Question isn’t whether road rage shooter is a ‘monster.’ He shouldn’t have been armed

Trump’s single biggest success

The richest nation in the world, with months of warning of the coming pandemic, has the largest, most screwed-up response to the coronavirus on planet Earth.

I’ve given up on supporters of President Donald Trump perhaps acknowledging the truth of reality. The lying works. The denying works. And here we are: At least 40% of Americans believe he is doing a good job protecting America.

- Blake K. Wallace, Arlington

It is their choice alone to make

In her recent column, Cynthia M. Allen argues that abortions are not essential medical services. (April 3, 11A, “Texas is right: abortion isn’t ‘essential health care’”) We disagree with her cavalier assessments. As Fort Worth faith leaders, we believe that every life is precious to God. We also believe that abortion is health care.

Allen summarily dismisses the real lives and experiences of women who should be trusted to make their own reproductive choices. They are making difficult decisions. Thanks to the pandemic, many have lost their jobs, can’t pay rent or are worried about groceries. Some are isolated at homes with their abusers.

Each of these women has determined that it is not in her or her family’s best interest to bring a pregnancy to term. In these days of isolation, instability and fear, let us not demonstrate judgment and derision toward women, but empathy, support and love.

- Rev. Megan Peglar, Rev. Lee Ann Bryce, the Rt. Rev. Sam B. Hulsey, Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburge, Rabbi Brian Zimmerman

How things can escalate fast

The father of an alleged road rage killer says “he’s not a monster.” (April 9, 1A, “Road rage killing suspect ‘not a monster,’ dad says”) But there is no reason to take a life for such an insignificant incident.

Drivers cruising in the passing lane annoy me, but to kill someone for it means you’re a sick individual. Someone like this is the last person on Earth who should have a gun.

Until the law is changed to hold accountable individuals who knowingly allow troubled individuals to possess guns, we will continue to see this.

- Cathy C. Seifert, Haltom City

Giving to those in greatest need

I want to applaud dedicated workers who are embodying the Golden Rule during the COVID-19 crisis. — folks like our dedicated workers at Community Options, a nonprofit provider of residential care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Texas.

Community Options caregivers are among the thousands of direct-support professionals who care for people with disabilities that would leave them increasingly vulnerable if they were to contract the virus. Our caring workers do not have the luxury of working from home, and they often work for little more than minimum wage.

Community Options wants to recognize their heroism. Over the next 10 weeks, all gifts to Community Options will go toward increasing the pay of a direct-support professional on the front lines. To donate, go to imatter.comop.org/covid19fund.

- Jamie L. Reynolds, state director, Community Options, Dallas

Not your personal trash can

I have observed a lot of goodness in people the past few weeks. But it is sad how many apparently health-conscious people are also self-centered slobs. Grocery store parking lots, parks and roadsides are not the places to discard your used gloves, masks and disinfectant wipes.

Go back to kindergarten, people.

- Mark L. Langevin, Fort Worth