Lies about sad Frisco track stabbing don’t help families or get justice | Opinion
Proper response
The Frisco track meet stabbing is sad for both families. (April 16, 8A, “Frisco track meet stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony released from jail on lower bond”) Spreading lies about it hurts the cause of reaching a reasoned and just outcome.
Some have objected to the lowering of Karmelo Anthony’s bail from $1 million to $250,000. But it was clearly excessive, especially with the state of the criminal justice system. Defendants will wait two or three years before their cases make it to court.
Bail is correctly set to ensure appearance at court and to prevent harm to the public. Anthony is confirmed at home with an ankle monitor, so any bail is redundant and excessive.
- John Nolan, Arlington
Lawsuit abuse
An April 23 headline on star-telegram.com asked: “Home insurance rates are through the roof. Can Texas lawmakers do anything?” Insurance rates reflect increasing risk. Texas had 20 billion-dollar disasters in 2024, its most ever and the most of any state. Texas, in fact, has been the leader in big storms consistently over the last few decades.
Add the fact that the Lone Star State also leads the nation in lawsuit abuse and verdicts of $10 million or more, and that produces increased upward pressure on insurance rates. Lawsuit abuse leads to higher insurance rates that every Texan ends up paying.
The Legislature can’t control severe weather or economic inflation, but it can rein in lawsuit abuse.
- David A. Sampson, Gainesville, President and CEO, American Property Casualty Insurance Association
Respect librarians
As a longtime librarian, I am appalled at the numerous attacks against libraries coming from the Texas Legislature. Bills in the state House and Senate would remove the affirmative defense to prosecution on charges of providing harmful materials to minors. The exemption prevents frivolous accusations and prosecutions. Without it, any individual who dislikes a book in a library could contact law enforcement and accuse the librarian of providing harmful materials to minors and law enforcement would investigate.
No librarian should live in fear of being arrested for giving a child a book. Librarians study for years to ensure that patrons can access helpful information. We are public servants in the best sense of the word and don’t deserve this.
- Jennifer Franz, Grapevine
Charter choice
I agree with the April 23 star-telegram.com commentary “If Texas wants to bolster school choice, it needs fair funding for charters.” Two of my grandchildren attend Uplift Education charter schools. It is an amazing opportunity for them. They live with their single mother and need every advantage they can obtain. It gives them an opportunity to get a quality education, which will make a huge difference in their lives.
I am impressed with the dedication of the people I have seen there. I would like to think our legislators would see things the same way as the contributor, but I am not impressed with their understanding of the whole educational system in Texas. Any support for these schools is money well spent.
- John Coleman, Quitman
Francis’ aim
Like many people worldwide, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. He was a kind and humble man who had served admirably. He wasn’t rigid, stuffy, self-centered or a stick in the mud. I liked it when he furthered the aims of Vatican II to enable the church to keep its local sphere of worshiping without walking in lockstep with the dead Latin language.
Francis died with his boots on by being visible just one day before his death. It’s unknown who the cardinals will select as his successor. But I hope it will be someone in the same vein as Francis, who brought fresh air to the papacy.
- James A. Marples, Longview