Cotton Bowl memories
Re: “Still waiting for real Cotton Bowl football — What will it take to bring a college bowl game back to Fair Park?” by Robert Wilonsky, Wednesday Opinion.
Like Wilonsky, I truly lament the demise of the Cotton Bowl game at Fair Park. I was in the Cotton Bowl in January ’64 when Texas beat Navy for its first national championship, and also in January ’84 when the Longhorns lost to Georgia.
I watched the Longhorns beat the Sooners in the Texas-OU game at the Cotton Bowl in October ’65. Over the years, I have watched the Cotton Bowl on TV regardless of who was playing.
My high school buddy Joe Wilson and I also went to the Cotton Bowl to watch the old Dallas Texans play, until they moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs.
Opinion
Therefore, I have lots of fond memories of attending games at the Cotton Bowl. It is too bad the city of Dallas allowed the stadium to degrade as they did. And like Wilonsky, I’d really like to see it resurrected. However, given my advancing years, I doubt I’d live that long.
Mike Kelley, Parrish, Fla.
Support Pray Safe Act
My father’s family fled Nazi Germany and arrived here shortly before World War II. He fervently believed that America was the greatest country on earth. Dad would be appalled to know of the thousands of recent antisemitic incidents.
It is vital for America that we keep our congregants protected. I’m urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Pray Safe Act to protect the Jewish community and other faith-based communities.
I grew up believing that violence against Jews was a fear that belonged to my Dad’s generation. Recently, I’ve felt the fear that comes when you are targeted for being Jewish. I have been cursed at, my Mom had a sacred object ripped from her Plano doorpost and my synagogue now must spend resources on hardening our building.
The Pray Safe Act would create a one-stop federal clearinghouse so synagogues, churches, mosques and other faith-based organizations can easily access security best practices and learn how to apply for federal safety grants.
I urge Sens. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon to join Sen. Ted Cruz in co-sponsoring the Pray Safe Act. I hope that 2026 will begin a new era where antisemitism becomes a relic of history and all can safely pray without fear.
Jessica Schwarz-Zik, Dallas
Marijuana science misstated
Re: “Policy Change Isn’t Marijuana Green Light — There is more evidence on dangers than medical benefits,” Wednesday editorial.
This editorial misstates the scientific record. The gold-standard review is the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report, “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)”, which evaluated more than 10,000 studies.
That report found substantial evidence of medical benefit for chronic pain, chemotherapy-related nausea and multiple-sclerosis spasticity. The claim that evidence of danger outweighs medical benefit is not supported by the National Academies’ findings.
The editorial also implies marijuana is broadly addictive. The National Academies found that cannabis use disorder exists, but only in a minority of users and primarily among heavy or early-onset users. The report does not equate marijuana use with addiction and does not place it in the same category as nicotine or opioids.
Finally, while urging “caution,” the editorial ignores the report’s conclusion that Schedule I classification itself is a major barrier to rigorous research. If better evidence is the goal, policy should enable research, not obstruct it.
The science supports nuance, not alarmism.
Matthew Seymour, Dallas/Old Lake Highlands
Now write about alcohol
Good job with the selective research and the negative/critical vibe on marijuana consumption in this editorial.
Now do the same for alcohol!
Robert Fancher, Dallas/Lake Highlands
Goodbye to 99 cents
Re: “A penny for our thoughts,” by Steve Ballard, Wednesday Letters.
I loved Ballard’s letter. It paid nostalgic tribute to the bygone and ageless penny.
The penny served its duty well. In fact, it was used to sell cars, and about everything else by its omnipresent 99 enchantment on products. $29.99 sounds like a better deal than $30.
RIP, copper penny. Good job, Steve.
Don Skaggs, Garland
Radio host mourned
Re: “Ed Wallace: 33-year KLIF 570 radio host,” Wednesday Metro & Business obituary.
I was saddened to hear of Ed Wallace’s passing at a young age. I have been an avid listener over the years to his radio show, Wheels, every Saturday morning. I listen to the follow-up show, Cruise Control, on KLIF 570.
I’ve learned a lot over the years about great car dealers (now a Sewell customer for life), the “Backside of American History” (sometimes painful but meticulously researched) and why you remember every word and tone of that teenage song. (You hear it once, you learn it, you dance to it and associate it with a boyfriend/girlfriend and bam — it’s in your teenage brain and you can sing it in your 80s!)
I always responded to the charitable outreach, met him several times and sought his advice on vehicles. He graciously responded to my emails. I remember his radio broadcasts following 9/11.
Judy Ruby-Brown, Coppell
‘Wheels’ advice was solid
I am one of thousands who listened to and followed Ed Wallace’s recommendation to purchase a car from Goodson Acura of Irving (at that time, 2002). I’m still driving that used 1998 Acura RL. Thanks, Ed.
Norman G. Chab, Greenville