Constitution’s spirit violated
Gerrymandering
Regarding “Opinion: What would Texas redistricting look like without gerrymanders? This map puts communities first,” (Oct. 2): Following the first census in 1790, congressional district mappers focused on geographical barriers while composing compact districts.
Representatives walking the woods and riding horseback to convene were necessary considerations. Cars, trains, computers — mappers could only dream of modern technology.
Incumbent protection was not a thing until 1812 when politician Elbridge Gerry drew his own district, ensuring his political party remained in power in the upcoming reelection.
Gerry’s district resembled a salamander. Thus the term “gerrymandering” was born.
Gerrymandering violates the spirit of the U.S. Constitution, undermining true representation. Yet gerrymandering continues.
The shapes of the districts in the congressional map proposed by Texas legislators resemble salamanders.
An alternative citizens’ proposal by Texas Redistricting makes compactness a priority. Take a look for yourself. Which map is in keeping with the U.S. Constitution?
Jeff Harper, Bastrop
The proposed redistricting boundaries are designed to minimize the influence of the poor. Since many of our legislators claim to respect scripture, let them read the Hebrew Prophets:
“Guilty men, whose own might is their god,” (Habakkuk 1:11).
“Who deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver,” (Amos 8:5-6).
“A trader who uses false balances, who loves to overreach” (Hosea 12:8).
Their only defense is to claim that the other party did it too. That will never justify stealing. Rabbi Daniel Horwitz, Houston Virginian who, unlike Robert E. Lee, remained loyal to the Union. He is seldom mentioned as a hero of the Civil War, in large part because he refused to promote his own legacy, yet he was one of the Union’s best.
He is mainly remembered as the “Rock of Chickamauga,” after almost singlehandedly preventing a defeat from becoming a rout, but is just as deserving of being declared the “Rock of Stones River,” a battle as vicious as any in the war.
He also won the first Union victory of the war. At Mill Springs, his troops took Missionary Ridge during the battle of Chattanooga and he destroyed the army of John Bell Hood at Nashville, thereby ending the war in the West.
It’s shameful that Hood has an Army base named after himself, but not Thomas.
Frank Ohrt, Houston
Are you supporting the destruction of our monuments, statues and the renaming of America's Army posts in an effort to rewrite the history of America? Rewriting history is what Russia and China have done. It is our history and it lets us understand our evolving country. Rewriting history is the first step towards communism, folks.
Patti Miller, Houston