No gifts for state workers ...
Re: “Qatar in talks to transfer luxury jet — Trump could use it as Air Force One; possible ethical issues may arise," Monday news story.
Back in the 1970s, my late husband worked for the state of Texas in what was then the Texas Industrial Commission. One Christmas, everyone in his department received a gift basket of grapefruit and oranges. He brought the basket home.
State employees at that time were paid once a month, and the fruit was a welcome addition to help stretch the food budget.
The following day, employees were informed they had to return the baskets, as state employees were not allowed to accept gifts. The basket may have been short a grapefruit or two, but he complied.
I don’t recall who sent the baskets, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t royalty from Qatar.
JoAnn Williams, North Dallas
Or school officials
For many years, I served as a trustee for a large suburban school district. Things changed constantly, but one thing always remained the same. On the exact same day every single year, I was presented with a document that I was asked to sign. It was an official statement that, as an elected official, I would never accept a gift valued over $250 from a person or organization that did business with our school district.
Every single year I signed that form. Actually, I considered it an honor to uphold the Constitution and contribute to our democracy in this small but important way.
So you can imagine my angst when I heard the first news story about Qatar offering our president a plane valued at over $400 million. It was announced on Mother’s Day, and I was extremely thankful that my mother didn’t live to see such a dishonorable act.
He didn’t even ask his stable of lawyers. He just accepted and then started bragging about it. Little girls may not get their 30 Barbies this Christmas, but there is no doubt Trump will have his new luxury plane.
Nell Anne Hunt, Irving
Credit rating trap
Re: “Policy costs rapidly rising,” by Dave Lieber, Wednesday Metro & Business column.
I “shop” my home and auto insurance each year but have stayed with the same company for the past four years as they remained the lowest premiums when combined.
This year I received a letter from a credit agency, retained by the insurance company, stating that I was not eligible for the lowest rates due to my credit score. Heavens! How come a score consistently greater than 800 is not good enough? I owe no one anything.
But if you don’t have a mortgage, a car loan or loan of any kind, it affects your rating negatively. And therefore affects your insurance premiums. I would have thought being totally debt free would be a positive. Not so!
Fran Powell, Addison
Library bill unworkable
Texas House Bill 3225 aims to criminalize libraries for allowing access to sexually explicit materials without parental consent. But who decides what qualifies as sexually explicit?
How can libraries track each child’s parental permissions or predict individual standards? This bill is unworkable, forcing libraries to reorganize collections based on vague, subjective criteria. One would expect more thoughtful legislation.
Michael Berger, Plano
Stop ‘Stars’ shouts
Re: “Show class, Stars fans,” by Bill Hudman, Wednesday Letters.
I’d like to thank Hudman for providing a great discussion on how it is being disrespectful to shout out the word “Stars” during the singing of our national anthem. I feel the anthem should be performed in its original version with no prolonging notes, exaggerating stanzas or other interruptions that interfere with others participating in honoring our country.
I‘m sure many other veterans agree with Hudman that this behavior is not only childish but is very disrespectful of our national anthem, and by inference our flag.
This has nothing to do with the Dallas Stars hockey team but a simple matter of respect for those of us who choose to honor our nation during this song. I appreciate The Dallas Morning News for publishing his opinion.
Philip C. Wagner, Arlington
Let students keep phones
I am writing to endorse a policy that allows students to keep their cellphones during school hours. Smartphones are powerful educational tools that can significantly enhance learning experiences. With instant access to information, students can engage more effectively by utilizing educational apps, conducting quick research and communicating seamlessly with both teachers and classmates.
Moreover, allowing phones gives a sense of security among students, enabling them to stay connected with their families and reach out for help during emergencies.
This access is important for their safety and well-being. Rather than enforcing total bans on phones, schools should implement clear, responsible usage guidelines.
Thank you for considering this crucial perspective.
Jamaiyah Bryant, Seagoville High School student
Expensive chest-thumping
Re: “EPIC City faces investigation — Texas senator requested civil rights inquiry on Muslim-centric project," May 10 news story.
Not to be one-upped by his presumptive election opponent Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has instigated a federal investigation of the proposed EPIC City development in North Texas, citing a fear that EPIC might discriminate against Christians and Jews.
It matters not, apparently, that EPIC’s plans suggest no evidence of discriminatory intents or practices, or that the five state agencies Paxton already has sicced on EPIC should be adequate to root out any nefarious implications of the planned development.
What’s important, instead, is spending taxpayer dollars on hate-based chest-thumping, to get into the game and demonstrate that Cornyn can protect us against our Muslim neighbors as well as Paxton can.
Ann Ward Purcell, Dallas/Lake Highlands