Charleston and flags; global warming; expanses of weeds; ATM thefts

Charleston and flags

The other morning I reflected on our flag, which I displayed as a memorial to American citizens murdered by, yes, another American in South Carolina, the birthplace of my father.

All the victims of this horrific act, as well as the accused, have one common denominator — they are all Americans.

Our flag is the symbol of the bond that unites every American, thus the United States of America.

My heart is saddened by the cowardly act carried out by a disturbed young man against his fellow citizens, but I pray for the sake of our great nation that swift justice will prevail.

— Joseph L. Way Sr., Arlington

If we want to heal as a nation, the Confederate flag needs to go. It is reminder of oppression and slavery.

We need only one flag — that of the United States of America. Let’s start acting like the people who we are: “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

— Nancy Peet Gilbert, Arlington

Please be informed that this individual is proud to recognize the Confederate flag.

It is my flag and no revisionist history is going to replace my respect for this symbol of courage, honor, culture, values and country.

— Leland M. Daniel, Fort Worth

Here’s a challenge for all you Confederate fans: Name one good thing the Confederacy did or accomplished. One.

— Donny Carr, Colleyville

There has been entirely too much coverage of the disturbed young man in South Carolina.

Whenever a deranged individual causes lives to cease and hearts to break, could he or she be identified only as “a deranged person”?

— Anne M. Sanders, Fort Worth

People like Sahar Aziz would have us believe that there are tens of thousands if not millions of white racists in America. (See Tuesday commentary, “Confronting myths, racial violence”)

She points out the high rate of black incarceration to imply that this is the product of racism. Yet the Justice Department questionnaire to crime victims each year proves that people report being victimized by blacks at the same rate as convictions.

The facts just don’t fit.

— Tom Glenn, Fort Worth

Global warming

Richard Greene’s critique of Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change was wrong. (See Sunday column, “Will Pope Francis alter public attitudes on global warming?”)

The pope realizes that public opinion has been misled about these serious dangers by politicians and politically appointed bureaucrats who are financed by big business.

It is very easy to confuse a large, complex situation with cherry-picked data.

— Jack G. Burgen, Arlington

Expanses of weeds

I drive by what used to be Z. Boaz Golf Course most days.

I have many pleasant memories of playing there with the Fort Worth Ladies Golf Association.

Now, instead of fairways and greens, we have vast expanses of weeds.

One would have thought the city could have done better by this time.

If it were someone’s garden in my neighborhood, that person would be getting a citation.

— Jean Walker, Benbrook

ATM thefts

Most attempts to steal ATMs are by crashing a stolen truck or SUV into a store.

Concrete road dividers in front of the stores would stop that.

Increased jail time for offenders must be 20-plus years and 40 years for second offenders.

— Derek Sidwell, Fort Worth

This story was originally published June 24, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Charleston and flags; global warming; expanses of weeds; ATM thefts."