Letters to the Editor: Wiser to keep carbon out of the atmosphere

Wiser to spend our tax money on

keeping carbon out of the atmosphere

Re: Jan. 23 commentary, "Texas can continue to lead in a new economy that’s carbon neutral."

It seems so strange that the state of Texas seems to put such emphasis on removing carbon from the atmosphere but almost nothing to prevent it from getting into the air. 

It will continue to cost billions for extreme weather events here in Texas, billions to build a Gulf of Mexico seawall, billions to plug abandoned oil wells, and still more to clean the pollution of lakes, streams and rivers in hopes that the evil federal government will provide all the money for those problems.

It seems to me that taxpayer money could be better spent on keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. But what do I know? I am not a politician. I am just an average Texan.

Dale Bulla, Austin

It's Republican-led states 

committing the 'power grab'

Re: Jan. 21 article, "Voting bill blocked by GOP filibuster."

The uncertain future for the advancement of voting rights in America is due largely because Republicans fictitiously refer to such reforms as a Democratic "power grab."

But in reality, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's gutting of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013 and unsubstantiated GOP assertions of widespread voter fraud, Republican-dominated states have already "power grabbed" by rushing through laws designed to diminish the voting rights of people of color and the disabled through voter suppression and gerrymandering.

And now there's the "supply chain" shortage of Texas voter registration forms. How convenient.

Stephen Shackelford, Austin

Alleged election threats are an

attack on democracy's foundations

Re: Jan. 22 article, "In task force's first case, Leander man Chad Stark charged with making Georgia election threats."

I have urged Sen. Cornyn to publicly and decisively condemn the alleged actions of a fellow Texan, Chad Christopher Stark.

This "patriot" tried is charged with trying to solicit criminals to assassinate election officials in Georgia. This is an attack on the foundations of democracy and targets people who make elections possible, and needs to be condemned by elected officials like Mr. Cornyn.

Valerie Bauhofer, Austin

Correction

A column published Tuesday, "How to retreat from Ukraine," misidentified the author, Ross Douthat.