‘Reject the evidence’

When I attended Fort Worth’s Castleberry High School in the late 1960s, I read George Orwell’s “1984,” a novel about an oppressive authoritarian government. After I heard President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attempt to justify the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, I’m reminded of a passage from the novel: “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

Is Orwell’s great work of fiction now a true story? It appears to be our new reality.

– Doyle C. Fine, Fort Worth

Bill due

A recent commentary from the Heritage Foundation on defaulted student loans coming due was spot-on. The Biden administration spent years trying to buy votes with unconstitutional loan bailouts, but now the Trump Department of Education is on a mission to get that taxpayer money repaid. That includes garnishing the wages of millions of borrowers who haven’t made payments in six years.

The Supreme Court shut down the bailouts, but Biden kept trying to find ways to cancel loans. The new steps are not only fiscally responsible but also morally correct.

– Lucille Bida, Arlington

Creating fear

Bud Kennedy’s Jan. 11 column correctly calls for support for law enforcement officers. (1C, ”For Texas Democrats, Minnesota ICE shooting can’t become a flashpoint”) But Americans have the right to competent law enforcement. Based on the videos from Minneapolis, either Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to effectively train agents or they were undisciplined. They didn’t follow basic vehicle stop procedures. The agent walked behind and in front of the vehicle, creating the possibility of his own intentional or unintentional harm instead of approaching the driver’s door from behind.

Several agents screamed and cursed as if it were a Hollywood movie. And while they may be necessary, masks and combat gear dehumanize ICE agents, creating fear in their victims when a calm, appropriate response to legal authority is the desired goal.

– Daniel McElroy, Arlington

Rules of the road

We are extremely fortunate to live and work in Fort Worth. But the city is booming, with a population now of more than 1 million, and we are seeing changes in our communities. People want to feel safe about traveling on roads, with minimal risk of injury or death.

Safe driving means obeying the laws, just like signing a contract. That includes no speeding, which includes racing. You are not a stunt driver or actor in “The Fast and the Furious.”

– Stuart L. Rosenberg, Fort Worth

Ukraine’s risk

President Donald Trump is failing to bring peace to Ukraine. His recent escapades have probably encouraged Russia’s Vladimir Putin to continue the war by asserting that Ukraine is in its sphere of influence.

The only thing Putin understands is force, and Trump refuses to use our strength. Perhaps he fears an escalation into World War III, but capitulation led to the last world war.

– Robert Bunata, Fort Worth