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This blog was the first in the nation created by an editorial board to give readers a behind-the-scenes view of the discussion that goes into crafting the newspaper’s daily editorials. It includes updates on the work of the editorial staff and debates on general news issues. We welcome and read all letters from readers. Letters are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity. They also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. March 2010
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February 28, 2010
I watched with awe as the Canadian Women's hockey team (and the crowd) sang their national anthem with feeling and energy on awards night, something I haven't seen with the USA's gold medal winners. I wondered how many of our children even know the words any more. Bill Holmes, Dallas
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The entry "Canadians sing with gusto" is tagged: Olympics
How about a summit on jobs? There are some 15 million out of work, and Washington is talking about health care. If people don't have jobs, more than likely they don't have health care. Now I don't need a summit to figure that out. Brent Faulk, Mesquite
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The entry "Priorities all wrong" is tagged: health care summit
Re: "A Made-for-TV Cure -- Can Dems, GOP agree on reform prescription?" Thursday Editorials. A line in this editorial that should have been in bold and all caps was: "But both parties owe it to Americans to show up with a willingness to compromise." Our government, both federal and state, has come to a standstill on all major issues. Voters are left with nothing more than talking points from politicians only concerned with re-election. Congress should engrave the following quote by Edmond Burke at every seat in both chambers: "All government -- indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act -- is founded on compromise and barter." Michael Janicek, Dallas
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The entry "The importance of compromise" is tagged: health care summit
If you sell a product, such as an automobile, to U.S. consumers and cannot fix a major problem plaguing that unit, which, according to the company's U.S. president, it cannot guarantee will solve it, then you should not be in business here. As much as a car costs, it should have the same odds as playing a slot machine as to whether it works properly. Toyota cannot, and should not, gamble with people's lives just to be No. 1. Chuck Bloom, Plano
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The entry "Auto safety a must" is tagged: Toyota
Re: "Democrats' proposals aren't the norm -- No-kill shelters across state seen as part of being good conservators to animals," Thursday news story. For those thinking Kinky Friedman's idea to provide no-kill shelters throughout Texas is a fruitless endeavor, let me set you straight. Huts for Mutts in Hamilton is just such a shelter, and through our tireless volunteer work the past six years, we have lowered the euthanasia rate nearly 75 percent in Hamilton and Coryell counties. We encourage responsible pet ownership and offer free and low-cost spay-neuter events. We educate. The tax dollars saved by those communities run well into the $100,000 mark, so Friedman's idea is not only rooted in compassion but has great fiscal merit as well. Marion Stanford, Hamilton
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The entry "Kinky's no-kill shelters will work" is tagged: Kinky Friedman
Re: "35E crawls to dubious title -- 5 sections of Stemmons are among region's most congested," Thursday news story. The fact that Interstate 35E interchanges are ranked as the area's most congested should not come as a surprise. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has been saying that under the surface there are huge problems brewing in Texas. I am amazed the Texas Department of Transportation representative would admit that there is no funding. Gov. Rick Perry has had 10 years to lead this state and provide for the future, and the TxDot team is under his appointees. What other bombshells are ticking away? James Clement, Dallas
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The entry "Congestion another time bomb?" is tagged: Rick Perry , traffic
Three Cheers is a weekly collection of upbeat letters that inspire readers to think and act positively. Share your own timely story or observation by sending it to "Three Cheers" at letters@dallasnews.com. 1 Recyclers go the extra mile -- To the guys who have the thankless job of collecting our recycling every week: I have seen you back your truck up to our driveway, when you noticed we had forgotten to put our bin by the curb. Not once have you done this, but every time we are late putting it out. You don't have to do it since, technically, our bin is not where it is supposed to be. But you do it anyway, even though I can't ever seem to catch you to say thanks. So, thank you, guys! Your conscientiousness to do your job well and your common courtesy has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Suzy Cox, Dallas
2 Appreciation for service -- It has always been my practice when seeing those in uniform to shake their hands and thank them for their service to our country. Recently, my wife and I were having dinner at a local restaurant in North Dallas. Seated near us were a soldier and his wife who appeared to be just finishing their meal. I went over and thanked him for his service. They both smiled and said thank you. During our brief conversation, his wife, with a tear in her eye, said that he was being deployed to Afghanistan. I asked how he felt about it. He hesitated a few seconds and said, "It's God's job to forgive Osama bin Laden - I'm going over there to help arrange the meeting." With that, I told them that I'd be honored to buy their dinner. Gary Russell, Richardson
3 A letter carrier's kindness -- Our neighborhood's most neighborly person doesn't even live here. He is Val Garcia, our letter carrier, and he cares for every family in remarkable ways. Last month, an elderly neighbor died, and Val worried that his widow would have trouble navigating her steep stairs to get the mail. Val told her to put a box on her front porch, and he would go up the stairs and place the mail in the box every day. Now she can look forward to getting the mail every day without worrying about falling. Three cheers for this random act of kindness. Nell Anne Hunt, Irving
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The entry "Three cheers" has no entry tags. February 27, 2010
Looks like a one-party effort Steve Anthony, Dallas
Pam Fong, Little Elm
Body language says it all Jeff Horton, Grand Prairie
Please, some mutual respect Wanda Ferguson, Dallas
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The entry "On the health care summit ... " has no entry tags.
