Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, Sept. 3, 2023

Partisan politics should have no role

in Paxton impeachment proceedings

We received a postcard this week encouraging us to tell our state senator how to vote in Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial. I won’t and neither should anyone else. In any other trial, tampering with a jury is a crime. In impeachment trials, attempting to influence our senators is highly inappropriate.

While not technically a civil or criminal trial, Paxton’s impeachment trial is a legal proceeding and politics should play no part. Our state senators should base their decisions strictly on the facts as presented. To do less would undermine their credibility and stature in the community.

Woody Raine, Smithville

One mugshot of a former American

president is worth a thousand words

Regarding the mugshot of the former president, does this man look like 1) he’d do anything – anything – to scorch his perceived enemies given the opportunity; 2) his political philosophy is retribution; 3) he believes in “payback politics”? Does he look like someone you’d abhor, fear, or feel sorry for?

Does the world really need another leader of a nuclear power whose political philosophy is retribution?

Is this your image of an American president? One picture is worth a thousand words.

Neil Suneson, Austin

Keeping elementary school libraries open

has positive influence on student behavior

Re: Aug. 27 commentary: "Opinion: Eliminating school libraries is senseless"

Accept this note of gratitude on the wonderful edition of the Austin American-Statesman on August 27.

How can the city of Houston be lauded for serving students as elementary libraries are shut down, now to use the space to abandon students in a form of solitary isolation for their misbehavior? Keeping libraries open with students free to choose printed material that's of interest to them might just have a positive influence on their behavior.

As a former elementary librarian who has worked in public, private, company and parochial elementary schools in both rural and urban centers, I know what an impact that libraries can have on children.

It saddens me to consider the fact the parents of the students in the Houston schools are not walking the streets in protest. What other positive influence do these students have if the library disappears?

Vera Bunting, Cedar Park

The Constitution contains a simple test

for when someone can't be president

whether As recently discussed by two constitutional scholars, little known Section 3 of the 14th Amendment provides a simple test of whether a person is ineligible to be president. First, as president or as an officer of certain other positions, has a person taken an oath to support the constitution? Trump did so on January 20, 2017.  Second, did the person engage in insurrection or rebellion against the constitution or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.  Clearly, Trump did.  Finally, Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability.  It has not and is highly unlikely to do so.

This is totally separate from any potential criminal liability for such acts.  There is no provision for trial. Each of the 50 state Secretaries of State has an obligation to print ballots without his name on them. They may be sued for refusing to do so.

Bruce Bigelow, West Lake Hills

It's irresponsible to promote watering

lawns during this rain-thirsty summer

Re: Aug. 24 article, "So the Texas heat killed your lawn — think again!"

I find it incredibly irresponsible that anybody would continue promoting lawn watering in a summer where the lakes are less than half full, springs are drying up, and no end to the drought is immediately apparent. Your lawn will recover on its own eventually. If it doesn't, plant more drought-friendly things, or at least plant something useful like a garden for food or attracting pollinators!

If you think you've "got to" have a golf course-green lawn, think again. With so many people moving to Austin daily, where will the water magically come from?

Jennifer Dinger, Austin

Fund public schools to pay teachers, bolster

security and keep the Friday Night lights on

Re: Aug. 14 article, “Texas House panel recommends more funding, teacher resources to boost public education”

Thanks for your continuing coverage of the dire need to increase funding for public schools. I’ve seen firsthand how music and sports programs keep kids in school and unite the community. My daughter played the flute in the San Marcos High band, which made all the difference for her. Serving as band volunteers made our whole family feel part of the community.

Parental choice/voucher legislation is the beginning of the end of Friday Night Lights, because voucher funding will rob public schools of money for sports and music programs. Few private schools can build stadiums and performance venues, foster young talent, or field competitive teams.

Give public schools the money required to fund extracurricular programs, fairly compensate teachers, and keep schools safe. Say NO to vouchers and yes to Friday Night Lights!

Ann Jensen, San Marcos

The Texas Legislature closed another session without passing a bill to provide air conditioning for the prisons during the hottest summer on record. CNN reported that in 2023 at least 147 inmates have died in US prisons from excessive heat. Eighteen of those were in Texas prisons.

Julie Sikarha wrote in her doctorial dessertation about the mortality rates in Texas prisons dealing with excessive heat.It attributed 271 deaths to non air conditioned prisons and heat between 2001 and 2019. (30 times national average)

The failure of the legislature to provide funds was not due to a lack of money. There was a surplus of funds this session. It was due to the disregard for the well being of the prisoners and staff in the prisons.

We cannot continue to allow this suffering and deaths in our prisons to continue.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, Sept. 3, 2023