Readers wish political violence could be toned down; say Texas politicians are divisive; remember the good qualities of Charlie Kirk; and believe HB 2 isn't a panacea.

Last week at the ICE center in Dallas, three people were shot, leaving one immigrant dead and two other detainees wounded. Upon the first report of this incident, many speculated that the gunman, who authorities say died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was aiming at ICE agents. However, it ought to be known that the violence was against people who were not armed, and the fact of the matter is, a person is dead as a result of political violence.

I ask that Dallas remain consistent when mourning the murders stemming from political differences. People ought not to be killed for beliefs, political ideology, ethnicity, race, color and certainly not based on citizenship status.

Both sides of the political party lines can agree that political violence is barbaric and inhumane behavior. With that neutral ground, it is up to Dallas to respect all deaths related to political violence and report equally on all victims of political violence.

Citlali Arredondo, The Colony

Fueling violence with blame

Re: "Politicians comment on deadly shooting -- Abbott, Cornyn, Cruz among Texas leaders to offer condolences," Thursday news story.

Opinion

Get smart opinions on the topics North Texans care about.

Or with:

Google

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

I must disagree with your subtitle on this story about the shooting in Dallas. With many of our leaders' damning rhetoric and blaming Democrats, they're fueling violence to half the country. What exactly did our leaders say?

Ken Paxton said: "The epidemic of Leftist political violence must end. Democrats have fostered an environment of evil, emboldening radicals to kill, steal and destroy. But we will never surrender."

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, said, "Dangerous rhetoric against those who protect our communities fuels violence like this."

U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, posted, "It's PAST time for the Left to own up to their dangerous rhetoric and start treating our ICE officers as the HEROES they are!"

Sen. John Cornyn posted, "There should be no doubt that recent anti-law enforcement rhetoric from the radical left has contributed to this uptick in violence."

Vice President JD Vance said, "You don't have to agree with Donald Trump's immigration policies but if your political rhetoric encourages violence against our law enforcement, you can go straight to hell and you have no place in the political conversation of the United States of America."

Seems our leaders are fueling violence with their blaming. I'll just say this -- Jan. 6, 2021.

Sandy Elkins, Plano

Turn down the volume

As it becomes critical for politicians to tone down their divisive rhetoric to preserve our democracy, Attorney General Ken Paxton continues to turn up his volume. With the investigation into Wednesday's horrific shooting at an ICE center barely underway, Paxton accuses Democrats of "fostering an environment of evil, emboldening radicals to kill, steal and destroy."

The shooter in this case committed suicide, indicating he suffered from significant mental illness. That's likely what caused this tragedy.

Paul Sokal, Dallas/Forest Hills

An attack on all Americans

It's deeply concerning that any American is indifferent, or even joyous, over Charlie Kirk's death. Some believe that since Kirk's worldview does not align with their political party, it's meaningless to them. That is pure ignorance.

The assassination of Kirk is an attack on all Americans, regardless of political party. If you believe in the great experiment of our democratic republic and the fundamental right of free speech, Americans should be appalled by what this means for our country.

Kirk peacefully promoted ideals he believed would make a better society -- faith, family and country. He loved America and its founding principles. His political stances were purely interwoven and derived from his faith.

Kirk approached disagreement with open and honest dialogue -- believing it would help us better understand one another and prevent the very violence that ended his young life, so full of promise.

Melissa Reed, Keller

Texas won't be No. 1

House Bill 2, passed in June, provided teachers raises -- $8,000 for teachers in small districts and $5,000 for teachers in large districts. Usually, districts use a step process to increase pay year-to-year.

This year, however, school districts saw HB 2 as an opportunity to avoid raising teacher pay at all. Who can really blame them, though?

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Texas ranks 38th in per-pupil funding despite Gov. Greg Abbott's statement, "Now is the time to make Texas No. 1 in educating our children."

The Legislature was very proud of its magnanimous funding increase of a whopping $55 per student. Accounting for inflation, schools now operate with significantly less money per student than they did five years ago.

The Texas Association of School Business Officials notes that 63% of districts expect to end the year with budget deficits.

Struggling to find funds for basic supplies, where would districts find money for pay raises? Now funneling money into the largely unpopular voucher system, the Legislature is not likely to increase funding again any time soon. Getting to No. 1 is not going to happen.

Keri Bennett, Garland

Strengthen higher education

Texas has an opportunity to take action as our state and economy continue to evolve. To remain competitive and build stronger communities, we need to invest in strengthening higher education.

Four-year degrees remain one of the surest paths to economic mobility and wealth-building, but the benefits extend far beyond individuals. Higher education helps drive opportunity, innovation and well-being for our entire state.

An analysis by Gallup finds that college graduates are more likely to be civically engaged, volunteer and enjoy better physical health. Collectively, this means more prosperous, thriving communities.

Yet gaps in college attainment are leaving shortages in fields like health care, engineering and information technology, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Every bright student we don't support is a nurse we'll need, an engineer we'll miss, or a tech innovator we'll lose to another state. For Texas to thrive, every student from every background must see themselves in our future.

The Hector and Gloria López Foundation is proud to invest in first-generation students, not just because they deserve a shot at success, but because they are the leaders Texas needs.

Sergio Rodriguez, Austin

President and CEO, the Hector and Gloria López Foundation

Submit a letter to the editor

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here.

If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com.

Letters to the Editor -- Political violence, Texas politicians, Charlie Kirk, HB 2