Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, June 18, 2023
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The key Republicans and church leaders who
compulsively crave the defiance Trump deals
Donald Trump knows that his followers are addicted to his behavior. As New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes, “Trump is like a drug dealer who thrives in a broken neighborhood, getting everyone hooked on his warped values.”
But unlike people broken by poverty and despair, Trump’s followers claim to represent middle America, his most loyal allies are powerful, and many self-proclaimed religious people embrace him.
These acolytes, far from passive victims, desperately seek a high that comes from sidestepping accountability. Trump must ratchet up his antics to remain the drug of choice. Attempting to bribe (Ukrainian President) Zelenskyy was followed with January 6 and then keeping top-secret documents in his possession.
His users want more.
Friedman rightly faults key Republicans and church leaders for looking the other way. But that may not be enough. Nothing short of an intervention is needed for those who compulsively crave the defiance Trump sells.
Barbara Chiarello, Austin
The joys and the fears. The hard days and
the proudest. Appreciate them all, dads
Nineteen years ago, I got to celebrate my first Father’s Day as a dad. Some have been memorable and some not so. All of them I appreciate.
Being a good dad is hard sometimes. But the joys of teaching a child to ride a bike and then the fear of watching them ride off, nothing compares. Watching him go off to college was one of the hardest and proudest days of my life. Hug your kids. Have a great day, dads. You deserve it.
Richard Jones, Austin
If it ain't broke, don't demolish it, except
if it stands in the way of UT football field
Re: June 4 column, 'Grumet: Demolition planned for mural, historic building in path of UT football facility'
Coach Sarkisian can hardly wait to begin football practice on the new practice field. What is wrong with the existing field and dome? Is the turf worn out? Does the building have so many patches that it cannot be repaired?Oh, wait, it is a 10-minute walk from the locker rooms!
In my book, a 10-minute distance is a great warm-up and cool-down run.
The site planned for the new facility is destroying the Steve Hicks School of Social Work that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Shrubs and several legacy trees will also be cut down. My Mom always said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." But, what UT Football wants.
D. Garcia, Austin
For the best and quickest results, put Graham
in charge of resolving the homelessness crisis
Here’s one bet that if you put Alan Graham in charge of Austin’s homelessness crisis and give him the financial resources our once-great city has available, he could do what our chronically incompetent City Council has been unable/unwilling to do for decades.
What a blight on all of us citizens, yet the responsibility lies solely with our City Council, who have had years and years where homelessness should have been the top concern, yet nothing substantial has happened.
Mr. Graham and his colleagues would bring the public and private sectors together and get this situation ameliorated once and for all.
The time has come to put an end to all of the ‘social policy experimentation’ that our Council is wont to do and get on with making things happen.
Newt Hasson, Austin
Christie wasn't shy about taking on Trump;
don't underestimate his rhetorical acumen
On Tuesday I watched CNN’s Town Hall with Chris Christie. I am not sure he will win the Republican nomination. But, unlike the majority of Republicans, including most of the other Republican candidates, Christie knows well and has worked for Trump; yet he is not afraid of the former president.
Christie took Trump on vigorously and forcefully. In addition, he answered questions directly, without mincing words or worrying about what his opponents might say. As someone who spent his career studying political rhetoric, I believe Christie was rhetorically formidable.
If Christie qualifies for the debate, he will be a tough foe. Interestingly, the Town Hall audience—including those who supported another candidate—was listening and at least non-verbally responded positively.
Christie certainly has a record of being able to persuade. Whether he can convince enough people to win the nomination remains to be seen. But don’t underestimate Christie’s rhetorical acumen.
Richard Cherwitz, Austin
Lawmakers should recognize and reward
the contributions of retired state workers
Re: June 7 commentary, 'A special legislative session should focus on retired state workers'
There are more than 120,000 of us and we are still waiting – waiting for that cost of living adjustment or a 13th paycheck that will help all of us retired Texas state workers. I am hoping that our state legislators will take the time to read Luther’s Elmore’s opinion piece, “A special legislative session should focus on retired state workers.”
As Elmore points out, retired state workers have not had a cost of living adjustment in almost 22 years and they deserve the recognition that their work was essential to making Texas the great state that it is.
Mary Lou Gibson, Austin
Votes against Paxton's impeachment were
about due process, not guilt or innocence
As I observed the action by the Texas House concerning the impeachment of the attorney general of Texas, I reflected upon the famous quote by George Mason, "All citizens have duties as well as rights, and such rights cannot be enjoyed save in a society where law is respected and due process is observed."
Representatives (John T.) Smithee and (Four) Price adhered to that principle when they cast their vote against impeachment. Their vote did not focus on guilt or innocence, but rather on due process. Both men were true to a fundamental liberty, declared twice in the U. S. Constitution.
Trust is a sacred covenant between the elected and those they represent. Thank you, Representatives Smithee and Price for being faithful and loyal to that trust.
Don Powell, Amarillo
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, June 18, 2023
