Don’t bring gun into kids’ venue

Re: “Bystander shot in fight at arcade — Victim’s brother says dispute was over stuffed animal prize,” Monday Metro story.

On Sunday I attended a birthday party for my godson at Dave & Buster’s with my toddler, who had just learned to walk. At two o’clock, when the children sat to eat cake, we exited for nap time. While carrying my daughter toward the exit, we were bombarded with sounds of gunshots and screams. Patrons 30 feet from me scrambled to the ground screaming, “Active shooter! Get out!”

My teacher instincts from lockdown drills kicked in. Children from the ages of 4 to 7 clung to their parents. People shoved through the exit, smashing my baby into the threshold of the door.

This incident is unnecessary. Texas allows for concealed carry of weapons inside institutions that serve alcohol and also contain children. Why? These gun-carriers were not trying to save the day. They argued over a stuffed animal, and then they shot at each other inside the institution. Their crossfire hit a doctor who was entering a birthday party. My toddler’s head would have been at the same height as the thigh, where he was shot.

One simple and reasonable demand to lawmakers: There should be no civilian concealed or open weapon carry of guns in institutions that contain children and serve alcohol.

Natalie Nihill Ruberto, Dallas

Photo sends wrong message

As a Stephen Minister, I am profoundly disturbed by the picture on the front page of the Sunday Dallas Morning News. The Stephen Ministry poster displayed prominently in the photo along with persons holding guns sends a message that I, as a Stephen Minister, do not support, and I strongly object to what some may see as an association between Stephen Ministry and guns. Stephen Ministry is about compassion. It is connected with many different faiths all over the world. The picture sends an unfortunate message.

Charles Vaughn, Sherman

We need answers

Re: “Suspect charged in separate death — Man accused of killing sisters is connected to murder case in Denton,” Thursday Metro & Business story.

Jacques Smith committed unspeakable crimes and he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison. There were witnesses to some of his violence, but surprisingly he was arrested at his home. It’ll be relatively easy to predict the outcome. I’ll bet Smith feels real bad now, and understands he deserves whatever fate the court administers. But I’ll also bet that he feels a little sorry for himself, and wishes people knew what a tragedy some of his early life was.

It seems that most of the increase in present-day homicides fit into two categories — domestic violence and gangs. Of course, gang-related homicides tend to involve youth and shows how peer pressure is compounded by immaturity. Many cases of domestic violence homicides often can be traced to repeated childhood anger that has been suppressed. It becomes manifest when normally coping neurologic mechanisms are penetrated by jealousy, drugs and stress.

We live in a punitive society and want to punish the perpetrators of unspeakable crimes. Perhaps we need to study these people. As medical schools study cadavers for anatomy, we should study the minds of people like Smith.

Cordell Clark, downtown Dallas

Follow Jesus, not Trump

Re: “Trump unloads on foes — Emboldened president calls out ‘mean’ people he felt had wronged him,” Friday news story.

At the National Prayer Breakfast, a bipartisan group of officials and clergy witnessed the use of religious activities as cover for irreligious politics. Keynote speaker Arthur Brooks, former leader of a conservative think tank, said we should overcome anger, sarcasm and derision with love, "ask God to take political contempt from your heart,” and quoted from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to love your enemies.

President Donald Trump started by saying he didn’t agree with Brooks. Trump didn’t realize that he was disagreeing with Jesus Christ and a basic tenet of Christianity, not Brooks. Trump lashed out at others, and their prayer life, who disagree with him. Some clergy who attended said that Trump’s speech was disgusting, self-serving and mean-spirited. A professor from Messiah College said Trump used the breakfast as his “shooting range” and another said that Trump is the total antithesis of what it means to follow Jesus.

It was troubling that Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Dallas minister, defended Trump by saying, “I think the president was completely right in what he said. It’s not politically correct, but he didn’t get to be president by being politically correct.” Jeffress must have given up following Jesus and chosen to follow Trump instead.

Priscilla Dayton, Frisco

Romney puts religion first

Mitt Romney is a senator who puts religion first and politics second. Robert Jeffress is a pastor who puts politics first and religion second.

Harold Allen, Heath

An exemplar of Christian love?

I’ve been wondering why the people who identify as followers of Christ are such staunch supporters of President Donald Trump. I think I figured it out: It’s his Christian behavior. He speaks the truth and turns the other cheek. He practices forgiveness and eschews vengeance. He treats others as he would have others treat him. He embraces sacrifice in the service of others. He is thoughtful and considerate. He always exhibits graciousness and grace and reflects in his own behavior the teachings of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Overall, I guess they somehow see Trump is an exemplar of Christian love.

Dale Crane, Southlake

Just another witch hunt

The Senate voted to reject the baseless articles of impeachment, and only the president’s political opponents — all Democrats, and one failed Republican presidential candidate — voted for the manufactured impeachment articles.

In what has now become a consistent tradition for Democrats, this was yet another witch hunt that deprived the president of his due process rights and was based on a series of lies. Throughout this wholly corrupt process, President Donald Trump successfully advanced the interests of the United States and remained focused on the issues that matter to Americans. He spent his time achieving real victories for the people of this country, and the Democrats — once again — have nothing to show for their fraudulent schemes.

Don Pearce, Dallas

Letter tells it like it is

Re: “We won’t recover from this,” by Stephen W. McCluer, Sunday Letters.

Add my name to McCluer’s letter. Absolutely perfect. America, we weep for you.

Jerry Sorenson, North Richland Hills

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