Oregon shooting; deportation; Rangers fans; the T and Fare Aid

Oregon shooting

On Thursday evening our president said he was angry that Americans have become “numb” to mass shootings! He’s angry that Congress ignores gun-control measures and “bows” to the gun lobby.

However, he doesn’t seem to be “angry” about the 400 young black men killed in Chicago last year.

Could it be that the gangland thugs who are shooting each other are “gun lawbreakers” as well? Chicago has some of the strictest gun-control laws in the U.S.

Is it possible that President Obama’s selective anger only entails sensationalized shootings?

After every mass murder-shooting I reflect that our Republican representatives steadfastly block any efforts to even consider minor gun regulations.

They are regulations that, by all the data I’ve seen, are effective, and are desired by an overwhelming majority of Americans. My guess is that this would interfere with payments from the gun lobby.

I think an honest reading of our representatives’ records proves that they don’t actually give a rat’s hindquarters whether you or your loved ones are gunned down in public in the most horrific fashion.

They don’t care. They represent their gun lobby exceedingly well.

You and me? Not so much.

Once again, this time in Oregon, there is media coverage of a disturbed person.

Once again, a deranged individual has caused lives to cease and hearts to break.

Could there be no photo, no digital trail reported? Could there be no spotlight? Could the public identification be only “a deranged person”?

Deportation

In his Sept. 19 letter opposing deportation of people illegally in the U.S., William Brown failed to mention the costs of allowing them to remain. In order to make a point, it’s always best to present all of the facts, not just those that support your argument.

How many billions will be spent on food stamps, housing, medical care, cellphones, etc.? Are we supposed to disregard those costs? We should not.

There is a constitutional and lawful path for people to enter this country. It’s called legal immigration and has been followed by many millions.

Why is the word illegal so difficult for some people to understand, and why do they choose to ignore it? Could it be because it is the truth?

Rangers fans

The media have treated the Texas Rangers’ track to the West Division championship as if it’s not a big deal. (See Sept. 27 editorial, “Keeping watch on Rangers, but also the home turnout.”)

The diehard fans are there, but those who follow the Dallas Cowboys or other teams don’t realize what’s going on.

Don’t chastise the fans.

The T and Fare Aid

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority wants to cancel the Fare Aid program that helps the poor, homeless, senior citizens and others to get to job interviews, jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores, etc.

This program costs the T nothing. It’s paid for by the $72.5 million in local money that’s part of the transportation authority’s budget.

The Fare Aid program is not a line item in the budget. The buses run to the same stops whether they are empty or full.

The T has asked local nonprofits to shoulder this burden. They want to sell two-hour passes for $1.35 each.

The T’s president, Paul Ballard, would do well to involve himself in the fabric of our community, to learn how we do things through collaboration and cooperation, not by edict or executive decision.

This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 7:19 PM with the headline "Oregon shooting; deportation; Rangers fans; the T and Fare Aid."