Letters to the Editor — Voting, Keith Self, Israel, Texas energy grid, Clay Jenkins

We should change our democracy

Re: “GOP owes Texas its slim majority — Gerrymandered map eked out 4 ‘extra’ seats from light-red state,” Tuesday news story.

This headline demanded a letter to the editor on the harm of gerrymandering. But as I learn the paper, the harm is in all places as to how our floundering democracy, the failure of “one person, one vote” to really be the energy in the United States of America, is weakening our nation.

It begins with the failure of Congress to go laws the majority of the public has wished for years, similar to gun management, local weather change, higher pandemic information and management, and higher authorities transparency in any respect ranges.

We know what the issues are. We should change our democracy so that everybody eligible is inspired to vote. Then all highschool graduates should be registered and vote. Yes, it’s work to research the alternate options and vote, however have a look at what is occurring!

Bill R. Betzen, Dallas

What occurred to Keith Self?

Please verify the DNA on the man purporting to be Keith Self. The individual I voted for in November and in each election he ran for in Collin County is just not the imposter who’s making a sham of the Republican Party. His vote towards Kevin McCarthy as U.S. House speaker is disgraceful, in my view.

Where is the one who I believed was the greatest Collin County commissioner and choose anybody may ask for? Where is the man who was in the particular forces and who as soon as put nation earlier than his ego and private pursuits?

I’m sorry, Keith, however proper now, even for those who change your vote to “yes,” my vote for you in two years can be “no.” You had an opportunity to be on the aspect of optimistic change, however as a substitute opted for discord, mayhem and political ugliness.

Patricia Johnson, McKinney

Disappointing determination

Re: “Netanyahu backs settlement plans — He wants to legalize outposts and annex occupied territory,” Dec. 29 news story.

Although not essentially surprising, Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to take such a harsh stand towards Palestinians is deeply disappointing, and I hope that the U.S. and different nations will communicate out and act towards such harsh insurance policies.

It is difficult to consider that the Jewish state, as a individuals who have been on the receiving finish of comparable actions, chooses to behave this fashion. Here’s hoping for a change of coronary heart in 2023.

Charlotte Connelly, Cedar Hill

Just doesn’t add up

Re: “Monitor urges status quo — Firm says state shouldn’t meddle with power market; Legislature to mull grid plan,” Monday news story.

This story relating to the energy market in Texas quoted state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown. He proclaimed, “We are the Saudi Arabia of natural gas, with a very vast and significant pipeline structure here in Texas.”

If that’s the case, will anyone please clarify to me why my Atmos Energy invoice is so excessive?

Fred R. Neary, Far North Dallas

Thank you, Jenkins

Re: “County chooses all green — Contract signed to purchase full renewable energy for 55 buildings,” Dec. 30 Metro & Business story.

Several years in the past at the funeral of a distinguished lawyer’s younger daughter, I occurred upon Judge Clay Jenkins. I used to be stunned at his presence, but he was calm, composed and didn’t try for consideration or courtroom publicity. Although we didn’t communicate to each other, I consider he was there in friendship, care and compassion over a typical human situation — bodily dying.

As we enter a brand new yr, I’m as soon as once more stunned by his presence. Jenkins has given Dallas County a breath of recent air by his buy of renewable energy for a greater, cleaner future for North Texas and its residents. He understands that systemic actions in addition to particular person actions are wanted to wean ourselves off of our fossil gas addictions which are hastening our demise.

I wholeheartedly assist his particular person motion of braveness, concern and care over our widespread bodily future by the lessening of our reliance, for instance, upon pure fuel traces that also freeze regardless of political guarantees and rhetoric that the grid has been “fixed.”

Thank you, Judge Jenkins, for this current and your presence.

Mitchell Kobus, Plano

Renewables and dispatchable era

We will need to have fuel vegetation for grid management and stability. How do I do know? I’m {an electrical} engineer.

Synchronous turbines produce energy and energy in the U.S. at a frequency of 60 hertz (60 cycles per second of electrical energy, with turbine shafts at 3,600 rpms). Supplemental management motion is important to preserve the system in steadiness at a frequency of 60 Hz.

You will hear the time period dispatchable era as a result of it’s centrally dispatched from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas management middle. In excessive circumstances similar to what occurred throughout the 2021 winter storm, the imbalance in provide and demand can decrease the frequency to harmful ranges close to whole system collapse.

Renewables similar to wind and photo voltaic produce energy at all times altering in output. Renewables are nice for energy conservation, however they can’t be used for system management. They usually are not a dependable supply of output. Their capability to produce is unreliable. But fossil-fuel-fired era will also be unreliable as evidenced throughout the 2021 winter storm.

We don’t want to choose winners and losers, however we will need to have sufficient dispatchable era to keep management and stability when the wind stops or the solar goes down.

Thomas Dale, Greenville

How does Santos have a job?

If I apply for any job in America and lie about something on my software or résumé, I might be fired. So, how is it attainable that George Santos can lie about every part — his training, his job historical past, his household, and many others. — and nonetheless maintain his seat for Congress? Where is the accountability?

Ann Sandefer, Frisco

United in prayer

An whole nation waits anxiously and prays for the restoration of Buffalo Bills participant Damar Hamlin. It appears we might be united in any case …

Ann Marron Clark, University Park

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