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Opinion

Letters to the Editor - Dallas College, Timberview High School shooting, Matthew McConaughey

Readers disagree with the editorial that supports the changes made by Dallas College Chancellor Joe May; place blame in many areas for the shooting at Timberview High School; and support Matthew McConaughey yet also question his qualifications to run for governor.

What about the older population?

Re: “Change That’s For the Better — Dallas College chancellor has ruffled feathers with his reforms, but they benefit students and the community,” Saturday Editorials.

This editorial tells only part of the story. I can appreciate Chancellor Joe May’s focus on the underserved youth population but he gutted services to another population — 50+ residents, many of whom pay college district taxes.

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Previously, most campuses had robust continuing education programs with a variety of useful classes. The list was intentionally diverse — technology, art classes in several media, exercise programs, foreign languages, financial planning, creative writing and current affairs just to mention a few. Most are gone.

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And many of them were free — thanks to state law. And, therein lies May’s solution to fund the youth programs. Gone are the senior program advisers who got the adjunct professors, managed the scheduling and answered questions. Gone, too, are the technology managers on each campus (Brookhaven College’s was a particular loss since he was a great teacher for the 50+ programs).

The much touted new website serves only the technology-oriented. It takes some serious digging to find the few continuing education classes.

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Such a loss to the community at large.

Liz Oliphant, Addison

An eye on the future

This editorial is on point regarding so much in our society. As President John Kennedy is quoted: “Change is a law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are sure to miss the future.” The editorial board’s recognition of this, as it applies to Dallas College, is appreciated.

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True change agents, like Joe May, are often ridiculed and castigated. Way to go, Joe! The majority of your stakeholders applaud your courage.

Leonard Martin, Carrollton

We need real action on guns

Our Texas governor spoke after the recent shooting at an Arlington high school and offered his sympathy to those impacted and he also offered police resources to school staff and students along with their families. Expressing grief and police aid is crucial though Gov. Greg Abbott only did half of what is needed to really “impact” gun violence: passing gun safety laws is the other half, which should have been passed at the last legislative session and should actually have been implemented several years ago.

Gun safety laws include: gun locks in residences with children under 18, universal background checks and no guns sold to individuals under 21. Our state’s tilt toward individual rights is OK as long as laws honor their obligations to those who also have rights, such as their own “right to life” in the area of gun safety.

Come on, Texas legislators! Pass reasonable gun-safety laws which honor both the rights and obligations of all Texas citizens.

Sheila Madigan Levatino, Fairview

Same old GOP playbook

I and others are really tired of the same worn-out Republican playbook. Let me enlighten you if you’re not familiar with it. The opening scene — something horrific like a school shooting. The first to arrive on the scene is Gov. Greg Abbott. The usual photo op is followed by some tired old “thoughts and prayers” rhetoric for the families and victims.

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It’s time for something different. Questions. How was the young man able to get a gun? Why does a dispute end with gun violence? When are our elected leaders going to pursue real gun legislation? I read earlier that Timothy Simpkins was bullied in school. What other factors make a young man turn to violence?

To this reader, it’s evident that the school system, our elected officials and the state of Texas allowed this to happen.

Richard S. Gaca, Keller

McConaughey asks good questions

Re: “Lack of stances leaving Texas dazed, confused — McConaughey against SB 8, pro-mask, but quiet on other issues,” Saturday Metro & Business story.

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This headline is totally inappropriate. Matthew McConaughey asks good questions, such as why there is so much division and mistrust in our society. His words are relevant and introspective.

In my opinion, we have way too many “leaders” with their fingers on the hot button already and most of the real answers to these stances are neither yes nor no, but somewhere in the gray zone. I congratulate McConaughey on his common sense and thoughtfulness.

Robert Henderson, Dallas/Turtle Creek

Time to form opinions

Matthew McConaughey has few known opinions on almost every issue voters are concerned about. He claims that he’s not hiding his opinions, but needs more time to better understand the issues. Mr. McConaughey, if you’re seriously considering getting into the race for governor, you should already understand the issues and have an opinion on every one.

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Greg Hurlburt, Plano

Everyone else gets this ...

My wife and I just got back from a trip to Mexico City. As we wandered around the city, we saw that everyone (except very small children) was wearing masks both indoors and outdoors. The only time people were not wearing masks was when they were eating in a restaurant.

Not wearing a mask is not only a decision that affects you, but it also affects everyone you come in contact with. Why do the people in Mexico City understand that but our state leadership does not?

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Neil J. Orleans, Richardson

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