Flawed raid
Regarding “Officer suspended after fatal raid ” (Front page, Feb. 8): Since the Houston Police Department’s disastrous and flawed drug raid that left Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas and their pit bull dead and five HPD officers injured, there has been an increasing flow of facts that contradict the HPD narrative:
• There were not “numerous complaints from neighbors” about drug dealings, as reported by Chief Art Acevedo. In fact, neighbors have vociferously defended the dead couple. The police invasion was based on one anonymous phone call.
• There was no suspicious foot or vehicle traffic to and from their house indicative of a drug den.
• The HPD claim that the house contained large quantities of drugs in baggies was false.
• HPD cannot vouch that the black tar heroin supposedly purchased came from that house.
With serious questions being raised not only about the no-knock warrant, but the invasion itself, it is time for the state of Texas to intervene and conduct an independent investigation.
Pete Smith, Cypress
On point
I was struck by the editorial cartoon by David Horsey (Editorial page, Feb. 14): It so expressed my feelings and deep concerns about the decline in vaccinations and subsequent spread of measles. With very few exceptions, no one should be exempt from the shot. Texas is making it far too easy for parents to opt out of this important vaccination.
Inaccurate information should not guide parents’ choices. Medical science has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it does not cause autism, and there is no risk to children if they get the shot. Measles was almost extinct and now is reoccurring at an alarming rate. This is a situation where the good of the many far outweighs the rights of parents to choose.
Kathy Grundy, Houston
Emergency
Regarding “Emergency declared for wall funds” (Front page, Saturday): In an outrageous abuse of his power, President Trump has declared a national emergency to enable him to bypass the constitutional authority of Congress. But there is no emergency.
We know that, had Obama had done anything like what Trump has done, the Republicans in Congress would have been howling. So far, concerning Trump’s declaration, the response of Republicans brave enough to say anything has been tepid and hedged.
I have yet to see anything from Sen. Cruz, and Sen. Cornyn’s remarks have been, to say the least, understated. Meanwhile, our country slips ever further toward autocracy.
William Nelson, Houston
Socialism
Regarding “Green New Deal is red flag of left’s elitist bend” (Outlook, Feb. 13): There seems to be confusion about the philosophy of socialism. Social Security, Medicare and public schools all had socialist origins. The majority of U.S. citizens look upon these programs in a very popular manner.
Social Democrats, like Bernie Sanders, desire higher taxes on extreme wealth, universal health care, higher minimum wages and action on climate change. This does not mean we are turning into Venezuela. The country with the highest quality of life and the happiest citizens is Denmark — a socialist country.
Randall Todd, The
Woodlands