Celebrate civil rights leaders

Re: “Dallas civil rights, business advocate — Student sit-in leader in South became local champion for equity,” Friday news obituary.

I would like to thank you for giving the late Marvin E. Robinson the honor, praise and admiration he deserves for his life dedicated to fighting for racial justice and the rights of others. His advocacy, starting in the 1960s and continuing until his passing, helped inspire the current group of civil rights leaders to fight for everything they believe in, not just in the city of Dallas but around the entire country.

To quote the Rev. Peter Johnson from your article, “That generation of African American leaders in the civil rights movement is rapidly leaving this earth.” With that in mind, Robinson and leaders from that generation should be celebrated at every opportunity for their contributions in making a better society.

Kirk Thomas, Dallas

Was GOP true to Dole?

The “Kansan remained true to GOP” headline on Monday’s front page raises the question of how true the GOP has been to Bob Dole.

Stephen Love, Dallas

Recalling Grand Old Party

Bob Dole, back when the GOP was actually a Grand Old Party.

Kurt Wolfenbarger, East Dallas

Still in dark from storm

Re: “‘Super shorts’ can say a lot,” by Dave Lieber, Sunday Metro column.

I really enjoyed Lieber’s column of “super shorts.” After the Texas Blizzard of 2021, it was painful to experience our leaders in Austin keep changing the subject to anti-masks, open carry and regulating women’s bodies, rather than own up to the fact that they were responsible for the disaster. We are still getting the runaround from Austin.

Donald N. Wright, Garland

Senators must work for all

Re: “Calm Cornyn vs. Uncouth Cruz — One exhibits leadership while the other shows who he is,” Saturday Editorials.

I like to congratulate your editorial board for this editorial. It doesn’t matter that our two Texas senators happen to be Republicans. What’s important is that Sen. John Cornyn supports all Texans with his vote and Sen. Ted Cruz shows that he is following instructions from his party to vote against the president.

Who is the real representative of the people? We need representatives, from any party, to work for everybody, not only for themselves.

Rodolfo Cantu Trevino, Dallas

Not a strategic oil move

The Biden administration’s release of Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil, thinking it will reduce the price of gasoline, makes little or no sense to me. First, we need to remember the reason the SPR was established — certainly not to manipulate the price of refined products. Second, considering the current rate of world consumption, the total number of barrels in the SPR is not sufficient to materially affect supply and prices. Even if it were, it would be short-lived because production and exploration would be scaled back to balance supply and demand.

The market will take care of these kinds of issues, as Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford discovered with price controls and slogans. Does anyone remember “Whip Inflation Now” buttons?

A socialistic approach to managing the economy is not the answer. All one does is poke the bear, and releasing oil from the SPR will most likely “Release the Kraken.”

Bob Smith, North Dallas

Johnson works for world

In recent articles about Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, you report what an extraordinarily effective member of Congress she has been for North Texas. I wholeheartedly agree.

However, you fail to mention that she is also someone who cares deeply about ending global poverty and achieving world peace. For over a decade she held an annual World of Women for World Peace event in Dallas.

I am especially appreciative of her unwavering support of U.S. leadership around the world through the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Global Partnership for Education and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and GAVI, the vaccine alliance.

Why not call her D.C. office at 202-225-8885 and let her know how much you appreciate her service? Also please take the opportunity to ask her to co-sponsor The Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act, HR 4693.

Margaret Smith, Dallas/Turtle Creek

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry

Re: “Dear Santa, we’ve been naughty — It’s a Christmas miracle that any of us made it this far,” by Josh Selig, Sunday Opinion.

If you missed Selig’s letter to Santa on Sunday, please go dig it out of the recycled paper pile and read this gem. He tells us what we’ve become in no uncertain terms: selfish, uncaring, undeserving of Christmas gifts — all dished out in a wonderful self-deprecating fashion.

You will laugh and cry all at the same time. We all need to hear this about ourselves, and he says it best. Thanks, Josh!

Mary Mallardi, Far North Dallas