Fort Worth is not a war zone. Police don’t need more armored vehicles on our streets
A political campaign point
I applaud the courage of Fort Worth City Council members Elizabeth Beck, Chris Nettles and Jared Williams in rejecting another armored war vehicle patrolling Fort Worth streets. (March 13, 7A, “Fort Worth council, police scrap over armored vehicle”) Regardless of where the money comes from, we need to take a hard look at the requirements that federal funds place on cities. As Fort Worth law enforcement tries to build relationships with the communities it serves, another armored vehicle would inhibit that.
The president of the Police Officers Association, who criticized the council members, should stop using members’ funds for his political campaign’s propaganda.
- Heather Buen, Fort Worth
Not the effect they have in mind
I am always amazed there are politicians and school administrators who believe that banning a book will have a positive impact on the young. I worked with a number of bookstores, and one of their most successful promotions was their annual banned books sale. If you put a stack of those up front, they will sell.
Even young people can think critically enough to absorb what makes sense and ignore the baloney. If the folks pushing to ban books want to promote a conservative agenda, they might be more effective banning books by Tucker Carlson or Bill O’Reilly.
- Jim Riggs, Fort Worth
Great stories, told well
What a week of excellent work in the Star-Telegram. The news stories March 6 about local government employees’ spending show that Emily Brindley is a true investigative reporter. Thanks for Mac Engel’s beautiful column about MJ Taylor — it brought tears. (March 6, 1B, “Sports talk host left Texas out of concern for transgender son”) And Hollace Ava Weiner’s story about her husband’s family was a wonderful story about courage. (March 9, 4A, “Family with local ties fled Ukraine nearly 100 years ago”)
- Kay Fulgham, Fort Worth
Let those who serve say no
As a veteran, I don’t believe President Joe Biden should have come to Fort Worth to visit a VA clinic. He stated that U.S. veterans are the “backbone, the spine, the sinew” of the nation. But he crossed the line as our commander in chief when he forced military men and women to decide between getting the COVID-19 vaccine and being discharged from the armed forces.
The Biden administration has forced our troops into a corner while brazenly claiming to support our troops and veterans. Playing political games with the health of our service members shows a lack of empathy and respect for our troops.
If Biden should remember anything from his trip to Fort Worth, it’s that Texans support our veterans and believe in conservative policies.
- Bob Lines, Flower Mound
Want to fight actual oppression?
Why haven’t the Proud Boys and their ilk joined Ukraine’s International Legion to help defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin? They have the uniforms, the weapons and the desire to fight.
Are they afraid of real combat? Dressing in military gear and playing soldier is a far cry from fighting an armed enemy. They have no problem facing peaceful protesters, threatening elected officials and their families, or overrunning an underprepared Capitol Police force.
But face death to preserve a democracy against an autocratic government? That is another matter entirely.
- Barbara Chiarello, Austin
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.