ACA ruling; pope and nature; gun signs; dubious political donations; flags and statues

ACA ruling

One of my favorite characters in baseball history is Satchel Paige, due in part to his famous “Bee Ball.”

When quizzed about this pitch, Paige would simply say, “It be where I want it to be.” Not a bad term, because he could often deliver on the pitch.

Possibly our Supreme Court has adopted this same approach to interpreting our laws and Constitution, except rather than “It be where I want it to be,” it is now “It be what I want it to be.”

These judges may have convinced themselves in their painfully tortured and convoluted ruling on the Affordable Care Act, but not many in this country are buying it.

— Gary Conway, Pantego

Pope and nature

Isn’t it sad that human nature, the only thing made by God that he gave free will to, continues to violate not only God’s trust in us, but also the gifts he gave to us, not only for survival, but also for comfort, enjoyment, beauty and enlightenment.

The balance of nature in our world is critical to our survival. That imbalance is already taking its toll on our comfort and security.

As one who abhors extremists, I fear that the encyclical of Pope Francis has much in it to be concerned about. The signs of imbalance in our environment are all too obvious. Even an ostrich with his head in the sand would notice that it’s undeniable.

— Thomas M. Long, Arlington

Gun signs

Concealed-carry signage is a big deal.

As a license holder, I bend over backward to comply with the law. In my view, any business that has a problem complying with the new law wants to have its cake and eat it, too!

If they don’t want a gun owner’s business, proclaim it loudly with correct signage.

I used a bank in Southlake a few years ago with the sort of sign you proposed in your Thursday editorial (“Making gun signs a big deal”). It was translucent gray, a circle with a gun and a line across it, mounted on a smoked-glass door, in the shadows.

I couldn’t see the sign until exiting, when it was back-lit. I unknowingly committed a criminal trespass.

Companies, if you don’t want my business, tell me loud and proud.

— John Whitsell, Keller

Dubious donations

Really, Gov. Abbott! Really, Sen. Ted Cruz! Really, state Rep. David Simpson of Longview!

Not until the massacre in Charleston, S.C., did these Texas politicians/officials realize they were accepting funds from a white supremacist and, somehow, it just was not appropriate?

How many years before this massacre did these officials think was just fine to receive donations from a white supremacist?

What about other elected Texas officials? It would be of great interest to all Texans if Patrick Svitek, who wrote of the donations for the Texas Tribune, investigated a little bit further.

— Bob Montanez, White Settlement

Flags and statues

If Confederate flags were the swastika and the statues were of Adolf Hitler and his cronies, there would be no debate. They would all be removed.

Removing symbols of great pain and suffering is not rewriting history; it’s having compassion and respect for the victims.

— Mary Maayeh, Arlington

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 5:41 PM with the headline "ACA ruling; pope and nature; gun signs; dubious political donations; flags and statues."