Letters To The Editor

Dallas Morning News:

Published - September 21, 2024 - All you need is love

Today, Sept. 21, marks the 43rd observance of International Day of Peace. Part of the declaration of IDP states: “International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire — personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time.”

There are those who will say that there are mean, hurtful, crazy people out there and there is nothing we can do to change them, yet I submit that at the root of whatever we perceive is their behavior or attitude, is a human being, and human beings need love.

The 19th century poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke observed, “Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.”

And the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Each of us can play an important part in preventing violence, and in creating a peaceful world. To do this, we must do everything we can to remove every trace of hostility in ourselves, and replace it with love and compassion. When we do, we are contributing to creating a peaceful world.

Len Ellis/Arlington

Dallas Morning News:

Published - January 24, 2024 - Israel lost my support

Re: "Stop blind support of Israel," by Philip Mein, Jan. 17 Letters.

Thanks to Mein for his excellent letters. He writes, "For more than 60 years, Israel has subjugated the Palestinian people of the West Bank and Gaza, and year by year taken over their land for Jewish settlements." And, "During this time, the U.S. has provided uncritical support and armament to the Israeli government and vetoed dozens of United Nations resolutions critical of Israel's actions." Spot on!

Like most people my age (80s), I strongly supported the Israeli people and their government for decades. My opinion began to change in the '90s as I learned how harshly the Palestinians were being treated during various intifadas. With the takeovers of Palestinian lands for settlements, Israel's behavior began to look suspiciously like a land grab.

Finally came the dominance of an ultra-conservative government in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu. With the settlements and Netanyahu firmly in place, any chance of a reasonable partition has become impossible. Today, I totally oppose the Israeli government for its abuse of Palestinians. Apartheid is not too strong a word!

Bill Maxwell, Dallas/Casa Linda

Dallas Morning News:

Published - November 16, 2023 - Return to Armistice Day Spirit

Although Veterans Day has passed for this year, it’s useful to recall that Veterans Day was first called Armistice Day to commemorate the moment combatants agreed to lay down their arms and negotiate the end of the Great War, at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

So many of us have battles we have been fighting for years with those around us and within ourselves, at great cost. Are we ready to lay aside our pride, anger and resentment, and change our behavior for the sake of peace?

Think of someone with whom your battles would best be over. Invite that person away from the environment where the conflict takes place, to someplace you can relax and talk. Be ready to express what you admire about that person, ways you have gotten along and areas of compatibility, as you share a biscotti or take a walk.

Then talk about the future, how things could change for the benefit of the family or the workplace, or in other areas. Don’t pressure yourself that everything must be resolved right then, but agree to meet again to follow up.

Just think of how much more peaceful the world could be if we taught this type of resolution, rather than battles.

Len Ellis, Arlington

Dallas Morning News:

Published - July 22, 2020 - Resist Oppression With Vote

When I watch videos of armed federal agents in unmarked uniforms grabbing citizens from the streets of Portland, Ore., and throwing them into unmarked vehicles, I am reminded of the times that I worked as a peacemaker during the civil war in El Salvador. Our group often encountered what we called “Death Squad” cars, which served as a constant warning to the civilian population about the power of the government to maintain its grip.

With the passing of John Lewis, I am again reminded of my sacred obligation to resist oppression. Lewis believed in hope and love, and he did not let fear deter him from his vision of a better world. Will we resist the slide into becoming a third-world dictatorship?

Perhaps the Portland incidents with federal “storm troopers” are probing our tolerance for suppression of dissent, in anticipation of the November elections. This administration is asking a question and it deserves an answer while we still have time.

The Rev. Diane Baker, McKinney

Dallas Morning News:

Published - June 6, 2020 - Trump’s threat to use military

President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the U.S. military to intimidate peaceful protesters is a brazen attack on our founding principles. The president has strong dictatorial inclinations and it seems he will not hesitate to upend the most sacred agreements Americans have in place to preserve the nation.

For more than 200 years the civil-military relationship has prevented our republican democracy, however imperfect, from devolving into a military dictatorship, the unfortunate fate of many nations in history. Trump’s threat to use military force against U.S citizens, whom the military exists to defend, must not be taken lightly or dismissed as mere bluster.

Trump’s failure to handle the coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing massive unemployment and economic hardships and yet another gruesome killing by police of George Floyd, an African American man, has enraged Americans across the country. This president is not only unfit to govern, but his threat to use military force also foretells a failed presidency.

Hadi Jawad,
Executive Director, Dallas Peace and Justice Center.

Dallas Morning News:

Published - May 28, 2020 - Back universal background checks

As a college student, I appreciate your coverage of the gun violence crisis and hope you will continue to focus on this critical issue. Uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic have instilled fear and anxiety in some of my fellow Texans, causing them to stockpile guns and ammunition. The panic-buying has resulted in some stores running out of inventory. My concern is not exploding gun sales; I am worried there is no assurance that only responsible gun owners are behind the rush.

I am proud of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who days after the First Baptist Church shootings in Sutherland Springs told grieving church members he would act to ensure that “no other community had to experience something so evil and horrific.” He delivered on his promise by passing, with bipartisan support, the National Instant Criminal Background Check Improvement Act of 2019.

But now is not the time for complacency. I respectfully urge Cornyn to work with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, to take gun violence prevention to the next level and pass the Universal Background Check Bill so that Americans will have one less thing to worry about.

Giselle López Estrada, East Dallas
DPJC/FCNL Spring Youth Lobbyist

Dallas Morning News:

Published - March 23, 2020 - Inextricably bound together

A clear lesson of the coronavirus pandemic is how humanity’s fate is inextricably bound. What started in China is now affecting most countries of the world. All nations face the same existential threat and if all of us are not safe, none of us are safe.

Iran is currently the most heavily infected country in the Middle East and is fighting the outbreak with both hands tied behind its back. With its economy in a free fall due to U.S. sanctions and inept leaders, Iran is ill-equipped to handle the crisis. The Trump administration must lift crippling U.S. sanctions and give Iranians a fighting chance. If Iran is unable to stem the crisis, the virus will spread throughout the region and beyond.

But Iran is not the only country facing terrible odds. The U.S is also sanctioning Cuba and Venezuela. Both countries are reporting infections and will require massive medical assistance.

Perhaps the time for the Trump administration to abandon its “America First” slogan is now. Without the well-being and welfare of all nations, our own existence is in peril. The truth of John Donne’s poem “No Man is an Island” has reverberated through the ages and is poignantly obvious these days.

Hadi Jawad, East Dallas
Executive Director of the Dallas Peace and Justice Center

Dallas Morning News:

Published - February 11, 2020 - Don't expand travel ban

Re: “Dems protest travel change — Ban on pre-screening is called attempt to punish New Yorkers,” Sunday News Digest.

The Trump administration’s expansion of the travel ban to six new countries is unfortunate and ill-advised. The policy is more a reflection of the president’s Islamophobia and racism and less about security concerns. These countries have large Muslim populations and join seven others on the growing travel ban list.

Under the new plan, nationals from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania will no longer qualify for immigrant visas. National security is the reason cited for the expansion but there is no evidence that immigrants from any of these countries pose a national security threat. The number of Americans killed in the U.S. by extremists from these six countries in the last two decades is zero.

President Donald Trump’s contempt for African nations, “s--- hole countries” as he has described them, is well-known. Though Nigeria has been a major source of highly educated and skilled migrants to the U.S., the president has scornfully claimed, “Nigerians coming to the U.S. will never go back to their huts.”

Weaponizing immigration law to advance a xenophobic agenda is immoral and it undermines our national interest.

Hadi Jawad, East Dallas

Dallas Morning News:

Published - December 12, 2019 - Vietnam all over again

Re: “Battle for truth revealed — Papers reveal efforts to mislead U.S. public, wrenching ‘dysfunction,’ ” Tuesday news story.

For those who were opposed to the Afghanistan war, the so-called Afghanistan Papers come as no surprise. We now learn that top U.S. military officials believed the Afghanistan war was lost many years ago but continued to lie to Americans.

Like the Vietnam War, this $1 trillion war was yet another canard foisted upon hapless Americans. With 2,300 American soldiers dead, about 20,000 injured; tens of thousands Afghans killed and the entire country reduced to rubble, what can Americans learn from this tragedy? War is not the answer.

We were told that a $100 billion reconstruction program was making progress, that millions of Afghan girls were in schools and life expectancy was soaring. All turned out to be cruel lies by the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations.

Eighteen years into America’s longest war, Afghanistan is in a worse state than at any time since the U.S. invasion. Only dialog among the Taliban, U.S. and regional powers such as Iran, Pakistan, India, Russia and China will bring peace and stability. The world community must provide a Marshall Plan to beleaguered Afghans so their decades-long suffering may end. Bring U.S troops back. Bring ’em home.

Hadi Jawad, Dallas, executive director,
Dallas Peace & Justice Center

Dallas Morning News:

Published - November 9, 2019 - Don't Militarize Dallas Police

Speaking to a conference of polief chiefs on Oct. 28, President Trump declared, "To help keep you safe I've made $600 million worth of surplus military equipment available to local law enforcement." This is not just bad policy — it's dangerous. It hurts efforts to bridge the gap betwen police and the communities they serve and blurs the lines between our armed forces and domestic police.

Created in 1990, Federal Program 1033 allows the Pentagon to give away large-capacity weapons and ammunition, .50-caliber guns, grenades, armored vehicles, military tanks and armed drones to police departments nationwide.

With military-style weapons comes military-style training and the possibility of police officers imagining themselves at war rather than as public servants keeping communities safe. Police should not be confused with soldiers and American cities should never be turned into battlegrounds. Although free for the asking, such equipment has to be freighted, stored and monitored in highly secure warehouses, expenses cash-strapped cities like Dallas can ill afford.

We fervently hope Police Chief U. Reneé Hall will tell the presIdent, "Thanks, but no thanks".

Hadi Jawad, executive director, the Dallas Peace and Justice Center.

Dallas Morning News:

Published - October 13, 2019 - Strong reaction to leaving Syria

Re: Readers weighed in on the developments in the Middle East after President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. troops from Syria, Turkey began striking across the border, and civilians fled for their lives.

Leaving is the right call

It is confounding that no action taken by President Donald Trump, no matter how egregious, has united politicians of both parties in opposition other than his recent decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.

Under both national and international laws, the Syrian deployment was illegal. Congress did not authorize and the Obama administration did not receive a mandate from the United Nations to invade. Demands for oversight for a war that was unconstitutional and illegal is perplexing if not bizarre.

Protecting Syrian Kurds from slaughter by Turkish forces is cited as justification for the U.S. military presence. But safeguarding Syria's Kurds was never a stated U.S. policy, and, in fact, protecting civilian lives has not been an objective in this sordid affair. According to Amnesty International, "The U.S.-led coalition killed hundreds and injured thousands of civilians during its offensive in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, Syria."

For decades U.S. policies have created instability and misery in the Middle East. It's time to start a narrative of good will toward Middle Easterners based on the sanctity and dignity of human life.

Bring 'em all home.

Hadi Jawad, Executive Director, Dallas Peace and Justice Center, Old East Dallas

Dallas Morning News:

Published - July 3, 2019 - U.S. had role in turmoil

Re: “Promote Freedom Abroad — To solve U.S. border crisis, we must reduce need for people to flee their countries,” June 26 Editorials.

What is glaringly missing in this analysis of the border crisis is the nefarious role the United States has played in creating political turmoil, social and economic instability, and violence in Central America.

CIA-engineered military coups, subversion of democratically elected governments and exploitation of the region’s natural resources by American corporations have been an essential ingredient in the “witch’s brew” that compels families with young children from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to undertake the perilous journey to our southern borders.

For more than 100 years, the U.S. has relentlessly projected its imperial power in Central America to advance its interests with little heed for human rights concerns. In the last century, Congress’ fear of communism helped unleash violence across the region that killed hundreds of thousands and created extreme poverty, homelessness and refugees. These interventions guarantee that Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador will remain among the poorest nations in the world.

We cannot have an honest debate about the border crisis if we ignore the sordid history of U.S interventions in Central America.

Hadi Jawad, Dallas

Dallas Morning News:

Submitted - February 5, 2019 - No U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Undoubtedly, the people of Venezuela have suffered immensely under the repressive rule of President Nicolas Maduro. In the last five years, the economy has shrunk by 50% with nine out of 10 Venezuelans living in poverty. Malnutrition is taking a grim toll. Yet as devastating as the regime has been for the people of Venezuela, and as compelling the need for change, a military response by the U.S. would worsen an already dire situation.

The United Nations calculates 2.3 million Venezuelan refugees have fled the country in the last four years, a number that would grow exponentially in the event of a U.S. military strike. The recent arrival of migrants at the southern border is a direct consequence of past U.S interventions in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

The United States must seek a reduction in tensions and prevent an escalation in violence. Threats and intimidation against President Maduro are ill-advised. The U.S must back Mexico and Uruguay's proposal to a "process of inclusive and credible negotiations, with full respect for the law and human rights." Instead of war, the Trump administration must consider delivering massive amounts of humanitarian aid to Venezuela.

Hadi Jawad

Dallas Morning News:

Sunday, September 9, 2018 - U.S. must halt Saudi arms sales

Re: "Coalition regrets bus attack — Saudi-led team admits mistakes in airstrike that killed 40 children," Sept. 2 news story.
Saudi Arabia admitted "mistakes" were made on Aug. 9 when Saudi warplanes dropped a 500-pound bomb on a school bus in Yemen, killing 44 children and their teachers returning from a picnic.

The 3-year-old Saudi bombing campaign has destroyed Yemen's infrastructure, killed thousands of civilians and placed millions at the brink of starvation amid the worst outbreak of cholera. The U.S plays a critical role in the Saudi campaign, supplying bombs, targeting intelligence and midair refueling services.

Rightfully, the U.S. Senate has loudly condemned Saudi conduct in Yemen. Last June, a bipartisan group of 47 senators voted to block a major arms sales to Saudi Arabia over allegations of disregard for civilian deaths by weaponizing famine and disease to inflict massive civilian casualties.
Justifying U.S support for Saudi Arabia is unconscionable. American involvement in an immoral war does not serve our national interest; neither does killing schoolchildren comport with our core values. The U.S. must halt all arms sales to Saudi Arabia and use its formidable influence to call for an end to hostilities and jump-start peace talks between warring parties.

Hadi Jawad, Old East Dallas

Dallas Morning News:

Thursday, May 17, 2018 - "Texas represented," Tuesday news story

It is appalling that Robert Jeffress continues to verbally spew his poisonous and hateful beliefs in the name of faith. It is pathetic enough that our President panders to the lowest common denominator of bigotry, lies, fear, lies, racism, and more lies, but when denominational leaders of faith communities do not lead by moral example and dissenting courage from such behavior then we are truly in a quagmire. The fact that over 60 people were killed in demonstrations while Mr. Jeffers lavished praise upon Israel, and that he wholeheartedly endorses the President's behavior, should give all people of conscience a serious reason to truly wonder what is happening to this country.

Rick Halperin
Dallas, Texas

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2018/05/19/letters-north-korea-robert-jeffress-nikki-haley-iran-smu-student-newspaper-dallas-convention-center

Star-Telegram:

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - Courage in wrongful death penalty case

 
I had the opportunity to hear Glenn and Judy Cherry tell their story as they accepted the 2018 Courage Award from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. ("Judge recommends state spare death row inmate convicted in Hurst Putt-Putt murder," May 9)

They have been true examples of humility, selflessness, and grace in the face of unimaginable loss.

The prosecutor told the jury that the Cherrys supported the death penalty, despite their ethical and spiritual opposition and their desire to spare Paul Storey’s mother from the grief they endured.

That was a terrible miscarriage of justice.

On Tuesday, Judge Everett Young held the State accountable for this inappropriate conduct. I urge the Court of Criminal Appeals to follow.

—Aftab A. Siddiqui, Arlington

http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article211142684.html

City of Dallas City Council - Consent Agenda (business development and procurement services)

13. Authorize (1) the purchase of one medium duty explosives robot - Remotec, Inc., in the amount of $200,703, sole source; and (2) the purchase of medium duty explosives robot accessories - Remotec, Inc., in the amount of $100,468 through the General Services Administration - Total not to exceed $301,171 - Financing: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Funds

In our November meeting, we undersigned members of the Human Rights & Justice Committee of the Dallas Peace & Justice Center discussed an item of the Dallas City Council Meeting’s “Consent Agenda” for October 26^th.  Nestled between authorization for the purchase of snow blowers and trucks was an item authorizing the purchase of an ‘explosive robot’ with accessories?   We wonder it the purchase of and the use of explosive robots was to become standard practice in Dallas without public discussion or even awareness (who reads the Consent Agenda?). The use of an explosive robot to take down a dangerous person is a form of ex-judicial execution and a violation of human rights. It was understandable that few voices were raised in protest when Chief Brown recently used an explosive robot to stop a man who had already killed five policemen and was trying to kill more. However, committee members believe that adoption of their use as a standard practice creates opportunities for violation of Human rights and should not be done without a full-throated public debate. The disturbing trend towards militarization of local police department is a Human Rights issue that should be recognized and addressed.

Human Rights & Justice Committee: Aftab Siddiqui, Chair

Mavis Belisle, Bill Maxwell, Carolyn Bentley, Joyce Hall, Don Dillard, Leslie Harris, Hadi Jawad – members.

Date: Oct. 8th, 2016
Subject: Halt weapons to Saudis

By helping Saudi Arabia's unlawful bombardment of civilian targets in Yemen, the United States might be complicit in war crimes. The Obama administration should heed concerns of international rights groups and lawmakers in Washington and immediately halt weapons sales to the Saudi monarchy.

According to Amnesty International, the Saudi-led bombing campaign has killed hundreds of civilians, displaced 2.5 million and 7 million face famine. The U.N. has documented a distressing array of places where civilians have been targeted with impunity: refugee camps, hospitals, schools and markets. U.S-made cluster bombs have also been used in civilian areas -- a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Since President Barack Obama took office, the United States has done a staggering $110 billion in arms sales with Saudi Arabia. While U.S support for repressive Middle East governments is undisputed, the Obama administration's support for the Saudi regime is unprecedented and dangerous.

Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz should support efforts by Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., to block an impending $1.15 billion sale to restock Saudi Arabia's depleted arsenal. We must end the deadly hypocrisy of arming Middle East nations engaged in war crimes and claiming human rights as our guiding principle.

Hadi Jawad, Old East Dallas, @HadiJawad2