Dan Patrick and Texas Senate letting Ken Paxton off the hook was politics, not justice | Opinion

Dan Patrick meddled in justice

Ken Paxton was not exonerated by the Texas Senate. He was not absolved. He was excused. (Sept. 17, 10A, “A sad day for Texas: Acquitting Ken Paxton condones corruption, abuse of power”)

As Lyndon Baines Johnson might have said, you can’t make chicken salad out of the character of those GOP state senators who, fearing for their political lives, turned a blind eye to justice.

I wish Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had taken his thumb off the scale long enough to call defense attorney Tony Buzbee’s bluff on those granite countertops.

- William Joslin, Fort Worth

I’m no longer voting Republican

I have been a Republican my whole life. Since Republicans condone Ken Paxton’s corruption, I won’t vote for any beyond the local level. I’ll vote Democratic for all state and federal elections. By his remarks after the acquittal, Gov. Greg Abbott made clear he shares in the problem, too.

- Kevin Beatty, Corsicana

Verdict was politics as usual

In many criminal acquittals, prosecutors often offer a comment such as, “We respect the jury’s decision,” even though they lost their case. It speaks volumes that after the Texas attorney general’s acquittal, those who brought his prosecution cannot show similar humility and instead continue to repeat the accusations that the state Senate jury resoundingly rejected.

The denial and indignation about the verdict might lead voters to conclude that this historic impeachment was nothing more than ordinary politics through extraordinary means.

- Jason Adams, Southlake

Trying to overturn voters’ will

The blatant attempt to overturn the will of Texas voters has been exposed. The political ambitions of those who pursued Ken Paxton are now visible. I hope people will see through efforts to disenfranchise those of us who are not part of the groupthink.

- Jon Loyal Rodenmayer, Garland

Cheers for state senator’s courage

Our Republican household is proud of our state senator, Kelly Hancock, for his vote for decency and honor. Mark Davis infers Kelly Hancock could suffer for voting to convict Ken Paxton, but a lot of us think it is time for less partisan politics and more common sense in this country. (Sept. 19, 10A, “Will Paxton’s foes pay price in GOP House primaries?”)

We will work hard to see that Hancock is reelected if he chooses to run again.

- Wanda Conlin and Don Boren, Fort Worth

Rushed out when we want to eat

Bud Kennedy’s Sept. 15 commentary on restaurants that are seeing customers coming to eat dinner at earlier times than in the past hit a nerve with me. (1C, “Restaurants see earlier dinner crowds; Fort Worth chefs react”)

We have found if you arrive one hour before closing, you will find the staff starting to shut down. Tables are being wiped off, the bar is being cleaned and floors are being swept.

I remember when closing time meant no new customers. Now, it means the time the staff locks the door and leaves.

- David Jones, Arlington

New, endless cycle of impeachment?

The announcement that Republicans will explore impeaching President Joe Biden is telling. It makes me think the attitude in D.C. is, “Get even at all costs.” Considering the process of succession to the presidency, it’s hard to believe House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has thought this thing through. We’ve seen it before, with Bill Clinton and twice with Donald Trump. Are we in for more endless reading of speeches but minimal real evidence?

The idea of governing for the good of the people has taken a back seat to tit for tat.

- Bob Schultz, Haslet