Losing control to ‘Big Brother’
Re: “Texas ‘Death Star’ Law Goes Too Far — Lawsuit targeting Dallas ordinances attempts to erode local control,” Tuesday editorial.
Thank you, Dallas Morning News, for shedding light on our local government. We are losing control to the “big brother“ state and federal jurisdiction. It’s not that the big picture is overreach, but it’s a failure to consider the nuance of every new mandate. One-size-fits-all is the easy solution.
It’s difficult and time-consuming to break it down and consider the consequences. Many lawmakers in state and federal governments seem more interested in the presentation and not the consequences. Could it be that getting it right is not their goal as long as they make a political point?
Philip Martin, Carrollton
Drop the Stars lawsuit
Re: “Trade, bleak season force GM out door,” Wednesday news story.
I’m a lifelong Dallas resident and until recently was a big supporter of the Mavericks (ever since their inception).
Opinion
With regards to the recent firing of the general manager, I have two things to say: 1. Better late than never (too bad you didn’t do this when he asked permission to trade Luka Doncic). 2. If you want me to consider supporting the Mavericks ever again, end the lawsuit with the Dallas Stars immediately (and thus end the most egregious behavior ever committed by a Dallas pro sports franchise).
David Rogers, Dallas
Thought you meant Cowboys
When I first saw the headline “Trade, bleak season force GM out door,” I immediately thought of the Dallas Cowboys. A historically bad trade and a dismal season certainly apply.
Bobby Ess, McKinney
Teach trades in empty schools
It seems like every school district is shutting down schools for various reasons. Empty buildings are a drag on neighborhoods and magnets for bad actors.
A simple answer is to repurpose these buildings. Turn them into vocational schools. Pick a trade, any trade, and I assure you we need more of it — plumbing, electrical, carpentry, computers, HVAC, culinary, etc.
The major school systems should approach private entities to see if a public/private enterprise could be formed. Gives these school systems a second chance to give kids an education that pays.
Drew McCarney, North Dallas
A question for lenders
Re: “’A World of Trouble’ — Developer Harwood sells handful of towers, faces foreclosures,” by Nick Wooten, Sunday Business column.
Wooten reports on developer Harwood International’s attempt to sell some of its buildings. This, along with all the other “see-through” office buildings up in Plano and Frisco raises the question: Why do financial institutions keep lending money to build more office space when that sector is obviously overbuilt in North Texas?
Sue Owens, Dallas
Pardons astounding
Re: “Trump pardons Giuliani, others — Mostly symbolic move underscores his efforts to overturn voting loss,” Tuesday news story.
It is not often that I am astounded by a story in this paper, but that was the case after reading this story on President Donald Trump pardoning those who attempted to overturn the 2020 election. This hardy group continued to carry on the charade even though they were told by their own attorney general that their claims were without merit.
Oh, I’m not surprised by Trump’s actions; he has shown nothing but disdain for our country’s laws for most of his adult life. But I was a bit surprised at the pardons given to the Republicans who posed as fake electors in one of the most blatant election frauds ever attempted.
And what shocked me to the core were the comments made by the Department of Justice’s Ed Martin, who exuberantly crowed, “No MAGA left behind.”
We used to have an expression in the U.S., “No one is above the law.” Clearly, we need to revise that to add, “Unless you support Trump. Then just wait for your pardon.”
Can you even remember when the GOP stood for law and order? No, neither can I.
Jimmy Bartkowski, Flower Mound
Protect freedom of speech
It was disappointing that there was no news coverage of the Monday night violent protests at the University of California, Berkeley carried out by demonstrators attempting to stop admittance to individuals who were trying to enter campus for a Turning Point USA conservative rally.
Where is freedom of speech that UC Berkeley so adamantly professed and demonstrated for during the 1960s?
It seems to me that these liberal campuses, such as Berkeley and others have one thing in common, and that is “if you don’t think as we do, you are not welcome.”
We must protect freedom of speech, regardless of the difference of opinions.
Lynda H. Leake, Dallas/Uptown
Other ways to be complicit
Re: “What They Said,” Sunday Opinion.
This feature included a quote from Sen. Ted Cruz regarding Nick Fuentes’ interview with Tucker Carlson. I think we could adjust that quote for Cruz.
How about, “If you sit there with someone who still says the 2020 election was rigged, who pardoned over 1,000 people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, who bombed alleged drug boats in the Caribbean without verified proof, who lies about inflation and most everything else, who has monetized the presidency and presses for the questionable, at best, tactics by ICE, and you say nothing, then you are a coward, and you are complicit in that evil.”
Bruce Dier, Flower Mound