What about the older population?
Re: “Changes for the better – Dallas College Chancellor has messed up with reforms, but they benefit students and the community,” Saturday Editorials.
This editorial only tells part of the story. I can appreciate Chancellor Joe May’s focus on the underserved young population, but he has been singling out services for another population – over 50 residents, many of whom pay college district taxes.
Previously, most campuses had robust continuing education programs with a variety of useful courses. The list was intentionally diverse – technology, multi-media art classes, exercise programs, foreign languages, financial planning, creative writing, and current affairs to name a few. Most of them are gone.
And many of them were free – thanks to state laws. And therein lies May’s solution to finance the youth programs. Gone are the senior program advisors who brought in the unscheduled professors, managed the scheduling, and answered questions. Gone are the tech managers on every campus too (Brookhaven College was a particular loss as it was a great teacher on the 50+ programs).
The much-lauded new website is only for the tech-savvy. A lot of research is necessary to find the few continuing education courses.
Such a loss to the general public.
Liz Oliphant, Addison
A look into the future
This leading article gets right to the heart of so much in our society. President John Kennedy was quoted as saying: “Change is a law of life. And if you only look to the past or the present, you are missing out on the future. ”Editorial appreciation for Dallas College is appreciated.
Real change agents like Joe May are often ridiculed and scourged. Keep it up, Joe! The majority of your stakeholders applaud your courage.
Leonard Martin, Carrollton
We need real action on guns
Speaking after the recent shooting at a high school in Arlington, our governor of Texas expressed his condolences to those affected and offered police resources to school staff and students and their families. Expressing grief and police aid is vital, even though Governor Greg Abbott has done only half of what it takes to truly “effect” gun violence: passing gun safety laws is the other half that would have been in the last term should be adopted and should have been implemented a few years ago.
Gun safety laws include: gun locks in homes with children under the age of 18, universal background checks, and no sale of guns to anyone under the age of 21. The inclination of our state towards individual rights is fine as long as laws meet their obligations to those who also have rights, such as their own “right to life” in the area of gun safety.
Come on Texan lawmakers! Pass adequate gun safety laws that respect both the rights and duties of all Texas citizens.
Sheila Madigan Levatino, Fairview
Same old GOP playbook
I and others are really fed up with this worn out Republican playbook. Let me enlighten you if you are unfamiliar with this. The opening scene – something terrible like a school shooting. The first to arrive at the scene is Governor Greg Abbott. The usual photo op is followed by some tired old “thoughts and prayers” rhetoric for the families and victims.
It’s time for something else. Ask. How could the young man get hold of a gun? Why does an argument end with armed violence? When will our elected leaders pursue real gun legislation? I read earlier that Timothy Simpkins was bullied at school. What other factors cause a young man to turn to violence?
It is obvious to this reader that the school system, our elected officials, and the state of Texas have allowed this to happen.
Richard S. Gaca, basement
McConaughey asks good questions
Re: “A lack of attitudes leaves Texas dazed and confused – McConaughey versus SB 8, pro-mask, but calm on other topics,” Saturday Metro & Business Story.
This heading is totally inappropriate. Matthew McConaughey asks good questions, such as why there is so much division and distrust in our society. His words are relevant and introspective.
In my opinion we already have way too many “leaders” with their fingers on the hot button and most of the real answers to these attitudes are neither yes nor no, but somewhere in the gray area. I congratulate McConaughey on his common sense and thoughtfulness.
Robert Henderson, Dallas / Turtle Creek
Time to form opinions
Matthew McConaughey has few known opinions on almost any subject that voters are concerned about. He claims that he is not hiding his opinion, but needs more time to better understand the issues. Mr. McConaughey, if you are seriously considering entering the race for governor, you should already understand the issues and have an opinion on each of them.
Greg Hurlburt, Plano
Everyone else gets that …
My wife and I have just returned from a trip to Mexico City. As we strolled through town, we saw that everyone (except very young children) was wearing masks both inside and outside. The only time people didn’t wear masks was when they were eating in a restaurant.
Not wearing a mask is not just a decision that affects you, but everyone you come in contact with. Why do the people in Mexico City understand this, but our government does not?
Neil J. Orleans, Richardson
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