Letters to the Editor – Corruption, Inflation, Banned Books, Violence at Sporting Events

If he quacks like a duck…

Re: “Ruling May Overturn Corruption Verdicts – 5th Circuit Says in Dallas City Hall Case That Vote Gratis are Legal,” Monday’s report.

I was amused – in a somewhat laughing way not to cry – that the court’s time was even wasted on this discussion. It seems to me that if anyone in legislative office at any level receives monetary or other benefits for voting a certain way, that should be a crime. Whether it’s delivered by a lobbyist or it arrives discreetly in a brown paper bag, whether it’s labeled as a gift or a bribe, whether it’s called a gratuity or a bribe wine, the intention and the result are the same.

In this case, the courts are wasting their time discussing the semantics and not the intent of the law. Remember “intent”. There was a fairly respected guy from Nazareth who defended the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. That would probably be too much to ask.

Paul Hill, Garland

Powell makes it clear

Re: ‘Fed warns pain is coming for Americans – Powell says rate hikes, needed to bring inflation down, can be costly,’ the news reported on Saturday.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is warning us of the financial difficulties we will have to endure as they try to rein in inflation. They want to reduce it from 8.5% to 2%. It will be a long and arduous process. He didn’t fire any punches. He usually tries to buffer his messaging with a little light at the end of the tunnel, but not this time.

I envision a scenario where Powell was consulted about this student loan repayment fiasco and advised the president not to do it. This would only aggravate the problem of inflation.

The Federal Reserve plays a balancing act. They are desperately trying to curb inflation and, at the same time, not to scare off the financial markets.

So Powell took off the gloves last Friday in a highly anticipated speech in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and let us have the unvarnished truth. He put aside most of his political considerations and told us directly. Financial markets reacted in a predictable way.

Scott Thompson, Bloomington, Ind.

No coincidence here

I’ve been following the alarming trend of banned books and school board votes against transgender children’s rights. I read that a Christian political action committee operating as a communications company, Patriot Mobile, donated to several school board members in the area, including two at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, where my children attended school for 12 years.

It seems no coincidence that these school boards have followed the conservative Christian agenda by removing rights and access to books they find offensive. Is it legal for school districts and school board members to accept cash donations? I see it as an abuse of power and not representative of the variety of other religions in Texas.

Lee Ostermann, Bedford

Even children can see this

Lancaster’s 9-and-under football community has identified that the response to murder must be safety changes: using stadiums (with secure perimeters) instead of pitches, using metal detectors, using real police, prohibit men from having bags, force women and girls to use transparent bags and no coolers.

But security changes won’t fix the root causes. Community culture needs to address these root causes: Players laughing after a big play. Players and leaders talking trash.

Managers competing in youth football matches. Leaders known for creating a hostile environment. Leaders who hate losing and giving everyone a hard time. Leaders known to be bullies.

Parents storming the field to argue with the officials. And a community that worships the idol of hyper-competitive football.

Vince HustonPlano

Not a good look

Re: “Golden State Blast – Country’s No. 1 out-of-state visitor has been holding Eagles back from start,” Sunday SportsDay article.

I was shocked to read Allen High School football coach Lee Wiginton’s comments after his team lost to St. John Bosco on August 26th. When the biggest high school coach in Texas (and president of the Texas High School Coaches Association) sourly cries grapes and cites an adversary recruiting and using name, image and likeness deals, it resonates very badly.

The lack of sportsmanship to make excuses, including saying he ‘would never have been part of the planning for a game like this’, is astounding to hear from the chief of a footballing powerhouse like Allen High School, which, coincidentally, was once accused of recruiting. I think Wiginton’s actions are a negative reflection on his school, his profession and all of Texas football.

Mark HinshawAustin

Isn’t that called a crime?

The dictionary defines organized crime as “criminal activities planned and controlled by powerful groups and carried out on a large scale”. If electricity providers use transmission fees to offer cash bonuses to attract (trap) new customers, wouldn’t that be considered organized crime?

JoAnn Williams, East Dallas

Give us a list

Here are some observations to help explain the current political climate.

1. Now listen, I know what I know. There is no point in trying to confuse me with facts.

2. The narrower the mind, the broader the statement.

3. Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this: you are terribly like everyone else.

4. Selfishness and greed are responsible for some powerful imaginative rationalizations.

5. Why be right when it’s so much more satisfying to be critical?

6. Rudeness is a very poor imitation of strength.

7. It is not necessary to understand the question to form a firm opinion.

Ted M. Moore, Dallas

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