All these years later, why won’t Texas just drop the prosecution of Crystal Mason? | Opinion
Much bigger problems at hand
Doesn’t the Tarrant County district attorney have other people to prosecute instead of Crystal Mason? (April 26, 1A, “DA appeals ruling that overturned illegal voting conviction”) She continues to maintain she was unaware that she wasn’t allowed to cast provisional ballot in 2016 in Tarrant County — a vote that was never counted.
Should the state be obligated to bear the expense for her incarceration for what certainly appears to be lack of knowledge that she wasn’t eligible to vote? Surely there are criminals out there who need to be imprisoned more than she does.
- Claude LaFerney, North Richland Hills
Really, everyone: We can work it out
Every time elections come around, some pundits lament that Americans don’t always think alike. See, for example, David L. Nevins’ April 21, “We must try to ‘Let It Be’ in 2024.” (5C)
I certainly don’t believe in having conflicting opinions simply to be different. But one of the strengths of our constitutional republic is that it provides the framework that allows us to disagree, discuss and even promote differing opinions in a peaceful manner.
It behooves us to see that protected right as a real blessing rather than something to be lamented in this election season.
- William Brown, Arlington
Fund schools at smart level
As a former trustee in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, I know it takes a willingness to listen, consider differing views and stand up for students and teachers over partisan politics. That’s why I proudly support Cynthia Rial Graham and Dalia Begin for the school board.
Our community is tired of divisiveness, false claims and lack of respect for educators and students. Quality public schools protect property values, keep neighborhoods safe, attract families that value education and better prepare our future workforce. The opponents of Graham and Begin would continue to defund education down to the so-called “basics” required by law and drain our rainy day fund.
The district has faced drastic budget cuts and declining enrollment before and responded by developing award-winning programs that drew families to us. Our students deserve and our community expects nothing less.
- Kimberley Barber Davis, Grapevine
Keep Haltom City on track
We’re voting on five of seven Haltom City Council seats, so this election is particularly relevant. Because of Mayor An Truong’s leadership with a series of strong council members, Haltom City is in a much stronger competitive position than any time since its inception. That progress seen on the Loop 820 frontage road construction site of H Mart — a regional attraction — is a game-changer for our city.
It deserves to be rewarded by voting for Ollie Anderson, Scott Lindgren and Dana Coffman.
- Bill Lanford, Haltom City
How to solve the debt crisis
Why is that whenever the debt crisis comes up, the solution always focuses on the most vulnerable, weakest, sickest and least powerful: the elderly, disabled and parentless who rely on Social Security and Medicare to stay alive? See, for example, the April 21 commentary “Debt crisis is coming. How will we explain why we didn’t act?” by the Institute for Policy Innovation’s Tom Giovanetti. (4C)
Where is the discussion of immoral subsidies paid to oil and gas companies that are making record profits? What about raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans? Where is the restraint on military expenditures? Oh no, those are off the table. It’s only Social Security and Medicare that get the blame.
- Randy Branson, Graham
