I’m a retired teacher, and kids need to get back to school

Get them all back in class

I’m a retired school teacher, and I’m glad that some schools are opening. Teachers are essential workers, and they need to be in the classroom with their students.

If all safety measures are followed, they should not be afraid to do their jobs. After all, grocery store clerks serve members of the public all day without knowing them.

Teachers are in a secure building with the same students every day in some cases. In fact, discipline would be easier with desks apart and shields around the desks — no cheating.

- Lucille Bida, Arlington

Not the convention I saw

To use Kathleen Parker’s own words, her rant on the Democratic National Convention was “dour” indeed. (Aug. 21, 15A, “It is what it isn’t”)

She questioned whether her fellow citizens were “real Americans.” She called the expression of the hopes, desires and dreams of at least half of this country’s citizenry “propaganda.” She complained there was no applause, and that speeches fell flat.

Well, she wasn’t in my living room. I was amused by the irony of a “Desperate Housewives” actress as a convention moderator, given the president’s delusional belief that suburban housewives are going to vote for him.

Parker can change the channel and enjoy her Kool-Aid.

- Martha Dowling, Fort Worth

District 97 deserves much better

I find it disturbing that state Rep. Craig Goldman would be involved in potentially violating provisions of Congress’ coronavirus relief act when his company tried to evict a tenant from one of his rental properties. (Aug. 21, 1A, “Goldman complex accused of illegal eviction”) As an elected government official, he of all people should know the rules.

Fort Worth and the residents of House District 97 can do better than Goldman. This is why voters should support Elizabeth Beck, an attorney who has advocated for her community. When you need someone to help when the chips are down, we should hope our elected officials care enough to advocate for us.

- Heather Buen, Fort Worth

You must obey the police

Gov. Greg Abbott was right to threaten property tax limits on city officials who defund police. (Aug. 20, 4A, “Activists say plan on defunding police is ‘a slap in the face’”) Look at Portland, Seattle and New York.

Start teaching your kids to listen to the police. We cannot accept what is going on in other states.

- Dewey L. Landrum, Haltom City

Democrats are responsible for it

In Joe Biden’s nomination acceptance speech Thursday, not once did he address the problem of violence, looters, anarchists and murders in many of our American cities — all run by Democrats, I might add. Not one of the Democratic convention speakers mentioned this problem.

This is a problem we cannot blame on President Donald Trump. This violence and anarchy lies at the feet of the Democrats.

- Angela Benvenuto, Arlington