Just comply with police officers and everything will be OK

Patterson’s not logical

Jerry Patterson’s illogical, taken-to-the-extremes line of reasoning about those honored with memorials skates deftly around what, exactly, people are protesting about them (June 17, 13A, “After Confederate memorials, are Lincoln, Washington next?”). His careful selection of quotes betrays his true desire to incite fear of further actions of this supposed “tsunami of stupidity.”

- Roger Tuttle, Fort Worth

Are these U.S. leaders next?

Jerry Patterson’s exceptional opinion piece should be read by anyone interested in the history of the Civil War and the current stampede to obliterate it.

It’s surreal watching the removal of Confederate monuments. What about the statues of the 12 presidents who owned slaves? Thomas Jefferson adorns our nickel, and Andrew Jackson is on our $20 bill. Take them out of service, those racists and ingrate malcontents.

- Delbert Cantrell, Fort Worth

An important message

Kudos to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial Board for putting its editorial Sunday on Page 1A, front and center, for all readers to see, with the simple and important message: wear a mask.

It’s really not hard to do. Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents and leaders need to follow the science. You just might help save a life — and it could be yours.

- Jane Cohen, Fort Worth

Where’s the news?

How can the Sunday front-page headline above the fold be an editorial about wearing masks? I was hoping to read news. After all, it was the morning after President Donald Trump’s return to the campaign trail. That event’s coverage was relegated to the 16th page and was written before the event started. The paper’s bias is showing.

- Ray Harris, Fort Worth

News media so unfair to police

I had a long career in law enforcement in Dallas, during which I met some of the finest men and women I have ever known. It sickens me to have the news media continue to pound police officers nationwide as if they intentionally fail to do their jobs.

Yes, the officer who pinned George Floyd to the ground was wrong to the point of sadistic. He was arrested and charged. Nothing else can be done until the case reaches a courtroom. I mostly blame the departments where these officers work, considering the lack of training and refusing to terminate officers with multiple complaints.

Officers can only go so far to de-escalate a situation. People need to comply with police.

- Paul Kennedy, Arlington

What about health care?

The country is outraged over the strangulation of George Floyd, as it should be. But where is the outrage over the millions of Black citizens who die prematurely from the lack of access to adequate health care? It leads to under-treatment of conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes and obesity, so glaringly obvious because of COVID-19.

Many in Texas can’t even get help from the inadequately funded Medicaid program because our Republican government rejected Medicaid expansion for millions under the Affordable Care Act. Those millions are being strangled, too.

- Robert Bunata, Fort Worth