Just sour grapes; lesson from Belgium; fries and photo ops; fine journalism; not like California
Just sour grapes
In Jack Strickland’s letter Friday, his advice for new District Attorney Sharen Wilson is to be more transparent.
That’s great advice for Wilson.
That’s really good advice for anyone; including Strickland.
Take, for instance, the fact that Strickland is no longer with the DA’s office under Wilson.
Adding that might put Strickland’s comments in a clearer perspective.
With such transparency, some might even interpret his comments as vindictive and/or sour grapes.
— Vance Martin, Fort Worth
Lesson from Belgium
I was born in Belgium, where I saw personally the rise of Islam in the late ’60s.
I hope we as a country can learn from Western Europe how not to deal with violent extremism.
Terrorism is here to stay, like it or not. But at least let us be vigilant at all times and quit the politically correct state of mind.
We could take some lessons from Australia when it comes to dealing with extremism. Being on guard against terrorism does not mean we have to disrespect all Muslims, but respect is earned.
I came to America in 1986 and became a U.S. citizen in 1992 and I am proud to be an American.
God bless America.
— Jan M. Verrijcke, Arlington
Fries and photo ops
I’m amused at the right-wingers who used to hate France for their prescient decision not to help us invade and occupy Iraq. There was even the ludicrous exercise to encourage everyone to call French fries “freedom” fries.
Now the same people who were fomenting hatred against France are pretending to be upset about President Obama remaining in the United States instead of participating in the French march against terrorism.
If Obama had gone to France, they would now be whining about taxpayer money wasted for a photo op.
If there is an opportunity to defame our president, the right wing will always find it.
— Mark Bauer, Colleyville
Fine journalism
Ed Wallace’s Jan. 10 article on the history of Jeep is journalism at its finest.
Wallace has the ability to creatively search out and write about historic and relevant facts regarding the automotive industry (which is usually a boring subject in general).
He does this in a manner that informs us far beyond just automobiles and gives us a sense of business, politics and popular culture that affected, or were affected by, the automobile.
Although I’m sure he enjoys his focus, I like to imagine what he might produce if free to write about other core subjects.
He is truly a gifted writer.
— Gary Millhollon, Granbury
Not like California
Greg Abbott acts as if Californians’ more progressive legislated standards would be bad for Texas, when in fact they would just irritate a lot of his campaign donors and his narrow-minded voter base.
When Abbott works to reduce toxic chemical emissions; mandate easier access to healthcare for all; fairly regulate the insurance industry; pay women equally; punish rapists and pedophiles; increase the minimum wage; ensure voting rights for all Texans; regulate gun safety fairly; and protect us from predatory lenders and illegal housing discrimination — only then will Texas begin to be more like California.
And it can’t come a day too soon.
— Jim Duncan, Azle
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This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Just sour grapes; lesson from Belgium; fries and photo ops; fine journalism; not like California."