I am a third-generation Texan. I have three degrees from the University of Texas. I have traveled all over the country and the world, and I am proud to have my roots in Texas. I have never been ashamed of my Texas heritage until Monday, when I first learned about Attorney General Ken Paxton’s illegal raids on Latino activists, 87-year-old retired teachers, and Latino candidates running for office.
Paxton claims to be the product of an unsubstantiated investigation into voter fraud, and his feeble justification for these pre-dawn raids is straight out of the petty dictator’s playbook and has no place in the United States. Paxton should be impeached (again) and his actions condemned in the strongest terms.
Darrick W. Eugene, Austin
Texas Republicans Target Criminals While
campaigning for a criminal for president
Does anyone else see the irony of our Governor and Attorney General removing felons from voter registration rolls while actively campaigning for a felon to run for President? A felon who is effectively banned from voting in his own home state.
Do I even need to ask what’s wrong with this photo?
Paula Hyatt, Austin
Cornyn criticizes Harris, but the
border is the responsibility of Congress
Re: August 29 article: ‘Cornyn accuses Democrat Kamala Harris of fickleness in presidential race’
I find it laughable that Senator Cornyn, who is running for the position of Minority/Majority Leader of the United States Senate, does not understand that border security is the responsibility of Congress.
Cornyn, along with his colleagues, had the opportunity to address the border security issue under both the Trump and Biden administrations, and they did nothing. A bipartisan border security bill was introduced in the current session of Congress, and Republicans refused to pass it in order to ensure that the GOP candidates for president, Senate and House of Representatives could run on the border security issue in the November elections.
Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, wants Texas residents to vote for a convicted felon for the highest office in the land. Hypocrisy? Or Texas Republicans burying their heads in the sand when it comes to elected members of their party.
Norma Hackler, Austin
Trump may be trying to make amends
for not visiting a cemetery in France
It seems like every time former President Trump has a connection to military cemeteries, he sticks his fake bone-protrusion foot in his mouth. All reports say his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery was a violation of federal law that states no political/campaign photos are allowed on that hallowed ground. I suspect he is trying to counter the previous negative publicity over his refusal to visit the cemetery in France where some of our military heroes are buried – heroes he has referred to as “losers.”
Uncles on both sides of my family served in WWII and thankfully all came back alive. But if Trump were to visit a cemetery where they are now buried, I would consider his visit an insulting, grotesque affront.
Ben Liles, Salado
Despite our differences, we can all
agree that blood is life – donate
The American Red Cross has declared a blood shortage emergency, caused by the extreme heat this summer, coupled with a busy travel season and a drop in donors. A lack of blood donations could result in the loss of many lives.
Despite our differences on the intricacies of politics, religion and social issues, we all agree that life is a beautiful miracle. We understand that to save one life is to save all of humanity.
I urge every healthy Texan to join me in donating blood in the coming days. It all starts with finding a blood drive—look for drives hosted by churches, mosques, or your employer—and making an appointment. The rest of the steps are simple: eat healthy, drink well, and donate. May God bless each donor with good health.
Hidayatullah Ahsan, Round Rock
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This article originally appeared on the Austin American-Statesman: Paxton’s raids on Latinos seem like something out of a dictator’s playbook
