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Letters to the Editor — Dallas housing, Bill Gates, traffic lights, hypocrisy, facts

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Letters to the Editor — Dallas housing, Bill Gates, traffic lights, hypocrisy, facts


Hey government, live within means

Re: “Greater density is Dallas’ way forward — Enact policies to encourage the true American dream in our neighborhoods,” by Patrick Kennedy, Wednesday Opinion.

There is an unbroken record of negative social outcomes in correlation with increasing population density. Infamous cases like Cabrini-Green in Chicago (where the disastrous results of the genius urban designers led to — literally — blowing up the entire multibillion dollar project) apparently do not even give pause to those bent on destroying single-family home neighborhoods.

This is nothing more than the next chapter in the unending effort by the government to grasp ever more of the assets of citizens. Rather than pushing housing density as a way to collect more taxes, how about just living with the billions in taxes already collected? Living within your means — what a concept!

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Bernard White, Dallas

Gates right on philanthropy

Re: “Gates can send check to U.S.” by Ted Gold, Wednesday Letters.

Gold takes umbrage with Bill Gates challenging world governments to increase taxation on the super wealthy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. As opposed to taxing the wealthy, Gold suggests Gates donate to the U.S. Treasury.

He justifies his remarks by noting The Dallas Morning News story regarding the philanthropy of 36 wealthy Texan “do-gooders” volunteering to donate $767 million in 2023 to Texas institutions.

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In 2023, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made a budgeted global donation of $8.3 billion, mainly focused on health care and poverty alleviation. By my math, a single $8.3 billion donation is about 90% higher than what 36 Texans donated. It appears Bill Gates has the philanthropy equation figured out.

Melinda Stitzinger, Memphis, Tenn.

Giving, taxes not mutually exclusive

Giving and taxes aren’t mutually exclusive. This letter implies that two things can’t be done at once — that Bill Gates should voluntarily give instead of asking to be taxed more. Gates is among the world’s top donors, having given some $50 billion of his wealth away since 1994. His stated goal is to give away his entire wealth by the time he dies. The charitable foundation he leads with his ex-wife, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has a $70 billion endowment, which it has used to address some of the world’s most difficult challenges in the areas of poverty, disease and inequity.

At the same time, Bill Gates is indeed calling on governments to tax the super wealthy, inheriting such thinking from his father, William Gates Sr. — a very public supporter of the estate tax, which applies to only 2% of taxpayers. Says Gates Sr., “Most of the things that have generated the enormous advances in our economy are things that started on some campus or in some laboratory,” he told USA Today. “And most of those are because the government financed it.”

The world’s wealthiest 1% — who hold 45%-plus of the world’s wealth — can afford to give and to be taxed.

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Lori Block, Lewisville

More traffic lights needed

Re: “Residents push for traffic light — This month’s fatal crash just the latest on busy stretch, they say,” Wednesday Metro & Business story.

I frequently drive on East Mockingbird Lane between Abrams Road and West Lawther Drive (at White Rock Lake). The situation described in this story is timely, but understated. Entering from the westbound ramp from any side street can be precarious. I make an effort to drive at the speed limit of 40 mph, Nevertheless, drivers shoot past me like I was standing still.

Unfortunately, that location is not the only problem. Speed-limit enforcement in Dallas seems to be nonexistent, doubtless because of an understaffed police department and insufficient penalties. I was gratified to see a traffic signal installed recently at the Greentree Lane intersection just east of the bridge over the SoPac Trail, but that is not enough. Another traffic light at Dalewood Lane would go a long way to mitigating the problem. There must be a way to cut the red tape/bureaucratic nonsense to having one installed.

Bob Reagan, East Dallas/Greenland Hills

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Who are the hypocrites?

Re: “Thank you, Paxton,” by Donald Jones, Tuesday Letters.

In his letter, Jones said the Democrats were hypocritical, saying they were concerned about children getting killed crossing the border, but not concerned about abortions. Mr. Jones, do you think Republicans are hypocritical by not having some kind of gun control while so many children are being murdered just going to school? Or, children dying in the foster care system in Texas because our governor would rather be sued and pay fines than fix the system? Talk about a bunch of hypocrites!

Audrey Pincu, Dallas

Patriotic Abbott

Kudos and unlimited thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott for his patriotism and bravery in supporting all of our Texas citizens by his efforts to make our border safe for us. It is shameful that those in the Biden administration ignore the dangers posed to us and the rest of our country, even ignoring Democrat sanctuary cities that are constantly asking for help.

Diana Heald, Richardson

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Fact-checkers go where money is

Re: “Fact-checking is one-sided,” by Burt E. Ballentine, Monday Letters.

This letter bemoaning the fact that fact-checkers tend to land on Republicans more than Democrats was a curious viewpoint. The writer complained that there was no balance since the GOP was taking it on the chin more often.

If you want to know why fact-checkers flock to that group, you need to look no further than a quote from the famous bank robber, the late Willie Sutton. When the authorities asked him why he kept robbing banks, he replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” Fact-checkers use the same logic.

Ted Felinski, Lewisville

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

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Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle


The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.

Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.

On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.

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Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.

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Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on the sidelines before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.

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“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”

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It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.

The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

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Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity


Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

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The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

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Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing


Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

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Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

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A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds. 

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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