Fort Worth leaders just aren’t listening about the coronavirus

It’s their right to expression

So, the Star-Telegram has embraced the cancel culture with a passion. The hit piece on the front page July 3 was irresponsible. (“TCU explores racist online posts”) If the new purpose of the newspaper is to publish dirt on private citizens, found by small-minded people with time on their hands, throwing away the First Amendment in the process, count me out.

I do not like the views expressed by these people, but they have the right to hold those views.

- Michael D. Korenman, Fort Worth

No way to quiet the booms?

Fireworks are illegal in Fort Worth, but the City Council does little to enforce the law. It gets worse every year, and this year it was like a war zone. I would like to know the count of fireworks injuries that clogged already crowded emergency rooms.

There is no way our fire department has the staff to enforce the law, and the council knows it. Do something about it or delete the law.

- Susie Fitzgerald, Fort Worth

Bud asked the right question

Bud Kennedy did a great job in Sunday’s column, “Fort Worth facing ‘critical’ week to slow coronavirus.” (1B)

He asks: “Did you hear from any elected officials this weekend?” I certainly didn’t. Think about this when it comes time to vote.

- Shirley Wiley, White Settlement

Focus is politics, not health

Bud Kennedy asked Sunday, “Where are our leaders?”

The leaders we should follow are in science, medicine and industry, people who tell us hard truths: that COVID-19 will not “just disappear,” that it is killing people and that we need to take action to slow the spread.

The elected leaders Kennedy referred to tell people what they want to hear in an effort to get re-elected. They avoid positions unpopular to their base, instead choosing those contrary to science to the point where people are being harmed.

Voters must choose leaders who examine the evidence, speak to experts and make the tough decisions that are best for everyone — leaders who believe in science.

- Lisa Welch, Fort Worth

The writer is the Democratic nominee for the 12th Congressional District seat.

School doing the right thing

Although it has been an emblem of school pride for many students, faculty and administrators, I’m glad to see Arlington Martin High School is retiring the headdress logo. (July 4, 1A, “Petition circulating to keep Arlington Martin’s Native American logo”) Principal Marlene Roddy had it right in her message about the change, saying that educational centers must model “cultural awareness and sensitivity.”

Arlington Martin is much more diverse than when it opened in 1982, and it is encouraging to see the administration’s thoughtful action on the issue.

- Johnny Hunter, Richardson

The writer is a 1993 Martin High graduate.