I am appalled at Texans who are going to the polls without doing any research into the candidates they elect. Their intellectual laziness will affect us all. Look, for instance, at the mandatory teacher health plan that Gov. Rick Perry passed during his first year in office. It costs Texans billions per year and provides virtually no savings for teachers over individual insurance plans, even though we are a 500,000-person group. It's an oligopoly. Kay Bailey Hutchison has done good things. But what about when, in effect, she voted for no-bid contracts under H.R. 2892? And, we know about the big George W. Bush bailout. She's helped D.C. become the money-eating monster it is. Teresa Beck, Godley
What does 9/11 have to do with the Texas governor's race? How does Debra Medina drop in the polls after the Glenn Beck setup? Texans are foolish enough to believe that her answer to the 9/11 question wasn't quite what it seemed to be. To take an issue nearly 10 years in the past and use that to smear a candidate's personal stand when she offered no information that would lead anyone but the media in the direction it went is unbelievable. Wake up, Texans. Medina is the only candidate supporting the return of the Constitution. With laws like the Patriot Act, the Real ID Act and all of the executive orders passed during the last two years, we have lost our basic rights guaranteed us as citizens. She is the one candidate who supports a person's rights and is prepared to restore these rights set up in our Constitution and fought for by the Founding Fathers. This is America, and it is our constitutional duty to question all of the government's actions and to hold them in check when these activities begin to turn on Americans. Carey Burns, Palestine
Perry's 'strings' could lift schools Texas is 46th in the nation in public education. But Gov. Rick Perry will not accept education funds from Washington because "there are strings attached." But maybe those strings could help pull Texas schools up. Robert Sargent, Carrollton Recent articles in The Dallas Morning News discuss plans for cutbacks in various government agencies because of a forecast of a $19 billion shortfall in the state budget. The cutbacks would include already-lean areas such as education, public health, etc. Yet, in one of his ads for re-election, Rick Perry claims that, under his leadership, Texas has "billions in reserve." Is this more of the economics voodoo that we've heard in the past? Mike Barns, Irving Enough, enough already! I can no longer stand to listen to Rick Perry or Kay Bailey Hutchison radio ads. After their relentless assaults, I now change the station as soon as one airs. If we are to believe the content of these ads, we have to wonder why we ever voted for either of these two despicable people for any office. Their ads say both are horrible people who have cheated their constituents and have accomplished nothing in office. I am sure, though, as soon as one of them is eliminated, the losing candidate will throw total support behind the winning candidate. How can they suddenly support someone they savaged so viciously just the week before? I am disgusted with both of these two candidates and will never vote for either of them for any office. Ray Finfer, North Richland Hills Perry's misleading on secession I would like to ask Gov. Rick Perry how we Texans would pay for all the federal government provides if we were to secede. There would be no, Medicare, no Medicaid for the poor, no disaster relief, no unemployment benefits. There would be no money for roads, hospitals, no money for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport or Love Field and the airlines, and no money for schools. If the Tea Party cry is "Tax Enough, Already," do people not see if Texas were able to secede, our taxes would have to be raised to pay for everything the federal government pays for. I honestly believe that this governor is playing politics and is not being honest with the people from Texas when he talks about secession. Marie Salomon, Carrollton Debra Medina has my vote in her race for governor. Whatever Glenn Beck and all other neo-conservatives may think of her, at least she is honest. She did not tell people only what they wanted to hear. She wasn't being politically correct. That is something truly lacking in American politics today. David Kneer, Carrollton
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The entry "On the GOP race for governor: Texans need to research vote" is tagged: Debra Medina , Kay Bailey Hutchison , Rick Perry
Re: "A bite-sized portion of immigration reform -- Clayton McCleskey says U.S. doesn't need to bite off more than it can chew," last Sunday Points. The biggest outrage is reserved for Daniel Griswold's claim that on average, every H-1B worker creates five jobs in the U.S. The deceit implicit in this Big Lie is that those five jobs are high-paying technical positions. Please, show some common sense There is nothing special about H-1B workers. The vast majority of them come here through huge foreign job shops simply to fill U.S. positions at low cost. They don't magically create companies while they are here any more than local workers do. Carl Dreher, Dallas
H-1B runaround I suggest Clayton McCleskey speak with some American-born high-tech workers who are employed by companies that sponsor H-1B visas for a number of their immigrant workers so that he can find a more balanced opinion. These companies are required to publish job openings for positions to give non-H-1B workers a chance at them. But it is no secret that companies already have an H-1B worker they want to place in that position. Then when a number of people do apply, they are all turned down on some false premise. There is no shortage of high-tech workers in this country; there is simply a shortage of honest companies actually looking to hire them. Lori Debetaz, Flower Mound
The cap-and-trade charade Re: "Obama's green bargain -- Last year, he was extolling renewables. Now, he's talking about nuclear plants. Kate Sheppard asks: What happened?" last Sunday Points. In this instance, legislators need only pass the president's cap-and-trade proposal and then President Barack Obama will presumably begin the process of developing more nuclear plants and new offshore drilling for oil and gas. The problem is that, at its core, cap-and-trade is no more than a hidden tax on consumers. Up front, the cap on certain emissions will increase the production cost for conventional energy, which will be passed on to us as we drive our cars and heat our homes. In turn, we are promised that we will eventually receive more energy from oil, natural gas and nuclear sources, thus creating new jobs and reducing dependence on foreign oil. The kicker is that it will take a very long time to get through the permitting, environmental studies and other government clearances before anything can get started. In fact, that long time very likely will be an eternity. Ron Wolf, Plano
Women get away with it Re: "Reading between the sheets -- What do adulterous women tell us about politics and ourselves? Lisa Belkin gains some insight," last Sunday Points. When a man does something despicable, he deserves to be punished. And, generally, he is. But when a woman is guilty of the same behavior, we feel sympathy for her instead. We ask, "What could have happened to that poor woman to make her do that?" Even when the women involved are Ph.D.s or NASA astronauts, we are content to let them off the hook with a slap on the wrist, or at worst, put them in a mental hospital. When O.J. went free, when the officers who beat Rodney King went free, there was an explosion of outrage. When Lisa Nowak got away with attempted murder and Lorena Bobbit was set free, hardly anyone noticed. And Belkin is puzzled over why a much younger woman would want to sleep with one of the most powerful men on earth. Surely she knows that having the dirt on a senator or a sports god is solid gold in the Girl World. It's not "complexity" that we're more ready to accept in a man, it's accountability. Gene Johnson, Dallas
Drop that hyphen I am of Irish decent and don't use "Irish American" because my family was born in America. We are Americans. The way the blacks in Africa are treated, I can't believe anyone would want to be associated with that kind of treatment, or be "proud" in any way. Just be a very proud American who happens to be black. And, as your equal, I'll be a proud American who happens to be white. We are in a different world now, in a different time, thank God, and we all need to group together as one to better our America. No more labels mean no more segregation. Debbie Clark, Plano
Breaking point ahead? Re: "Talking Points," last Sunday Points. The quotes from Tea Party activist Pam Stout and Austin airplane terrorist Joseph Stack had a surprising, chilling effect on me because they both had a similar tone: one that approves of violence to settle a grievance and blames the other party to justify their potential or actual violent acts. Stack obviously felt that flying his airplane into an IRS building was his only remaining choice. Stout and her allies seem to be reaching that point when she says "sometimes you are not given a choice." Ms. Stout and her fellow Tea Party activists have an alternative: fire their governor, representative, senator, etc., and do it regularly. If not, I fear that we're one Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh segment from today's Tea Party activist becoming tomorrow's domestic terrorist.
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The entry "On Points: Issues with immigration" is tagged: Illegal immigrant , Tea party
Of the opinion offered, the only part I could agree with was that the entire debate has become political rather than an attempt to seek factual, substantial information. In an attempt to help address that, allow me to offer this: Climate change can happen much more swiftly than most of us believe. Rather than thousands of years, dramatic shifts in climate can occur in a few years. Every Ice Age has been proceeded by a period of warming (accompanied by a rise in greenhouse gases) prior to an abrupt shift to a colder, drier climate. There is no consensus as to what can cause a shift from warm to cold, but there is considerable consensus that such vacillations have occurred with regularity for several hundred thousand years, and we are overdue for the next shift to cold. As a society, we should be considering how to deal with a radical shift in climate before it comes instead of waiting to see if it comes. If we start shifting to a colder, drier climate, feeding people is going to get awfully hard even here in the U.S. John Hitz, Plano
An automatic response It's interesting how the eloquent George Will can wax on about "global warming," yet never once uses the word "pollution." It must be like the inability of most Republicans to say the word "taxes" without saying "lower" first. David Armstrong, Poetry
Perry forgets Scout roots Gov. Rick Perry is an Eagle Scout. Boy Scouts teach Scouts to leave a place cleaner than when they found it. Apparently, Perry has forgotten the lessons he learned in Boy Scouts. He can begin to move back to the Scouting ideals by dropping the state's frivolous lawsuit again the Environmental Protection Agency over the EPA's CO2 emissions findings. Perry should be working on ways to improve Texas' air quality. He shouldn't be wasting Texas tax dollars on frivolous lawsuits that will leave Texas air dirtier than when he came into office. Richard Bach, Garland
Bad science, results Re: "I don't see a conspiracy," by Tina Sanchez, last Sunday Letters. She should remember that the fabrication of solar collectors and wind turbines creates toxic pollutants and are also energy-intensive. There are no magic bullets; we must rely on rational choices, based on best science and practice. Onerous regulations created from bad science and propaganda will raise the cost of energy for the consumer and the price of everything we make, ship or buy many times over. It will impact the poor most of all -- in jobs, in household expenses, in opportunity. Instead, we should focus our resources on cleaning the air and water from the real pollutants and recognize the bad policy created around greenhouse gases as so much hot air to be defeated for our common good. I support the state's efforts to defeat bad EPA policy. Dana Wenzel, Dallas
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The entry "On climate change: Facts often neglected" is tagged: climate change
This is the problem ... Thomas Allen, Lancaster ... and this is the solution Philip Masters, Dallas
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The entry "On DART ridership ... " has no entry tags.
