Applause for civility
Re: “My race for Congress didn’t get ugly — Cordial opponents and shared experiences benefited voters through clearer arguments,” by Luisa del Rosal, Sunday Opinion.
Thank you Luisa del Rosal for such an inspiring op-ed. It’s so good to hear someone running for office being civil and a good neighbor.
I have been saying for years we need campaign reform. We need candidates to tell us what their policies and ideas are instead of lambasting their opponents. Let the voting public decide who they want to vote for. Keep it civil, quit all the name calling and lying.
I pray that every candidate will wake up and run their campaign as a positive and sensible person.
Doug Moore, North Grand Prairie
I enjoyed Armstrong op-ed
Re: “I was tricked by TikTok — Today’s political environment requires us to take an extra step and be seekers of truth,” by James Armstrong, Sunday Opinion.
I happened to be visiting Dallas Sunday and picked up The Dallas Morning News. I thoroughly enjoyed this opinion piece by Armstrong. He reminds readers of our individual responsibility to investigate important social and political issues in depth, away from the sound bites and biased perspectives found on social media sites like TikTok.
It’s too bad that such a good column appears in a newspaper that many will not pick up and read. That’s a big, missed opportunity.
My congratulations for the concise, insightful column.
Thomas P. Doyle, Tipp City, Ohio
Talking points, slogans hurt discussion
Re: “Post-Roe, abortion policies abandon us — Both candidates are promising to protect reproductive rights,” by Abby McCloskey, Sunday Opinion.
Always thankful for McCloskey’s thoughtful columns on complex issues. Politicians abandon us when they reduce issues to binary choices. Indeed, society abandons pregnant women and unborn children when it reduces so-called answers to bumper-sticker slogans.
Those who favor abortion without exception do so ignoring the decision affects a distinct person separate from “my body.” Those who oppose abortion without exception do so ignoring a woman’s health or emotional well being in some circumstances.
A bumper sticker makes for a good talking point but terrible policy. What’s needed is serious discussion and holistic solution, neither of which is captured in a slogan.
The true path forward is to balance the well-being of a woman as we protect the unborn. Meanwhile, more women are subjected to emotional or physical hardship by those who are pro-life and more children die at the hands of those who are pro-choice. We need to stop it already with the talking points and get busy on serious policies for the sake of both.
Stan Thiebaud, Dallas
Remember: It’s a state issue
These are the days when elections are decided by a big lie. The current lie concerns the proposal that Congress pass a law that will legalize abortions nationwide. Candidates for federal positions from coast to coast are promising that if elected, they will ensure that Congress passes such a law. Undoubtedly, that promise will be the swing issue for many voters.
But wait, Congress has no legal power to dictate a national abortion law. The proposal is unconstitutional on its face. The Supreme Court, in the clearest possible language, has already ruled that abortions can only be regulated by each individual state. That means that Congress cannot pass a national abortion law that will survive a constitutional challenge.
Accordingly, the promises of the candidates are pure hogwash. Unfortunately, most voters lack the legal savvy to realize they are being hoodwinked and might waste their vote.
One might wonder why the national press has not challenged these promises. Isn’t that the job of the press to consider, inquire, evaluate and expose public frauds?
David Snodgrass, Highland Park
Love the op-ed on autumn leaves
Re: “Finding autumn’s life in cycle of leaves — Some are realists, others indecisive or existentialists, but they all accept old age’s serenity,” by Christopher de Vinck, Saturday Opinion.
I was so moved by de Vinck’s lovely column on autumn leaves. Kudos to him and The Dallas Morning News for printing such an uplifting reminder to notice and enjoy the everyday aspects of our lives.
Nancy Mills, Dallas/Uptown
Is this a safe installation?
Re: “A kaleidoscope of colors — Park’s grand opening expected to draw large crowds,” Friday Metro & Business story.
I am concerned about the installation of Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco that appears to be one huge bird and pollinator trap. I certainly hope some area master naturalist and Audubon groups plus state experts were contacted. I see some holes but birds and insects are not discerning flyers. It seems to me it could be one huge bird trapping net.
Deborah Ann Canterbury, Allen
Absurd inconsistency
My wife and I were in a convenience store in Shreveport, La., recently and we noticed a sign at the counter. It stated that one must be 21 years old to buy any sort of tobacco. Very sensible law considering that cigarettes can eventually kill.
However, a teenager of 18 can cross the state line into Texas and in 30 minutes or less, buy virtually any sort of gun, including an assault rifle, then a huge amount of ammunition. This does not necessitate any background check, nor training. The inconsistency of this is absurd, bizarre and totally nonsensical.
Steve E. Melton, Dallas/Lake Highlands
Take my sign? I’ll donate more
Someone just stole my Colin Allred yard sign. The brilliant person managed to silence me and as well generated another $50 donation to the campaign for a new sign, a bumper sticker and $5 just to spite the thief. I bet Allred is cheering this patriotic sign-stealing citizen to keep up the good work to bolster his coffers.
Alfred C. Young, Richardson
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