Thanks, Cliburn competition. You just gave Putin a big public relations win in Texas

Don’t give Putin a world stage

Why are we letting Russians compete in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition? (April 1, 8A, “30 from around the world to perform in Fort Worth’s Cliburn”) According to the article, there will be six Russian pianists, more than from any other country, while 44 million Ukrainians are being bombed indiscriminately by Russia’s ruthless dictator.

The United States is sanctioning Russia, but Cliburn CEO Jacques Marquis thinks it is OK to invite Russians to Fort Worth. He said: “We are dedicated to this art form to transcend boundaries.” Tell that to the Ukrainians whose boundaries have been trampled by Russian tanks.

I am sure Vladimir Putin will give the contestants a parade in Moscow when they return to Russia. That will feed directly into his propaganda campaign. The Cliburn competition has given him a public relations victory.

- Harry Thompson, Bedford

Get migrants out of Texas, period

On Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to bus migrants to Washington, D.C., (April 7, 8A, “Texas orders new border action, migrant bus charters to DC”) I offer a better plan: Why not send them to sanctuary cities such as San Francisco? I’m sure those cities would be happy to have them. Better still, just take them back to Mexico.

- Angela Benvenuto, Arlington

Festival poaching in Fort Worth

The Star-Telegram quoted Sundance Square co-owner Sasha Bass saying that its plaza was built to “showcase all things local and worthy of nationwide acclaim.” (April 1, 8A, “Clint Black, Steve Miller, Ledisi headline Fort Worth Art Fair”) That’s a new one for everyone who had anything to do with developing the area.

The city sold a portion of Main Street to create the long-sought centerpiece plaza. Millions of public dollars were spent to relocate water and sewer lines and to widen sidewalks so that large crowds could cross the streets safely. Sundance promised that traditional events would continue to be accommodated. It was a handshake, not a contract, but Sundance’s word was its bond.

Bass’ spin is a cover-up of her refusal to lease the plaza for this year’s Main Street Arts Festival. She wanted more local artists in the national juried show and made it a condition of the lease, knowing that wouldn’t be acceptable.

Bass decided to program her own festival on the same dates rather than support the Main Street festival, pirating the sponsorships, volunteer work and audience pull of the original, along with Main Street’s extraordinary logistics and marketing effort.

This is definitely not the Fort Worth way.

- Tonya Veasey, Fort Worth

Real problem is college’s costs

Fiscal conservatives are rightly concerned about the Biden administration’s decision to extend the student loan pause to August, sensing it might lead to debt forgiveness. But what is often overlooked in this debate is the dramatic increase in college tuition rates that are turning scholars into paupers.

Annual tuition at TCU is $51,660; Texas Wesleyan University, $34,412; Dallas Baptist, $33,620; University of Dallas, $46,864; SMU, $60,236. Thankfully, UT-Arlington at $11,727, University of North Texas at $11,090 and Texas Woman’s University at $8,394 are much more affordable.

Our college students are not freeloaders. Judging from my years as a North Texas State doctoral teaching fellow, the vast majority are working part-time. The skyrocketing costs of college have created this crisis, not the derelict refusal of students to pay their debts.

- George William Alridge, Arlington

Granger voted against US, Texas

The April 5 front-page story “Granger blocks Navy plan to scrap USS Fort Worth … for now” noted Rep. Kay Granger’s opposition to decommissioning the USS Fort Worth, and rightfully so. She has an obvious bias toward the ship because of its namesake, which she represents in Congress.

But only a few days later, Granger irrationally voted no on a resolution supporting NATO and a commitment to protect democracy. What is particularly troublesome about her vote is that she joined Republicans following Donald Trump in being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin. It makes no sense that Granger saves a ship representing her district but votes no on NATO support that relies on aircraft purchased from Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter Textron.

- Brian E. Rosson, Fort Worth