Chance Oliver represents the best of Denton County in the race for judge of Denton County Court at Law No. 1. Once elected as presiding judge of Denton County's only designated juvenile court, Oliver would devote his entire body and soul toward making our county strong, safe and productive. Bill Kula, Plano (Denton County)
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I have just received another of the ongoing mailings between Texas House District 101 candidates Greg Noschese and Cindy Burkett. If you are on their mailing lists, you know exactly what I mean. It has now reached the level of comedy. Joe Haywood, Mesquite
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The entry "Election Letters: Latham for Texas House District 101" has no entry tags.
I have had the privilege to see the positive effect Angela Tucker has demonstrated in the Collin County judicial system. She is dedicated to giving her best to her clients and giving her best for her community. She is a godly woman, a wonderful wife and mother, and, when she is elected, Collin County will be the beneficiary of the best legal mind available to meet the needs and demands of Collin County. Karen Fowler, Plano
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The entry "Election Letters: Tucker for 219th District Court in Collin County" has no entry tags.
About four years ago, as a family law attorney, I was involved in an emergency case with a high risk of harm to a child in Rockwall County. At 4:45 on a Friday afternoon, the judge called Cathy Penn up from the district attorney's office to meet with me. Pamela Miley, Rockwall
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The entry "Election Letters: Penn for Rockwall County Justice of the Peace, Pcts. 2 and 3" has no entry tags.
State Rep. Burt Solomons has listened to the people of our community and brought home great results. I have known him for many years, and I can tell you that he still cares as passionately today about the rights of the people living in his district as he ever has. Barbara Russell, Denton
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I have known Jim Truitt since 1990, when Jim was elected mayor of Richland Hills. Since that time, Truitt has held leadership positions in many political, civic and charitable organizations. Elizabeth Sheppard, Richland Hills
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The entry "Election Letters: Truitt for Tarrant clerk" has no entry tags.
Charles & Carolyn Chesnutt, Frisco FOR KEITH GORE Keith Gore is seeking election to the 296th Judicial District Court, a court of general jurisdiction. When it is running at full capacity, this court hears criminal, family and civil law cases. Gore is the only qualified candidate in this race because of his vast knowledge and experience in all three of these areas. Gore is the only qualified candidate who will ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are effectively used by returning this court to its full operational capacity. Gore is a solid, deeply committed Republican. He represents the kind of political, economic and social thinking that is needed in our county. Gore is truly a well-grounded attorney whose commitment to justice is seasoned with a deep understanding of the law and a profound sense of fairness. Gore will restore humility and honor to this court and reinstate its statutorily mandated purpose. Rebecca Brewer, McKinney
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FOR WAYNE RICHARD Al Carnes, Plano
FOR MABRIE JACKSON Cara Mendelsohn, Plano
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The entry "Election Letters: Texas House District 66" has no entry tags.
FOR JERRY HOAGLAND Alan Johnson, Plano
FOR CHERYL WILLIAMS Steve Bonnette, San Antonio
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The entry "Election Letters: Collin County Commissioners Court, Precinct 2" has no entry tags.
FOR KATHY WARD Gerald Laura Wimpee, Plano FOR DUNCAN WEBB My wife, Ann, and I have known Duncan Webb for 27 years. Over the years, I have served on several committees with Webb, and I have observed his outstanding talents and leadership skills. Currently, I am a member of our Christ United Methodist Church's building committee, as we build a large new sanctuary at the corner of Coit and Parker Roads. Webb has done a magnificent job chairing this committee. His knowledge, talents and direction have meant so much to the success of this project. Jack Schulik, Plano
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FOR KEITH SELF John Hancock, Allen Glenn Callison, Plano
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The entry "Election Letters: Collin County Judge" has no entry tags.
Re: "Migrants are best of both worlds," by Steve Blow, last Sunday Metro column. Jill Dorjee, Dallas
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The entry "System doesn't always work" is tagged: Dallas
What a wonderful tribute -- a new DISD school named for Ebby Halliday. Joan Patmore, Dallas
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The entry "Halliday honored with school" has no entry tags.
Joanne Smith, Dallas
A money-saving idea Mary Doster, Dallas
I prefer the alley for trash Jim Carrao, Dallas
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The entry "On Dallas trash pickup changes ... " is tagged: Dallas
Irving leadership has shamed Irving Hispanics again. In a school district where the student body is at least 67 percent Hispanic, our school board had to go all the way to Georgia to bring a person totally foreign to our culture, language and traditions, and to lead the education of our children. Ruben M. Carranza, Irving
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The entry "Leader doesn't meet needs" has no entry tags.
Five candidates for various positions lost my vote over the weekend:
I will vote for the one candidate who took time to walk my block, meet voters and discuss issues of concern to them. Neal Watts, Richardson
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The entry "My candidate selection process" has no entry tags.
