BDS debate
Regarding “Anti-BDS laws do not impede free speech,” (Outlook, Wednesday): The op-ed contains a number of bad arguments.
First, the authors deny that Texas’ anti-BDS law, which opposes boycotts, divestment and sanctions directed against Israel, is an infringement of free speech.
They compare the anti-BDS laws to anti-discrimination laws that protect women, racial minorities and LGBTQ people. This is a false analogy.
Sanctions imposed on persons because of race, gender or sexual orientation are clearly discriminatory.
Refusing to purchase goods or services from a nation to protest policies of that nation’s government is in no sense discrimination but is clearly an instance of legitimate protest and should be protected as free speech.
Further, the authors state the anti-BDS laws “do not and are not intended to restrict an individual’s right to speak against Israel.” But the law, as it presently exists, does and is applied to individuals. Bahia Amawi, a U.S. citizen, had worked as a speech pathologist with special-needs children for nine years at a public school in Austin, but she was denied re-employment when she refused to sign an oath not to boycott Israel. Texas’ current anti-BDS law is therefore a direct assault on the freedom of conscience of individuals.
As for corporations, if Hobby Lobby is allowed to deny its employees access to contraception for religious reasons, other corporations should suffer no penalty for boycotting Israel for moral reasons. Finally, the authors associate the BDS movement with terrorist groups such as Hamas.
This is not an argument but a smear tactic.
The same sort of despicable tactic was used during the civil rights movement to associate civil rights leaders with communism.
Keith M. Parsons, Friendswood
Market economy
Regarding “Socialism” (Letters, Feb. 19): I hate to pop the writer’s belief that Denmark is a socialist nation because it is not. The Danes changed several years ago. As proof, may I refer you to an article in the Huffington Post, a left-leaning publication. It outlines what the Danes will tell you: They are a market economy, not a socialist economy. The article is titled, “Denmark: Not As Socialist (Nor As Successful) As You Might Think.”
Too many people have the same misconception as the writer, and I thought the facts should be presented.
Don Pollock, Houston
Real teaching
Regarding “Districts get say in how they’re rated” (Front page, Feb. 18): The flaws in understanding the problem and designing the solution are so egregious as to deserve no more than a D-plus. Students should be taught those subjects which MESH (Math, English, Science, History) with the expectations of college and real life. Teachers who teach to the test should be reprimanded but aren’t because ISDs need high scores for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is economic.
Good teachers teach. They illustrate, discuss, argue and debate the cogent points of the lesson. Their classes are electric. The other teachers rely on Chromebooks, laptops, Google searches, downloaded curriculum apps, etc., to provide content, explanation and validation of students having learned. Sad!
Clyde Miner, Friendswood