Hope found at march
On Saturday, I joined the Gaza march at Dallas City Hall, and what I witnessed was a model of what American democracy can still be — peaceful, passionate and profoundly diverse. People of different religions, ethnicities and life experiences came together for a common purpose: to call on our government and world leaders to take action and hold nations accountable for apartheid, genocide and atrocities that disregard the sanctity of human life.
This rally and march gave me hope — hope that the world around us is not entirely out of control, nor deaf to the call for love and peace. We marched because we stand with those who suffer violence, hunger and war crimes. We marched because we believe love is stronger than war and hate. We marched because we believe in the equal dignity and worth of every human being.
We will continue to march until the blood spilled in Gaza, Ukraine, the Middle East and even in our own nation is indistinguishable from the blood in the communion cup many of us share each Sunday — a reminder that all life is sacred and connected.
My gratitude goes to the Dallas Police Department for keeping us safe and to the organizers whose relentless pursuit of peace continues to inspire.
Opinion
The Rev. Ryan Wager, Dallas
Associate Pastor/Vicar, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church
Prayer vigils supported
Re: “Faith leaders resume vigils — Weekly prayer focuses on condemning violence after attack,” Tuesday news story.
I was happy to read that weekly prayer vigils have resumed near the ICE headquarters after a prudent pause following the horrific shooting and murders there on Sept. 24.
These vigils, organized by Faith Commons and the Clergy League for Emergency Action and Response, bring together an ecumenical group of area faith leaders and concerned citizens to pray for our immigrant population and our law enforcement officers. Both are caught up in the administration’s enhanced deportation enforcement policies.
In my view, it is well past time for all of us to search our hearts and pray for our political leaders to espouse a more humane and just immigration policy. Most Americans feel that rounding up and deporting the really bad guys is good policy, but credible data show that 70% of those in ICE detention do not have criminal convictions.
It is heartening to see the pope direct American bishops to speak forthrightly about this current policy.
I attended several of these vigils last spring and I look forward to participating again in the weeks to come.
Jack Vaughn, Dallas/Greenway Parks
Set up maintenance now
The Dallas City Hall building is not the problem — horseshoe leadership is. When I attended the City Council 2024 budget meeting, the topic of how to fund the immediate $25 million in deferred City Hall maintenance was discussed.
When they asked the Dallas director of facilities about the sad state of City Hall maintenance, he stated that the department only repairs buildings based on the “squeaky wheel” call to action method.
Whichever council member makes the most uproar about city-owned buildings in his or her district gets those fixed first.
Since I’m a property manager for multiple commercial and residential properties, I almost fell out of my chair when I heard his response that no pro-active comprehensive maintenance program was followed. Unfortunately, City Hall maintenance was never elevated for needed repairs with each council kicking the budget can down the road until it’s time to pay the piper.
City Council members must prove to me and all of my fellow taxpayers that a cost-effective, efficient maintenance program that produces professional results is in place. It must protect our existing buildings and tenants before we hear about this knee-jerk reaction to bring in the bulldozers.
Ed Zahra, Dallas/Hollywood Heights
Disappointed in AG
Re: “Bondi deflects Senate panel’s questions — Hearing sought clarity on claims of partisan Justice Department,” Wednesday news story.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary committee Tuesday was excruciating to watch. She insulted senators and consistently flipped through her opposition research binder to locate and assert personal accusations against the senators.
I was surprised to see The Dallas Morning News’ characterization of Bondi’s appearance as simply “brushing aside” and “deflecting” questions, when her performance was combative at best. The News should have more accurately reflected the substance and tone of the hearing.
Republican or Democrat, we should all expect more answers from Cabinet members who appear before the House or Senate, whose constitutional mandate includes oversight of the Justice Department.
Kelly Lane, Dallas
Why Chicago, governor
So, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent our state’s National Guard to Chicago to help fight the out-of-control crimes occurring there. According to our local news agencies, the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area experienced 10 murders just the past weekend.
Maybe Abbott needs to look no farther than his own backyard before throwing stones at another city’s problems. You think?
Lynne Harmon, Fort Worth
This is nuts!
Let me get this straight. The governor of one sovereign state is sending an armed force to another sovereign state despite that state’s expressed opposition.
Is this a declaration of war? Is this how civil wars break out?
This is nuts!
Mike Brock, Farmers Branch