Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Frisco crematory, home prices, Dallas pensions, Biden impeachment
‘Buyer beware’ applies in Frisco
Re: “Residents upset about plans for crematory — City says it can’t stop business approved before neighborhood was built,” Wednesday Metro & Business story.
I read your in-depth story about the challenges faced by homeowners near the new crematory with great interest. Living close to such a facility, especially just beyond a residential fence, is undoubtedly undesirable. However, considering the cemetery predates the community, and the neighborhood is surrounded by various potential sources of pollutants and noise, I find it challenging to sympathize fully with the homeowners.
The neighborhood not only borders a busy Eldorado Parkway but is also adjacent to a railroad, an indoor gun range, industrial storage yards and a sports complex. These elements raise questions about the homeowners’ concerns regarding pollutants and noise from various sources nearby. The prevailing south-to-southwest wind direction could carry crematory smoke away from the neighborhood.
While poor zoning decisions by the city of Frisco are a significant issue, there’s an aspect of “buyer beware” that applies. In a rapidly growing metroplex like Frisco, where homes are in high demand, prospective buyers should have considered the neighborhood’s surroundings, affecting home resale prices. The focus on the crematory, while attention-grabbing, could benefit from additional context about the broader environment.
Living in Houston, I understand the challenges of bad zoning in a bustling city. Your story prompts reflection on the complexities of urban living, the need for strategic foresight and the importance of informed decision-making by homeowners.
Scott Underberg, Houston
Where do rentals fit in?
Re: “Dallas Must Confront Housing Sticker Shock — City can’t be a developer, but it can improve life and facilitate building here,” Sunday editorial.
After reading this editorial about sticker shock for homes in Dallas, I was wondering if anyone has investigated the higher housing cost based on short-term rental investors from all over the country paying above market prices in neighborhoods when interest rates were very low? A short-term rental operator came in and offered $500,000 cash for a house valued at the time about $390,000. This could increase housing and property tax increases for all neighborhoods. Thoughts?
Phillip (Mike) Gorman, Dallas
Government ineptitude at work
Re: “Dallas pension crisis can’t be put off,” by David Elliston, and “Texas must fund public schools now,” by Fatih Ay, Mark DiBella, Yasmin Bhatia and Sehba Ali, Wednesday Opinion.
Wow, two columns on this one page about government ineptitude. The first one discusses massive pension underfunding for Dallas police and firefighters. That these men and women put their lives on the line for citizens every day, and to have to put up with problems that affect their financial well-being is unforgivable.
The second piece concerns the well-known underfunding issues with Texas schools. Much has been discussed and debated about this, but “leaders” — quotation marks intentional — continue to treat school funding and teacher retention as a political game.
A city the size of Dallas and a state as large and as wealthy as Texas deserve professional and competent leadership and management. I wonder when, if ever, this will emerge?
It is time to make inept governmental leadership obsolete. Citizens deserve it.
Dan Siculan, Royse City
Vendetta isn’t evidence
Re: “House OKs Biden impeachment inquiry — President called the investigation a ‘baseless political stunt,’” Thursday news story.
Let me get this straight. We had a former president who was impeached twice, both times with solid evidence against him. And both cases were thrown out despite the irrefutable evidence. The key word here is evidence.
Now our current president is under impeachment investigation, yet so far no evidence of any wrongdoing on him has come up that would warrant such an action. None whatsoever, not even a hint. Yet they press on. I can see why there might be a question, since his son was indicted. But the president seems to have distanced himself from his son’s personal life, other than offering emotional support.
To me, it all looks more like a vendetta than an investigation.
Richard Street, Carrollton
Abortion a personal issue
Re: “Kate Cox and Texas’ Bad Abortion Law — A case like hers was inevitable with state’s vague exceptions,” Wednesday editorial.
I mostly agree with your editorial except for this part: “There is space for a serious political solution. We need serious politicians who have the courage to offer a solution that the majority will embrace.”
I don’t believe abortion should be in the political arena at all! Republicans are never going to compromise on this. Let women decide what they will do with their own bodies. Remember “My body, my choice” from anti-vaxxers? It should also apply to abortion.
I believe Attorney General Ken Paxton is a dangerous individual. Next, he’ll try to ban travel between states for an abortion. Can you imagine not being able to travel in America because of a medical issue? We are losing our freedom, and will continue to do so if Republicans remain in charge.
Abortion is a personal issue and should be decided by the woman and her doctor, not some politician whom she doesn’t even know, who wants to gain political points. Get it out of politics!
Sandy Elkins, Plano
Discuss birth control
Abortion, as it’s been framed from the far right and far left, is the first option for birth control and not the last resort. Neither side is willing to acknowledge the plethora of options available for birth control and they definitely will not promote them as better alternatives, nor will they discuss the limitations of birth control. This intentionally obfuscates the abortion argument so that more extreme views dominate the discussion by limiting the ability to discuss abortion rationally.
Nicholas Rains, Angel Fire, N.M.
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
Dallas, TX
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.
Dallas, TX
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.
Here’s our stream for everything you need to know about it all. We will update it throughout the week to include all relevant news regarding the game, injuries and everything else.
Dallas, TX
Dallas weather: Cloudy Christmas forecast
DALLAS – Christmas morning started off with fog and a bit of drizzle, but after the morning hours we should be dry.
Skies will be gray pretty much all day. Though you may see some sun peeking here and there.
High temperatures will end up in the high 50s today.
Thursday Forecast: Storm chances return
Storm chances return on Thursday morning.
Around 9 or 10 o’clock, rain is expected to begin to the west and move east throughout the day.
There is a high wind and hail risk with the storms, but that is mostly to the south and east of the Metroplex.
We could see some flight delays for people looking to travel on Thursday.
7-Day Forecast
There could be a few storms on Friday.
We expect some warm weather over the weekend.
Temperatures will be back in the 70s on Sunday.
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