Misleading signs, begone!
While I was driving on three-laned Hillcrest Road recently, an orange temporary road work sign said the two right lanes were closed. A block later another sign said the same. Two blocks later another sign warned that the left lane was closed. What was I to do? Make a U-turn?
Anxiously driving on, I found all three lanes open. There was no sign of ongoing road work, yet these signs remained up for two weeks. This is a chronic problem throughout Dallas. Maybe half of the lane closure signs I have seen have been no longer necessary. They cause drivers to move out of lanes when they don’t have to and breed a habit of ignoring these signs altogether, thereby putting road workers at risk and snarling traffic with cars attempting to merge out of closed lanes at the last second.
Really, how hard is it to take down a temporary road sign? The city should fine contractors for every day they leave up lane closure signs that are no longer needed. The city could give us a phone number to call to report offenders. We’d solve this problem in no time.
Fred Moss, Northwest Dallas
Moderate younger voices missing
As a millennial in my mid-30s, I believe in a Republican philosophy of governing and consider myself a conservative, but a moderate one. Almost everyone I know in their 20s and 30s would label themselves as moderates, whether left- or right-leaning. My generation cares less about identifying with a political party and more about individual issues.
Extremely frustrating to me is the lack of influence this country’s next generation has on politics and the complete absence of its collective voice on the national stage. We tolerate politicians who impede the opposing party’s agenda at all costs, even to the detriment of their own constituents. Democrats and Republicans now measure their own success purely by the amount of failure in the other party.
Yet there is plenty of common ground between younger Republicans and Democrats. I see it every day in the real world outside of Washington, D.C. With the near absence of moderate Republican and Democrat voices in national political discourse, it will take new, younger, moderate candidates from both parties to bridge the divide in this country and address the important issues we face.
Justin Cox, Dallas
Let us protect ourselves
Re: “One year later, still no trial in shooting — Suspect faces 3 charges of aggravated assault; hearing postponed until early 2025,” Oct. 15 Metro & Business story.
This story highlights the ineffectiveness of the prohibition of firearms at the State Fair of Texas or anywhere for that matter. The so-called security measures seem lacking in a lot of cases. Security scanning machinery failed. Security personnel were not trained well enough or at all. Not enough police officers were available, and so forth.
These are the exact reasons citizens should be vigilant in protecting themselves. Otherwise, who will? And then after the fact prosecuting the criminal appears nonexistent.
Rich Rigsby, Wylie
Our way of life
Re: “America is at crossroads, but center must hold,” by Christopher de Vinck, Saturday opinion.
Thank God for de Vinck’s beautiful, overwhelming column. He did not use the names of the current candidates for president yet he clearly made a statement about the current dire situation that faces our nation and its solution.
Most polls show that people are focused on the economy. De Vinck spoke to the need to support our democracy and its way of life. Without our democracy, the economy, immigration, health care, climate, stability, all will matter not because our way of life will not survive.
Carolyn Bedinghaus, Waco
UTD alumnus is ashamed
Re: “A year later, students still urge divestment,” Oct. 9 Metro story.
I am deeply disappointed in the University of Texas at Dallas administration’s decision not to pursue disciplinary action against the students who blatantly disregarded school policy and rules during their protest May 1 in support of the Palestinians.
Let’s not confront blatant rule violations, harassment of Jewish students, and sheer thuggery; no, let’s just say “the committee found insufficient evidence” and walk away with our heads bowed.
I’m ashamed of the UTD administration and appalled by its lack of courage, morals and its refusal to do what is right. By the way, I am an alumnus of UTD.
Olan Knight, Murphy
The natural gas debate
Re: “Ruling threatens Texas’ clean energy future — Halting LNG plant permits sets a dangerous precedent for all power sources,” by Matt Welch, Thursday Opinion.
This essay is part of an ongoing debate over liquefied natural gas exports. Natural gas, mostly methane, is a potent greenhouse gas. In the Permian Basin, producers often prioritize oil and vent or flare natural gas, adding to emissions.
LNG demand, however, is driving pipeline projects like the Matterhorn Express Pipeline from the Permian Basin to Katy, helping to reduce methane and CO2 emissions. A study claimed LNG is 33% worse than coal, assuming all LNG gas comes from the high-emission Permian Basin.
But LNG is sourced from various regions, including the lower-emitting Marcellus Basin in the Northeast. Instead of moral panic, we need thoughtful dialogue to balance environmental and economic goals.
Michael G. Smith, McKinney
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