Have your cake and eat it, too
Vaccine passports
Regarding “Proof of vaccine barred in Texas,” (A1, June 8): So “individual rights always trump corporate and business rights”? Not too sure about that anymore. What about the Supreme Court decision in 2018’s case saying the bakery could refuse service if they please (Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission)? Where is the consistency? Sounds to me like folks want to have their cake and eat it, too.
Joanne Murphey, Nassau Bay
Heartbeat bill
Regarding “Failure to lead: Legislature in a nutshell,” (A12, June 3): The Legislature had an opportunity to support the “values” they allege. Instead, Medicaid expansion failed, homelessness was criminalized, the age of juvenile responsibility was not increased, and both local control of our environment and improved air quality protections failed to pass. All of these directly impact the health and safety of the children they allegedly care about.
If the Legislature believes that women must be forced to give birth, men must now be forced to provide financial support beginning at the heartbeat determination. That should include all prenatal
and postnatal medical and financial care to age 18.
Pregnancy is not a solo act. If they want to force women to give birth it’s time to force men to accept their responsibility from the beginning, not after some long and drawn out court fight.
Patricia Garris, Spring
Death of democracy
Regarding “After democracy dies, we’ll wonder why we failed,” (A15, June 6): If Leonard Pitts Jr. was so concerned about the death of our democracy where was his outrage when our democracy died in
March 2020 when our Constitution and our Bill of Rights were trampled on by federal, state and local governments? To quote Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Edward A. Vesely, Houston
Crossing the picket line
Regarding “It’s either vaccination or job termination,” (A1, June 8): It is highly unfortunate that some employees of the Houston Methodist hospital system have chosen to not avail themselves of the COVID-19 vaccines. It is some of these very vaccine holdouts who are probably most intimately familiar with the ravages of the disease as they perform their various duties and functions caring for those afflicted by the virus.
And, on a similar note, I take an “organized labor” view of those who refuse to take the vaccine and follow protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in that these people could be labeled as “scabs.” They are enjoying the benefits of an improved outlook and opening of the economy procured by those of us who do follow the protocols. The more people that heed the calls to get vaccinated and adhere to masking, social distancing and other recommendations, the sooner we can all once again enjoy freedom of movement and in-person commerce. In unity there’s strength.
Bill Bentley, La Porte
Let’s pretend I own a business that deals directly with the public. I post a sign that reads, “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” I do this because I feel those who dress inappropriately may create a distraction or make my customers feel uncomfortable
while in my business. I also post a sign that reads, “Please be prepared to provide proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus.” I do this because unvaccinated people are more likely to carry and transmit a deadly virus, and I am concerned for the health and welfare of both my employees and my customers. According to Gov. Greg Abbott the first scenario is acceptable, while in the second scenario I am breaking the law in Texas by depriving some people of the “freedom to go where (they) want without limits.” Getting the vaccine is a personal choice. However, the rights of the unvaccinated shouldn’t take precedence over the rights of those who choose to be vaccinated. My employees and patrons have rights, too. The logic applies in both scenarios: No Shirt, no shoes, no vaccine, no service.
Jay Tombaugh, Magnolia
Mixed signals
Regarding “Border criticism follows VP Harris in trip to Mexico,” (A6, June 9): Too little, too late, is the message. “Do not come,” Vice President Kamala Harris said to Central Americans planning to make the long arduous journey to the U.S. With all the mixed signals coming from the Biden administration, I doubt that those three spoken words will stop the migration surge.
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Fla.