Letters to the Editor — Veterans, Asian Americans, Texas Universities, Insults in the Committee

Our veterans are at home

Subject: “Counties tout victory for veterans – Region reaches milestone in fight against homelessness among its soldiers,” Thursday news report.

Symphony. What a wonderful word! In this story we read a statement from Peter Brodsky: “I want to thank everyone involved for putting aside their egos and agendas and coming together to form a symphony that achieved what every veteran truly deserves, which is to live a life of dignity.”

Brodsky pays tribute to all 19 organizations that helped ensure that our national treasure, our veterans, actually came home.

The baton has been passed to the orchestra. For the rest of us, it is time to raise our voices and express our gratitude to everyone who has been involved in this project. Beyond that, we must roll up our sleeves and get to work wherever we can be of use.

Janis Dorris, Denison

Appreciation for Asian Americans

We, the Asian American community here in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, are so grateful for all the stories about the history, lives, successes, and challenges of Asian Americans living here. And we appreciate that attention during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which occurs each year in May.

Thank you for this wonderful coverage and we hope there will be more. I have been a loyal reader of your newspaper since 1974. This is the first time I have read so many wonderful stories about Asian Americans in your newspaper. Thank you, Dallas Morning News!

Dr. Charles T. Ku, Flower Mound

The mind is not poisoned

Subject: “Texas universities need a new focus, less activism,” by Adam Kolasinski, Thursday Opinion.

Kolasinski is right when he says that “Texas statesmen and UT alumni should ask themselves” why students “are willing to disrupt campus life to express their displeasure with Israel.” But his answer seems pretty weak to me. He claims that Texas university faculty are poisoning students' minds by educating them to see everything as a struggle between the oppressed and the oppressor.

On every campus, you will always find a professor who supports the cause. But isn't the more obvious reason for these protests simply the students' genuine indignation at Israel's behavior?

Kolasinski surely has a low opinion of the intelligence of American college students if he thinks they have all been hypnotized by their evil professors. When I listen to people involved in organizing some of the recent major protests, I am impressed by the sincerity of their beliefs and the depth of their knowledge of the current conflict and the broader history of Israel and Palestine.

Of course, not all students are so well informed. But it is neither right nor wise to dismiss them all as ignorant idiots.

Steven James Peterson, Irvine, California.

Professor also has inclinations

I am a retired academic and just read Kolasinski's op-ed about who should be on faculty at Texas universities and why. He is obviously a strong conservative and shares his beliefs and philosophy that diversity in education and freedom of speech can and should be restricted at all universities.

Furthermore, this should be accomplished by not hiring or even considering educators with an open mind, especially those willing to challenge the very conservative mindset of the Texas legislature and its leadership.

That is not the job of a world-class university! Our job is to bring about decisions that need to be made and to promote discussion and understanding on all issues. Decisions are based on information and evidence.

Does the professor also tolerate the removal of books from libraries that convey different views? His reference to “left-wing faculties” and the “elimination of harmful policies” says a lot about him.

Charles Rosenfeld, North Dallas

Choose those who unite

After the personal insults and unrest at a recent House Oversight Committee hearing, you may be wondering what you can do about the incivility in our country's political discourse.

I recommend reading Mark Gerzon’s insightful book, The reunited states of America: how we can bridge the partisan divide.

According to Gerzon, each of us can do the following: 1. Put country before party. 2. Question whether it is patriotic to turn against our fellow citizens just because they don't share our views. 3. Find sources of information that will help us move forward rather than limit us. 4. Talk to each other to find answers that are better than the ones we had at the beginning.

This election season, let us elect politicians who will work to unite, not divide.

Terry Hansen, Milwaukee

Virtual paper desired

I like how you have created a digital, virtual online reading of a traditional newspaper. Your product department deserves a lot of praise.

Jay Durkin, East Dallas

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