Detaining children must end
Re: “Record number of children held — Data: U.S. detained nearly 70,000 young migrants over past year,” Wednesday news story.
My heart still cries after reading this. A 3-year-old forcibly pulled from her father’s arms by our government, then sexually molested while in U.S. foster care and deported back to Honduras. Her father’s only crime was wanting a better life for his little girl, who is now traumatized and withdrawn from him. Is this what we have become as a nation? Is this really making us great again?
I can find no single justification for this, not one reason. For anyone who thinks this is acceptable under any circumstances, I say I am ashamed to be an American. This is not my America. I can only pray that God enters President Donald Trump’s heart, and those of his followers. Yes, we need immigration reform and control of our borders, but not this way. Not at the expense of a little girl who only wanted to be safe with her papa.
Tina Sanchez, Pleasant Grove
Other viewpoints enlightening
Re: “Lessons in Journalism — No apology needed for covering newsworthy campus event,” Wednesday Editorials.
Your editorial on the coverage of the Jeff Sessions speech at Northwestern University was excellent. The role of the free press in this country is a critical one that requires journalists to ask tough questions in order to get to the truth and ensure the accuracy and integrity of their stories.
What is the most troubling about this story is that students at Northwestern would be “traumatized” by hearing a contrary viewpoint. The very idea that a student at a university would be “traumatized” by competing ideas is hard to comprehend. Isn’t that the purpose of a college or university — to expose students to competing ideas and to judge those competing ideas on their merits?
Have we gotten to the point where universities will tolerate only one point of view? One has to wonder how strong that point of view is if it cannot withstand the assault of a competing points of view.
I want my children and grandchildren to be exposed to all points of view. In doing so it will allow them to make an informed judgment on which point of view is correct and will likewise afford them the background to defend their point of view. The attitudes held at Northwestern are severely handicapping our students.
R. Brent Cooper, Arlington
It’s an American thing
The impeachment procedures going on in Washington, D.C., are actually neither a Democratic action nor a Republican action. This is an American issue and a threat to our very Constitution. It is time for all members of the GOP in Washington to put patriotism ahead of political party. The sad fact is that this president is guilty of impeachable offenses and we all know it. Not all will admit it, but the evidence is clear, and, again, we all know it.
I am begging the GOP to step up and act in the interest of the country, not the party. The very Republican Party itself is in serious jeopardy; just look at the recent state elections and the current polls. Do the right thing, do the moral thing, and make America, America again.
Alan McCann, Dallas
Court delays troubling
The fate of the president and the nation are in so many ways in the hands of the courts. This would include key witnesses like John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney asking the courts to decide if they can testify and numerous congressional suits. What courts are these, how do they decide when to hear these cases, what have they to do that’s more important, and why isn’t the press covering this on a regular basis?
I can’t think of a bigger story for the press, who ought to be hanging out in courtrooms asking judges when are they going to hear this or that case.
Robert Barrese, Dallas
Fall of Trump foundation
Re: “Trump fined for misusing charity — He will pay $2M after admitting to allegations he once vowed to fight,” Nov. 8 news story.
Lost in the impeachment fog is the news that President Donald Trump was fined $2 million for misusing funds raised by his charitable foundation. Included was $2.8 million raised at a 2016 fundraiser in Iowa to benefit veterans. This money was used by his presidential campaign!
The judge found that Trump had “breached his fiduciary duty” and “used the foundation as a piggy-bank to promote his political interests.”
In addition to the fine, he was ordered to close the foundation and distribute the remaining funds to designated charities. His children, Ivanka Trump, Don Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who were officers of the foundation, were ordered to take training to ensure they understand the proper function of the officers of charitable organizations.
This president raised money under false pretenses and can’t be bothered to follow the law. It is remarkable that issues such as these receive so little comment, especially from the Republicans in Congress. Imagine if President Obama had done the same. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz would be in a state of permanent outrage.
John Carrick, Dallas
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