U.S. will slip in science
Re: “Moody’s strips U.S. of its triple-A rating — Downgrade in credit score linked to rising government debt," Saturday news story.
As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing a “bang up” job on defunding scientific research and higher education in this country, it should not be any surprise that Moody’s would concomitantly reduce America’s credit rating.
As science is the bedrock of our nation’s economy, well-being and defense, defunding science and the institutions that train scientists and engineers will frustrate America’s ability to solve critical problems such as climate change, feeding the world, natural resource scarcity (e.g. water) and cleaning up our poisoned ecosphere.
It will also thwart innovation and reindustrialization which is necessary to repay the $36 trillion debt.
American technology is like a high performance sports car. If there are not enough scientists and engineers to maintain and improve it through research, it will lose its competitive edge, fall into disrepair and be unusable very soon.
We should all be very worried.
Michael Pravica, Dallas
Pfaff good for Irving
I’ve been an Irving resident since 1978. Regarding Irving’s runoff election, I‘ve known David Pfaff and his family for years as a teacher, neighbor and friend. His character is beyond question, and his integrity cannot be bought.
It’s frustrating to see outside PAC money making headlines while Pfaff’s long record of service to Irving gets overlooked.
The truth is, there’s no real comparison in this runoff. Pfaff has decades of deep involvement in our city. His opponent does not.
The race is about trust, leadership and who truly knows and cares for Irving. Pfaff has earned that trust through action, not ambition.
We can’t let a PAC influence the future of our City Council.
Irving needs experienced, grounded leadership. That’s David Pfaff.
Early voting is May 27 to June 3 with election day June 7.
Diann Contestabile, Irving
Reckless to ignore red flags
Re: “Waving a Red Flag — Legislature’s ban on extreme-risk protective orders is senseless, but it’s coming," Sunday editorial.
Texas is not just ignoring the solution to gun violence — it is actively working to block it. Senate Bill 1362, which bans the state from adopting red flag laws, is moving swiftly through the Legislature.
Red flag laws allow courts to temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. These laws could have made a difference in tragedies such as Uvalde, Sutherland Springs and El Paso, where warning signs were evident before the attacks.
Instead of taking proactive measures to prevent violence, Texas lawmakers refuse to even consider them, prioritizing political absolutism over public safety.
The state’s refusal to explore effective, preventive measures is reckless. We need leaders who will study solutions in good faith and enact policies that save lives.
Philip Courtney Hogan, Dallas
Use my name, please
Re: “Ten tips for having better conversations — Here’s what I’ve learned from 50 years of interviewing," by Talmage Boston, Sunday Opinion.
Thanks to Boston for these excellent, straightforward and commonsense tips. In this time of national upheaval, we need to be able to communicate in a gracious way with those around us, especially when we don’t agree.
All the tips are important, but perhaps the one which has been the most important to me is “call by name.” When in a group where I have been called by name, I find myself immediately drawn to the speaker and the subject.
Maybe the biggest obstacle we have is mingling with those outside our usual groups and outside our usual comfort zones. No question this is hard, but we must strive to reach the other side and find ways to interact with those we don’t agree with. It’s not easy.
So, thank you, Talmage.
Ellen Taylor Seldin, Dallas
Kindness, then triggers
Re: “Store manager swaps goods for grades — Shopkeeper gives local students run of bodega if they do well in class," Sunday news story.
As an old guy who reads and views the news in depth every day, I’ve been quite depressed about what’s happening recently. Then I read this piece in Sunday’s edition about Wail Alselwi and his deli and grocery store in Staten Island. What a wonderful upper about the human condition!
Thanks to Mr. Alselwi for your kindness and to The Dallas Morning News for bringing us this story.
Sadly in just a couple more pages, I read that the Justice Department will allow the sale of forced-reset triggers, which make semiautomatic rifles fire more rapidly. Ah well, back to reality, but it was nice for a moment to feel good about the news.
Dan Siculan, Royse City
Shopkeeper inspiring
This story about Wail Alselwi’s efforts to encourage local students to work hard in school was truly inspiring. I have long felt that the entire message of the New Testament could be boiled down to just two verses, Acts 2: 44-45, which say, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.“
Alselwi is a living example of sharing to make this a better world.
Thomas Kelly, Lantana