A Haitian education
Re: “Trump delivers stunning remark on immigration,” front page, Jan. 12:
Even though I was born in the U.S., I lived in Haiti from ages 3 to 16, and I attended high school there.
My father, in his wisdom, registered me at Saint-Louis de Gonzague, run by the Frères de l’Instruction Chrétienne, instead of the American Union School. I received a better education there than I would have in any high school in my home state of Florida in geography, history, languages, geometry, algebra and even calculus. In these subjects, I believe I got a better education than my children did at Trinity University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The only subjects that were deficient were the sciences, such as chemistry, applied physics and astronomy. If those subjects define what it means to be from an “advanced” country, then by all means, I received a “poor” education. But by all the parameters that define what it means to be an “educated” person, my Haitian education has served me well, and I take offense at the president’s remarks.
Michel Laham, M.D.
Profanity explained
I was so relieved to discover that Donald Trump did not use the word “shithole” in referring to certain countries from Central America and Africa. I was sure he was misquoted, especially when I heard a senator — I think his name was Perdue — say the president did not use the word. I have discovered that Sen. Dick Durbin was mistaken.
President Trump, according to others present at the meeting, used the term “shithouse,” not “shithole.” This is clearly a more accurate descriptive term. The word “shithole” just did not make sense to me.
What a relief.
John H. Lindquist
What trickle-down?
I love the president’s idea of trickle-down. Surely everyone is getting a raise and even bonus money. The stock market is booming, so stocks are up and companies are making even more money so it can trickle down to you.
Oh! You did not get a raise? The money went to the boss and a few others? Surely you will get one real soon, but just in case, maybe you better not count on it.
At least teachers should finally get a raise because everyone’s property taxes went up. So, you are a teacher and you did not get a raise? Surely, schools do not expect someone with all that student-loan burden to go without a raise. Everyone knows there are managers at fast-food restaurants who make more than teachers, but managers must teach kids how to make the burgers.
Love trickle-down!
Jim Denton, Gatesville
New monikers
Re: “I tot I taw a tweet,” Your Turn, Jan. 17:
As far as nicknames for Donald Trump, how about “Trumpelthinskin” or “Trumpty Dumpty”?
Audrey Dlugosz
Leadership lacking
How irresponsible of Congress not to discuss and approve the federal budget when it’s due. They cannot approve the many bills they seek, so they decide to “take their ball and go home.” These continuing resolutions are just another way for our politicians to play games rather than do their jobs.
We, the people, need to become more involved and contact our congressional representatives to tell them what we want.
Hank Forrest
Judicial overreach
Re: “Public mistrust of political leaders at a new high,” Rudy Apodaca, Dec. 3:
Judge Rudy Apodaca asserts that public officials deserve mistrust because of malfeasance or errors in judgment. He illustrates his point by arguing, “In the judiciary, for example, some judges, aware of the public’s tenor, turn their backs on judicial independence and render decisions not based on what’s right, but on what’s popular with the public.”
Such conduct by judges should incur public mistrust if failing to do “what’s right” means failing to follow the law.
The principal reason for public mistrust of the judiciary, in my view, is the perception that some judges, rather than impartially deciding cases according to law, apply their political predilections and personal preferences to do “what’s right” by dictating public policy that rejects what they believe, as described by Judge Apodaca, to be “extremism” or “radical ideas.”
Judicial independence means adhering to the rule of law regardless of public opinion and political pressure.
Robert R. Barton, senior district judge, Kerrville
Again, a republic
Re: “U.S. under attack,” Your Turn, Jan. 19:
When are the letter writers and the editors of this newspaper going to realize our nation is a capitalist republic and not a socialist democracy?
Durand C. Waters, Windcrest
It’s therapy, y’all
Sometime ago, you published a funny commentary by John Eubanks about Southern speech (“Swannee! He’s fixin’ to talk words,” Another View, Aug. 19). It reminded me, fondly, of my Southern roots — Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina. Bless your pea-pickin’ heart. It has come in handy dealing with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
I have bad COPD from secondhand smoke, pollution and several bouts of pneumonia. After using all the medications and technology, my hospice nurse told me to revert to my Southern drawl to better cope with my use of oxygen. That is hard to do after living in Texas for over 40 years.
Ida C. Jones