Dallas, TX

Letters to the Editor – Politicized words, Dallas traffic, RJK Jr., alcohol awareness

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2024

Letters to the Editor – Politicized words, Dallas traffic, RJK Jr., alcohol awareness

Sound advice

Re: “’One language, many realities,’ — When words become politicized, we lose real meaning,” by Rudolph Bush, Sunday Opinion.

Bush argues that the way we use words is at the center of our political struggles. Language is now being used as a kind of political or cultural signaling. I agree. Evaluating what is said requires more than just listening to the words. It requires understanding their nuances.

As a lawyer who practiced for over 45 years, I appreciate the value of the shared meaning of words. Though retired, I still like to ask speakers questions about complex issues. Like Bush, what I am really trying to determine is whether they have any depth of understanding about the complexity of the matter or if they are just offering a slogan. Are they appealing to my reason or are they just playing me?

Bush points out that words have become a battlefield. We need to evaluate not only the words that others use but also our own words. Do they appeal to reason or just emotion?

Bush’s opinion offers sound advice on how to deal with the political rhetoric of the 2024 elections.

Raymond J. Termini, Dallas/Turtle Creek

Our streets are dangerous

Re: “Dallas struggles to lower fatalities — Staffing hinders goal of cutting speed-related deaths, police chief says,” Friday news story.

The recent six-car accident in Dallas points out how dangerous our city streets have become. Excessive speed and disregard for others’ lives and property have become quite normalized.

The Dallas North Tollway and Central Expressway, in addition to city surface streets like Preston Road and Northwest Highway, are largely unpatrolled and many drivers travel way too fast.

The real danger is the reckless drivers who speed and swerve in and out of traffic with no regard for others. Their vehicles are often uninsured. The rest of the driving public pays for this in increased insurance costs.

Drivers are also constantly running red lights, putting others at risk. Plus, increased traffic congestion contributes to these safety concerns.

Public safety should be a top priority of our city leaders. Taxpaying citizens have a right to expect basic levels of safety while driving. Increased enforcement of existing laws would go a long way to improving the situation. Recently, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia was quoted as saying he had 29 officers on traffic patrol for the entire city of Dallas. That seems shockingly low for a city of 384 square miles.

Betsy Morton, North Dallas

Let’s define ‘populism’

Re: “Kennedy the populist candidate,” by Randolph Severson, Saturday Letters.

I read Severson’s opinion and wondered which dictionary he used to obtain his definition of “populism.” He expounds on why he believes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the best candidate for president but uses a definition of populism that is far from reality as the basis for his reasoning.

According to Merriam-Webster, a populist is a member of a political party “claiming” to represent the common people. It doesn’t mention anything about a populist actually believing in the dignity and worth of the common person or his/her issues. That has been the ruse of using the populism moniker all along. It has been a means to a political end regardless of actual beliefs.

Personally, if I was to promote a political candidate, I would not use a term that is associated with other famous and infamous political figures. Whereby there may be a few examples of someone truly concerned for the common man, more often than not, it is the other way around. Please remember that Huey P. Long, Hugo Chávez, Juan Perón and Donald Trump were or are all populist candidates.

Bill Hudman, Plano

Little family resemblance

The 1968 election was the first one in which I was eligible to vote, and I supported Robert F. Kennedy. When he was murdered, I was devastated. I still have his picture on my wall. Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel by Sirhan Sirhan. Roosevelt Grier, a former pro football tackle who was acting as a bodyguard for Kennedy, immediately grabbed Sirhan and seized his gun. Sirhan, who was from the Middle East, said “I did it for my country.” He was tried and convicted and given the death penalty, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Now Robert Kennedy Jr. says Sirhan is innocent and should be paroled. Most of the family of RFK Jr. totally disagree and are appalled.

RJK Jr. is not a populist. He is an anti-vaxxer and delusional conspiracy theorist who says because of what he knows our government “may try to kill him.” He is nothing like his father.

Crawford Long, Waco

Funny, but …

Re: “Literally Anybody Else runs — Fed-up teacher makes name for himself as ballot protest,” March 27 Metro & Business story.

Votes for “Literally Anybody Else” could get Donald Trump elected. That’s truly frightening!

Bill R. Betzen, Dallas/Oak Cliff

Drink responsibly, y’all

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to think about your alcohol consumption to ensure you are enjoying alcohol responsibly and in moderation. According to the dietary guidelines for Americans, this means limiting alcohol to two drinks or less a day for men and one drink or less for women.

While any alcohol abuse is too much, the good news is federal data indicate harmful drinking in the U.S. is declining. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows binge drinking among adults ages 21 and older decreased 11% from 2018 to 2022, and 9 out of 10 (89%) say they drink the same amount or less than they did pre-pandemic.

Adults who choose to drink should commit to mindful drinking year-round. There are some people who should not drink alcohol at all, and talking with health care providers can help determine what is best, based on individual factors and family history.

Amanda Berger, Washington, D.C.

Vice president, Science and Health, Distilled Spirits Council

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Dallas, TX

A look at Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 NFL draft picks after Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas trades

Published

11 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

A look at Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 NFL draft picks after Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas trades

Entering Wednesday, the Cowboys had seven selections in the upcoming draft and no Day 2 picks going into the first day of the NFL League Year.

By the end of the business day, the Cowboys gained an extra draft pick — and it will be on Day 2.

Dallas traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick, No. 92 overall. The team also traded defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to the Tennessee Titans and swapped seventh-round selections, moving from No. 225 to No. 218.

Dallas now has eight draft picks, three in the Top 100 and two fifth-round selections that are compensatory.

The biggest thing was getting a Day 2 pick.

The Cowboys originally had picks No. 12 and No. 20 in the first round and wouldn’t pick again until No. 112 in the fourth round.

Dallas gave up Day 2 picks (second and third rounds) in trades for Quinnen Williams (New York Jets) and George Pickens (Pittsburgh Steelers) last year.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones was determined to get back into the second or third rounds and moving Odighizuwa, a 2021 third-round selection, to the 49ers to get back into the second day of the draft has proven vital.

In recent years, the Cowboys have struggled to get good value with their second-round picks.

Taking a gamble on players coming off injury or with troubled backgrounds was something the Cowboys wanted to do in the second round.

Jones said at the NFL scouting combine that the team was no longer planning on doing that, considering the issues the defense had last season.

The third round has proved a little more successful. Cooper Beebe (2023) is a starting center and DeMarvion Overshown (2023) at linebacker is a reliable performer. Injuries, however, have slowed Overshown’s development in his brief time in the NFL.

Dallas is hopeful last year’s Day 2 picks, Donovan Ezeiruaku (second round) and Shavon Revel (third round), emerge as starters in 2026.

Revel recovered from knee surgery and played in seven games. Ezeiruaku played 17 games with nine starts at defensive end. Ezeiruaku, who underwent offseason hip surgery, will move to outside linebacker in the new 3-4 defensive scheme.

Also, the Cowboys have the ability to use one of their two first-round picks to move up in the draft or package the third-rounder acquired in the Odighizuwa trade to gain more picks.

Cowboys 2026 draft picks

Round	Overall
First round	No. 12
First round	No. 20
Third round	No. 92
Fourth round	No. 112
Fifth round	No. 152
Fifth round	No. 177*
Fifth round	No. 180*
Seventh round	No. 218
*Comp pick

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Dallas, TX

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

Published

23 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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

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

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

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.”

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.

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.

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

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

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.