These are not the same
Re: “Politics Twisted Beyond Recognition — From shutdown to redistricting shenanigans, parties have swung to new levels of extreme,” Thursday editorial.
The Editorial Board can save its pearl-clutching over the allegedly bipartisan election “shenanigans.” There are two major differences between California’s Proposition 50 and Texas’ recent redistricting.
Texas’ redistricting was done midway through the decade outside the normal course of redistricting, and only in response to a specific request by President Donald Trump to get him more seats so the Republicans don’t lose the House in 2026.
California only changed its decades-old bipartisan commission in response to what Texas did, and only to level the playing field.
Opinion
More importantly, the California change was done in the full light of day and with the consent of an overwhelming majority of California voters. Conversely, the Texas map was drawn in a backroom with almost nonexistent public input.
This is not a “both sides are equally awful” situation, and to claim otherwise is disingenuous.
Amy Boardman Hunt, Northwest Dallas
Thanks for info on property tax proposal
Re: “Property Tax Cut Plan Full of Holes — Abbott would be irresponsible to gut public school funding without offering a substitute,” Thursday editorial.
Thank you for this editorial addressing Gov. Greg Abbott’s property tax proposals. Bringing attention to the practical challenges and implications of such plans is critical for informed public discourse. Your analysis helps voters understand the harsh consequences that would accompany these proposed actions. I appreciate your thoughtful coverage of the issues that impact our communities.
Brendon Fitzgerald, Dallas
Paxton targets are helpful, in a way
Re “Paxton accuses Latino group of voter fraud — Organization says suit meant to have chilling effect, seeks dismissal,” Sunday Metro story.
Thank you, Ken Paxton, for continuing to use your office to publicly intimidate your political rivals. You, along with Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump, save me a lot of time when I’m researching where I want my political contributions to go.
I made my contribution to the Jolt Initiative this morning and am waiting for your next target. Thanks again!
Russ Olivier, Dallas
How about nickels, dimes next?
Re: “No longer making cents — Mint presses country’s last pennies, ending production, not use,” Thursday news story.
After reading this story about pennies being discontinued, I have to ask, why aren’t nickels and dimes being discontinued also? Just keep quarters and half dollars, kind of like what Europe did with the euro.
If we are spending almost 14 cents to mint a nickel, isn’t that almost as costly as the penny? Eliminate the nickel and dime, that would make things a lot simpler and more cost effective.
I know it would require a lot of price changing, but it sure would simplify things for everyone.
Rene Wimmer, McKinney
Perhaps retool phrase, while we’re at it
When pennies are no more, the phrase, “a penny for your thoughts,” will have to be replaced by “a nickel for your thoughts.”
Larry White, Northwest Dallas
How can we allow ICE’s actions?
I recently spent two weeks in Chicago, which was named the best big city in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the ninth straight year. No celebrations there. Attacks by ICE and the Border Patrol against citizens and noncitizens alike can be seen nightly on the local news.
Some I witnessed firsthand. How can one adequately convey the emotional impact of watching armed masked men chase people through the streets solely because of the color of their skin?
I saw ICE break car windows and drag people out, throw them on the ground and then whisk them away, to be held for hours or days with no ability to inform family. They were not the “worst of the worst.” Some were American citizens.
A priest was pepper-sprayed in the face. Another citizen was thrown to the ground and kneed in the back, breaking six ribs. His crime was trying to get to his home while ICE was raiding the neighborhood.
Tear gas was lobbed into a group of parents and children in Halloween costumes as ICE was leaving the scene. They claimed they were threatened. There are no body cams, no oversight.
My vacation was filled with heartbreak. How can we allow this in America?
John R. Dorgan, Flower Mound
Good approach to grieving
Re: “Leading through the grief,” Thursday news story.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is correct in talking about Marshawn Kneeland’s death when he said, “We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
I have been fortunate to lead a grief share class for eight years, and those words are taught in our group. We never move on from the loss of someone we love, but we take as long as is needed, and in as many small steps as it takes, move forward to honor the loved one and continue living the lives for which we are called.
R.V. Baugus, Grand Prairie
No inkling of what was to come
While riding the elevator in my apartment building recently, I met this very large young man. I had no idea who he was, but my usual comment to a man that size is ”I want you on my side.“
He smiled and answered, “I am.”
We then introduced ourselves. I didn’t recognize his name: Marshawn. If it had been after the Monday night football game where he scored his touchdown, I think it would have registered.
Ever since his passing, I’ve been very disturbed and wondered, even though he was cheerful and friendly, was he considering suicide as we talked? He was a very nice young man.
Donald Willis, Plano
Save Dallas City Hall
I have a degree in architecture from a Big Ten university. I don’t live in Dallas, but listen up Dallasites: Do not tear down your Dallas City Hall. That building is a work of art and, face it folks, you do not have that many good-looking buildings in Dallas.
Jim Stodola, Denton