People will come
Re: “Leaning into downtown’s future,” Sunday Opinion.
Nice artist rendering. It took me a while to realize it wasn’t the original I.M. Pei scheme. No, it’s the Pei scheme with food trucks. Hey, if Klyde Warren Park can pull it off, then so can we.
But Klyde Warren Park had an incredible table set for it between two existing and popular areas — McKinney Avenue/Uptown and the Dallas Arts District.
What does City Hall Plaza have to build on? Fifty years of real-world experience can offer some insight there. If it’s residential density you want, create a park. If you want connections, create a park. But don’t go south. That’s way in the future.
Opinion
First you have to create something that the Cedars would actually want to connect to, and City Hall Plaza and a permitting center are simply not going to get it done.
If City Hall remains, you could make it the terminus of a park connecting the Plaza to Union Station. But if you really want to swing for the fences, let City Hall command the midpoint of an almost mile-long linear park connecting Union Station and the Farmers Market, with its existing residential base. People will come. People will most definitely come.
Roger Harris, Round Rock
Atheists and morality
Re: “The Democratic Party has a God-shaped hole — Group where ‘religious nones’ feel most at home has some soul-searching to do,” by Abby McCloskey, Sunday Opinion.
McCloskey suggests that Democrats, especially those who are atheist or agnostic, lack morality. Atheists simply lack belief in a god, not belief in morality. Agnostics claim that the existence of God is unknowable.
Morality is not the issue. Studies consistently show that atheists share core moral concerns with religious believers, such as fairness and preventing harm to vulnerable individuals.
Jesus teaches compassion. That caring for children, the poor, and the sick is equivalent to serving him directly. Are agnostics who believe in compassion, fairness and goodness less moral than Christians who attend church on Sunday yet ignore his teachings throughout the week?
Is it moral to defund programs to feed the less fortunate? Is it moral to cut health care benefits for the sick while lining the pockets of the rich? Is it moral to use anger and violence against our own citizens instead of compassion and understanding?
Is it moral to rely on false claims, inflammatory rhetoric and divisive tactics? Is it moral to rattle the saber of war?
McCloskey’s perception is that Democrats have jettisoned religion. Does she notice that Republicans seem to have jettisoned morality?
James Palma, Farmers Branch
Churches and politics
I read this opinion with interest. Is this really a surprise that many non-Christians are Democrats?
In the vast network of Christian churches, you have a breakout of types. About 23,000 churches are committed to a very conservative philosophy and speak openly and lovingly about Donald Trump, his policies and his contribution to the godly works in America (according to them).
There are many many more churches where conservatives have taken over the pulpit and are subtly supportive. What person wants to sit in church and listen to right-wing talking points disguised as biblical truths? Churches have turned to politics as a money-making, overarching theme, rather than providing what most Christians need and want from church: fellowship, guidance, peace and an opportunity to do good works. Those churches that wonder where their flock has gone should do some introspection to find the cause.
And in the same paper we also read that the state of Texas is going to change the curriculum to force teaching the Bible from kindergarten through 12th grade. Will these teachings also be pushing right-wing ideas? We don’t need this in public schools.
Doloris Lajoie, Plano
Minding your own business
McCloskey’s column on Democrats being the party of atheists is spot on. At this point, there are two Americas. One is obsessed with vaccines, homosexuality, abortion, pronouns, feminism, soy lattes, mental illness and government control. The other is about family, community, freedom, God and minding your own business.
Frank Randolph, Dallas
Targeting Democrats?
My wife and I just heard that Gov. Greg Abbott sent Texas voting records to the federal government. Shouldn’t this be something we should have approved first? Will we be targeted for voting Democrat?
Ken Comrie, Carrollton
Our true strengths
Re: “Pretti Killing Is a Sickening Low — All Americans, especially conservatives, must stand against this abuse of power,” Monday editorial.
Understandably, as a loyal reader of The Dallas Morning News, I am not always in agreement with its conservative viewpoints. But now I am proud of your stand with America and its basic values in support of our American Constitution.
Even a weak interpretation doesn’t cede the right to murder citizens. The Constitution’s amendments relative to freedom of speech, gun rights and definition of unilateral power have always denied the tragedy of kings.
I am proud of a publication that reminds us of our true strengths and moral center.
Sterling Ford, Garland
Letter struck a chord
Re: “‘Four dead in Ohio,’” by William Carroll, Tuesday Letters.
I am turning 74 next month, and Carroll’s letter really struck a chord with me. Thanks for sharing it.
Mike Rosen, Dallas
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