Politicians get protection. Metal detectors, armed guards will stop school shootings | Opinion

Further harden our schools

How many more dead children and teachers will it take for this country to wake up and realize we have some serious mental health issues? (March 30, 2A, “Teacher killed in Nashville school shooting was TCU alumna”)

Politicians have armed protection. The president has the Secret Service. Celebrities have private security. How much more blood on our hands will we tolerate before our precious children receive protection as well?

We need metal detectors and armed guards at school entrances.

Guns are only part of the problem. When evil lurks in the heart of man, it will find a person with a weapon to express that evil.

We need to pressure our legislators to act immediately to make our schools safe.

- Angela Benvenuto, Arlington

Time to make a difference, NRA

Gun proponents say that the only way to stop a bad guy or gal with a gun is a good guy or gal with a gun. So, why don’t National Rifle Association members volunteer to provide security at every school in America? It would be a lot more meaningful than their typical “thoughts and prayers.”

- Bob Craig, Fort Worth

What’s there to lose now?

Despite increased physical security measures, school shootings occur almost monthly and happen outside secure areas of schools. Kids continue taking drugs and overdosing, including on fentanyl.

Has the time arrived to direct our attention and funding to the true sources of these issues? Is it time to place monitors and security cameras in homes instead of schools? Rather than providing naloxone kits to first responders, should they be distributed to the public like COVID-19 tests were? (March 30, 10A, “Drug overdose antidote Narcan goes over-the-counter”)

Is it time to stop trying to legislate moral conduct while tying up money and court dockets? Should free, unrestricted access to prophylactics and medical abortion pills become the law?

Could a new approach produce results that are more dismal than what we see daily?

- Bob Schultz, Haslet

We saw Jan. 6 ourselves

I watched the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection attempt as it happened. The Capitol had been closed to the public before the mob attack. The brief portions of video Fox News’ Tucker Carlson cherry-picked to falsely portray the riot as peaceful don’t represent reality. (March 19, 4C, Letters)

Fox reporters and personalities have been shown to support Donald Trump and his cronies with constant lies. Dominion Voting Systems caught them at it.

- David Pebernat, The Woodlands

Help the above-average

People are concerned that vouchers will empty public schools? (March 20, 1A, “School vouchers on table, despite unfavorable data”)

How many children coming out of public schools could pass the test to enter most private schools?

Do you think private schools tolerate badly behaving children?

Shouldn’t poor children with above-average intelligence who are hardworking and respectful have opportunities for a better education? I think they should.

- Walter Welborn, Fort Worth

Don’t divert school money

Diverting thousands of dollars to school vouchers will not strengthen Texas public schools.

Our schools are already struggling with underfunding. Who believes Texas will adequately fund two separate school systems?

Fewer public dollars means less money for innovative public programs. Success with school vouchers has not been demonstrated in states implementing them.

Who will benefit from this bill? The politicians banning discussions about gender and sexual orientation included in the bill? Families already paying for private schools? It won’t be taxpayers who want a quality education for every Texas child.

- Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth

What’s so radical about it?

Republicans are trying to pass bills that would give parents rights in their children’s education — imagine that! Republicans want to ban school library books that are pornographic. Is that what you want your child reading? Bills would also disallow gender treatments for youths, bar biological boys from girls’ restrooms and keep boys from competing in girls sports. (March 15, 1A, “Texas Senate panel mulls bill on transgender athletes”)

But don’t worry, the radical Democrats and the Biden administration will never let this pass. The indoctrination of children is all they care about.

- Sandra Lewis, Joshua