions with us. We read every letter and appreciate those who take the time to write. Many write not only regularly but daily. Here is a selection of some of the letters that stood out in 2018.
Three cheers for Joe Straus
To the talented writers and opinion columnists, three cheers to your moving and impactful story on Texas House Speaker Joe Straus. Additional whoops and hollers for the Texan himself!
It has been a long time since I’ve kept an article for a souvenir, but this one will be enjoyed several more times. I am, in fact, tempted to read it to my yoga classes. The quote by Straus you used as a headline — «I’m not gonna have the suicide of a single Texan on my conscience» — makes this Texan mom want to cry with affirmation and joy.
Thank you, Joe Straus, for honoring each of us the way I believe our state was intended. Dignity and fortitude are our inheritances, and transgender folks keep pushing for those inheritances more than other citizens are required to.
In yoga, we try very hard to practice compassion and peacefulness to make our world, and our Texas, a better place. Sometimes you have to look real hard to find those who actually «walk the walk.»
I will be forever grateful to Straus for illustrating how we need to treat each other in our great state. Moreover, I thank him and The Dallas Morning News for highlighting the very acts we all stand for and our state motto, «friendship.»
Debbi K. Levy, Dallas, Jan. 15 Harry S. Truman’s language
By now, we all know the latest word of the week coming out of the White House. Only a few years ago, that word would have been banned from broadcast TV, but now you need to hold your kid’s ears every time the news comes on. Oh, he’s not the first president to use vulgarity, but I understand, in this latest case, it was the context in which it was used that makes it unacceptable.
Notwithstanding this, it reminds me a little of an article I read some years back about Harry S. Truman during his presidency. One day, as he was walking through the White House, he inadvertently walked in on one of Bess’ Washington Ladies Club meetings. He politely excused himself and tried to exit, but one of the ladies made the mistake of asking him how he was. His answer was something like «Oh, fine, but I’d be a lot better if the Republicans would stop slinging all that manure.»
As he turned and left, that lady leaned in to Bess and said, «You know, I dearly love your husband, but I wish he’d stop using that word — manure.»
Bess leaned back to her and said, «Madam, you have no idea how long it took me to get him to say the word manure.»
David McDonald, Heath, Jan. 21 Community needs this reporting
Thank you for reporting the good news that Timberlawn is closing its doors. There was no excuse for Timberlawn to have been managed the way it was.
Your investigation and reporting on these issues of safety and abuse are very important to our community. If it weren’t for your valuable reporting, these matters would have been swept under the rug and never be exposed. Keep up the great work!
Jane Greenwood, Richardson, Jan. 25 Create term limits now
Considering the dysfunction demonstrated by the recent shutdown of the government, I think it is way past time for placing term limits on Congress by forming a constitutional convention of the states as set forth in Article V of the Constitution.
I suggest a limit of two six-year terms for senators and four two-year terms for House members. There should be a transition period so enough experience is retained to allow reasonable functioning of Congress. I suggest one-third of the Senate be phased out in each of the next three election cycles; those with the most seniority leave first. In the House, I suggest that one-eighth of the members be phased out over the next eight election cycles, again starting with the most senior members.
Congress has gotten to a point that it can’t pass the annual budget and other common-sense legislation. Too many members are taking positions only to enhance re-election, or ensure the long-term dominance of their political party. They ignore working for the good of the country.
Having a bunch of career politicians trying to get re-elected has brought us to this unacceptable stalemate, and we need to bring it to an end.
Charles Edward Jackson, Richardson, Jan. 31 I’m NRA and back restrictions
I am a member of the National Rifle Association and a holder of a concealed carry permit. I, however, believe in full background checks, gun registration, a list of persons banned from purchasing firearms subject to court appeal and the ban on owning assault weapons such as an AR-15 or AK-47 by anyone other than police and military organizations. No one uses these weapons for hunting.
Also restricting sale of violent game systems and violent internet games to anyone under the age of 21 is needed.
Bruce May, Garland, March 4 Listening goes a long way
A strange thing happened recently on a Southwest flight from Dallas to Burbank, Calif. A conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat were seated next to each other on a full flight. A middle-aged man and an elderly woman somehow struck up a conversation, including on religion and politics. He was a Christian Donald Trump supporter; she was neither. They kept up a three-hour conversation on many touchy subjects.
Each listened respectfully while the other talked about their point of view. They found areas where they actually agreed. The conversation was lively, intelligent, informed and thought-provoking, and each of them learned something from it.
I am the old woman, and I learned that it is possible to have a meaningful conversation with «the other side» — and we don’t have to be enemies because we think differently. We do have to be respectful of each other, think about what the other says and try to see his or her point of view.
