Code compliance after a fire; show respect during National Anthem; Fort Worth trash; Supreme Court ruling on votes; Beer Can House; religious rights

Code compliance

Imagine my shock and dismay when, just a week after having to flee our home in the middle of the night because of a fire, I opened my mail to find a letter from a Fort Worth code compliance officer advising me that my “residential structure was found to be substandard.”

The attached inspection report helpfully informed me that the reason the structure was out of compliance with code was because “interior and exterior walls and the roof suffer from smoke and water damage.”

I was given 30 days to correct the violation or submit a written work plan within 10 days.

Well, I’ll be! Who would ever have thought fire would cause smoke and water damage?

Does the city actually pay people to harass residents who have recently suffered the trauma of losing their homes to fire?

Perhaps before employing these code compliance officers to badger families recently made homeless by tragedy, the city should immerse them in crash courses in sensitivity and just plain common decency.

Show respect

The first thing I noticed in the photograph on Tuesday’s front page of Opening Day at Globe Life Park was the number of men with their caps on during the national anthem!

Perhaps it’s time for a refresher course on respect.

Or, maybe the announcer should (as they do at NASCAR events) tell spectators to remove their hats.

Fort Worth trash

Drivers in Fort Worth see litter, litter, litter.

Most of Fort Worth seems to think it’s necessary to throw out drink containers, beer bottles, any trash. I saw a white plastic chair thrown out on the freeway.

How about church youth groups, the Junior League, men’s groups having cleanup days? How about help from jail inmates, since we give them TVs and air conditioning?

Last year I was in Germany. Windows in any neighborhood were sparkly clean and there was no litter.

I asked our guide, and he said, “Sadly, the only place you’ll see trash is along the road going back to the American military base.”

Ruling on votes

What a novel concept: One person, one vote. (See Tuesday news story “Texas’ ‘one person, one vote’ policy upheld by high court”)

Please explain how that concept works in the world of “regular” delegates and “super” delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Or better yet, explain that to Bernie Sanders. Or even better, let the Supreme Court explain it.

Beer Can House

The owner of the “Beer Can House” showed very poor judgment. (See April 2 story “It’s last call for the Beer Can House.”)

“Rehab is for quitters” is not a message any person should consider!

A display of alcoholism is not “art”!

I’m curious to find out how welcoming any future neighbors would be to a new display of “beer can art”!

Religious rights

The separation of church and state is being eroded.

Gay/lesbian activists want to force business owners to provide them services even against the owners’ religious beliefs.

The courts and lawmakers are turning a blind eye to this flagrant violation of our First Amendment rights.

Any lawsuits should not even be heard in court.

There must be a point where civil rights end and religious rights prevail.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Code compliance after a fire; show respect during National Anthem; Fort Worth trash; Supreme Court ruling on votes; Beer Can House; religious rights."