Stand by Asian community
Enough is enough
Regarding “U.S. needs to reckon with its anti-Asian roots,” (A14, March 19): The recent attacks against our brothers and sisters in the Asian American communities are heartbreaking. The physical assaults and recent killings are rooted in racism. It needs to stop. We cannot be silent. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones due to this senseless hatred. To our Asian community — we love you and are standing united with you. Enough is enough.
Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Local hero
Regarding “Board clears doc accused of vaccine theft,” (A3, March 16): Is it just me or do most folks think that Dr. Hasan Gokal should be hailed as a hero and not a criminal as Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg would have you believe? The Texas Medical Association and the Harris County Medical Society have issued statements of support for physicians like Dr. Gokal who find themselves scrambling “to avoid wasting the vaccine in a punctured vial.” Judge Franklin Bynum dismissed his case for lack of probable cause. And now, the Texas Medical Board has cleared Dr. Gokal of stealing a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine. The board said there was insufficient evidence to prove that he had violated the Medical Practice Act. There have been numerous cases across the country of health care workers being hailed as heroes for going “outside the box” to avoid wasting the vaccine. It’s about time that the Harris County DA drops all charges against Dr. Gokal, stop wasting our tax dollars and refocus her resources on real crimes.
Mohammed Nasrullah, Houston
HB 1505
Regarding “Texas’ big plan for closing the digital divide: At-home broadband internet for every student,” (March 10): Broadband access is an essential component of our daily lives. However, more
than 1.23 million Texans lack access to reliable, high-speed broadband. At the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, we serve as a catalyst for a better quality of life in African American communities throughout Texas, which is why we support the expedited expansion of broadband access. Utility poles help form the backbone of our state’s broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas. But today, obstacles delay access to certain utility poles in rural areas and drive up costs, inhibiting broadband expansion. Fortunately, the Texas Legislature has the opportunity to pass HB 1505, which would reform the pole attachment process by ensuring predictable and fair pole replacement costs and faster permitting and dispute resolution time frames. We strongly urge the Texas Legislature to pass HB 1505 and ensure all Texans are afforded the economic opportunities provided by broadband access. Charles O’Neal, president, Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce