Dallas, TX

Letters to the Editor — Dallas Zoo, Fairfield State Park, NCAA athletes, vouchers

Published

1 year ago

December 9, 2023

Letters to the Editor — Dallas Zoo, Fairfield State Park, NCAA athletes, vouchers

Dallas Zoo: Asset bigger than city

Re: “Dallas Zoo is ready for a big leap — We can rally behind a new leader and bond proposal for a transformation,” by Bobby Abtahi, Lois Finkelman, Joan Walne and CW Whitaker, Wednesday Opinion.

As eloquently supported by the piece authored by Abtahi, Finkleman, Walne and Whitaker, it’s imperative that the Dallas Zoo receive the requested $30 million in 2024 city of Dallas bond funding. As it will unlock at least another $70 million in support from other sources, this is a huge opportunity that should not be missed.

But, the Dallas Zoo is an asset for and benefits the entire city and the region. While it is located in southern Dallas, its draw and support extends far beyond. As such, its position should be strengthened to become a solid national destination to benefit the entire city.

It is my hope that the zoo continues its upward trajectory and is fully embraced as the asset its supporters recognize.

Michael Grace, Duncanville

Who benefits from Fairfield property

Re: “Fight for park is over — Texas won’t use eminent domain to take property from developer, ending saga,” Wednesday news story.

As the state relinquishes its fight for eminent domain on the Fairfield Lake State Park, Shawn Todd says that it is a tribute to the Freestone County elected officials “who stood with unwavering resolve against“ the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. But who really deserves the tribute? Try Todd Interests and all the money it will reap. Try the elected officials and all the property tax money they will have. And try the multimillionaires who will have a place of their own to associate with their own.

John Thorngren, Shady Shores

Michener book had NCAA solution

Re: “Baker wants new tier to pay athletes — NCAA president aims to level playing field of uneven athletic budgets,” Wednesday SportsDay story.

For anyone thinking the NCAA proposal to pay college athletes is new, they should take the time to read James A. Michener’s 1976 Sports In America. I would refer them to Chapter 7, titled “Colleges and Universities.”

Way back in 1976, Michener laid out a proposal of dividing America’s colleges and universities into a four-tier system that would allow payment to the highest-level players and treat those schools as almost minor league farm systems. Elite players would be drafted by the schools in the highest tier and be compensated accordingly.

Lower tiers would operate in a more traditional sense and be geared to true student-athletes. So, the latest NCAA proposal is hardly new nor groundbreaking, just a different approach to a decades-old problem that has been conveniently ignored for years.

Dennis Radabaugh, Far North Dallas

‘Separate but equal’ school vouchers

Re: “The conversation that might have been — Two giants of civil rights gave speeches at the same event. What would they have said to each other?” by John McCaa, Sunday Opinion.

McCaa’s column regarding Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington piqued my interest as I wondered how these two titans of oratory would be engaged in today’s culture wars regarding Christian nationalism, populism, equal rights, states rights, immigration, to name just a few.

The point that caught my attention was the reference to Plessy vs. Ferguson in which the Supreme Court created the “separate but equal” doctrine for education that proved to be nothing more than America’s own version of apartheid — segregation on grounds other than race.

Texas’ struggles with voucher programs and state funding of private/parochial education through direct subsidies to families who have already chosen or plan to choose private schools over public education present a potential “new separate but equal” doctrine based on simple economics and controlled admissions programs.

Those who can afford the total cost get a subsidy to attend a private school and the poor get to attend public school. The unintended consequences of approving vouchers may create a new “separate but equal” doctrine for Texas — rich vs. poor, rural vs. urban.

Approval needs to come from the people, not politicians.

William Garnett Buck, McKinney

Rejecting white supremacists, enablers

I am reminded of The Dallas Morning News’ stand against the 1920s Ku Klux Klan, which slunk away partially because of the opposition by The News and then Texas Gov. Dan Moody.

Today, the paper needs to take a similar strong stand against those who are by definition white supremacists but also against their enablers and other persons effectively acquiescing their support of attacks on the rule of law, our democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

Charles Guittard, Austin

Unfounded climate fears for kids

Re: “Children deserve to know,” by Cynthia Stock, Nov. 30 Letters.

To a State Board of Education member who doesn’t want children to think the world is ending tomorrow because of climate change, Stock suggests, “Not tomorrow, maybe, but what about 10 years from now?”

Environmentalists have warned about imminent disaster for my entire life. We were to run out of food and energy by 2000 and be poisoned by pesticides and acid rain. The next ice age had arrived. Now, heat will kill us. Isn’t the apocalypse always just 10 years away?

Children should be taught facts, not fears. The climate has changed thousands of times, naturally. Present-day warming amounts to a few degrees. Urban heat islands are unrelated to any greenhouse effects.

Most importantly, extreme weather deaths are down about 98% from a century ago, thanks in large part to affordable energy from fossil fuels.

Dire predictions about the future, without proof, do not qualify as scientific knowledge. Extreme man-made warming, like creationism, is simply a belief and does not belong in science classes or textbooks.

Ken Ashby, Dallas

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Dallas, TX

Hania Aamir explains why she abruptly left her Dallas meet-and-greet

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Hania Aamir explains why she abruptly left her Dallas meet-and-greet

After her Dallas meet-and-greet ended abruptly, leaving fans disappointed, Hania Aamir explained in an Instagram story that she left early because an event organiser allegedly verbally abused her and her manager, Maida Azmat.

