Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, Aug. 13, 2023
Appointing council member's husband
to oversight board stirs ethics concerns
Re: Aug. 5 article, "Mayor defends ethics board pick"
The recent appointment to the Austin Ethics Review Commission, a government board that investigates ethics allegations involving City Council members and other city officials, at the very least, has the appearance of ethical concerns.
Per Mayor Watson, "Mr. (Edward) Espinoza’s knowledge and experience highly qualify him to serve on the commission."
It seems astounding to me that (Watson) could not identify anyone but Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis’ spouse to serve on the Austin Ethics Review Commission. Why select someone who requires that Espinoza would have to recuse himself on matters involving both Ellis and Watson. This doesn’t appear to be city government at its best.
Lila Oshatz, Austin
Ethics panel appointment shows why
we have little faith in government
It may be true that there is no legal prohibition to appointing a council person's spouse to an ethics oversight board with authority over the City Council (which just shows how poor ethical legislation is in Austin and Texas), but any sixth-grader should know it isn't right.
Any wonder why so many have little faith in their elected officials?
Kelly Kirkland, Austin
In railing against government, Trump
is working toward an anarchist vision
Your Wednesday edition featured Donald Trump on almost every page, making Trump’s mission to consume the news successful. One of his featured events is the castigation of the current government agencies; Justice, State, Defense, and others for becoming “weaponized” forces against his mission.
Having control of every government function is his goal. His future presidency is the objective needed to achieve his anarchist crown. Voters will decide if this will happen.
Mike Henry, Marble Falls
It's hot work cleaning up the mess
you selfishly throw from your car
There are many reasons why a person might justifiably be working outside in this 100-plus degree weather, but picking up roadside trash isn’t one of them.
Today around noon, I saw three guys with grabbers and plastic bags picking up stuff on the side of a highway. I’d hate to think that someone had a heat stroke picking up the beer can or burger wrap or plastic water bottle of some jerk who was more concerned about how clean the inside of his car looked than about how the trash looks on the roadside.
Come on, dummy! Keep it inside the car until you find a proper place to get rid of it!
Mary E. Milam, Austin
Admirable to give children the gift
of education and exposure to nature
Re: August 10, 2023 “100K gift expands birding and nature camps founded by Victor Emanuel”
Hooray for generous donors Paul and Betty Rae Davis of Midland to support the Victor Emanuel Young Naturalists Foundation.
There is nothing more admirable that than educating youngsters about the wonders of the natural world. It is a wonderful gift to fund scholarships to nature camps for children who otherwise might not be able to afford to go.
Getting children outdoors to learn about and appreciate birds and other wildlife is a lifetime benefit for them.
I hope that more people support the importance of children’s nature education.
Jenny Clark, Austin
AI can be a powerful tool, but we
shouldn't fear it will replace us
Re: Aug. 2 commentary, "Stop worrying about AI, and start paying attention more"
As a physicist and on a recent trip to Austin, I read this commentary with interest.
Programs/AI are only as good as the programmer who wrote them. Humans will always be able to defeat AI because, as nonlinear thinkers, they can think outside of the box. AI will do what it is told to do, programmatically. I suspect that humanity had the same fears when the mathematical calculator was introduced decades ago. These tools can be powerful as aids to our amazing thought process, but not replacements.
That said, I worry about the people, businesses and governments that use AI as a remote/disconnected means to control people in a way that is neither intelligent nor compassionate.
Michael Pravica, Henderson, NV
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman letters to the editor, Aug. 13, 2023
