Let’s bring honor for vets back to name of UT football stadium | Opinion

Change this name back

Texas Memorial Stadium should again be the name of the University of Texas at Austin’s football stadium.

That was the original name, chosen to honor those who fought in World War I and later rededicated to honor all University of Texas alumni in all American wars. Now, the stadium also bears the name of former coach Darrell K. Royal, so it’s often referred to simply as “DKR.”

Royal can be properly honored in another significant way — perhaps by placing his name on the football training facility under construction.

To shorten the name diminishes the honor intended by the name “Texas Memorial Stadium.”

- Wayne E. Stoeber, Shavano Park

We need answers on boat strikes

The recent U.S. military boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific targeting Venezuelans accused of trafficking drugs raise significant legal and human rights concerns. These operations, conducted without congressional authorization and involving extrajudicial killings in international waters, might violate U.S. law and international legal norms. The American people deserve clear, accountable answers.

- Leslie J. Smith, Grapevine

This immigration action defies our values

Rep. Salman Bhojani’s substantive and thoughtful opinion column discusses the many negatives associated with the detention of Marwan Marouf (Nov. 12, 11A, “Texas man detained by ICE despite decades in U.S. legally”). This situation is just one example of how, too often, immigration enforcement efforts deny the values of justice, fairness and compassion that, as Bhojani says, “define our great state.”

I wish even a portion of the millions of dollars now dedicated to ICE’s misguided actions and detentions could be refocused, for example, on support for education and day care — both of which could have a positive impact on North Texas.

- Paige Kelly Hendricks Russey, Fort Worth

Pure politics drove shutdown

The definition of pure politics is that both sides entrench to prevail over the other side no matter what. Good policy, bad policy and whether it hurts or helps people are not factors. Even for something as basic as keeping the federal government funded, the only thing that matters for politicians is that their side prevails.

Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric and accusations you hear from either Republicans or Democrats. The political war over the government shutdown ended only because one side capitulated, not because of any compromise.

- Elmo Collins, Mansfield