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Opinion

Letters: Trump in Helsinki, treason, democracy, tariffs, Dallas ISD, Papa John's 

Readers urge everyone to protect democracy, deplore the use of tariffs, commend DISD trustees for rising above partisanship and wonder what Jerry Jones will do about Papa John's.

Condemning Trump isn't 'liberal'

Re: "Trump Sinks in Helsinki — Congress must ensure U.S. shows resolve in Russia," Wednesday Editorials.

Thank you for your editorial on President Donald Trump's appalling performance in Helsinki. Of course, we all need to be prepared for the outcry from Trump apologists that The Dallas Morning News is a left-leaning, liberal publication.

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I would like to point out to these people that opposing a demagogue who lies at the slightest provocation, espouses hate and fear and fails to protect American democracy is not a liberal or conservative issue. This is why noted conservatives like George Will, Steve Schmidt, John McCain and S.E. Cupp (among many others) have spoken so harshly of Trump.

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You don't have to be a liberal to condemn Trump and his actions; just a rational person who holds traditional American values.

Miner Raymond, Waco

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He pledged allegiance to Russia

Each week I attend the naturalization ceremonies as immigrants take the oath and pledge allegiance to this country. Each week I am filled with hope as I hear a hundred or more people say, "I pledge allegiance to the flag ..."

This week I am saddened and shamed by our own president disparaging his own country and pledging his blind allegiance to a foreign power.

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There was a time when such actions were accompanied by calls of treason and impeachment. Where are the so-called "patriots" in Washington these days?

I am an active voter and I will remember this November to boot out all those who support this treasonous president.

Benny de la Vega, Farmers Branch

English, Scots see the truth

How gratifying to see that the English and Scots see President Donald Trump for what he is, unlike so many of their American cousins. I hope they realize that some of us over here are as appalled by his reckless behavior as they are.

Ann Ward, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Republic cannot survive?

Dr. James McHenry noted that at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation Benjamin Franklin was asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got - a Republic or a Monarchy?" Franklin quickly quipped, "A Republic, if you can keep it."

After watching our president enthusiastically embrace the autocrats he so desperately wants to emulate, it appears as though the answer may be that we cannot.

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Thomas E. Turpin, Bedford

We must demand democracy

Re: "Our democracy is strong — Research shows Americans still believe, but there are reasons for concern, says Lindsay Lloyd," Sunday Points.

Lloyd's article reported that Americans overwhelmingly agree that living in a democracy is important, but our democracy is in trouble. The Democracy Project's research showed that Americans lack confidence in the key institutions of our democracy that have served us so well for the past 200-plus years.

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Cries of fake news, rigged elections and denigrating our institutions by officials at the highest level erode confidence in our institutions. Our democracy is challenged by the role of money in politics, gerrymandering, restrictive voting laws, corruption and foreign interference in our elections.

We can't just stand by helplessly. The call for all Americans to unite to confront destructive, negative forces and demand democracy be protected gave this article the positive message we need in these divisive times.

Diana S. Burns, Dallas

Tariffs hike consumer prices

Re: "Tariffs begin to take toll in Texas — Price hikes in store for shoppers looking for appliances, other goods," Sunday news story.

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I flew home to Dallas on July 14 from London. After being seated on the plane, I was offered a newspaper. I chose The New York Times International Edition. Front page story was "High stakes for American auto sector in trade war." This story told of Chinese, Mexican and Canadian automotive parts makers that operate and provide jobs in Detroit. It also noted that General Motors now sells more cars in China than in the U.S. It also noted that BMW exports more cars (by value) from the U.S. than any other maker. Who knew?

Then I awoke to my Dallas Morning News on Sunday with "Tariffs begin to take toll in Texas." We're told to prepare for a 19 percent increase in the cost of washers and dryers. This will also extend to grills, ranges and refrigerators. This is in the last quarter.

Is this what the American people want? I don't think so. When is Congress, especially the Republicans, going to stand up to him? It seems apparent to me they are afraid of him, as in "don't poke the bear."

Robert Henderson, Dallas/Turtle Creek

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Chose most-qualified candidate

Re: "4 trustees endorse House candidate  — School funding drives rare move by politically diverse coalition," Monday Metro & State story.

The endorsement of John Turner for State House District 114 by four Dallas ISD trustees elected to their nonpartisan positions is refreshing. While their elected positions are nonpartisan, their individual personal ideologies typically align with one party or the other. Setting any personal partisan bias aside and supporting the most qualified candidate for state representative, or any other partisan office, is unfortunately rare in today's hyperpartisan environment.

This endorsement highlights the reality that there are substantive issues to be addressed by the Texas Legislature, issues including public education and infrastructure funding that too often get lost in partisan political grandstanding and pandering.

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It's imperative that all of us as voters consider which candidate is best qualified to work toward reasoned solutions on the truly important and complex issues that will impact the quality of life for generations of Texans.

John J. Wellik, downtown Dallas

Putting profit before principles

Re: "Teams suspend promos — FC Dallas, Rangers cut ties with the pizza chain after founder's scandal," Saturday Business story.

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I really appreciated the compilation of press reports in Saturday's Business section of The Dallas Morning News in regard to the denouement of John Schnatter and the termination of his affiliations with several businesses (including his own), an educational institution and professional sports leagues.

The article also references silence on the part the Dallas Cowboys organization with respect to its current and future relationship with Papa John's. Of course, with Jerry Jones as a significant franchise holder and being the reputed inspiration for Schnatter's letter of complaint regarding the ill effect of the NFL national anthem issue on company pizza sales, nobody should wonder that in Jerry World, as usual, principles seem to take a backseat to profits.

Stephen Hoffner, Dallas

Check the numbers

Re: "Just humans," by Davis Breidenbach, Saturday Letters.

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In his letter about volcanic CO2, Davis Breidenbach misquoted the Forbes article he referenced. While volcanoes do emit about 645 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, humans release 29 billion, not million, tons of carbon dioxide per year. 

I'm afraid his opinion about humanity's lack of impact on climate is woefully inaccurate.

Scott Messinger, Plano

Correction: In a letter published in Saturday's paper, Davis Breidenbach incorrectly wrote that humans release 30 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. That figure should be 29 billion.