Letters for January 20

Disappointing rhetoric when healing is needed

On the occasion of the awful and heart-rending events in Arizona, President Barack Obama eloquently and passionately called on us to be the best of which we are capable, to "make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds," a sentiment echoed by other leaders of quite different political philosophies.

In sharp and disappointing contrast, Sarah Palin offered a self-serving and embarrassing diatribe ("blood libel" and all), about which Matthew Dowd, a former adviser to President George W. Bush, rightly noted, "When the country seeks comforting and consensus, she offers conflict and confrontation."

Much the same can be said about Palin's local doppelgänger, the chairman of the Brazos County Republican Party. Offered an opportunity to contribute healing words, he instead chose to contribute accusatory and inflammatory rhetoric, pursuing the tired and discredited agenda that President Obama is a "socialist" and "tyrannical."

Particularly at a time of crisis and soul-searching, the difference between those who would unite and heal and those who seek to inflame and divide could not be more apparent.

PAUL A. PARRISH

College Station

Drivers should resolve to obey all traffic laws

Texas drivers should resolve to obey all traffic laws this year. With more than 95 percent of Texas drivers ignoring traffic laws, I know this is wishful thinking.

When I am driving at posted speed limits -- in town or on the open highway -- almost every vehicle that approaches from behind is over the speed limit, and many far in excess. Recently, a young woman recently remarked that it was "okay" to drive 5 mph over the limit in town and 7 mph on the open road because you won't be stopped.

State law requires a complete halt before turning right on red or at stop signs. Daily, I watch dozens of drivers ignore this law; too many drivers barely slow down at stop signs. A "no turn on red" exists at Broadmoor Street and Texas Avenue. Rarely, when I am stopped at that intersection, do I not see a driver disobey the sign.

Recently, College Station voted to remove red-light cameras, soon followed by Houston. Several other cities face similar recalls. The two excuses given for this action are "It's just a money maker" and "it actually leads to more accidents." It makes money only because so many divers run red lights.

And yes, more rear-end collisions may take place when these cameras on at an intersection. I wonder why? Could it be excess speed or the habit of Texas drivers to speed up when the light turns yellow?

Watching not one, but three, four or more run the red light at University Drive and Texas Avenue, I only can wonder why more accidents don't occur.

In fact, a rear-end accident is less likely to result in serious injury or death, than the T-bone collisions that result from drivers running red lights.

KEITH ARNOLD

Bryan

Aggie players showed compassion to children

The Children's Hospital Association of Texas -- CHAT -- would like to recognize the Texas A&M football team players for their recent visit to the Children's Medical Center in Dallas where they saw first-hand the unique role that children's hospitals play serving and healing children with complex medical problems.

Although most children in Texas are healthy, some children require the highly specialized medical care available at children's hospitals. We salute the compassion and good citizenship of team members for spending time with young patients at Children's Medical Center.

All children in Texas deserve to grow up as healthy as possible and to get the high-quality care available at children's hospitals if they need it.

In the next few months, the Texas Legislature will be making critical funding decisions about children's health care programs. We hope that our legislators will preserve funding for the vital services that children's hospitals provide.

BRYAN SPERRY, president

Children's Hospital Association of Texas

Austin