Unwarranted attacks; just one question; history lesson; transportation troubles

Unwarranted attacks

We’re fortunate in this country to have a qualified, dedicated police force to enforce the law and protect the citizens from thugs and criminals. The recent attacks on police officers are unwarranted and misguided.

The recent confrontations would not have occurred had the individuals involved been raised properly and been taught sufficient respect for the law and those who enforce it.

What kind of a society would we have if it weren’t for our police officers? Not a very civil one!

— Anne Marie Goss, Fort Worth

Just one question

One nagging question remains!

Economic prosperity is back, the unemployment rate has steadily gone down, millions of uninsured people now have medical insurance, the auto industry is healthy again, the stock market has hit an all-time high which in turn has improved 401(k) holdings of the middle class, gas prices keep going down, and Ebola is under control.

So why did voters give Republicans a lop-sided victory in the midterm elections? Were voters unhappy that there are millions of more jobs, that the president has stimulated economic growth, worked at boosting wages, improving infrastructure, controlling healthcare costs?

Do the Republicans with their base of anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-immigration and Tea Party reactionaries represent mainstream America? Were American voters saying they want continued Tea Party Republican obstruction, gridlock and dysfunction. Were American voters saying they wanted more Republican voodoo economics? Where were the American voters coming from?

— Ron Lowe, Harlingen

History lesson

In an article published in the Star-Telegram on Dec. 23, one John M. Crisp, “teacher in the English Department at Del Mar College,” shows why he is not a teacher in the History Department.

He begins by saying the “Texas Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.” There is no such organization. There is a Texas Division of this organization.

Next he refers to “The Stars and Bars battle flag.” The flag he is referring to is not, and never was, known as The Stars and Bars. The Stars and Bars was the first national flag of the Confederate States of America and does in no way resemble the Battle Flag. The Battle Flag was just that, a flag carried into battle.

A study of history (again not Crisp’s forté) would tell one that throughout the world the Confederate Battle Flag had been carried by people of all races as a symbol of freedom. It was not a symbol of hate until the NAACP needed a cause to bolster their declining coffers. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and their ilk like to say that the Battle Flag is carried by the Ku Klux Klan. They are correct, but they never mention the fact that the Klan also carries the United States Flag and the Christian Flag. Shall we defame those two?

Crisp might also find it interesting that there are numerous African-Americans who are members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Their ancestors fought for the South in the War of Northern Aggression. They fought against just what we have today — a centralized government under the control of a tyrant.

— Wayne Pricer,

Edgecliff Village

Transit troubles

I have lived in far north Fort Worth for 18 years and the “T,” whose board is appointed by Fort Worth City Council, has never had hourly bus service here.

We pay Fort Worth city taxes, but we have a bus early in the morning and a bus late in the evening.

— William Dean, Fort Worth

Why are we having so many troubles in town, country and nation?

The answer: too many people, too many automobiles and too little planning.

— Don Adams, Arlington

This story was originally published December 26, 2014 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Unwarranted attacks; just one question; history lesson; transportation troubles."