Re: January 29th story, former chief’s letter cites GOP’s repulsion
Recent actions by religiously conservative Texas legislators to manage the medical community in this state should worry us all about the kind of healthcare we can hope for in the future.
As politicians reported, two Texas House members pressured Gov. Greg Abbott to ask Dr. Robert Bled, director of the Texas State Medical Board since 2012 and supervisor of the Medical Institute for Planned Custody in San Antonio since 2011. If Dr. Bled did not resign, they threatened to push for the law to refund the Texas Medical Board. Dr. Bled then resigned from his position on the Texas Medical Board under this political pressure.
These legislators appear to think they have more ethical standards than doctors in this state. It is catastrophic for healthcare when politicians consider themselves better equipped than authorized physicians to adjudicate difficult medical decisions between doctors and patients.
Rev. Lou Snead of Georgetown
The governor of Oklahoma stood up for immigrant children. Who is Governor Abbott?
Maybe, maybe Gov. Greg Abbott can learn what moral courage is from Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. Stitt recently accused school board superintendent Ryan Walters of using children as “political pawns.” What happened, President Trump went on his knees and asked him to enter public schools, and he shared the information with federal authorities, kept the children out of school and vowed to suggestions if they reached his desk.
Given the choices, do you think of Governor Abbott, will you acquiesce the president’s cruel instructions and try to eliminate immigrants by using children as bait, or would you argue that it’s better to spend time and money? The fellow Republican governors of the North demonstrate immeasurable moral courage and human dignity. Would you like to do it?
Neil Sneson, Austin
The way Texas treats pregnant women is “embarrassing”
On Tuesday, I attended the show for the documentary “Zurawski vs Texas.” The cruelty displayed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Medical Board of Medical Examinations against pregnant Texas women is shameful. The Reproductive Rights Center sued the state on behalf of a Texas woman who was denied medical care when abortion was the only way to save a woman’s life and end the suffering of her unborn child. Sadly, the woman lost. It’s hard to watch this documentary and wonder how Texas can put women’s lives at risk. Since the passage of this strict abortion law, the number of Texan women seeking abortion has increased, with maternal and infant mortality rates increasing. Is this what is called prolife? If you have the chance to see this heartbreaking documentary, please refer to it. The law needs to be changed.
Michelle Misner, Austin
What does our Secretary of Health and Human Services think about the outbreak of measles in West Texas?
While Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leads the Department of Health and Human Services, West Texas deals with preventable measles outbreaks, will he defend the safe and proven childhood vaccination schedule that pediatricians have recommended for years? Or does Kennedy recommend that unmedically trained parents remain the best decision makers on vaccination in their childhood? It is a choice that can have a devastating impact on children.
Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Penn.
Federal employees are the backbone of the country and deserve respect.
People who read politicians and follow other responsible news sources that are not social media know that the Musk/Trump administration is far beyond trying to find waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.
Federal employees, who we might call “bureaucrats,” are people who work to protect our country, serve our veterans, keep the water clean, provide services that support services such as SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), protect us from both domestic offenders, project foreign democracy, and enjoy our citizens. Pulling them out may make you feel good, but it serves only that narrow purpose.
You, your family, friends and the charities you support are impressed with the outcome of the Musk/Trump Slash and Burn Campaign, so use your initial amendment rights to “pell the government for remedies for your complaints.” Please call, email or write to your lawmakers and both senators. Write a letter to the White House. After that, I’ll write it again. They may not be the same party as you, and you may not respect them. They still need to hear from their constituents.
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, if we can maintain it, there is a republic.
Warren Hackler, Austin
Senator Cornyn, where are you? Who are you by?
Is Senator John Cornyn by the side of working Americans who hope that the government will gather together and keep the personal information maintained confidential? Are the government run by experienced, capable and trustworthy people? And do their senators ensure that no harm will occur with unelected Elon Musk? no. He isn’t. While promoting Musk’s deficit reduction actions, Senator Cornyn doesn’t answer how or why masks are soaking his nose in the personal data of the Treasury and Social Security Agency, whether masks are engaging in chaotic shootings and rehiring employees are legal, and why the government continues to work in line with a safe and stable position. Apparently, Senator Cornyn doesn’t care about the deficits and musks he does his job as a Senator. He voted for a budget resolution to help the rich in tax cuts, paid to the debt cap, and increased by $342 billion. Senator Cornyn is irresponsible and hypocritical. Senator Cornyn.
Lanetta Cooper, Austin
School vouchers are new separation
In 1957, conservative Texas lawmakers created school vouchers to protect the privilege of segregating parents from racially integrated public schools. It failed, but now lawmakers want school vouchers to allow parents to separate themselves from the culturally integrated public schools that teach tolerance and DEI. Conservatives want meritocracy rather than fairness and equality. No exclusions are included. It’s not separation and diversification. We must say that we are sufficient enough to know about the political history of conservatism. Stop “New Separation”. Say no to your school voucher.
James Bourk, Cedar Park
