The end of an era
Sky-high memories
Regarding “Goodbye to a skyscraper. And to an era” (Outlook, July 18): I was saddened to see the article concerning the coming implosion of the First Pasadena State Bank building. Seeing the picture of the building brought back memories from the 1970s, when I frequently flew my airplane out of Hobby Airport. When calling Hobby tower as I entered the airport control area from the northeast on a visual flight rules approach, the tower controller would often tell me to “report over the bank building.”
The Pasadena Bank building was the tallest building in the area and easy to spot. Likewise, when approaching from the northwest, the controller would often say to “report over the Dome.” I wonder if the Astrodome will be next on the list of iconic landmarks to disappear.
Ken Young, Pearland
21st-century voting
Regarding “Voting machine search commences” (City/State, July 17): I see that Harris County is considering spending up to $74 million to upgrade voting machines.
As someone over age 65, I was offered the opportunity to vote by mail. It costs me 72 cents to return my ballot.
I don’t know what it costs to send me the ballot, but it seems that it might be more economical to allow everyone to vote by mail or even online.
Chris Manzke, Houston
Hitting the mark
Regarding “Bigot-in-chief” (Editorial, July 16): The editorial was right on target. Thank you so much for speaking clearly about some of the most negative remarks made by our nation’s president.
Charlotte H. Coffelt, Kingwood
Division doesn’t add up
Regarding “House condemns Trump’s remarks” (Front page, July 17): I strongly condemn Donald Trump’s racist remarks aimed at the four women of color he singled out in a recent Twitter tirade. I feel like I have stepped back in time to an era when segregation and disrespect for people of color was a common and acceptable practice.
I am shocked and saddened at the division this president has caused in our country and frustrated that we have to re-establish the respect we had for the unique differences we once celebrated and viewed as American strengths.
Being president of the United States in 2019 should require a person capable of being a president for all of us, unwilling to offend any of us. Judson Robinson, president, Houston Area Urban League
Constituents ignored
Regarding “Houston rep’s impeach bid again fails” (Front page, July 18): U.S. Rep. Al Green represents the people of the 9th District, south of Houston. Only he really doesn’t. He spends an inordinate amount of time on a failed campaign to impeach the president.
Instead of worrying about his constituents, he’s worried about becoming a “hero” to the progressive movement. Only he’s Don Quixote, tilting at windmills. Sad. Paul Knopick, Denton
Let’s work on solutions
Regarding “The right to criticize” (Editorial, July 19): People who say “love it or leave it” are probably not even following their own guidelines when it comes to their own children. If you see something that your children are doing wrong, you don’t kick them out of the house. You try to fix the problem so that they can grow up to be people you are proud of.
Trump is so biased, so touchy about criticism, that he can’t distinguish the difference. Emily Murphy, Kingwood
Constructive criticism
Missing from all the self-righteous assertions of “Send her back” and “America: Love it or leave it” is the recognition that the United States is, and always will be, a work in progress. The Declaration of Independence is a vision statement, still being implemented, which includes an aspirational statement that all men are created equal and have an unalienable right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
Constructive criticism that points out our collective shortfalls between our current reality and the better, more just society for which we strive, including suggested improvements, should be welcomed and debated, not rejected out of hand with condemnations of the speaker.
How does a Texas football coach make his team better — by telling the players that they’re perfect just the way they are, or by yelling at them, telling them that they’re doing it wrong and showing them how to improve to make the team stronger? Stephen Powe, Houston