Promises haven’t been kept with the Panther Island project

One and done and not enough

Does it say something about the nature of politics that the most decent and honorable man to hold the presidency in recent times is the only one not favored with a second term?

Promises not kept on Panther Island

If there is one element of the central city/Panther Island project that I wish the media and politicos would get straight, it is that rechanneling the river will cause flooding downstream.

In fact, with a new channel, it will require a new levee on the western side of the new island. That and flood remediation downstream have driven up the Army Corps of Engineers’ cost by millions of dollars.

A cheap solution would be to bolster the existing levees. Rechanneling the river might make a nice island for economic redevelopment, but it also sends costs sky high.

Remember that our leaders promised this project wasn’t going to leave the taxpayers holding the bag. With the City Council’s penchant for granting abatements, TIFs and PIDs to encourage development, the taxpayers will be lucky to get a penny back for every dollar spent.

Illegal immigrants are not a drain

A letter writer Friday mentioned that a government shutdown would be a good idea if President Donald Trump doesn’t get his wall funding, then alleged that illegal immigrants are costing the United States millions of dollars because they use free services. (11A) The opposite is true.

According to government documents, working immigrants contribute millions to the economy by paying taxes, including to Social Security and Medicare. Removing them, the report says, would cost our country billions. They do not receive any benefits from these systems they pay millions into.

Oh, and President Barack Obama saved us from a depression after the country underwent a deep recession. He didn’t let it go down the tubes. It was the GOP that tried blocking everything he and the Democrats wanted to do.

High honors for Bush well earned

The pomp and circumstance afforded President George H.W. Bush was just and correct in honoring this man of integrity. First and foremost, he should be forever commended for serving his country proudly.

Even his beloved service dog, Sully, was in the limelight, lying guard next to his master’s casket in a photo widely circulated last week. This picture was worth more than a thousand words. It was a great farewell, as Sully is now destined for his continued service at Walter Reed hospital.

This national day of mourning and commentaries were impressive and heartfelt, particularly the emotional one delivered by his son.

Bush was one of the last soldiers of the Greatest Generation. He’s now passed on to his ultimate destination to join his wife, Barbara —like two bookends together again in heaven.

Godspeed, President George H.W. Bush.

You all made the wrong choice

The Star-Telegram’s endorsement of Rep. Beto O’Rourke in the race for U.S. Senate finally ripped my already-frayed knickers. (Oct. 28, 6B, “For U.S. Senate: Electing Beto O’Rourke is good business”)

Test: See whether O’Rourke, who is not Hispanic, will face a camera and deny his support for any item of the 2016 Democratic Party’s national platform.