Texas houses of worship, it’s clear: The time has come for armed guards at services
Time to arm the churches
It’s a no-brainer: Unfortunately, in these times, every church, synagogue and mosque needs armed guards during religious services and classes. Their members should pay for this, not our city, state or federal government.
- Richard I. Marks, Fort Worth
Afghan people are victims
Once the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan was overthrown by the Taliban, billions of dollars in economic support evaporated. With the cessation of foreign aid and the sanctions against the Taliban — who, like it or not, are now in charge — the U.S has contributed to destroying the Afghan economy.
Millions are facing starvation. Nada Al-Nashif, the United Nations’ deputy high commissioner for human rights, said in December that Afghans are forced to take “desperate measures, including child labor, the marriage of children to ensure their survival, and — according to some reports — even the sale of children.”
The Taliban are a brutal regime. But why should we collectively punish the people of Afghanistan for the actions of their rulers?
- John Kempthorne, Fort Worth
No vaccine grandstanding
In response to the veteran letter-writer from Flower Mound (March 15, 7A) decrying President Joe Biden’s visit to a VA clinic because of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for troops: I remember my entry to the Air Force when I was given vaccines for hepatitis A and B, flu, MMR, polio and tetanus. Later in my career, before going overseas, I was vaccinated against yellow fever, typhoid fever and smallpox. If there had been an outbreak of any of these, would any of my comrades-in-arms have stood up and said, “I’m not getting that one?” I think not.
This is a purely political response to a real and present illness that can harm our military readiness, just like all those others.
- Barry Klunder, Haslet
The real energy solutions
Paul Waldman’s March 16 column, “Let’s finally free ourselves from fossil fuel tyranny” (11A) reflects the misinformed and misguided talking points of the Biden administration and the liberal elite.
Missing is how the strategy frees us from being held hostage to other nations. Missing is how electricity is generated without fossil fuels. Missing is who holds the minerals to sustain battery technology. Missing is the environmental impact of disposing of windmill blades and batteries.
Missing is a coherent strategy to move from fossil fuels — and it is not battery technology, windmills and solar panels.
A new source of energy such as hydrogen fuel technology is needed to effectively transition from fossil fuels. It’s clean and plentiful.
Stop the fantasy and liberal talking points and follow effective science and sustainable energy independence.
- Ken Sapp, Granbury
The people don’t want it
The Russian debacle in Ukraine offers our domestic authoritarian wannabes a valuable lesson. Based on the popular vote, 21st-century Americans have repeatedly preferred pragmatic leaders over simple ideological partisans. Thankfully, American voters usually choose sensible leaders who can address the real-world problems that plague us all.
Authoritarian propaganda has never inspired a people more than their desire for a free, democratic and capable government. The great Achilles’ heel of authoritarianism is that it eventually believes its own lies. Witness the Putin dictatorship’s obvious misread of the Ukrainian people. The Russian soldiers sabotaging their own equipment and surrendering en masse illustrate how a population responds when a lifetime of lies is exposed.
Our domestic authoritarians would do well to heed that message.
- Charles Stonick, Granbury
Attacks don’t speak for us
Transgender people embody the inherent worth and dignity that is a pillar of our Unitarian Universalist faith. At the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, our hearts are with trans kids, their families and caregivers, and all trans and nonbinary people. We love you fiercely, and will forever fight for your rights and honor the beautiful ways you are you.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s and Gov. Greg Abbott’s threats to trans kids and their families are unconscionable, and their fear-mongering poses real danger to health and safety. They do not speak for most Texans.
Trans Texans, your clergy are not required to report gender-affirming care, nor would we. We pray you are tending to your needs and doing what gives you joy.
- Rev. Erin Walter, Austin