In a detailed Instagram story, Aamir maintained that she loves and respects her fans, and that the event ending suddenly was unfortunate. She said she was proud of the fact that her fans had built a community of love, trust and support, and therefore offered some transparency regarding the matter.

“Everyone saw videos of me walking to the crowd and taking pictures and everything was fine. When I was going back to my seat I heard one of the organisers verbally abuse my manager. So I walked up to her and asked what had happened and told the man (one of the organisers) that he cannot speak to her like this. She was so distraught that she went backstage. I followed her to make sure she was okay and Fahad [Mustafa] being a gentleman also came to check up on her.”

Backstage, the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actors started taking pictures with fans, however, Aamir said the event organiser in question chased after them, allegedly calling them names and telling them to leave the premises.

“[He] called off the security protocols, and verbally assaulted us even more (people had to hold him back). We were rushed out by our promoter Arif Khan to not further escalate anything and we managed a personal means of transport to get back safely to the hotel.”

Aamir emphasised that no one had the right to disrespect another person, regardless of their position. She continued that just because women were in male-dominated fields, it was wrong to assume that someone could get away “with almost anything” without the women taking a stand for themselves.

“Thirdly, we as a fraternity put in a lot of effort to make our fans happy. And such people with their theatrics are mostly trying to paint us black. I don’t know, maybe it does something for their ego. But promoters/ organisers need to step up and make sure such clowns don’t ruin the events and the experience for the fans and the artists.”

The Mere Humsafar actor also called on media outlets to show responsibility with their journalism and stop levelling allegations against artists without facts.

“Last but not the least, I would like to apologise to every single one of you who came. And I dearly love every single one of you. I am sorry things had to end this way. Just have to get through with the bad days I guess.”

Support from entertainment industry

Soon after Aamir’s statement, she was flooded with support from the entertainment fraternity, with many decrying the disrespect she faced.

Fellow actor Yashma Gill reshared Aamir’s story and said, “Like always, immense respect for Hania Aamir and Maida Azmat for handling the situation not only professionally but also with bravery.”

Gill added that there was no place for disrespect in the entertainment or other industries. “Let’s call him out so no one ever has to go through the same because of him or people like him again.”

Actor Maya Ali said, “Disrespect is unacceptable at any cost or under any circumstances. I am so proud of you for handling this situation with such grace. It’s truly disappointing that some individuals failed to show respect to our Pakistani stars and their teams.”

Actor and internet personality Umer Khan, popularly known as Ukhano, shared pictures of him with both Aamir and Azmat, and said, “No one should have the right to disrespect our stars”.

Khan added that Aamir always devoted herself to her craft and fans, which is why she is “Asia’s most influential artist”, and that Azmat had been his mentor since he started working and inspired him with her professionalism.

“If some third-class promoter can’t show respect and love to our stars then everyone should walk out and boycott such promoters. We stand with you.”

Actor and musician Azaan Sami Khan said, “It’s unfortunate to see the artist being blamed without understanding the complete context.”

Actor Namreen Khan echoed others’ sentiments and wrote, “No one has [the] right to disrespect artists. Hania Aamir is a gem of a person! Her love and respect for fans and people is no secret.”

Radio personality Anoushey Ashraf also said that there was no room disrespect and abuse for anyone.

“Artists are our pride and assets. Am sorry you had to experience this. At the end of the day, people show their own upbringing and mindset when they decide to disrespect a woman (and many a times one from media).”

Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi said, “This has always been the case with the majority of promoters. In the end, it’s the artists and fans who have to suffer, while the promoters still manage to benefit the most.”

Actor Hira Khan wrote, “No, you can’t put everything on the artist because it’s easier for you to do so!”

Fashion stylist Aarinda Noor, who dressed Aamir for the event, said, “No one has the right to disrespect anyone! It’s very easy to escalate negativity and extremely difficult to understand the responsibility.”

Aamir’s Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum co-star Fahad Mustafa has not commented on the situation yet.

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Dallas, TX

Here is everything you need to know for Sunday’s Cowboys and Eagles game

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Here is everything you need to know for Sunday’s Cowboys and Eagles game

The Dallas Cowboys are undefeated this season in games played where they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Whether or not that continues to hold true over the final two weeks of the regular season will be of extreme fascination.

Up next for the Cowboys is their final road trip of the year, a venture to face a division rival in the Philadelphia Eagles. It was the Eagles’ loss last week to the Washington Commanders that served as the final straw that eliminated Dallas from the playoffs, and as a result, Philly all but took themselves out of contention for the top seed in the NFC.

Still though, a win would give the Eagles the NFC East title, their first since 2023. Whenever the division is secured it will mark the 20th consecutive year that the NFC East has seen its reigning champion fail to repeat so Philly will in all likelihood be the team carrying that burden next year.

Cooper Rush, CeeDee Lamb, Rico Dowdle and co. will have their hands full on offense while Micah Parsons, Marist Liufau and DaRon Bland look to help Dallas continue their form on defense. Even with the season being effectively lost before it was official we have seen the Cowboys playing hard and it stands to reason that this will continue in the City of Brotherly Love.