A new sheriff can’t fix Tarrant County’s problems with the criminal justice system | Opinion
Prisons, jails have bigger issues
The issues plaguing the Tarrant County criminal justice system cannot be resolved merely by electing a new sheriff or adding more lawyers. (Oct. 2, 1A, “Family of woman who died in Tarrant jail demands answers”) These problems are systemic and have reached a critical point.
State prisons and local jails across the country are facing a crisis. It is crucial to address these challenges amid a sustained demand for criminal justice reform.
The issues have been recognized, and many solutions are available, yet the political will to implement them is lacking. So, the taxpayer is paying for poor outcomes.
- Leslie J. Smith, Grapevine
Cruz was the debate winner
Sen. Ted Cruz and his challenger, Colin Allred, had a spirited debate. (Oct. 15, star-telegram.com, “Ted Cruz-Colin Allred debate: Candidates spar in closely watched Texas race for US Senate”) Both candidates appeared prepared.
But watching Allred sway back and forth like a metronome was unnerving and made me think he was the less confident candidate. His reliance on having played college football at Baylor and in the NFL was an echo of Kamala Harris constantly saying she had a middle-class upbringing.
I’m not thrilled by either candidate. Cruz has been a divisive factor in the Republican Party, and Allred would be a solid member of the Democratic block. There was no winner on issues. But Cruz wins on style and composure.
- Charles Andrews, Fort Worth
Allred was the debate winner
Colin Allred was the clear winner in his debate with Ted Cruz. I am tired of Cruz. Texans have felt the wrath of the Trump-loving senator who no longer seeks to look out for the best interests of Texans.
Allred will come through on the issues that are important to us, and I trust he will make the right decisions. As for Cruz, he needs to call it a career and maybe find a new gig on “Dancing With the Stars.”
- Santiago Hernandez, Corpus Christi
Walz wrong on Electoral College
I am stunned that a sitting governor, Minnesota’s Tim Walz, would say: “We all know that we need to get rid of the Electoral College.” In our constitutional republic, the Electoral College was implemented for a very specific reason: to prevent what the founders referred to as “tyranny of the majority.” The Electoral College ensured that even small states would have a voice in electing the president of the United States.
If the Electoral College were eliminated, as Walz suggests, some states might decide that the whole deal is off. A lot of people are not interested in the politics of New York and California becoming the law of the land.
But then again, in his own words, Walz is just a “knucklehead.”
- Travis Baugh, Fort Worth
Adopt, don’t shop for pets
During this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, I encourage people in and around Fort Worth to adopt rather than shop if they are looking for a new puppy.
I’m proud that Fort Worth is among 18 cities across Texas to enact an ordinance that stops retail pet sales of commercially bred kittens and puppies. But there are still retail pet stores nearby where you can buy a puppy for thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Texas shelters and rescues are at capacity and might not be able to accommodate more until those animals are adopted.
By adopting a dog from your local shelter or rescue, you will free up space for another homeless animal to have the opportunity to find a forever home and you will relieve the pressure on local shelters and rescues.
- Beth Eardley, Arlington