National Academy for Oak Cliff
Subject: “Move A&M Job Growth To Oak Cliff,” by Robert L. Prejean, Nov. 20 Letters.
I was touched by Prejean’s letter about his proposal for a location for the Texas A&M University System in Oak Cliff. I’d like to contribute to the conversation with a suggestion from one of the positions on the Editorial Committee of the Dallas Morning News – that position is calling for a National Academy for Law Enforcement.
I suggest that local officials work with the Texas A&M System to create an institution dedicated to meeting the education and certification needs of our North Texas first responders: law enforcement, fire and rescue workers, and rescue workers. This would also support related studies in forensics, IT, and cybersecurity. The best final location for such a facility would be the East Kiest / Cedar Crest Boulevard area of Oak Cliff, where there is sufficient land for the required field training. This location is within easy reach of Dallas Police Headquarters and downtown Dallas, as well as the Prejean-mentioned areas of the southern gateway. The positive effects of such an institution can extend beyond Oak Cliff, even beyond North Texas.
Michael Connally, Dallas / Oak Cliff
Choosing ’emergency’ is terrifying
Subject: “Citing ’emergency’ Abbott postpones GOP $ 4 million to fund audits” and “ERCOT report predicts steep energy deficits – but data does not take into account global climate change or the deadly February storm,” 20 November Metro & Business Stories.
In these articles we learned that ERCOT predicts a 1 in 10 chance that we will have another blackout this winter due to insufficient power. We also learned that ERCOT’s worst-case scenario for this calculation is the 2011 freeze, not the 2021 freeze. Our governor had nine months to improve the reliability of our power grid, and that’s the best, what can he do?
What else did we learn on Saturday? This Governor Greg Abbot is distracting $ 4 million to fund his electoral exam in our state, citing an honest electoral “emergency”. In contrast to the near-complete collapse of our power grid, our Texas election showed no evidence of widespread error or fraud.
If you asked our Republican leadership in Texas to fix a leaky roof on your house, they would likely replace your good mailbox and bill you for it instead. It is time for new leadership in Texas that will solve the real problems in our state.
Brian Smith, Colleyville
Making vaccines for the world
Subject: “Plan seeks more shots to share – Biden initiative aims to increase production for poorer countries,” news report dated November 18.
This story reports on an initiative by the state Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to call on pharmaceutical companies with a proven ability to manufacture the mRNA vaccine to apply for a state investment to increase their production in the hope of an additional 1 billion vaccinations each Year to achieve. So far, Moderna, which was created through U.S. government investment, and Pfizer, which independently developed its vaccine, have not responded despite billions of dollars on offer.
Moderna’s lack of response is remarkably bold given that the US government has invested so much in making an effective, safe vaccine. Furthermore, none of these companies seem to be considering sharing their manufacturing process with other capable manufacturers such as those in South Africa or South Korea.
Vaccination inequality is particularly pronounced in low-income countries. It seems that profit motives outweigh the humanitarian crisis the world is facing, i.e. only 4.7% of people in low-income countries have received an initial dose. This pandemic will not come under control until the entire world population is properly vaccinated. apnews.com/3175319bac5a5058ffcfc63baa9c1400
Martin G. White, Dallas / Turtle Creek
Tolls of Constitutional Carry
To our Heads of State, I hope you understand what has happened in my area since you signed the “Constitutional Transfer”. In 2010 I moved to North Fort Worth. Not a single fatal shootout within five miles of my neighborhood since then. Until the legislature passed constitutional implementation last spring and sent a clear message that it’s cool to pack heat without training.
Immediately after the bill was passed, there was a homicide on the road five kilometers away from me. The law came into force on September 1st. On November 15, an apparent road death in my neighborhood left the bullet-riddled body of a young man lying in the driveway of a traumatized neighbor for four hours.
Thank you for making me feel so much safer. But I know I can count on your thoughts and prayers … and more weapons. A combination with proven results.
Jack Bowen, North Fort Worth
Moonstruck
Subject: Late Night Show, photo from November 20th.
Kudos to photographer Rebecca Slezak for her creative capture of the partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of this day. The illuminated clock, with the moon on the left, records a “once-in-my-lifetime event” in a unique way.
Patti Shore, Highland Village
Medicare pitchmen on repeat
With due respect to JJ “Dy-no-mite” Walker, Captain Kirk William Shatner, Broadway Joe Namath, and other celebrities who grace my television screen day in and day out, I think we should all have an impact on Congress to mark the day following the last day of Medicare enrollment a national holiday. We can call it “no more day off”.
Kenneth Mathias, Grand Prairie
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