Big Brother
Regarding " Health experts or politicians? Who should set Texas' vaccine schedule? (Editorial) ," (March 22): Sen. Lois Kolkhorst introduced Bill 1024 to give the Legislature the power to set the vaccine list for Texas. Sen. Bob Hall introduced Bill 1177 to, again, have the Legislature, composed of businessmen, lawyers, real estate brokers, decide a list of vaccines for Texans. This is in addition to current Texas law restricting abortion access even in cases of rape or incest.
What do these pieces of legislation all have in common? They are Republican-sponsored. Republicans condemn Big Government dictating to ordinary citizens how they should live their lives, yet these proposals, along with numerous others (remember the bathroom bill?) contradict this. I voted Republican when Ronald Reagan famously said the government is the problem, not the solution. Americans do not want government intruding in their lives.
Today, "Big Brother" is a Texas Republican.
Larry Lass, Houston
Pro-life
Regarding " Federal judge in Texas moves to halt decades-old abortion pill approval ," (April 7): Republican politicians are using every method to stop abortions. They have put bounties on anyone who is helping someone get an abortion.
They are now trying to outlaw the abortion pill mifepristone, which has been used safely for over 20 years. Yet, they won’t outlaw the gun — another "pill" that eliminates life. Republican politicians should be held accountable. They are just like the doctors who are performing abortions. They are killing people also.
They won’t write a prescription to eliminate or limit the misuse of guns. The prescription would read: You must be over 21. You must have a background check. You must have a license. You must have two weeks of training with a certified trainer. You must wait five days after ordering the gun. No guns can be bought online, or at a gun show. And ban all assault weapons of mass destruction, AR-15s and the like.
I believe this will save lives. Politicians, regardless of what party they belong to, should be held accountable for the killings that are being committed. Prayers and thoughts are no longer useful for the families who are losing loved ones. Why are so many Republican politicians quiet after each mass killing?
John Glenn, Fresno
Regarding " Gun violence is an epidemic. When will our politicians understand? (Opinion) ," (April 12): Since we as a country can’t seem to find sensible consensus regarding the availability of military weapons, also known as assault rifles, we should start making flag poles that only raise the flags halfway.
Gerald Stephenson, Manvel
Every day more shootings, and we only read about the larger ones. Why are U.S. citizens told not to travel to Mexico because of random violence when it’s practically the same right here? Every time we go out, we think this may be it. Should I let the kids go to school? Should I go to the store? I am sure travelers from other countries see the U.S. as a violent country that perhaps they might not want to visit.
Kathleen Reeves, Galveston
Separated children
Regarding “U.S.-born children also lost parents at border," (April 12): This situation is beyond horrifying and it needs to be corrected as fast as possible. President Biden has been in office over two years now, and Vice President Harris and Vice President Harris was asked to stop migration to the southern border. And you let the story begin with “The Trump administration...”? Yes, I know the story comes from the New York Times, but you printed it.
What has the Biden administration done? Not much. As the writer says, this affects “hundreds, and possibly as many as 1,000 children.” Yes my values are conservative, but no, I’m not a fan of Donald Trump. Put the blame where it belongs, on the current administration, especially the vice president, who has failed completely in her priority assignment to take care of border issues.
Alan Nicholson, Pasadena
Senate Bill 8
Regarding " Texas bill that goes beyond Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law passes first key vote ," (April 10): Congratulations to the Texas Senate and Lt. Gov. Patrick on passage of Senate Bill 8, which, if it becomes law, would return discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation to the home, where it belongs.
Jon Elmendorf, Houston
Wrong focus
Regarding " Houston is so much more than butt ugly (Thumbs) ," (April 7): When I read Saturday's headline, I thought "Well, of course that’s true." But the story is about the Connecticut governor who retracted the statement he had made and apologized for his poor manners. There’s a platitude that says, "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative...don’t mess with Mister In-Between.” Although the temptation to include “butt ugly” might seem irresistible, I suggest that the headline of this story should have been about the governor apologizing, not about the subject of and need for the apology. Though not as eye-catching or sensational, in my opinion that would be the kinder, more tasteful and less ugly way to address the subject.
Jim Greenwood, Houston
