Leave the mayor alone
Re: “Mayor, tell us what GOP means to you — Dallas deserves clarification of exactly what and whom Johnson supports,” Sunday editorial.
This editorial clearly expressed why Mayor Eric Johnson left the Democratic Party. You validated his thoughts: “the Democratic Party no longer represents the values he holds, from public safety to personal responsibility to the possibility individuals have of achieving the American dream if they work hard and take advantage of opportunity.”
Does “Dallas deserve a deeper answer”? Many still reading The Dallas Morning News clearly get Johnson’s answer. Apparently, you encourage another outcome. Dallas deserves for you to leave the mayor alone.
Melvin Cox, Dallas/Preston Hollow
Party switch puzzling
Mayor Eric Johnson is the poster child for an elected official who forgoes leading from principles for the convenience of seeing which way the political wind is blowing at any given moment. His rationale for making the switch lacks sincerity and conviction, instead defaulting to the party line that has little or nothing to do with the real issues faced by the city of Dallas.
The bigger question is why now and to what end? Only time will reveal the rationale or wisdom of this choice, and in the meantime, the people of Dallas deserve leaders who lead with vision and a true desire to be in service to the greater good of our community, not just their own personal agendas. Disappointing to say the least.
Sherry Wood, Dallas/Lake Highlands
Come to McKinney
Mayor Eric Johnson, on behalf of the citizens of McKinney, I want you to know that the red carpet is out for you should you decide to help us out and run for mayor of our once lovely city. We need you and know that you will serve the people of McKinney fairly and with distinction. We are just up the road from Dallas. Come by and check us out!
Pat Johnson, McKinney
Something rotten
I guess I am out of touch on an issue like this, but I find nothing commendable about running for office under the banner of one party and switching parties after getting elected. Nothing.
Political trickery is more appropriate rather than commendable. A real slap in the face to those who voted for you. A definite lack of integrity. I guess resigning and running again is no longer the correct thing to do. But betraying the folks who supported you is.
It doesn’t matter who, either Democrat or Republican, that does it. It just has that rotten political landfill smell.
William L. Scholls, Arlington
No applause for column
Re: “From magic hushes to sonic explosions — Principal flutist was a sterling soloist, and guest conductor brought the drama,” by Scott Cantrell, Sunday Arts & Life column.
The review read, “Unfortunately, there was a round of applause after the concerto’s first movement — and after the first two movements of the Prokofiev, before the clappers got the idea to let the movements proceed without audience interruption. This is an unwelcome new development around here. Someone even yelled ‘Wow’ after the first movement of the Prokofiev.”
This level of snobbery is so uncalled for! I wonder if the musicians playing this very symphony to a nearly empty auditorium at the Mesquite Arts Center on Saturday night would have cared if the people clapped in the wrong place? Maybe if one of the 20 people in the audience had been so moved they said “wow” the orchestra would have been so insulted that they just left?
No wonder that the free performance of this exact symphony was virtually empty! People are being fed this pompous idea that they might appear uncouth if they actually enjoy it! It might have helped if The News hadn’t promoted it with the wrong day printed.
The arts should be inviting to all the people, not just the ones who know when to clap! The Dallas Morning News should do its part to invite the uninitiated to the arts, not this. Sad.
Kim Hildreth, Wylie
Rhetorical sleight-of-hand
Re: “’Pro-life’ also means anti-death penalty — If unborn life is sacred, all life should be sacred,” by Nan Tolson, Sunday Opinion.
Tolson uses a familiar rhetorical sleight-of-hand in an effort to make those who oppose abortion but support the death penalty seem inconsistent. There are a few legitimate reasons to oppose the death penalty, but appeals to our nation’s founding documents and to faith (presumably she means the Christian faith) are not among them.
The Bible clearly recognizes the death penalty in the Old Testament, and the New Testament, while essentially silent on the matter, does not overrule that. It says the ruler “does not bear the sword for nothing,” and he is “an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” And for more than two millennia, that punishment has included the possibility of death.
Furthermore, our Constitution says no one can be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. To imply that any deprivation of life is contrary to our foundation is to misread it. In attempting to make her case by appealing to those sources, Tolson is single-handedly rejecting the long-held traditions and understanding of both.
Preston R. Simpson, Plano
Tech reviews appreciated
Re: “Dreo oscillating heater perfect for chilly rooms,” by Jim Rossman, Sunday Business column.
I want to thank Jim Rossman for his tech review column. In the midst of this cold snap, his review of the Dreo oscillating heater was especially helpful. But for those of us who endeavor to buy American, such as my husband and I, it would be even more helpful if he would tell us where these products are made.
Amy Darrow, Plano
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