Letters to the editor: If you don’t want problems with police, the solution is easy

More important than inspections

The Star-Telegram’s ongoing coverage of health inspection violations at Fort Worth restaurants is a slap in the face. (Aug. 26, star-telegram.com, “Fort Worth restaurants’ health violations include roaches, mice, mold, no masks”)

Every restaurant is hurting. Health inspections are important, but putting the information in the format you do is irresponsible. There are more important issues that are more critical to Fort Worth.

- Chris Piekarski, Fort Worth

Independence for educators

Daryl Cagle’s commentary on the use of editorial cartoons as instructional tools was on point. (Aug. 26, 15A, “Nothing wrong with police cartoon used in Wylie teacher’s lesson”) Unfortunately, one cartoon he referenced has been negatively interpreted as a comparison of police officers to slave owners and the Ku Klux Klan.

But the cartoon can stimulate critical thinking and generate authentic discussion of violence against others throughout history. The issue in the Wylie school district controversy is not the use of this cartoon. The core issue is respecting academic freedom.

Gov. Greg Abbott and community members dictating curriculum to school faculty sets an extremely dangerous precedent.

- Ernest L. Thomas, Fort Worth

Cornyn has hurt Texans’ health

It was disturbing to read the column by Sen. John Cornyn and Dr. Michael Williams of the University of North Texas Health Science Center about issues facing rural health care. (Aug. 30, 4B, “Texas’ rural health providers need help amid coronavirus”)

According to the Commonwealth Fund, Texas ranked last among the 50 states in health care access and affordability and had the most people over age 18 without health insurance in 2019.

While the plight of rural hospitals definitely deserves our attention, so do these abysmal rankings.

COVID-19 has exacerbated these conditions because fewer Texans now have employer-based health care. Cornyn has done little to address these issues.

- Robert J. Smith, Fort Worth

Obey police and no problems

Tragic as police shootings are, including the mayhem that unfolds after, three little words, if followed, would eliminate the problem: Don’t resist arrest.

- Robert Roark, Arlington

Keep the newspaper local

I am sad to say farewell and thank you to the McClatchy family and its 163-year history of producing high-quality newspapers such as the Star-Telegram. (Aug 30, 5B, “It’s time to bid farewell and say thank you”) I have been a subscriber and daily reader for nearly 50 years. When traveling, I read other papers, and none ever measured up to the Star-Telegram.

I haven’t always been happy when a favorite section disappears, but something good is usually added. With a hedge fund company taking over, I fear it will no longer be my hometown paper but more of a national newspaper.

Time will tell. You will be missed.

Judy Billard, Bedford