Re: "Whale attacks, kills trainer at SeaWorld show -- Officials say animal had been involved in 2 previous deaths," Thursday news story. David Bennett, Anna
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The entry "Whale attack shouldn't surprise" has no entry tags. February 26, 2010
Re: "Deadly, yet still neglected -- Fighting high blood pressure needs to be priority, panel says," Tuesday news story. This story states that doctors should do more to help their patients live a healthy lifestyle by controlling their salt intake. Doctors shouldn't be taking all the blame. Restaurants and fast food chains should eliminate salt added to their foods. A salt shaker should be available for those who want to add salt to foods at restaurants and small packets put into bags at fast food takeouts. People with high blood pressure should at least have the option of salt or no salt. Anita Osborne, Wylie
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Re: "Balancing on a Stool -- Start with these 3 legs to make state budget fit," Tuesday Editorials. This editorial says, "The state should close the loophole that gives businesses a discount for paying their (sales) taxes early or on time." In my 28 years in the retail auto parts business, I was forced to keep two sets of books: one for me and one for the state, and, like me, many small businesses don't have elaborate computer systems. I collected taxes a few dollars at a time, banked the money, sent the state one monthly check, was always subject to an audit, suffered high penalties if I was one day late, and for all my trouble and liability, the state was generous enough to give me $5 for every $1,000 I sent them. This editorial calls this a loophole. The merchant "discount" should be increased to at least 2 percent. Ron Cawthon, Duncanville
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The entry "Tax 'loophole' small potatoes" is tagged: Taxes
Re: "Governors share financial worries -- Health care, jobs top state leaders' concerns as budgets shrink," and, "Beck blames both parties for 'addiction' to big government -- Progressives tax and spend, he says, while Republicans just spend," Sunday news stories, and, "Obama's green bargain -- Last year, he was extolling renewables. Now, he's talking about nuclear plants. Kate Sheppard asks: What happened?" Sunday Points. The adjacent stories about the meetings of the National Governors Association and the Conservative Political Action Conference raise interesting questions. The jubilant mood of Republicans, buoyed by the energy of the Tea Party movement, leads them to believe they can take control of Congress again in November's elections. Hence the strategy of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (described in Points) "to oppose everything" proposed by the Obama administration and the congressional Democratic leadership in the meantime. The conservatives meeting in D.C. clearly represented many factions who agree on only one thing: opposing the Democrats. Once in power, will they have any ability at all to overcome their own internecine struggle to suggest any legislation that has a prayer of uniting their factions, let alone gaining bipartisan support? And if they can only agree on limiting the role of the federal government, the demand for services will then devolve to the states, whose governors are clearly already worried greatly about their state deficits. Will Republican electoral success at the national level simply bring more states to the level of crisis we now see in California? Sanford G. Thatcher, Frisco
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The entry "Hard times ahead for states?" is tagged: conservatism , conservative movement , Tea party
Re: "Taxes low here? Think again," by Carolyne C. Nielson, and, "Property tax is what we have," by Joseph Dingman, Wednesday Letters. Nielson believes an income tax would "lower taxes." She compares Texas taxes to California and Massachusetts, of all places. I have lived in places with a state income tax. The state government will just grow and spend, and property taxes will be just as high in the long run. But Dingman thinks the current system is working. Maybe for a senior with "frozen" property taxes. Texas needs a complete revamping of the property tax system. Appraisal districts are controlled by the taxing entities. Nowhere in the system is anyone elected to an office accountable to the public. At the very least, the chief appraiser of every county should be elected. Coy M. Prather, Montalba
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The entry "Revamp property tax system" is tagged: Taxes
In the recent Massachusetts primary that preceded the special election for the Senate seat of the late Edward Kennedy, many voters stayed home. Democrats were blasé; Republicans were not hopeful of gaining a seat long held by a Democrat. Voters were left to chose between a lackluster Democrat, who was a pale replacement to her predecessor and who assumed that people would vote for her simply because of the D after her name on the ballot, and a conservative independent Republican who defended waterboarding as justifiable, vilified the bank bailout orchestrated by his own party and was openly critical of a national health bill modeled after the one legislated in his own state, which he approved of and voted for as a state senator. Texans need to pay attention to the lessons of Massachusetts. We tend to stay home during the primaries, leaving the hard choices to party loyalists, the extremes of both sides of the aisle. Too many issues are facing us as a state and a nation to just leave it to a few insiders to decide. It is time for all of us to exercise our constitutional right to vote. If we don't, we may wake up next Wednesday wishing we had paid closer attention. Jacqui Mekias, Dallas
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Lately, voters residing in the South Dallas community have been bombarded with calls to vote for Terri Hodge. This is nonsense. Don't waste your vote by casting it for Terri Hodge. A vote for Eric Johnson in state House District 100 is a vote for fair, honest government -- something South Dallas has sorely lacked for many years. Voters should reject all appeals to vote for Terri Hodge, who has admitted that she betrayed the people by using her office for personal gain. Hodge herself has said people should not vote for her. If Hodge does get the most votes on Tuesday, she cannot serve. Instead, precinct chairs will select another person -- someone who has not even come forward to put his or her name on the ballot so that the voters can measure his or her credentials and judge his or her fitness for office. Regardless of whom that person might be, that is a continuation of the sort of under the table, backroom politics that have damaged the southern part of our city for too long. Johnson had the courage and the decency to put himself forward and run against Hodge. He is a qualified candidate who has played by the rules. He deserves the votes of everyone who wants to see District 100 prosper. He also deserves the votes of everyone who wants an end to corruption, secrecy and abuses of the democratic process. It's time for South Dallas voters to stand up and say that enough is enough. Hank Lawson, Dallas
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The entry "A vote for Hodge is a waste" is tagged: Terri Hodge February 25, 2010
Re: "Armey calls Obama 'shallow,' 'incompetent' -- In speech at meeting, party icon also says GOP has lost its way," last Friday news story. I am saddened but not surprised by Dick Armey's scathing critique of President Barack Obama at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference. Calling Obama "the most incompetent president perhaps in our lifetime" is a stretch. This description is arguably already taken by our most recent president, who is alive and well right here in Dallas. Armey described Obama as an "arrogant, self-righteous income-redistributor" and an "ideologue." If Armey would like to see someone who is truly a self-righteous ideologue, all he has to do is look into the nearest mirror. Glenn Johnson, Irving
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The entry "What an ideologue looks like" has no entry tags.
Joe Stack's cowardly and murderous atrocity was not a sign that our tax system is unfair or that our government is broken. Stack bought into the urban myth nonsense that the income tax is voluntary and/or illegal. The Supreme Court has ruled that both those ideas are egregiously false. The Supreme Court gets to decide these things, not half-educated nutballs on the Internet. People who try to apply that silliness go to prison. Stack was a failure of his own making. Praise for such malignant loons is irresponsible and immoral. Charles Norman, Dallas
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The entry "No praise for cowardly attack" has no entry tags.
I am a conservative. I believe that my taxes are too high, Congress -- both Republicans and Democrats -- spends way too much and government as a whole is far too intrusive. If that makes me a Tea Party conservative, so be it. I do not condone the manifesto or actions of Joseph Stack. He was a domestic terrorist. I do not appreciate attempts by the left, including the media, to associate Stack with any conservative movement, particularly the Tea Party movement. It is a shameful, crass way to sully those who disagree with them. Chip Holman, Coppell
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The entry "Tea Party label unfair" is tagged: Tea party
In the wake of pilot Joseph Stack's attack, onlookers expressed relief that it was not an incident of Islamist terrorism. If Stack's attack fits the four-pronged criteria of terrorism -- a criminal act against a civilian population with intent to cause fear, death, or injury, and as a means to influence government and/or politics -- but is dismissed empathetically as an act by one of our own, does this actually mean "being Muslim" is one of the understood, but unstated, criteria in the definition of terrorism? Will this characterization induce other Americans with personal grievances to lash out at the federal government? Will it continue to muddy the issue of terrorism as representative of the Islamic faith tradition, which obviously does not corner the market on politically motivated violence? Stack's attack will now undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for whether American media coverage and government verbiage will represent events through a politically and emotionally charged lens or via a precise and more objective account. Reem Elghonimi, board member, Council on American-Islamic Relations DFW, Garland
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The entry "Defining terrorism" has no entry tags.
Re: "Should it be called terrorism or criminal act? Authorities, Muslims, others weigh in on one side or the other," Sunday news story. It is a truly horrific thing when vengeful thinking sheds itself of all inhibitions and becomes vengeful action, taking and/or injuring lives and becoming tragic as in the Austin plane crash incident. Another tragedy lies in the statement of Nihad Awad, director of the Council on Islamic-American Relations: "The position of many individuals and institutions seems to be that no act of violence can be labeled 'terrorism' unless it is carried out by a Muslim." Why does Awad's response remind me of a child who comes to school with a fake cast because he saw how much attention his friend received for a legitimate injury? Self-victimization in light of true tragedy is infantile and narcissistic at best. Ryan Yaklin, Coppell
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The entry "Terror argument tragic" has no entry tags.
Re: "Glorifying Insanity -- Austin attack must not be confused with heroism," Saturday Editorials. Anyone who even slightly considers this terrorist a hero is of the same ilk as those who cheered the 9/11 attack. Terror is terror, whether committed by al-Qaeda members or U.S. citizens, and sadly all it accomplishes is more restrictions to our personal freedom. Those who use this act for political gain need to be censured before they foster more of these senseless acts. George W. Buffington, Farmers Branch
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The entry "Call it what it is: terror" has no entry tags.
