What part of Ronald Reagan’s message on government do Texas Republicans not get? | Opinion

Which words?

If conservatives believe, as Ronald Reagan said, that the most terrifying sentence in the English language is, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help,” why did Texas conservatives enlist the government’s help to publicize the Ten Commandments? (June 8, 8C, “Religion, schools, tech: Assessing what Legislature did for (or to) Texas kids”)

I can’t wrap my head around why government requiring Ten Commandment displays in public schools is necessary, yet funding government programs to feed the hungry, quench thirst, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick is unnecessary. Didn’t Jesus preach: “Just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me”?

- Glenn Celerier, Arlington

Fine flapdoodle

A quick and dramatic announcement by state Rep. Tony Tinderholt after Tarrant County commissioners’ voted to redraw precincts: that Tinderholt would retire from the Legislature, and then run for that precinct. (June 3, star-telegram.com, “State rep announces candidacy for Tarrant commissioner minutes after redistrict vote”)

There are things that make me certain that life imitates art, specifically the chapter “All Full of Tears and Flapdoodle” in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

There’s also the saying by my favorite detective — author Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch — whenever things come together: There is no such thing as coincidence.

I smell a rat.

- Jesse Johnson, Crowley

Why Pride?

So, the Texas Rangers are the only Major League Baseball team not to participate in Pride Night and apparently the only local professional team not to as well. (June 6, 3B, “Pride Night: Texas Rangers are again only MLB team not to participate”) We should applaud anyone willing to stand out in the crowd by taking a principled stance, regardless of whether we agree with the position.

Pride Night or Pride Month is somewhat incongruous. Isn’t humility the commendable virtue?

- Thomas F. Harkins Jr., Fort Worth

On Cruise

Mark Davis is such a jewel in this crazy world of political wrangling.

His commentary in the June 8 Star-Telegram was wonderfully crafted, and it articulated why we are all are fans of Tom Cruise. (C7, “Tom Cruise’s best stunt: Mesmerizing us with his movies, not his peculiar church”) He spotlighted the actor’s talent while allowing us to decide that Cruise’s religion really does not matter to the rest of us.

Thank you, Mark, and thanks, Star-Telegram.

- Paul Melson, North Richland Hills

Let’s unite

Our country has been torn apart by authoritarians exploiting our fear of those who are racially, religiously and culturally different. Tribalism has broken our sense of community and our trust of those outside our group. The more we are divided, the less we trust, and the more out-group and in-group thinking prevails.

We must return to affiliations that unite us above our tribal identifications. Where are the Judeo-Christian values that taught us to care for the vulnerable? Where is our pride as Americans?

As long as the message of hate and fear of “the other” is believed, it will reinforce tribalism. Until we learn that our real enemy is the authoritarian message, not our neighbors, authoritarians will use the lies to maintain power. We must unite against our common enemy to save our democracy.

- Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth