Letters to the Editor — Online, Pickens, Argentines, Dallas government

Re: “Congress can learn from Texas’ app law,” by David Dunmoyer, June 18 Opinion. 

Dunmoyer argues that Senate Bill 2420 empowers parents; instead, it expands government by creating a state-mandated age-verification system that requires collecting personal information and linking minors to parental accounts. 

Parents should decide what their children access online. That responsibility belongs to families, not government bureaucracies. 

Supporters of SB 2420 assume social media and apps are harming children. Much of the evidence shows correlation, not causation. Policymakers should be cautious about restricting liberty based on conjecture rather than clear proof. Parents already have tools to monitor devices, restrict downloads, use parental controls and decide whether their children have smartphones at all. 

The difference between markets and government matters. Families can delete apps, switch platforms and stop using services they dislike. Businesses that fail consumers can lose customers and disappear. Government mandates are far harder to escape. 

If we want stronger families, we should encourage parental responsibility, protect privacy and resist another attempt to let government run more of our lives. 

Vance Ginn, Round Rock 

There has been lots of local and national press over George Pickens showing up for work to play a game for only $27 million. Pickens was traded to the Dallas Cowboys due to alleged off-the-field issues.  

It turned out to be one of the best trades in franchise history. His play and attitude have been top-notch. He gets applause from me. He will get a contract as well in the end. 

Scott Gammill, Keller 

As an Argentine, I just want to thank your writers and editorial staff for using the correct demonym for Argentina. Far too often, I see the word Argentinian used in publications that ought to know better. That is not the demonym. 

Oh, I can hear the descriptivists hooting and hollering now. “Language is flexible!” they bellow. Perhaps they are right. I’ve succumbed to the figurative use of literally as much as anyone else. But on this, I stand steadfast. 

We are Argentines. The name for the country itself is derived from the Latin word argentum, for silver. To describe something as being silver, you would use argentine. The suffix already does the work; Argentinian is redundant. We do not call people from Florence Florentinians. We do not call people from the Levant Levantinians. Argentinian is a British invention, and there’s some sordid history there. 

The defending champions are back on the pitch, and whatever happens, ¡vamos, Argentina! 

Martin Bate, Dallas 

Re: “Leave Dallas City Hall?,” June 14 editorial. 

Bravo for your editorial’s recommendation for a long-range repair plan for Dallas City Hall. Our City Hall represents Dallas and is an important asset for downtown, now and in the future. With proper care, it can stand the test of time. 

Likewise, we need to answer what we want downtown Dallas to be 50 to 100 years from now, then work backward on the steps to make this vision a reality. We need to confront the future role of existing uses for our city’s core while maintaining a sustainable tax base. Perhaps office towers are becoming relics of a bygone era of civic prestige, much like late 19th century industrial smokestacks. 

Dallas City Hall should be restored and even expanded with a complimentary, welcoming annex fronting along Canton Street. Centralizing city departments would give greater value to this city asset. 

Future city bond programs should focus on restoring our key civic jewels — Dallas City Hall, Kalita Humphreys Theater and Fair Park. Otherwise, why should Dallas residents ever support any future bond programs knowing, with a sense of betrayal, how city investments are maintained and valued by elected officials, city management and civic leaders. 

Robert Prejean, Dallas/Oak Lawn 

Perhaps Dallas would not have a budget deficit if it did more business with developers like Monte Anderson, who will develop a former hospital site at 2929 Hampton Road in southwest Oak Cliff.  

I attended the community meetings where Anderson stated that he did not ask for any tax incentives from the city. He made it clear that he is not a “do-gooder,” and he intends to make money on the project, but not at the expense of the area residents.  

What a contrast to other developers who seek tax abatements from the city lasting up to 75 years. No wonder Dallas has a budget crisis. No wonder our property taxes are so high. 

Joella Prause, Dallas 

I am a long-term Dallas resident and taxpayer, and never do I recall the high level of concurrent contentious issues among Dallas city management, the Dallas City Council and the citizens. It appears that the city management and council are working steadily against the interest of citizens.

• Alley vs. curb trash collection 
• Water utilities payment fees 
• Pepper Square redevelopment 
• Preston Royal redevelopment 
• The future of Dallas City Hall 
• Short-term rentals 
• Closing libraries 
• Jefferson Street Viaduct

Now the costs for rebuilding the convention center are escalating rapidly. Perhaps that project should be scaled back and those dollars applied to the deferred maintenance of City Hall. 

It appears that employed city management and the elected City Council should work for taxpayers, not developers. Protect the integrity, reputation and history of this city. 

Edward Stone, Far North Dallas