Re: "Migrants are best of both worlds," by Steve Blow, Sunday Metro column. Ernesto broke the law when he entered the U.S. illegally. Ernesto breaks the law each day he remains here. Ernesto may be depriving legal residents of an income or livelihood. Ernesto is depriving U.S. citizens of their choice of who may live here. Ernesto is contributing to dissension among us on how to deal with illegal immigration. Ernesto should go home. Steve Blow should know better. John Pedersen, Carrollton
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The entry "Illegal migrant's damage trail" is tagged: Illegal immigrant , Steve Blow
I don't know what people mean when they say, "Government is too big," and I suspect that they don't know either. What they are expressing is a sense of frustration with the current state of politics and are lashing out indiscriminately. It seems to me that what they have in common is a history of inattention to public affairs, not much education and an intense intolerance for everyone who does not agree with them. Without their influence, we would likely be having an intelligent debate between Perry and Hutchinson. If the attitudes and opinions of the Tea Party group continue to spread, it will damage not just the GOP, but all of American politics and our ability to govern ourselves. We are more dependent on various levels of government than we have ever been before and for a wide variety of our needs. That is not likely to change. We have, no doubt, some obsolete functions and agencies, but large problems (globalism, defense, health matters, environmental concerns, etc.) will continue to require collective action of the sort that only an effective governing system can address. The know-nothing approach inhibits our ability to produce rational public policy. Charles Elliott, Commerce
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The entry "Tea Party logic hurts debate" is tagged: Kay Bailey Hutchison , Rick Perry , Tea party February 24, 2010
The Texas Supreme Court needs Judge Debra Lehrmann in Place 3. She has more than 22 years experience, almost more than twice any of her opponents. She is an exceptionally well-qualified jurist who has consistently served the people of Texas with fairness and integrity, and she is a proven conservative. She is currently the district judge of the 360th Judicial District in Fort Worth and the only candidate with family law and child protective services experience, which is needed on the court. She also has authored two legal treatises that are updated yearly. Kimberly Crawford Hand, Mabank
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The entry "Lehrmann for Supreme Court" has no entry tags.
Re: "Toyota struggles for answers -- In emotional hearing, U.S. exec says electronics may be faulty," Wednesday news story. Now that the snow is melting in D.C., Congress can go back to normal activities, such as ignoring the country's real priorities and returning to the practice of self-righteous grandstanding. This time, the "suits" have Toyota squarely in their sights, subpoena in hand and a level of rage comparable to a woman scorned. At least, this subject is more valid than steroids in baseball and tainted spinach; although the Chinese lead in children's toys were able to somehow get a pass from congressional wrath. Would Congress treat Toyota differently if it was populated by members of the United Auto Workers? No one can say. But I'd bet the rest of my meager retirement nest egg that there would have been a gentlemen's understanding rather than a crucifixion. Jim Janusz, Richardson
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The entry "Motive for grilling Toyota?" is tagged: Toyota
In less than a week, a short-term Medicare physician payment freeze will expire and a 21.2 percent cut to Medicare reimbursement rates will take effect. Most physician practices here and across the nation are small businesses. Those physicians who still care for Medicare patients will be faced with a severe financial strain. They will also have to choose whether or not they can still see Medicare patients. Medicare patients will have even greater difficulty finding a doctor. Congress must cease the short-term "fixes" and address the actual problem: the flawed sustainable growth rate formula. If Congress had fixed this problem in 2005, when physicians faced a cut of about 3.3 percent, the cost of permanent reform would have been $49 billion. Now, this year's projected 21.2 percent cut yields a $210 billion price tag for reform. Another short-term fix only slightly delays the inevitable problem and makes it extremely difficult for physicians to continue their care for seniors and military families. It's time to repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula, replacing it with a system that ensures payments keep pace with rising costs associated with care for our patients. Stephen Ozanne, president, Dallas County Medical Society, Dallas
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The entry "Congress, fix Medicare payments" is tagged: Medicare
Re: "Social conservative in tough race -- GOP voters will help set panel's direction before key textbook decisions," Tuesday news story. This article has incomplete information that makes Thomas Ratliff look pretty good compared to Don McLeroy. The State Board of Education is duly elected. In January, they listened to constituents until late in the evening. They did what they were elected to do. The poorly written 1998 squishy history-challenged TEKS was made worse by the "professional educators," and the SBOE just made a few changes to make it not as bad. The changes that were made by the SBOE would allow teachers to give children real facts and reasons to believe that we are a country worth preserving. If we don't teach them history and that we are worth preserving, what will happen? Do we really want to do that to our children? Ratliff is a professional lobbyist accustomed to being beholden to the highest bidder and now the brazen teacher unions that refuse to allow parents the right to school choice are supporting him. Rita McCrary, Garland
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The entry "Teacher opposition sealed it" is tagged: State Board of Education
Re: "Balancing on a Stool -- Start with these 3 legs to make state budget fit," Tuesday Editorials. We appreciate the focus on spending the Rainy Day Fund and closing tax loopholes as a means of helping balance the budget. However, continuing to cut from state services that are already under-resourced will only take away from Texans at a time when they are already vulnerable due to the economy, without creating enough savings to fix the problem. Relying on cuts does nothing to stimulate our state economy and is a method that has already failed us. We have some of the worst outcomes for children and families in the country. We support looking at alternative means to balance the budget. Our services have already taken as much cutting as they can. Eileen Garcia, executive director, Texans Care for Children, Austin
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The entry "Cutting budget no solution" is tagged: budget cuts
Re: "Where to make services cuts," by Dennis Borel, Saturday Letters. A peer-reviewed cost-comparison study was updated in 2009 by Voice of the Retarded, a respected national advocacy organization. It shows that costs for all related services remain consistent whether services are provided in a single state facility or across multiple providers within a community model. The state schools provide vital care for individuals who are profoundly disabled, medically fragile or have severe behavioral complications that render them unsuitable or unlikely to benefit from community-based residences. The state system continues to require firm oversight and effective management, but those requirements are already in place. The schools, their residents and the families who want the facilities kept open do not deserve to be vilified or made into bargaining chips for budgetary advantage, especially not by persons or groups that purport to represent the disabled population. Mark Fitzpatrick, Dallas
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The entry "Purpose for state schools" has no entry tags. February 23, 2010
Re: "Choking warning labels urged for food -- Pediatricians group is recommending sweeping changes," Monday news story. Yes, choking is a serious risk for young children, but no little red sticker can take the place of proper parenting. Cut meats up, don't horse around and stay with young children while they're eating. No food can be made choke-proof, and government regulation won't change that. Be an attentive parent; don't make that the FDA's job. Now, I'm going to go enjoy a hot dog, while I still can. Cory Dunn, Dallas
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The entry "Choke warnings unnecessary" has no entry tags.
