Truth, law and decency for ’26
2025 brought enormous turmoil to the American political system. Division and polarization were the order of the day — and tribalism was the word best describing the year.
My hope for 2026 is that we recommit ourselves as a nation to the concept of truth, reaffirm the centrality of the rule of law to our constitutional form of government and remember that decency is the noblest of virtues transcending politics and partisan differences.
To realize this hope will require constant vigilance and resistance. It will demand that we have the courage to stand up against all those who seek to destabilize and undermine the very institutions that preserve our democracy and who appeal to and incite hate.
But most of all it will oblige us to act out of love and respect — in a manner truly befitting our humanity. Failure to bring these goals to fruition could turn turmoil into our country’s downfall.
Opinion
Richard A. Cherwitz, Camas, Wash.
Trump is a peacemaker
Whatever President Donald Trump’s faults may be, and there are many, as we all have, he is trying to end killing and terrorism. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and this New Year, may we embrace some kindness, love and Christ’s admonitions.
We know evil exists in our world, and we must defend what is right, true and beneficial, so please pray for America.
Anton Skell, Plano
Use dollar cost averaging
Re: “Refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve now, before it’s too late — Take advantage of low crude prices to fix what Biden broke,” by August Pfluger, Monday Opinion.
U. S. Rep. Pfluger cites a need to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Those of us in the financial services commonly counsel clients to practice dollar cost averaging or DCA. That is, rather than play the market believing prices are low (they may always go lower), Congress should appropriate an annual amount, divide it by 12, and purchase monthly.
Under this plan, Congress would purchase more as prices fall and less as prices rise, thus resulting in lower average prices. This strategy has been key to building personal wealth in 401(k), 529 and other plans.
As the reserve fills over time, Congress could taper down the annual appropriation. This would further amplify the effect of DCA, as prices tend to rise over time.
Ken Duble, Dallas/The Cedars
Avelo relies on deportations
Re: “Expanding airport lands its first carrier,” Friday Metro & Business story.
There was something missing from the description of Avelo Airlines’ business model. It appears a core business strategy is partnering with the U.S. government to provide deportation charter flights.
In April 2025, Andrew Levy, founder, chairman and CEO, said, “After significant deliberations, we determined [the deportation flights] will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come.”
Even if they won’t be flying those charters from the McKinney airport, if this abhorrent approach is a key business model, they need to rethink their basic principles.
Deborah Kronschnabel, Grapevine
A penny for our thoughts
Re: “Many share their two cents on penny’s demise — Hundreds turn out to honor coin in a show of great cent-iment,” Sunday news story.
Dear penny, you were never worth much and just a single cent, but yet you carried more weight in our hearts than your copper frame could bear. You jingled in pockets, rolled across countertops and slipped through the cracks of our lives, a quiet witness to our daily exchanges.
Children learned to count with you. We dropped you into fountains with whispered wishes, pressed you into lucky hands and tossed you on counters for the next person short of change. You reminded us that even the smallest things could still matter — that value wasn’t always about worth, but about presence.
You wore the face of Abraham Lincoln and the words, “In God We Trust.” You connected us to history in the simplest way possible.
Now that you’re gone, our wallets are lighter, but so is the world — a little less humble, a little less human.
Goodbye, old friend. You taught us that every bit counts.
From someone who still stops to pick you up.
Steve Ballard, Addison
Sell, Jerry Jones
I’m 72 years old and have been a Cowboys fan since 1961. I grew up in West Texas where football is king. Played myself and spent lots of money on tickets, books, jerseys, hats, banners, etc.
As an Air Force veteran, I rooted for them around the world during the good, bad and ugly.
My uncle requested that he be buried in his Cowboy windbreaker to the chagrin of some family members, yet his request was granted.
I have one request: Jerry, sell the team! You don’t care about fans like me or my family. Buy a bank if you want an ATM. You sure don’t know how to be a general manager in the National Football League.
Ricky Dale Lansford, San Antonio
Stay the course again?
Now Jerry Jones tells us that our 30-year drought is nothing and next year we will win a Super Bowl by staying the current course.
Everyone older than 12 has heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Apparently, Jones has never heard this. It would certainly explain his ineptitude at running a football team.
Larry Abeln, Richardson
A leaner Mean Green
Re: “Uncertainty faces North Texas program — Chance to reach CFP over, Mean Green must rebuild on fly,” by Shawn MacFarland, Dec. 7 SportsDay column.
University of North Texas athletes leaving for greener pastures? Who do they think they are? Coaches?
Stephan J. Gozdecki, Plano