You don’t fight racism with punishment. You have to educate young people

AG moves without science

Regarding Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s ruling on schools reopening: How is it that leaders with no experience in health or science can overrule the advice of countless doctors, nurses and other health officials at the height of an uncontrolled pandemic that is growing exponentially? (July 29, 1A, “AG: Health officials can’t close schools to halt virus”)

Why not trust the guidance of the health community over that of authorities whose primary concern may be maintaining their status and power?

- Marilyn Darr, Fort Worth

Perry is making a bad bet

Rick Perry must be unfamiliar with the idea that steady and deliberate eventually wins the race. (July 29, 11A, “Texas energy jobs will thrive under Trump, not Biden”)

Regulations and competent governance establish principles, policies and procedures that protect both industry and the citizenry, as well as providing a vision of the future. Instead, what we have from the president is an erratic collection of tweets that engage in invective attacks or obsess adoringly for a past that exists only in the minds of those who fear the future.

Let us learn from our mistake. So, no thanks, Rick; we’ll take our chances with Joe Biden.

- Bob Moser, Arlington

Schools must be a priority

In a July 28 letter, Katheryn Rogers of Arlington expressed frustration that Congress hasn’t yet passed the next coronavirus relief bill. (7A) I agree — our public schools need more resources to help educators and students adjust to new teaching norms during the pandemic. That’s why I’ve supported billions of dollars for education.

Congress has passed more than $30 billion in emergency relief for education, including $2.8 billion for Texas. And the newest proposed coronavirus relief package would inject an additional $105 billion into education to help our kids return safely to school. This funding could cover cleaning services and equipment to protect students and staff members or provide laptops and internet hotspots for virtual learning.

There’s no question our schools need additional resources, and I pledge to help deliver them.

- Sen. John Cornyn, Austin

Helping us stay in the know

Kudos for Haley Samsel’s coverage of 350.org in our area. (July 27, star-telegram.com, “Following global protests, Fort Worth activists form group to fight climate change”)

We need this kind of information, along with more data on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s plan to ship nuclear waste to Texas. We depend on this kind of reporting to inform and educate.

- Sandra Soria, Fort Worth

Education instead of punishment

I don’t think the TCU student who used the racial slur should be expelled. (July 29, 3A, “Video shows incoming TCU student using racial slur”) There are hundreds more just like him on the campus who haven’t been outed.

A more effective way to address the issue would be to require him to go to counseling on campus for his anger and racism — at his expense.

- Anna Burns, Fort Worth