In response to Stephanie Mueller's piece and as a belated comment on a previous article concerning lost tax revenue due to freezing property tax rates for residents 65 and older, I figured out my tax burden. Though I'm close to retirement age, it's not an option I can consider for a number of reasons, including current income, estimated retirement income and losses in retirement funding. My tax burden is also a contributing factor. It was a whopping 38.7 percent of my income this year, and I did not include sales taxes, service taxes or taxes enumerated on my telephone bill. Perhaps an additional 1 percent would be a conservative estimate. There is definitely unfairness in tax burden distribution. The over-reliance on homeowner property taxes needs to be fixed. Forcing residents out of their homes because their incomes cannot sustain ever-increasing property taxes should not be an acceptable practice in tax revenue collection. Diana Byrd, Dallas
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The entry "My whopping tax burden" is tagged: Taxes
Texans are deluded in thinking that they live in a low-tax environment. The taxes are being paid but in a totally inequitable fashion. And we give seniors a discount simply for achieving a certain age. (Think Ross Perot.) Who makes up the difference? Many homeowners are paying more in property taxes than they are in federal income taxes. As a native Californian who came to Texas as an adult, I find this situation bizarre. Our neighbors, originally from "Taxachusetts," calculate that their local tax burden is 25 percent higher here. Let's abolish the property tax and replace it with an income tax, the only equitable form of taxation. When people make money, they pay tax; when they don't make money, they don't pay tax. Using property tax as the sole form of taxation for individuals is unfair. Perhaps we need a Tea Party revolution for the Texas property tax system. Carolyne C. Nielson, Dallas
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The entry "Taxes low here? Think again" is tagged: Taxes
Despite whether we like it, property taxes are the foundation of the financing system for local governments and schools in the U.S. No one likes taxes, but we need them unless we return to an agrarian economic system like we had in the 1700s. Property taxes do have a progressive nature, in that people take on the tax load they can afford. Would an income tax or a value-added tax be better? Perhaps, but that's not the system we have. It is up to the Legislature, elected by us, to change it. In Texas, properties are required by state law to be assessed at market. The assessment districts are professionally staffed and run. People have the legal right to protest their assessments, if necessary, via peer panels and, later, the courts. Anyone who silently accepts an above-market assessment causes his or her own complaint. Joseph Dingman, Dallas
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The entry "Property tax is what we have" is tagged: Taxes
Re: "Colleges prepare for 5% cuts," last Wednesday news story. Gov. Rick Perry has asked the Dallas County Community College District to cut its budget by $10 million. The current reduction plan means cutting back on multiple needs, including hiring part-time professors like me, despite the record enrollment. Richland College is currently 12 percent over last year's enrollment numbers, but many students will be turned away and professors will go without their usual classes. Since my primary income is teaching, I'm worried about how my family is going to eat come next fall. Good thing Perry refused federal money so he could posture for voters. Anthony Armstrong, Plano
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The entry "Community colleges' cuts deep" is tagged: college , Rick Perry
I am pleased to join The Dallas Morning News in supporting Thomas Ratliff for District 9 on the State Board of Education. He will bring a reasoned, non-biased voice to a board that has been far too ideological and politically biased. The recent board deliberations on social studies textbook content provide an excellent example. Ratliff's opponent and current board member Don McLeroy recently introduced amendment after amendment that distorted American history. His belief that the separation of church and state is a myth is a challenge to the First Amendment of our Constitution. The founders of our nation were very clear that the government should not dictate religion. Having served on the Richardson ISD school board for 15 years, I have worked with these issues frequently. Our schoolchildren deserve the most accurate and unbiased textbooks possible that do not promote a particular religion or political ideology. Ron Hughes, Plano
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The entry "Ratliff best for state school board" is tagged: State Board of Education
Steve Blow is correct that illegal migrants work hard and usually don't cause trouble, but he lost me when he told us this man has been here seven years and can't speak English. The immigrant doesn't care about America. He only wants to make money -- no problem there -- but he sends it home. We need these people, but we need them to come legally. We need people who will learn the language and will care about this country. Robert Lankford, Duncanville
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The entry "We need legal immigrants" is tagged: Illegal immigrant , immigration reform
Steve Blow's insight on this issue is clear as a wake-up whistle. I'm recommending it to the Mexican consulate, so they can enrich their arguments to find the most functional and constructive accommodation for these valuable people for the benefit of their own lives and everyone else of the U.S. who is involved. Leonardo Noriega, Carrollton
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The entry "Clear insight on immigration" is tagged: Illegal immigrant , immigration reform
Re: "Migrants are best of both worlds," by Steve Blow, Sunday Metro column. I fail to understand why illegal immigrants who exhibit dedication and determination in breaking our laws deserve the reward of legalization when it takes just as much dedication and determination to come here legally. Those who take the latter path demonstrate a higher moral character and are therefore much more welcome in America. Blow is not only selfish but also shameful in his belief that rewarding illegal immigration is what is best for his country. My country was not built with the labor of scofflaws, and it's unacceptable in my country to reward those who break the law to come here. Greg Andree, Dallas
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The entry "Don't reward scofflaws" is tagged: Illegal immigrant , immigration reform February 22, 2010
Re: "Deficit panel may stress toll to come -- Obama's commission will discuss unpopular solutions to crisis," Friday news story. James Reid, Dallas
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The entry "Debt doublespeak" has no entry tags.
Re: "Legitimate grievances," by Bret McCormick, Monday Letters. Joan Strop-Adams, Plano
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The entry "A frightening letter on terror" has no entry tags.
Every day in The Dallas Morning News, we are fed a steady diet of Rick Perry vs. Kay Bailey Hutchison vs. Debra Medina. Patricia Quested, Dallas
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The entry "Equal time for Democrats" has no entry tags.
Re: "Trains as part of the equation," by Dian and Don Malouf, Thursday Letters. Gregory Motte, Dallas
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The entry "Amtrak upgrade unrealistic" has no entry tags.
Re: "Losing power helped me plug in to simpler life -- Just think back to how people used to live, says Kathleen Krumnow," Saturday Viewpoints. Melissa Degenhart, Dallas
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The entry "I don't like being unplugged" has no entry tags.
Re: "Calls still urging votes for Hodge -- Disgraced incumbent has exited race, but Ragsdale says public needs choices," Saturday news story. Earl Daigle, Farmers Branch
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The entry "Don't vote for an admitted cheat" has no entry tags.
Flaws in climate story Stephen Boone, Garland
Decline in fact-based debate ... Betty G. Withers, Dallas
... proves to be widespread Mike McCurdy, Coppell
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The entry "On climate change ... " has no entry tags. February 21, 2010
Three Cheers is a weekly collection of upbeat letters that inspire readers to think and act positively. Share your own timely story or observation by sending it 1. Young black males and Black History Month James "Bird" Guess, president,
ECA, Irving
Sharon Martin, Watsonville, Calif.
3. Like pages out of a novel Mrs. Marty Walker, Dallas
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The entry "Three Cheers" has no entry tags. February 20, 2010
Re: "Why do so many young people feel so blue? We must halt this wave of depression and self-injury, says Viviana Cruz of Carrollton," last Sunday Student Voices column. Jennifer Ruesewald, Corinth
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The entry "What teens can do about depression" has no entry tags.
Bill Loubiere, Plano
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The entry "A primer for politicians" has no entry tags.
Re: "Texas sues EPA -- State attacks 'tainted' greenhouse gas data that may lead to new limits," Wednesday news story. Tina Sanchez, Dallas
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The entry "I don't see a conspiracy" has no entry tags.
Re: "Did game pay off for area?" by Michael Greenberg, Wednesday Letters. Tom Adams, Carrollton
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The entry "NBA game's impact" has no entry tags.
Re: "Bogus gear is seized -- Raid nets $200,000 worth of sports items, many substandard," Tuesday news story. Pat Justice, Flower Mound
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The entry "Safer after Fed bust?" has no entry tags.
