Calling out secret police
Anonymous feds
Regarding “Facing anonymous federal agents, Portland’s racial injustice protests find new momentum,” (A4, July 22): Homeland Security’s idea to use unidentified agents to “protect” statues and buildings in Portland is backfiring.
Sending in strike forces of unnamed troops into an American city isn’t conducive to democracy. It seems less law and order and more just order, without law. Chad Wolf stated that they are identified, saying the word “police” was on their uniforms. Thank goodness, now we know who they are. His other quote, that the description of them as “storm troopers” is offensive, misses the point. What’s offensive is that secret police are on the streets, taking people, in unmarked vans to undisclosed locations, and we have no idea who they are.
No, it’s not offensive, it’s downright scary. Bob Gayle, Houston
The use of the uniforms that resemble those of the United States Army by anonymous federal law enforcement agencies is a huge dishonor to the men and women who have worn and now wear that uniform with pride in defense of the nation in support of the Constitution. As police, these federal officers should wear their true uniforms, with whatever protective equipment is needed, and not act like they are ashamed of what they are doing, leaping out of unmarked mini-vans. How disgraceful. What are they and their superiors afraid or ashamed of that they should hide behind a generic “police” patch? In America, we don’t do secret police. Stephen Powe, U.S. Army veteran, Houston
Standardized testing
Regarding “Cancel STAAR,” (A18, July 22): The case made by the editorial board for STAAR testing to be canceled could not have been more timely. It also provides us with an opportunity to think differently about K-12 education in Texas moving forward.
As the product of public schools, the son of educators and husband to another, I know firsthand what a failure standardized testing is and the disservice that has been done to generations of Texas students. The entire year of a public school teacher is geared to standardized testing. This prevents our talented and selfless educators from bringing out the best in our students. Instead their focus is making sure everyone has enough No. 2 pencils to be prepared for a test that bears zero resemblance to any educational setting after the 12th grade, much less the workplace.
Any state that expects to be the leader of other states, as we so often claim we are, must do better and it’s time to start. Tom Kelley, Beaumont