How is talking on the phone while driving still legal in Texas? | Opinion
Hang it up
I’ve lived in several states, and Texas is by far the worst when it comes to drivers distracted by cellphones. I was surprised to learn that phone use while driving is not illegal in the state. Texting while driving is, but it is not well-enforced. Collisions are occurring; people are getting hospitalized and even dying because Texas will not toughen its laws.
My question to our legislators: How many lives need to be lost before you decide it is worth toughening these laws?
- Shane Camozzi, Fort Worth
Stabbing whys
I am a retired New York police lieutenant, and here’s what I want to know about the Frisco track meet killing. Just what was Karmelo Anthony doing with a knife in his bag? (April 16, 8A, “Frisco track meet stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony released from jail on lower bond”) He was a high school senior, about to graduate and move on to the next stage in his life. Has he always chosen to be armed with a knife, and if so, why?
Why had Anthony chosen to sit under a tent of another school when his school had its own tent? Both questions need to be answered, and the only person who can answer these questions is Karmelo Anthony.
- Anthony J. Armellino, McKinney
Budget priority?
As a nation, we are more than $30 trillion in debt and climbing. This cannot be sustained — spending cuts must be made. What should we give up?
In the April 18 online edition, an article dealt with the remote possibility of life on a planet 120 light years away. (“Astronomers detect possible signature of life on distant planet”) But under Trump administration budget cuts, the search for such life could be terminated.
Although the search has intellectual appeal, what are we gaining that should exempt this study from cuts? Even if there could be life, intelligent life is remote. And the laws of relativity mean it would be more than 120 years before any communications could reach that planet.
Given our dire economics, this is one endeavor we should live without.
- Thomas F. Harkins Jr. Fort Worth
Voucher trouble
The school voucher bill moving through the Legislature is deeply troubling. (April 18, 1A, “Texas House approves school voucher bill”) It opens the door for scam artists to exploit the system and siphon taxpayer money, fostering corruption. At a time when schools are struggling to stay open, it’s disheartening that Gov. Greg Abbott’s allies lacked the courage to let voters decide this issue through a ballot measure.
The governor’s excessive power is concerning, especially his use of campaign funds to target representatives who opposed him. Such actions undermine democracy and should be prohibited.
If this bill genuinely improved education by providing students with better tools for reading, writing and math, I would support it wholeheartedly. However, it fails to deliver meaningful change and instead prioritizes political agendas over students’ needs.
- Dan Taylor, Burleson
Unchecked power?
President Donald Trump’s ill-considered policies and actions are wrecking the stock market, creating a labor shortage, weakening our dollar, alienating our allies, diminishing our military and hurting middle-class Americans’ retirement portfolios. They will surely lead to increased inflation and shortages of consumer necessities. His haughty rationale: “Only the weak will perish.”
How long must we endure this callous, destructive president? Where is Congress?
- Owen Daniel, Fort Worth