Christian Taylor; secession questions; cut out the lobbyists

Christian Taylor

I did not know Christian Taylor in his social or personal life, but I have known his parents for more than 25 years.

I can tell you he was not the product of the ghetto, a broken home, an absent black father.

His parents raised him to the best of their ability. But at the end of the day, our children make their own choices. I can assure you his family is just as shocked as the rest of the world at his death Friday in Arlington.

No parent should have to read or hear vile and vicious comments in their time of mourning, particularly when the facts are still emerging, when all the family wants is answers and closure — to mourn in peace.

It’s tempting and easy to compare this story to other incidents that have been in the national spotlight, but that would be a disservice. Christian’s brother has asked that we not make this about race.

It could have happened to anyone.

These words were from a man who would be well within his right to speak from a place of anger and rage.

If he can speak from a place of reason, why can’t the rest of us?

— Charity Montieth, Houston

Secession questions

If the Texas Nationalist Movement, an active secessionist group, were to be successful, would current Texas recipients of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security continue to get their benefits?

What would happen to military bases and the civilian personnel who work on those bases?

Where would Texans get relief from natural disasters, since the Federal Emergency Management Agency would no longer be there for assistance?

Where would Texas get help with management of its lakes, etc., with no Army Corps of Engineers available?

How about industry?

Has there been any research on how secession would affect industry and economy in Texas?

I’m sure there are many more questions to which most Texans would require an answers before ever considering backing a secession movement.

When Texas became a state in 1845, the Supreme Court ruled its entry to be complete, perpetual and as indissoluble as the union between the original states, making secession nearly impossible.

Thank goodness.

— Judy B. Beeman, Weatherford

Cut out the lobbyists

It’s a real shame that corporations and lobbyists run our federal and state governments. It doesn’t matter if it’s the National Rifle Association, Halliburton or Wall Street bankers, they all have a hand in running our governments to our detriment.

Otherwise, we would see thorough background checks on all who would purchase firearms. We wouldn’t see people getting nine or 10 DUI’s before killing others.

We would see corporations paying their fair share of income taxes and not receiving special treatment.

We would see enforcement of the immigration laws already on the books, making high walls and troops guarding the border unnecessary, as employers wouldn’t be hiring those here illegally.

We have a lot to be thankful for in this country, but things could be so much better.

— Edward Lindsay, Fort Worth

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Christian Taylor; secession questions; cut out the lobbyists."