Arlington’s mayor showed leadership on voting rights, while Fort Worth’s punted
Kudos to Jim Ross’ patriotism
Preservation of our democracy is critical. I am grateful to Arlington Mayor Jim Ross for his support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. (Jan. 5, 2A, “Fort Worth mayor declines to support Voting Rights Act”) We are truly fortunate to have a mayor willing to publicly express the courage of his convictions on such a critical issue.
- Mac Bernd, Arlington
A disqualifying show of leadership
It is disheartening that Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker is unwilling to join the mayors of other major cities, including Dallas and Arlington, in encouraging Congress to pass a voting rights bill. At least we now know where she stands on the issue, and we can start a campaign to remove her from office. No one who does not support the right of every citizen to vote deserves to be in a leadership position in our city.
- D. Jack Davis, Fort Worth
No apologists for Capitol rioters
After reading the Tuesday letter under the subheadline “The peaceful heroes of Jan. 6,” (9A), I wondered why these people were at the Capitol in the first place. So, they wanted to hear Donald Trump tell everyone again about the Big Lie that the election was stolen.
As for them leaving when told, I don’t think so — otherwise they would have not made it all the way to the “open Capitol door,” as the letter put it. They followed those who aggressively fought their way to the door. And I wouldn’t call anyone who attacked our democracy a patriot.
- William Coleman, Fort Worth
The real victims of Jan. 6 protest
The event at the Capitol last January was a protest, not an insurrection. An innocent veteran was needlessly killed by law enforcement. Insurrection and anarchy are what took place for months in Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis and every weekend in Chicago. Assign the proper description.
- Rick Murr, Colleyville
Story not worth the front page
Why would the lead front-page story in the Jan. 4 Star-Telegram be about a boutique that sells vintage clothes (“Locally owned store sells history through vintage clothes”)?
There certainly must be more significant and worthy news concerning the country’s 12th-largest city. The Star-Telegram just needs to figure out how to identify it.
- Tom C. Burke, Fort Worth
Just say no to saying ‘they’
In recent letters to advice columnists in the paper, I have noticed that some writers have used the pronouns they, them and their when referring to one person. Anyone who has studied English grammar knows that those pronouns are plural and refer to more than one person.
Language is the foundation of a civilization, and if the “woke” minority is allowed to corrupt and change the language, there will be no coherent means of communication. There have to be rules in grammar that everyone can understand and use clearly and concisely.
- Clista Hancock, Arlington
COVID-19 vaccines part of readiness
Governors need to understand that Army and Air National Guard units are part of the American total force. These units maintain a combat readiness rating to be prepared for worldwide deployments on a moment’s notice.
Processing personnel for deployments includes a medical station to provide immunizations to meet this requirement. As many as 10 shots may be maintained to assure that force readiness is not compromised. A COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to maintain combat readiness.
- Robert Gruenhagen, Kennedale