Letters to the Editor – Hush Money Trial, Tarrant County Sheriff, Gender Ideology

Some other victories

Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of a crime. Certainly, it is a sad day because American democracy has been indelibly tarnished. However, the positive side of this episode in our history was affirmed in the sacred belief that no one is above the law.

This trial also restored credibility to a woman named Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels). She was the woman pundits called a bimbo and Trump called “horseface.”

Finally, it was a day when a habitual liar named Michael Cohen could now stand a little taller after destroying his previous life through blind ambition and lies.

It was a good day for those who worry that the rule of law does not apply to all Americans. Twelve citizen juries paid as little as $40 a day proved otherwise.

Andrew L. Norton, Mesquite

Waiting for correction

We could empty Roget's thesaurus of all synonyms for the word “parody”, but that would still underestimate the importance of what happened Thursday in New York and the blow that this verdict inflicted on American jurisprudence. But, being the eternal optimist that I am, I am confident that the system will correct this error, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Greg Polito, North Dallas

Where does this type of voting lead?

Re: $1.2M Lawsuit Approved – Death of Newborn Baby After Jail Delivery Results in County's Largest Settlement; judge to rule next,” Wednesday Metro & Business story.

Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn must resign immediately.

Tarrant had 64 deaths in the county jail from 2016 to May 2024. And on Monday, there was another inmate death, likely due to the substandard health care under Waybourn's watch.

And after Waybourn initially fired two jailers involved in one of the deaths, he had to put them on administrative leave because he failed to follow civil service rules.

This is what happens when voters support someone just because their name has an R, rather than considering whether someone is competent and can do the job.

Waybourn, a former police chief of tiny Dalworthington Gardens, is in way over his head and not qualified to oversee a large law enforcement agency like the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department.

Maybe if he spent less time appearing in ads for Donald Trump (2020 election) and more time understanding the rules of civil service and the responsibility of caring for inmates, he could at least be competent instead of being a costly embarrassment to Tarrant County.

Bernard Diemer, Saginaw

Disappointed in the medical group

Subject: “Putting Medicine Before Activism – This was rejected by the Texas Medical Association, which chose gender ideology over evidence-based care,” by Duren Michael Ready, May 26 Opinion.

I share Dr. Ready's disappointment with the Texas Medical Association. Medical gender transition carries a high liability risk. Over the past two years, malpractice suits filed by detransitioners have increased. Their main argument is that they were never given the opportunity to wait under supervision and/or receive appropriate therapy for underlying mental issues. Instead, practitioners pushed for medical transition to be the only treatment option.

Subsequently, the plaintiffs grew out of gender dysphoria and regretted the permanent damage. Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics has been sued for its continued support of medical gender transition, despite evidence demonstrating that watchful waiting is viable and safer.

Lawsuits can destroy the credibility of doctors and medical associations. The Texas Medical Association could do better by supporting an evidence-based approach to gender dysphoria instead of promoting medical transition as the preferred or only option.

Jillian Bi, MD, Plano

Sunlight can help

Physician self-censorship should set off warning sirens within the Texas Medical Association. When growing evidence doesn't match clinical practice, doctors must ask tough questions. I applaud the columnist for two profoundly simple resolutions championing open discourse and healthy treatment alternatives, including “watchful waiting” for this growing subset of distressed youth.

Given the lack of credible evidence to support so-called “gender-affirming care” for this vulnerable population, Europe has decidedly abandoned puberty blockers and hormones, as noted in England's Cass report . The U.S. child sex modification industry is being brought to the forefront by clinicians, psychotherapists, researchers, and organizations such as Do No Harm, Genspect, and others.

This isn't the first time medicine has taken a turn for the worse, and it won't be the last. I am optimistic that sunlight and a sobering awakening can bring about a correction. These two resolutions would have strengthened the organization while providing clarity.

It’s not too late to pause, step back, and pivot. TMA's credibility is worth defending, but it is essential to protect our children from danger.

Laura Haygood, MD, Tyler

Lots of confusion

As a senior citizen and certified “old man,” I sometimes have difficulty keeping up with changes in our state’s laws. I'm trying to make sense of recent events in Austin. I understand that I have the right to openly carry my weapons – Governor Greg Abbott made sure that this right was granted to me.

But based on his recent pardon of a convicted killer, it seems that anyone who feels threatened by my presence has the right to shoot me. As long as you “stand your ground,” even if it’s right in front of my own house, you can shoot at will, knowing that our governor will set you free.

Oddly enough, it doesn't matter if a jury of your peers finds you guilty of murder. It doesn't matter if you post racist threats online. It doesn't matter if you post that you're looking to shoot people and are going to Austin to do it.

If someone exercising their right to open carry scares you, it's open carry season. Damn, following Texas laws is confusing. And terrifying. On several levels.

John R. Dorgan, Flower Mound

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