Re: "Stimulus lifts Dallas-area transit plans -- Downtown-Oak Cliff streetcar, NTTA to get federal grants," Thursday news story. Thomas Goss, Flower Mound
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The entry "Dallas' federal gifts" has no entry tags. February 19, 2010
Re: "A Mystery in Denton -- Taxpayers deserve to know why Bataille quit at UNT," Thursday editorials. Fred H. Speno, Dallas
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The entry "We have right to know" has no entry tags.
Rage is understandable James Simpkins, Flower Mound IRS not to blame Ken Aten, Richardson
Legitimate grievances Bret McCormick, Fort Worth
Patriots must condemn attack Bob Stern, Dallas
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The entry "On the Austin IRS plane attack ..." has no entry tags.
Re: "Activists criticize search for new superintendent -- Hispanics are among top 6 candidates, trustees say in defending their process," Wednesday news story. Diane Ewing, Irving
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The entry "Quality bilingual ed in Irving" is tagged: Irving
Re: "With the Olympics, less is more -- We need the shared experience of the Games, but what do we share if everything's on-demand? asks Michael Landauer," last Saturday Viewpoints. Nancy Myers, Dallas
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The entry "My own Olympic moment" has no entry tags.
Re: "Feds to hail DFW Connector as largest stimulus (highway) project in U.S.," transportationblog.dallasnews.com. Brian Jagielski, Coppell
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The entry "The real reason for tolls" has no entry tags.
Dennis Borel, executive director, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Austin
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The entry "Where to make services cuts" has no entry tags.
Jane Dodd, McKinney
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The entry "Encouraging the backward" has no entry tags.
H. Logan Casada, Duncanville
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The entry "Starr pick a good one" has no entry tags.
Brian Dungan, Richardson
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The entry "Tardy, bad state service" has no entry tags. February 18, 2010
Re: "Bataille's surprise exit forces UNT to pay big -- Deal gives president $723,000 for contract, option to work in Denton," Saturday news story. University of North Texas President Gretchen Bataille resigns because she apparently can't get along with the administration, but receives $723,000 for the remainder of her contract and has the opportunity to collect $289,000 more in the 2010-11 school year for research and teaching. No wonder UNT needs to raise tuition. John G. Payne, Flower Mound
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The entry "UNT tuition on the line" has no entry tags.
I'm a little nonplussed about the newest version of Alice in Wonderland; Tim Burton is not known for kiddy fare. Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter looks like Ronald McDonald on acid. The problem is that Mad Hatter's disease was a real workplace safety issue during the 19th century. While miners got black lung disease from prolonged exposure to coal dust and millers got white lung disease from flour, hat makers got Mad Hatters from prolonged exposure to mercury, used to turn fur into felt. This heavy metal would build up in their systems, causing trembling, loss of coordination, slurred speech, loosening of teeth, memory loss, depression, irritability and anxiety. What will kiddy fantasy stories use next: characters with PTSD? Stephen D. Spotswood, Plano
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The entry "Mad Hatter's very real problem" has no entry tags.
Texas has traffic laws ranging from prohibitions for driving while intoxicated to driving without automobile insurance, and these laws should be obeyed. If they were, no one would face fines and surcharges for infractions. However, people do violate the law, often causing serious accidents that harm innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hospitals receive the injured and strive to not only save lives, but restore health to injured people. Since 2003, when the Legislature created the Driver Responsibility Program to provide funds to offset uncompensated trauma care, some 60 Texas hospitals have become designated trauma centers. The program collects about $125 million per year, while designated trauma facilities reported $200 million in uncompensated trauma care in 2008. If everyone who owes fines and surcharges paid, and if the Legislature appropriated the total amount collected in the Trauma and EMS accounts, trauma capacity would increase to keep pace with the growing population, and prevention efforts could increase. Eliminating the Driver Responsibility Program would be a mistake. If modifications to the current system are warranted, let's collaboratively implement the changes rather than scrap the Drive Responsibility Program. Texas needs a stable source of funding to support the statewide trauma system. If not this program, then what? W. Stephen Love, president and chief executive officer, Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council
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The entry "We must fund trauma care" is tagged: Driving/roadways
The pretty and unexpected snowfall Friday turned quickly into a nightmare. Oncor makes millions of dollars from its customers but can't find a way to communicate the most basic information, leaving thousands of us in the dark, literally and figuratively. If, after hours of dialing and waiting, a human being actually took the call, that person took rudeness to a new level. We, fortunately, had friends who took us in, but I now resent the exorbitant bills from Oncor more than ever. And they have the nerve to blame homeowners who don't want their trees trimmed. And I had an epiphany -- if we were that miserable after three days of no heat, what about all the people who are living that way because they can't afford to pay their bills? No one should have to live like that, but I'm afraid there are thousands who do. I applaud the generosity of the American people who open their wallets time and time again for disasters in other countries, but I'm wondering if there isn't a way to take care of our own. Cary Gremmels Norton, Dallas
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The entry "Taking care of our own" has no entry tags.
One year ago, 59 percent of the American public liked the stimulus plan, according to Gallup. A few months later, with the economy still deeply mired in recession, a majority said President Barack Obama was spending too much money on it. The true political views of the public can't be measured with a poll. It requires more than a yes or no, fill-in-the-bubble or 30-second answer. Much has been made of Sarah Palin's lack of understanding of world affairs and government policy. She is a genius compared to the average man on the street. Yet he is supposed to lead to correct policies based on polls of how he feels. The once-informed public read newspapers, watched the evening news, and discussed politics. Today, they can't tell who is the secretary of defense or state. But they can name the most recent American Idol and who "danced with the stars" with ease. Jack Rader, Garland
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The entry "Problems with public opinion" is tagged: Points
Re: "Medina slips up with remark -- Campaign takes a hit when 9/11 conspiracy not instantly rejected," last Friday news story. I can't see how Debra Medina's answer to Glenn Beck could be construed as a slipup. Asked if the American government had any involvement in the destruction of the World Trade Center, she answered, "I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard," and, "I've not taken a position." That's probably as good an answer as I would have given, since I believe that every informed citizen should question everything that the government does, be it local, state or national. Debra Medina is the only candidate who is truly informed on the issues facing us Texans, and the only one talking about those issues instead of slinging mud. If people will just listen to what all of these candidates are saying, and compare them to their own values, Debra Medina will be the next governor. Gene Elliott, Lewisville
... but rivals will vie for votes Debra Medina's nomination chances just crashed and burned. When Glenn Beck starts distancing himself from your comments, you are really out there. Next, Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison scramble for Medina's lost votes. Michael Deitz, McKinney
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The entry "On Medina's 9/11 statement: She didn't slip up ..." is tagged: Debra Medina February 17, 2010
As a Dallasite who makes my living in the hospitality industry, I was happy for the business that the NBA brought to Dallas this past week. But the NBA needs to put these guys through a class on some basics. Some of the behavior was appalling, and let's not even talk about the gratuities. Some of these guys are making seven-figure incomes and don't know how to read a menu, order, act in a restaurant or tip. And could they please leave the prostitutes at home next time? Bradley Scott, Dallas
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The entry "Players need a behavior class" has no entry tags.
