Fearmongering over Keller Islamic Center could have been knocked down with a question | Opinion
Act first, get the facts later
Before Marissa Bryce and Katherine Peyton went to authorities to protest a rumored Islamic refugee shelter, stirring up all kinds of emotions, they simply needed to ask the property owner. (March 6, 1A, “No evidence Keller Islamic Center building a refugee shelter”)
The same thing goes for Mellissa Bruckner, who was suspicious about activity at the Keller Islamic Center. Instead, she took the word of a “Spanish-speaking” construction worker who was asked leading questions.
Bruckner showed all three’s true colors when she said she didn’t care if the refugees came from Mexico, Thailand or North Korea since they’d be from institutions or prisons and would rob, steal and “whatever.”
Come to find out, the center was merely expanding for overflow. Like a good neighbor, all these three women had to do was knock on the door and ask.
- Max B. Baker, Arlington
MedStar’s service invaluable
I hope Fort Worth residents are paying attention to the City Council’s consideration of an attempt to replace MedStar, the innovative, efficient and diligent emergency medical service. Yes, MedStar needs funds to maintain its service levels. Federal funding and grants have dried up. All EMS services and health care institutions are feeling the pinch.
But MedStar needs a pittance compared with the more than $50 million the Fort Worth Fire Department would need to start providing those services, and then tens of millions more each year. And it wouldn’t provide the preemptive or innovative services that keep hospital emergency rooms from being overburdened and underprivileged citizens served.
MedStar is nationally recognized as a state-of-the-art EMS provider.
- David Pate, Winters
Texas public schools hamstrung
Gov. Greg Abbott told voters that if they would approve reduction in school property taxes, the Legislature would replace the funds. But state funding has not increased. School districts are having to cut budgets.
Texas provides about $6,000 as the basic per-student allotment, but Abbott’s plan for funding private vouchers calls for $8,000 per student. And private schools wouldn’t face restrictions on spending the money that public schools do.
- Harold L. Smith, Arlington
Schools are like grocery stores
Picture this: The government provides a grocery store near your home. It is run by government employees. There is little incentive pay or accountability, and employees are guaranteed jobs for life. Compare this with a privately owned store run on accountability, competition and value.
Which store do you want to shop at?
We force families to shop at public schools, the equivalent of subpar government stores. Would it not be a blessing for them take their dollars, through vouchers, to nicer stores? The government stores would have to get better or go out of business.
The greatest equalizer for children is a quality education. Give them the ticket for that opportunity: vouchers.
- Frank M. Wagnon, Southlake
Immunity could be a huge danger
While recently watching MSNBC “Deadline: Washington,” I heard the often-cited question, “Would absolute presidential immunity allow Donald Trump to order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political enemy?” That’s not something to worry about. Our professional military would ignore such an unlawful order.
On the other hand, what should scare the bejesus out of us is a rogue president (protected by immunity) raising, financing and ordering a bloodthirsty militia to carry out assassinations. Don’t think it could happen here? Think of the KKK lynchings for which no one was arrested or convicted.
Trump doesn’t need to stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and pull the trigger. There are thousands of thugs who would if asked to do so.
- Glenn Celerier, Arlington
