Paper ballots waste of money
Monday, I voted in Collin County using the new process of paper ballots. I score the process a D-minus. The print was tiny, the For/Against circles were tiny and the ballpoint pen used to mark a selection needed pressure.
For this senior citizen who has been voting mostly Republican for 70 years but now wears glasses and has arthritic fingers, the change from large-print screen that was easy to read and use to the new system is a step backward, a complete waste of $2.3 million of taxpayer money. It should promptly be reversed.
Shep Stahel, Plano
Peaceful, spirited protest
After the president and his supporters had been announcing for days that on Saturday, our country would be seeing “Hate America” rallies, my husband and I were surprised (not really) that our fellow Plano No Kings rally attendees were peaceful, positive, spirited grandmas and veterans and kids and patriots of all ages.
How shameful to be told, as a veteran, that rallying for a government of the people and resisting authoritarianism is somehow “hating America.”
Opinion
A special shout-out to the Plano Police Department, whose officers were helpful, positive and courteous as they worked to keep everyone safe.
Cathy Murphree, Richardson
Young folks, come to rallies
My husband and I went to the No Kings rally downtown on Saturday. As seniors, we were concerned about safety and also the absolute lunacy of old people having to speak up against negative actions, instead of the young folks with their futures at stake.
I was pleased at the variety of people, ages, signs, kindness, hope — all on display, rain and all.
I read and watch various news outlets, including The Dallas Morning News. How do Republicans not see that health care benefits everyone, every single one of us? How do Republicans not recognize that their leaders are threatening Democrats, who will not pass the stop-gap bill unfettered, with their usual weapon: removing or canceling programs that help the average American?
Democrats want to protect the average American, and Republicans seem to want to withhold from them the basics of life. Buying private planes for Kristi Noem and giving South American countries billions instead of American farmers, and then releasing lawbreakers from prison — holy cow! And do not get me started on crosswalks. Gov. Greg Abbott, what a hateful waste of time.
When there is another rally, show up, young folks!
Diane Ramsey, Mesquite
Trump’s response disgusting
Thank you for your coverage of the rally in Dallas to support America, its democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law. The rally was also in opposition to the Trump administration’s tyrannical power grabs and authoritarian rule by executive edicts.
Our rally was like similar events all across our great nation. In response, the president posted an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown and dropping feces bombs on Americans peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights. This is disgusting, but further proof of our point.
Brad Kizzia, Dallas
Keep Dallas autonomy
Re: “City to explore ICE deal — Mayor wants meeting after police chief declined $25M offer,” Monday news story.
The positions of mayor and city council in Dallas have been nonpartisan since I can recall. A couple of years ago, Mayor Eric Johnson decided to jump on the MAGA bandwagon obviously with the furthering of his political career in mind.
Now he wishes to drag GOP control into the day-to-day workings of our government. This needs to be stopped.
Kudos to Police Chief Daniel Comeaux for refusing the MAGA advances at the outset. I think, as a population, we need to resist and retain our local autonomy, which is already threatened from Austin and D.C.
In violating the principles of nonpartisanship, I would like to see action against the mayor, himself, including a discussion of recall. It’s our city.
Craig Marckwardt, Dallas/Mountain Creek
Vote against RISD Prop A
Re: “3 Richardson ISD proposals deserve approval,” Sunday editorial.
Vote no on Proposition A. It is a bloated mixture of reasonable needs, justifiable wants and expensive wishes. Half of the $1.4 billion price tag is to tear down six functional junior high schools, originally built to serve three grades, and replace them with new middle schools to also serve three grades.
The district student population has remained stable for years, and Richardson ISD owns as many as six excess properties it needs to sell.
This bond request is 50% larger than the 2021 request, which itself was the second 20% increase in a row.
In the immortal words of a former first lady of the U.S., “Just say no.”
Edward Belanger, Far North Dallas
Sunday columns refreshing
Please print more articles like Ronell Smith’s Sunday column about what voters want and Adam Brandon’s on independent voters. You would be amazed at how refreshing their insights are.
Diane Thornburg, Bedford
Cadets need civilian professors
It has been brought to my attention that the Secretary of Defense (War), Pete Hegseth, spurred by the president, is strongly considering lowering the percentage, or eliminating, civilian professors at the country’s national military academies, such as the Naval Academy from which I graduated.
Civilian professors have advanced degrees in important areas that military officers don’t have the time or opportunity to gain a high level of expertise.
The current curriculum at academies typically includes STEM subjects as well as those in the humanities, such as political science, English and history.
The father of our Navy, John Paul Jones, said an officer should possess, among other qualities and skills, a liberal education.
Thomas Howell, Dallas