Forecasters need disclaimers

S-band radar, Microcast storm track, AccuWeather, Thunder Truck -- our local stations incessantly promote their high-tech ability to predict weather with amazing accuracy. They cut into our TV programs and give the impression that they can tell where hail will fall within a few blocks and we foolishly listen to them.

Today I survey the damage to our cars in Far North Dallas from golf ball-size hail that was not supposed to fall anywhere south of McKinney according to the prognosticators. Stop overselling your capabilities or have some sort of fine-print disclaimer.

Robert Barrese, Far North Dallas

Don't bury Earth news

Many thanks for your extensive pre-event coverage of Earth Day Texas and the follow-up articles on Sunday for Earth Day Texas and the March for Science. However, I must say that I was disappointed that neither article was featured on the front page. Climate change and pollution are affecting millions of people around the globe right now, and will continue to affect millions more if we don't accelerate our transition to clean energy.

The World Health Organization reports that in 2012 about 7 million people died as a result of air pollution exposure. This is unacceptable. We need more front page reporting on the myriad ways that climate change is affecting Texans now, and the thousands of solutions available to us to take action.

Georgeann Elliott Moss, Sunnyvale

What is meant by 'diverse?'

Re: "Our city needs us," Sunday Dallas Festival of Ideas special section

You have got to be kidding. Page 3 of the insert has full-page ad from Bank of America: "Diverse points of view help our future." I guess this does not include the diverse view that anthropological climate change is a political ideology and not based on true scientific principles.

The Dallas Morning News editorial staff made it quite clear a few years back that they would no longer print stories that dispute human-caused climate change. Instead, the DMN toes the left party line. So what exactly is meant by "diverse points of view?"

I guess it only applies to the what color of skin or gender of the communicator, nothing to do with the message.

Gregory Glennon, Garland

We can all do something

Re: "Veteran activists lead the way -- New protesters follow in the footsteps of six longtime Texas leaders who understand what it takes to make a difference, Sophia Dembling says," Sunday Points.

I'm new to political activism and was inspired by what I read but discouraged, too. Maybe because I'm easily overwhelmed. Reading about the work of the activists in Dembling's essay made me wonder if I have what it takes to be a genuine activist. Many readers are probably like me. They are fired up initially about an issue and throw themselves into it with all their time and energy. In a month, that energy is gone. Binge-watching Game of Thrones becomes more important.

I've learned to have a focus and to pace myself. Now my primary concern is global poverty. I've learned that money from the U.S. given to fight HIV/AIDS in some of the world's poorest countries contributed to decreasing political instability and violence. When I read that our president wants to drastically cut foreign aid, I realized what a poor decision that would be.

So I write letters and send emails. I tweet. I certainly don't work at the same level as the activists in the either essay, but I'm doing my part. Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, "No one can do everything but everyone can do something."

We can all be activists.

Julie Waller, North Dallas

Kirkpatrick for Dallas ISD

Re: "We Recommend," Sunday Editorials

As Dallas ISD District 2 trustee, candidate Lori Kirkpatrick will do more for DISD schools, and thereby, for the neighborhoods and property values they anchor. As a 10-year pediatric physician's assistant at Parkland, Kirkpatrick is already a leader in stretching limited public funds in a complex bureaucracy to deliver maximum results for families versus the freight trucking business of her opponent Dustin Marshall.

With a second-grade daughter at Lakewood Elementary, Kirkpatrick experiences DISD's challenges firsthand. A product of private schools, Marshall has chosen the same for his children.

Kirkpatrick's opposition to the legislature's A-F grading system meshes with that of over 150 Texas school districts -- "flawed, over simplistic," per one of your earlier articles. Plus, Cs for both Highland Park and Woodrow Wilson high schools are whacko.

Kirkpatrick also supports adjustments to DISD's teacher evaluation system, a contributor to 20 percent teacher turnover rate. Unlike Marshall's waffling on vouchers (check video of DISD's January board meeting), Kirkpatrick staunchly opposes taxpayer dollars for private school tuition. Harryette Ehrhardt and Ken Zornes endorse her as do parents.

Sally King, Dallas/Lakewood

Falling prey to ER billing

The disturbing trend of independent, freestanding ERs has to be kept in check. Last year, my wife went to Legacy ER and Urgent Care for a migraine that wouldn't go away. She's already had several CT scans in the past that have confirmed her issue. They put her in a CT machine and gave her some medicine. Problem didn't go away, so she went back to the same facility five days later. It was an ear infection, which they misdiagnosed, all along.

Mistakes are made. However, I was charged Level 4 ER service both times, which was $3,400. No reduction in cost due to their misdiagnosis, despite my request. I also asked why they charged us twice for a pregnancy test. They won't take that off the bill or even address it. How'd they miss it? An ear infection doesn't require a CT scan.

Fortunately in Austin, there is legislation being debated to rein in the incredibly high costs of these ERs. We should get behind these efforts before more in our community fall prey.

Dustin Sandlin, Prosper

White House performance art

Re: "Radio host: I'm not fake," Friday Metro story.

Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, locked in a custody battle with his ex-wife, has contended that his rantings are nothing more than performance art.

Donald Trump numbered Jones among his advisers during his campaign, has parroted Jones' assertions about discredited subjects from Obama birtherism to American Muslims celebrating the 9/11 attacks, and has said he relies on Jones' Infowars for guidance. He called Jones "amazing."

Can we, then, conclude that what we are seeing in the White House since Inauguration Day is really "performance art?"

That would explain a lot.

Craig Marckwardt, Southwest Dallas