Letters to the editor: Readers have strong reactions to the Paxton acquittal

At election time, remember those

who voted to acquit Ken Paxton

If I ever had any faith left in the state government of Texas, it wasdashed to pieces (Sept. 16). The Senate of this state has hit a new low.

Now it's up to the voters of Texas to take care of the problem and cleanhouse where it is long overdue. Next November let's make sure that veryfew of those who voted for Paxton's acquittal are left in the Senate todo more harm to Texas.

Dale Ritzen, Austin

Impeachment trials have devolved into

political theater; Shame on politicians

Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in the Texas Senate and the two recent impeachment trials of Donald Trump in the U.S. Senate show that impeachment trials no longer hold public officials accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors. Instead, they have devolved into shear political theater. Shame on the politicians who have corrupted our public institutions and who thumb their noses at their oaths of office and the rule of law.

Mike Field, Austin

No surprise that most GOP senators

did what was politically expedient

I am disappointed but not surprised that Texas senators voted to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton on all of the articles of impeachment. Most of the Republican senators did what was expedient, providing a negative example for the country.

Sadly, the impeachment vote confirmed my cynical and disheartened view of Texas politics. Texas’ three leaders (governor, lt. governor and attorney general) have been mean, vindictive and insensitive to the needs of their constituents. Each has been using the Trump and MAGA playbook, placing political fortune above moral, ethical and legal principles. Watching Paxton’s attorneys during his impeachment trial provides evidence of this shameful tendency. For example, both the tone and content of defense attorney Tony Buzbee’s closing statement echoed Donald Trump’s rhetoric lashing out against prosecutors who have indicted him. I hope American citizens take notice and don’t follow Texas’ lead.

Richard Cherwitz, Austin

GOP senators showed they have no

backbone; Patrick should be ashamed

I believe that everyone needs to take up a collection for the Texas Senators. There needs to be better chairs in their chamber. You know, chairs that give support to creatures that have no spine. And they are probably bruised from all the arm twisting.

To say I am disappointed is a huge understatement. And Dan Patrick ought to be ashamed of himself.

Annette Naish, Austin

House said Paxton hurt the party;

The Senate had other intentions

Re: Sept. 17 editorial, 'Editorial: Paxton is acquitted, and Texans and good government are the losers'

First, I’ve always believed that an impeachment is a political move to sensor a “party member” because that member has acted to injure the “party” to which the indicted belongs. It is not a trial to ensure that “justice under the duly enacted laws of the society” is maintained. The Texas House said Paxton injured the “Republican Party” by impeaching him, and the Senate said, “Oh no, Paxton carried out the desires of the good ole Republican Party.”

But your editorial hit the nail on the head:  the Texas House at least considers the mores and laws and the Texas Senate believes in “bring on the champagne and caviar, there’s a Party here tonight.”

John P. Graff, Austin

Abbott, Patrick, Paxton and cohorts,

you give conservativism a bad name

If Ken Paxton were to be nabbed exiting a liquor store carrying a gun and the store’s cash register the MAGA Republicans would decry his prosecution as a political witch hunt.

Kudos to (House) Speaker Phelan and a few of his GOP colleagues who said “Enough!” to the rampant corruption of the shameless attorney general. Abbott, Patrick, Paxton and their cohorts are giving conservatism a bad name. We must return to a time when the truth is revered, and sanity once again prevails.

Ken Moore, Smyrna, GA. 

When our officials turn a blind eye,

let them know you won't do the same

It's a shame when elected officials turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. They are in a position of public trust. Yet, there are times, more often than not, when this public trust is violated.

Have they no conscience?

Voters should make written notes about their representatives, so they won't forget them at election time. Otherwise, the political hype tends to cloud their memories.

It's a responsibility of every voter to cast votes based upon intelligent decisions and not upon all the political propaganda that we see every election.

Edward Lindsay, Fort Worth

Paxton's behavior in office might inspire

reader's own candidacy for public office

Praise the Lord, I can sleep better tonight thanks to our courageous Texas Republican senators who acquitted Ken Paxton on all impeachment articles. I had absolutely no idea of the existential threat the Bush dynasty poses to the Lone Star state until Paxton’s defense counsel enlightened us. I am so inspired by Paxton’s behavior as attorney general that I’m thinking of running for public office myself. I don’t need any kitchen renovations, but customized closet remodeling would be handy. And some free Uber rides would be cool.

Carol Cox, Lakeway 

When laws don't apply: We have a

new legal doctrine, The Paxton Rule

With the Texas Senate's acquittal of state Attorney General Ken Paxton on all articles of impeachment, it's clear we have a new legal doctrine in the Lone Star State: the Paxton Rule.

Just imagine: You're stopped by a police officer for speeding. You roll down your window and say, "Officer, I'm invoking the Paxton Rule — that is, the Texas Constitution and the laws derived from it do not apply to me. Bye, and have a nice day."

The Senate tried to pretend this was a criminal trial, but it was a political trial. And the chamber's votes to acquit Paxton only proved that. The majority were, in fact, being political.Shame on them. Shame on Ken Paxton. And God — better yet, the FBI — help Texas.

Mark Kilpatrick, Austin

Hedline

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

While our sons attended the San Marcos public schools, the positive perception there led us to pass bond elections and volunteer in the classrooms. Overall, teachers were respected and embraced their teaching vocation. Now, overworked and underpaid, many are leaving the classroom.

How much underpaid? In an appendix to the report cited in the above article, Representative Gina Hinojosa writes, “Currently, Texas teachers are paid, at least, $7500 below the national average. Texas ranks in the bottom ten nationwide for per-student funding.”

Underfunding teachers’ salaries and per-student funding contributes to the negative perception of our public schools, lowering teacher morale and triggering their decision to leave.

Governor Abbott’s call for a special session promoting vouchers while snubbing teachers’ salary needs will drag Texas further down the bottom, disrespecting our hard working teachers even more.

Diann McCabe, San Marcos 

Re Bridget Grumet 19 Sep 23 column

Thank you, Bridget Grumet, for reporting and commenting on the recent 15% salary increase for DPS chief McGraw.

To reward the head of a dysfunctional department so generously is not only inappropriate, but also shameful, especially in view of what happened in Uvalde.  Where is our sense of justice when ineffective and obfuscating leadership results in reward, rather than punishment?  An honorable leader would have owned up to the complete failure of his team during that horrible hour at the elementary school and offered to resign from his position. Having failed to accept responsibility then, he should now consider donating his undeserved salary raise to charitable organizations serving Uvalde.

Kudos to Bridget Grumet, Tony Plohetsky, and others for their reporting. Please continue exposing ethical lapses and malfeasance by those in power. Christina JonesAustin512.761.4481

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Letters to the editor: Readers have strong reactions to the Paxton acquittal