Re: "Texas' looming traffic woes -- State leaders must deal with bad transportation situation, say Sens. John Carona and Kirk Watson," Wednesday Viewpoints. However, if we cleared the way for passenger trains on existing tracks, we could be going to Austin, for example, for relaxed, convenient business day trips at a speed that approximates that of the nightmarish drive down Interstate 35. This is something we could be enjoying in a very short time. Dian and Don Malouf, Dallas
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The entry "Trains as part of the equation" is tagged: Amtrak , John Carona
Re: "Hidden costs of ticket surcharges," by Hugh Lucas, Feb. 10 Letters. Thank you for your coverage of the Driver Responsibility Program. I have great concerns about the program and would like to clarify comments found in the resulting letters to the editor. The program has been plagued with problems, most notably compliance issues. The Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, which I chair, has been studying the program and looking for ways to fix it. In the committee's 2008 interim report to the 81st Legislature, we recommended that the indigent program be evaluated, and if compliance levels had not increased, we recommended eliminating the program. I co-authored Senate Bill 896 by Sen. Eliot Shapleigh. The bill as filed would have eliminated the program, but it was met by strong opposition from the hospital, trauma and EMS community that pointed to a possible loss of $84 million from EMS/trauma funds. The trauma and EMS community also have to bear the burden of uninsured and reckless drivers. We altered the language to modify the program, and while it passed the Senate, it never got a hearing in the House. Our committee has once again been charged with studying the DRP during the 81st interim. This program is clearly not working as is. If we cannot find a way to make the DRP a solution to the problem of uninsured and reckless drivers, rather than a problem in itself, we need to eliminate it. We do not need an extra problem. John Carona, chairman, Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, Austin
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The entry "Surcharges are not working" is tagged: John Carona
Over the last several months, The Dallas Morning News has published several articles concerning the Dallas County constables and the Dallas County government. When will the citizens of Dallas County get enough of this mess and vote in new officials in the county? One of the taxpayers' concerns is the Dallas County constables' continuing expansion of their duties in taking on more traditional police work. They are now encroaching upon territory that is normally under the control of local police forces. This, among other factors, creates friction between them and the police forces in those cities. There is little oversight to their activities. This has turned into a money-making racket for the county. It is time to do away with the office of constable and turn their duties over to the sheriff's department. This would certainly save the county money. Frank Varner, Mesquite
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The entry "Dissolve constable office" is tagged: Dallas County Constables
Re: "We Recommend -- Simmons in GOP bid for Supreme Court, Place 3," Monday Editorials. The Dallas Morning News' recommendation of Rebecca Simmons may be well-meaning, but the reasons given ring hollow. The News cites as evidence of the writing skills needed Simmons' law review writings and "hundreds of opinions" at the appellate court, yet you overlook Dallas Court of Appeals Justice Jim Moseley, who has written more appellate positions (well over 1,000) and has more appellate judicial experience than all the other candidates combined. He has a scholarly pedigree, including membership in the prestigious American Law Institute, and his numerous writing credits include a recurring column for lawyers and judges on improving writing skills. As far as your reasons that she "would come to this bench with the mind-set a strong jurist needs," I read both Moseley's and Simmons' responses to the editorial board's questions, and I was more impressed by Moseley's firm adherence to a philosophy of judicial restraint. Unlike his opponents, Moseley has been an appellate judge since 1996. As a practicing attorney and voter, I want our Supreme Court to be comprised of the best, most experienced judges who will refrain from "legislating from the bench." Moseley fits that description perfectly, and that's why he gets my vote. John G. Browning, Rockwall
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The entry "Moseley better qualified" has no entry tags.
Is it the Texas State Board of Education's purview to claim ours is a Christian nation by altering social studies and adding doubt to the science TEKS based on young-earth creationism? What would Catholics say about this? Isn't it fair to say that because Christians are so diverse, it would be impossible to create an ecumenical public education? At the least, it would require a conversation in the open among countless denominations. Centuries ago, two people in Europe made invaluable contributions to the way modern people think and act: Galileo Galilei and René Descartes. Through their endeavors of mind, they gave us the means to look for ourselves and search for truth outside those claiming moral authority. If they had buckled, perhaps there would be no trips to the moon nor the passage in the Declaration of Independence about self-evident truths. The more important history to teach our children is that this struggle between faith and logic is very old. And it is fought anew with each awakening mind. Morality, on the other hand, can be fought with very little clarity and very little real consensus -- and often has the effect of extinguishing the embers of a curious mind. Laray Polk, Dallas
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The entry "Ed board meddling backfires" is tagged: State Board of Education February 16, 2010
We lost our power at 9 a.m. Thursday until noon. Then, over four hours, we lost it two more times. Then, at about 9 p.m. Thursday, it went out yet again until 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The burning question for all of us was when we could expect our power to come back on. Isn't there an app for that? Janet Jenkins, Dallas
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The entry "Call it power management" has no entry tags.
Re: "Examining evolution," by Vincent P. Cirillo, Friday Letters. Cirillo believes that the "theory" of evolution should be taught in the science classroom because it is based on scientific fact. He claims creationism has no scientific basis. He should understand there is significantly more science to bolster the theory of creationism than the theory of evolution. I would recommend The Wonder of the World by Roy Abraham Varghese to those who don't believe there is hard science to support this theory. On the other hand, some believe they evolved from a lower form of life, while others believe they were created by a higher form of life. Can't both be right? It would explain everything. Chris Hill, Allen
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The entry "Evolution, design: both right?" is tagged: Evolution
Re: "The great slob-down of America -- We've been casualized, and it's not a pretty sight, bemoans Froma Harrop," Saturday Viewpoints. Let's restore some dignity to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I hope her column will be read there, and Obama will wear the tie I am going to buy at the mall and mail to him. Karen Mitzner, McKinney
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The entry "I'm buying Obama a tie" is tagged: Barack Obama
Along with the estimated three billion people watching the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, I learned of the tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger. I was saddened as I heard about his rising talent, the impact on his teammates and the Olympic community, and his age (21). After 9/11, The New York Times ran 200-word profiles on every single one of the World Trade Center victims. After reading just one, I couldn't face reading a second. In Haiti, every single earthquake victim had dreams, friends, family, a story and a name. We'll never hear about them. But it's worth pausing to imagine the tragedy of Kumaritashvili times 230,000 and counting. I can't get my head around that kind of number. I can't get my heart around it either. Tracy Begland, Coppell
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The entry "All lost lives tell a story" is tagged: Haiti , Olympics
All of the people who complained about Oncor's tree trimming probably wish the company had done a better job in their now-out-of-power neighborhoods. Julius Graw, Dallas
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The entry "Tree trims look good now" is tagged: Oncor
As long as I can remember, mail has always been delivered, and I am 75 years old. When I was a little girl living in a rural Texas town, and winter weather was much more severe than now, the mail was always delivered. I now live in DeSoto, and when the big 2010 snow hit, we did not receive mail for two days. Yet, on a recent evening, I saw a television news clip about a florist who had made extraordinary efforts to get Valentine's flowers sent. Roses can be delivered, but our U.S. Postal Service can't deliver the mail. What's wrong with this country? Tommie Miller, DeSoto
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The entry "Appointed rounds skipped" has no entry tags.
Re: "Don't flash pricey jewelry," by Tye Thomas, Sunday Letters. I pondered for a bit on the insistence that the lady who was robbed of her lovely ring had it coming for wearing such a bauble to the store -- or anywhere at all, one assumes. How dare we have possessions, items that might be coveted by another, homes that we can pay for, a car that someone else may desire. To wear jewelry or nice clothes is insensitive in the extreme, and such a person has no right to peace or safety. It would be interesting to know if the gentleman feels the same way about his own belongings or those of his family. Donna Kennedy, Mesquite
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The entry "Costly jewelry isn't a crime" is tagged: crime |