Texas Racing Commission; lost art of handwriting; it’s about time; back to work

Texas Racing Commission

Is anybody really surprised that Sen. Jane Nelson and her colleagues in the Legislature who are threatening the Texas Racing Commission have ties to casinos in neighboring states?

Their letter to the TRC, which was drafted by a casino lobbyist, is the smoking gun.

Besides “help” with this infamous letter, what else have they received from the Louisiana casinos, and what else have they done in return?

Nelson and her friends are already very close, but will they be allowed to destroy the Texas horse industry?

Of course, the more puzzling question is this: Why do we tolerate and vote for people who sell us out?

— Gary West, Fort Worth

Lost art of handwriting

Is Texas the only state that has chosen not to teach children to write?

They are only taught to print.

I have noticed young adults in the bank signing the back of their checks with their thumb print.

No wonder we are so far behind in education.

Recently, a friend wrote her 11-year-old grandson a letter only to have him call her on the phone and tell her to print next time because he could not read cursive.

— Glenda Patrick, Benbrook

It’s about time!

It’s about time Texas joins with the other 44 states who allow open carry of firearms.

We lead the nation in so many different areas, yet we are lagging way behind when it comes to gun rights.

There is this misnomer that allowing Texans to openly carry firearms is going to magically transport us back to the days of “Wild West gunslingers.”

It’s rather insulting that our legislators do not think more of us than that.

In 2010, Arizona passed open carry legislation, and its murder rate has dropped from 6.4 to 5.4 per 100,000. Its violent crime rate dropped from 413.6 to 405.8.

The Columbine, Aurora and Newtown shootings all occurred in “gun-free” zones. This would seem to indicate that the criminals are choosing places of least resistance to commit their crimes.

I submit that the presence of an armed populace is a valuable deterrent to crime.

I am also happy that “campus carry” is being considered.

As a female college student, I feel vulnerable walking from my car to my classes, especially at night.

I see no reason I should not be able to protect myself just because I am on a college campus.

— Traci Hooks, Haslet

Back to work

Imagine that.

The Do family emigrated from Vietnam, worked hard, lived within their means and also managed to become homeowners, all while raising intelligent, productive children. (See: The fall of Saigon: For couple, Texas is now home,” on Thursday, Feb. 26)

And they did it with just a little help.

My Cuban parents did the same.

Are you listening, Obama?

Your programs are destroying people.

Get Americans back to work and stop encouraging more sponging.

— Allie Culwell,

Fort Worth

This story was originally published February 27, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Texas Racing Commission; lost art of handwriting; it’s about time; back to work."