Loss of B-58; reorganize state government
Loss of B-58
The B-58 bomber was a very special aircraft. It was the first supersonic bomber and set many speed records during its life. But this is not the reason the loss of the bomber to Fort Worth is so devastating.
This aircraft was built, tested and stood alert in Fort Worth. Men died flying this aircraft to keep this country out of World War III.
The Soviet Union spent billions of dollars to defend against it. It helped Fort Worth grow into the city it is today. It kept Air Force Plant 4 open to build more fantastic aircraft, as it does today with the F-35.
There are only eight of these special aircraft left and I’m afraid this one may be destroyed.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the city rejecting this aircraft as we lost another Fort Worth icon a few years ago. You can go to Tucson, Ariz., and see the B-36 bomber that was built and flown here, too.
Fort Worth has lost a great deal of its heritage. What a shame!
Robert Adams,
Weatherford
State government
It is amazing how tone deaf politicians of all stripes are.
Republicans constantly call for reducing governmental power. However, while the May 15 commentary by Republican state Rep. Lyle Larson correctly identified a need to do an “extreme makeover” of the state government, he proposed a solution that was 180 degrees backwards.
We don’t need fewer elected officials and more appointees. We need a higher percentage of elected officials and zero appointees with any real power.
We don’t need department heads appointed by some future version of former Gov. Ann Richards or the would-have-been Wendy Davis. And I certainly don’t want any more crony capitalist buddies of another Rick Perry put in charge of departments because they’re his friends and who enrich themselves through their “service.”
All department heads should be elected and therefore directly answerable to the people. It would also be wise to establish requirements that people running for cabinet-type positions must meet some level of proven expertise in that field to be eligible to run for the office.
Stanley Poynor, Mansfield
This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Loss of B-58; reorganize state government."