Want to celebrate the United States? The declaration is all you need

Allen keeps the focus on life

Thanks to Star-Telegram columnist Cynthia M. Allen for her pro-life voice. (June 26, 15A, “Black lives matter, and that includes those lost to abortion”) Her columns consistently demonstrate openness to the truth and common sense.

Our culture needs to embrace the right to life for all, including the unborn child.

- Carolyn Allen, Benbrook

Declaration wisdom

Responding to John Crisp’s argument for another national holiday, I contend that Independence Day already covers his concern. (June 30, 8A, “It’s time for a new holiday: Let’s call it National Day”)

This existing holiday does not celebrate our heroic yet flawed founders. It celebrates the Declaration of Independence that these men adopted on July 4, 1776.

The declaration’s first paragraph states that “all men are created equal.” Although the signers understood this to apply only to white men who owned property, the genius of Thomas Jefferson’s words allow the document to be a beacon for future generations.

When Abraham Lincoln called for “a new birth of freedom” at Gettysburg, he did not refer to the Constitution; he called back “four score and seven years” to these five words from the declaration.

This is what we celebrate: that these words exist as the foundation of our country.

- Paul Park, Fort Worth

How is it political?

I’ve lived in Colleyville for more than 25 years and love the town. I love the good neighbors, the trees and hills, and the safety of the area. However, the city’s decision not to enforce a mask mandate is distressing. (June 26, 7A, “Colleyville won’t enforce county’s mask requirement”)

In times of crisis, good governments unite and lead their citizens. Colleyville’s government has done the opposite. By choosing to make masks a political statement, it has turned citizens against each other. That is an unforgivable failure.

The usual response to these concerns is, “Well, why don’t you move?” I Iove Colleyville too much to move. But I will vote.

- Robert G Zebian, Colleyville

They keep our world going

Yes, Black Lives Matter: Doctors and nurses. Bankers, teachers, salesmen, repairmen, preachers. Artists and athletes. Politicians, members of the military and police. Construction workers, factory workers, corporate executives and entrepreneurs. Custodians, yard workers, waiters and hundreds of other essential workers.

These people constitute a huge part of the fabric of our nation. Without them, white lives would suffer. Let us all shake hands and move on to a more productive engagement among the races, based on mutual appreciation for each other: friends and neighbors.

- Winston Barney, Fort Worth

No need to remove them

I certainly agree that Black lives matter, as do the lives of everyone. Minorities have been persecuted for centuries, and bias is still going on today. However, vandalism, protests that are not peaceful, looting and murder are not the answer. Destruction of statues and removal of names on institutions are not going to help attain equal rights.

History cannot be rewritten or erased. Face-to-face interaction and persuasive communication are most effective. The ballot box can send a strong message, too.

- Marilyn Gabler, Fort Worth