Why isn’t my retired military ID good enough to get a damn Texas driver’s license?

Identification roadblocks

On my 30th anniversary of living in Fort Worth, I was notified I had to renew my driver’s license. The state required a passport or birth certificate to prove I was me. (Nov. 11, 1A, “Mega mess: Why it takes so long to get a driver’s license and what the state plans to do about it.”)

The worker asked if I was a veteran and said she could note that on my license. I produced a retired military ID, but that wasn’t good enough. My truck has veteran tags, for which I had to show proof of discharge from the military. Not good enough.

I’m not sure what having a “V” on my driver’s license does, but, gee, I could print a fake DD-214 military discharge form much faster than I could make a fake Department of Defense ID card.

The good thing is that I only had to make two appointments before I got in to get my license. It took three months.

- Jeff Murray, Fort Worth

Most Texans just didn’t vote

The headline on Mark Davis’ Nov. 13 column asked, “How did Texas Republicans cruise while ‘red wave’ fizzled nationwide?” (5C) I propose this answer: Texas is an undereducated state. I don’t proclaim this lightly because I’m a retired elementary school teacher.

Eight million registered Texas voters participated in this past election, while 9.6 million registered voters didn’t. Either they didn’t care or they didn’t know enough to go to the polls.

To get a better Texas government, we need a better-educated population.

- Dora Gonzales, Arlington

Yes, your vote does matter

Fellow Texans, I am very proud of those of us who voted but disappointed in those who did not.

When we don’t vote, we are letting someone else decide for us what our nation’s future will be. Look how close races were across the country. Even now, some are not decided. Look how tight the margins are in the U.S. Senate and House. How can we say our votes would not count?

2024 is right around the corner. Republican democracy is not a spectator sport.

- Paul R. Schattman, Arlington

No reason to attack Beto, voters

I was disappointed to read Nicole Russell’s recent attack on Beto O’Rourke and his supporters. (Nov. 10, 11A, “3 races, 3 big losses. Will Beto go away now?”)

Yes, O’Rourke lost, but more than 3.5 million people voted for him to be the next governor of Texas. We should respect the outcome of the election. But we also should come together as Texans and not continue to attack one another after the voting is over.

We need to work toward a better tomorrow — not just for some of us, but for all of us.

- Glenn Hutchinson, Fort Worth

Pitts needs to be more grateful

Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. needs to take off the victim hat he constantly wears and see that he lives in the most wonderful country in the world. (Nov. 13, 5C, “Still fighting for an America I’ve never seen”)

Are all those people who are breaking the law to live in our country trying to become victims? I think not. They are coming to America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

You have been blessed to be born here and to live here, Mr. Pitts. You should celebrate it. We all have problems, and our country is not free of sin. But this is America, the land of opportunity.

- Sandra Lewis, Joshua

This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 5:30 AM.