Iran nuclear deal; ADA’s anniversary; protecting neighbors

Iran nuclear deal

David Perkins’ Wednesday letter, “Better than war,” begs for rebuttal.

If this Iran “deal” continues on its inexorable path, not only the Republicans will emulate Chicken Little crying, “The sky is falling!”

Iran has yet to fulfill even one of its promises. A signatory to the Nonproliferation Treaty, it has nonetheless persevered in its quest to develop nuclear military power. No matter what this administration believes Iran has agreed to, Iran has practiced taqiyah (lying permissible by religion), and we will discover to our detriment that nothing has been agreed to.

The Republicans, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and others are advocating a better deal, one that would curtail the number of centrifuges, ensure dismantling of military facilities and destroy the heavy water stations.

A better deal would include that all investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency can be carried out at any hour on any day, with no restrictions.

In short, a better deal would guarantee that Iran would not execute its off-stated dream of “Death to America! Death to Israel!” Or does David Perkins think that “Death to America!” doesn’t include him?

— Frankie Schwartzwald,

Grand Prairie

David Perkins stated in his letter: “I have to laugh at my conservative friends running around like Chicken Little, seeing the deal with Iran and shouting, ‘The sky is falling.’”

Well, Mr. Perkins, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on July 18: “Even after this deal, our policy towards the arrogant U.S. will not change.”

We conservatives can now laugh at you liberals and say, “I told you so.”

— Eugene Ross, Granbury

ADA’s anniversary

Today is an “independence day” celebration for the one in five American children and adults who experience a disability in their lifetime.

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, eliminating discrimination in employment, transportation and public accommodations.

In addition to the important “breaking down” of physical barriers, such as curb cuts, ramped access to buildings, automatic-opening doors and accessible public transportation, there is another legacy of the ADA.

People with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities to pursue their dreams. Americans are looking beyond a disability — physical and cognitive — to see people like themselves who each day seek a level playing field for rewarding jobs and fulfilling lives.

Empowering people with disabilities to have access to education and assistive technology has expanded opportunities in the workplace. More companies are hiring people with disabilities, and many have specific initiatives under their diversity programs. These companies have learned that hiring people with disabilities is not charity — it is smart business.

Many serious challenges remain for the more than 50 million children and adults with disabilities.

However, today please take a moment to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Independence Day for Americans with disabilities!

— Bill Knudsen, president and CEO, Ability Connection Texas, Dallas

Protecting neighbors

As one who served overseas in the military, I’d like to add my 2 cents to the Thursday editorial “Civilian guards should stand down.” The editorial lacks insight into the problem addressed by these men.

I live almost next-door to a family whose daughter is being stalked by a skinhead. He has slashed her car tires twice and continues to cause trauma to this family. We have his photograph.

I have the highest respect for our police officers, but we tie their hands in doing what is right.

We, the neighbors, have armed ourselves against this intruder and stalker, who has served prison time, because it’s the right thing to do.

The editorial makes it sound like you don’t want your neighbors to help defend you if someone is coming to your home to kill your family. It sounds like you want to wait for new laws to pass first and, in the meantime, we’ll just stand by and watch it happen?

— Frank Durland, Fort Worth

POWs are heroes

My Uncle Ed was a prisoner of war in Germany after the plane he was serving on was shot down by the Nazis.

When Donald Trump said that John McCain was not a hero because he was captured after his plane was shot down over Vietnam, he was also slinging mud on all the other patriots who managed to survive captivity in spite of their injuries and the torture they had to endure.

They are all worthy of being called “war heroes.”

Anyone who supports Trump’s line of blasphemy should be locked away for at least a month with some of the deprivation our POWs faced.

To those who have supported Trump’s position, what if it had been your father, brother, cousin, son or other relative? Would you still feel the same?

— Patricia A. Epperson,

Fort Worth

Show tolerance

Minorities are so busy telling us that this and that is offensive and must go.

As a Christian, I find gay marriage offensive, as well as the rainbow flag. But I’m not out yelling and screaming they have to go.

Isn’t it time that we ask minorities to show tolerance?

— Geraldine Orr,

North Richland Hills

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Iran nuclear deal; ADA’s anniversary; protecting neighbors."