Silence is understandable

Wrath of Trump

Regarding “Opinion: Texas Republican primaries begin test of Trump’s influence,” ( Jan. 8): Jonathan Bernstein’s article elicits a broader observation. Nationally all House seats are up for election as are one-third of the Senate seats. As much as it is disappointing that most Republicans up for reelection have remained quiet on the subject of election fraud and a stolen election, it is understandable. With the exception of a few Trump acolytes and several open critics, most have hidden in the shadows expressing no opinion, thereby escaping potential Trump wrath. The fear that Trump would install and endorse one of his allies to challenge their seat has forced them to keep silent. If those moderate Republicans can avoid Trump’s interference and avoid a primary election campaign focused on false claims of a fraudulent 2020 election and lies surrounding it, they can then campaign in the general election on issues and policies actually important to voters. The ultimate benefit to Republican voters would be not having to choose between the lies and false claims of fraud of a Trump loyalist or a Democrat.

P. Crane, Conroe

Privacy that never was

Regarding “Students fear new Rice campus livestream could threaten privacy and right to protest,” ( Jan. 13): Once you get past the discussion of “Baker 13” — the tradition of students running through campus without their clothes on — there are some understandable concerns raised by Rice students. It does feel strange to be made aware that anyone with an internet connection can look into the Rice academic quad. I have looked at this camera angle both from the Earthcam site and from Rice’s site. The first time I looked at the Earthcam site, I was able to zoom in on moving figures in the quad, but not enough to make out who they were. When I looked at it today to doublecheck, zooming in had you looking at the sky over Lovett Hall, not into the quad itself. The view on Rice’s page doesn’t

zoom at all, and no longer even shows the statue. You can see what appear to be human figures moving around, but that’s it. I couldn’t identify my own student if I tried.

I think what’s happening is more related to how Rice students often feel “inside the hedges.” I know that when I was a student, I usually felt completely removed from the rest of Houston, as though I was inside some sort of protective bubble. When you walk around on campus, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the outside world. But the truth is that outside is not private. Not when there are security cameras and everyone you pass has a camera in their pocket and access to social media. It’s a bit of a rude awakening to find that what you thought was private isn’t, but it honestly never was.

Jean Tanner, Rice parent and alum

Filibuster

Regarding “Rep. Jackson-Lee: The Senate must suspend filibuster for bills designed to ensure right to vote,” ( Jan. 13): The filibuster has been in effect for over 100 years and has worked effectively to slow down any urgent appeal, by either party, to pass a controversial bill that would have a major impact on the lives of Americans. The Senate was formed as a deliberative body to slow down bills to give everyone time to think about the issues involved from a non-emotional standpoint, and (1) arrive at a mutually acceptable compromise or (2) let the bill expire since it was a lousy bill.

Dick Flamos, League City

Daily existence

Regarding “Insurrection,” ( Jan. 11): In a letter offering “kudos to the Chronicle for several articles in Sunday’s edition,” Michael Spiech of Sugar Land took issue

with Leonard Pitts’ column, pointing out that, “while Republicans may not have totally recognized their denial or minimization of what happened on Jan. 6, the Democrats refuse to recognize that democracy prevailed that day — our institutions held.” He’s right. Our institutions held “that day.” My fear is that our institutions will not hold on Jan. 6, 2024.

Mr. Spiech goes on to ask, “… would you rather be here in America or somewhere where your very existence is challenged daily?” With voting rights bills languishing in the Senate while multiple states pass laws to curtail people’s right to vote; with the GOP continuing to obstruct efforts to get to the truth of who planned, funded and executed Jan. 6 while holding to the lie that the election was stolen; with the Supreme Court allowing the draconian Texas abortion law to go into effect, one that outlaws any remedy before a woman even realizes she is pregnant in many cases, and without regard for whether a stranger or family member raped or sexually assaulted her; with arguments over which books our children can read in the school library and admonitions to tell them what to think rather than teach them how to think; with constant challenges and lawsuits over wearing masks that protect us from the COVID virus — this Black American woman’s answer to Mr. Spiech’s question is: I feel like my very existence is challenged daily.

Evelyn F. McClain, La Porte