Border bill shows hypocrisy
Bipartisan effort thwarted
Regarding “Cruz, Cornyn help sink border bill Republicans had long demanded,” (Feb. 7): The Republicans, including John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, have lambasted the Biden administration continuously for failing to stem the migrant tide at the southern border. Now, they vote against an arduously negotiated, bipartisan bill, backed by Border Patrol personnel, containing unprecedented measures to do just that. Then they twist themselves into pretzels trying to justify their opposition by mischaracterizing what the bill does. (The bill does not just “let” 5,000 people a day into the country.)
We are not stupid. We have all heard Donald Trump instruct Republicans to refrain from constructive action on the border so that he can thwart Biden and make the campaign claim that he is the only one who can fix it. Trump exacts compliance by threatening to direct his obedient supporters to vote against any Republican who defies him. The selfinterest, hypocrisy and dishonesty of these politicians toward the country and toward all of us is staggering.
Maureen Wharton, Houston
If Sens. Cruz and Cornyn cannot vote to even allow debate on a bipartisan, negotiated bill, is there any doubt they run for office solely for the senator title and attendant benefits rather than a desire to be a legislator?
Gary Frueh, Katy
Contradictions
Regarding “Texas Latinos prefer Trump over Biden in presidential election, UH poll finds,” (Feb. 2): In light of the oft-repeated political mantra that Hispanics are all criminals, it is shocking to read poll results showing Latinos favor Trump over Biden.
That all Hispanics are criminals is as mindless a stereotype as the one that all politicians are corrupt. Of course neither is true, but why should we Hispanics endorse those who demonize our ethnicity?
And how is a campaign built on retribution a magnet for us evangelical Christians who hear the “love thy neighbor as thyself ” sermon on Sunday? Is that sermon not relevant for us Monday through Saturday?
Maligning minorities while soliciting their vote in the same breath is, indeed, breathtaking.
Yolanda Ramirez Moore, Humble
Regarding “Texas Republicans are ratcheting up talk of a border invasion. Critics worry it will incite violence,” (Feb. 1): So I read that the lite guv of Texas, Dan Patrick, reports that these folks crossing our border with Mexico are “coming here with health issues, they’re uneducated, unemployed, and all they do is commit crime on the streets.” A contradictory letter from a Chronicle reader recently complained that illegal immigrants are taking Texans’ jobs because they submit bids to do the same work at a lower price. Personally, I’m impressed that sickly, uneducated, unemployed criminals find time to successfully engage in capitalism so soon after arrival. Gene Fisseler, Houston
Auto-ped crash
Regarding “Advocates: Downtown crash raises questions on Houston’s seriousness of pedestrian safety,” (Feb. 2): While the recent downtown pedestrian accident occurred during the day, the vast majority of auto-pedestrian accidents are at night. Houston is filled with LED “glare on steroids” business lights pointed at drivers exactly where people are most likely to cross the street at bus stops, convenience stores and apartment complexes. Much of the worst lighting is redundant and completely unnecessary after hours when soft, under-eave lights — or even no light — paired with motion detection cameras is plenty for security.
No public infrastructure can correct that problem. We need visible education from the police to swivel hinged LED light downward. Often the solution is free: just the flick of a switch. Houston needs to move to soft, shielded, more golden LED light to create a beautiful and safe city at night. We have a new code for future lighting, but waiting ten years to correct thousands of existing high-glare lights means ten more years of high accident rates.
Until we fix the glare, the city needs to explain to drivers they will have to slow down below the speed limit when glare hits them, and pedestrians need to know that the same light that is illuminating for them is likely blinding the driver coming at them. Deborah Moran, Houston
A pedestrian is killed in a crosswalk, and the new mayor is silent on the issue. It seems like a no-brainer to me that you would want to immediately condemn drivers killing pedestrians. Enforcement is one approach, but that would probably not have prevented this death. Other measures, such as prohibiting turns on red (like New
York has done), would be more effective downtown. As a pedestrian, my greatest fear is people turning on red while not paying attention.
Alan Jackson, Houston
The No. 1 given solution to traffic enforcement is that we need more police on the streets. Exactly, but we need more police in all aspects of law enforcement, and we can’t seem to be able to hire and train them.
Does a traffic cop need the same level of training as one who is confronting and arresting more dangerous criminals? In most instances, no.
Put them in uniform and arm them with ticketing books. When and if the need arises, have them call for backup.
These individuals can likely be trained in a quarter of the time. If they are doing their jobs, they are probably bringing in more revenue in fines than they cost.
What we are doing now isn’t working. Maybe it’s time to think outside the box.
Robert Mueller, Houston