Opposed to natural gas moratorium
Re: “Phelan committee to investigate natural gas moratorium — House speaker asks group to determine whether Biden had authority to freeze permits,” Metro & Business article, March 26.
America's role as the world's energy leader is essential to maintaining global energy security and supporting our allies. The recent suspension of new and pending liquefied natural gas permits for non-free trade agreement countries puts that at risk.
As discussed in this article, Texas leaders are considering what the impact of the moratorium will be. There are a few things to consider here.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States stepped up its support for its allies and became the largest LNG supplier to Europe. Europe will need even more U.S. LNG in the coming decades as Russian gas is phased out.
Outside of Europe, the situation is not moving towards stability and we cannot risk further compromising global energy security.
Even though LNG exports have reached record levels in recent years, Americans are worried about the domestic impact, even though they enjoy some of the lowest residential natural gas prices in the world. I would like to explain this to the people out there.
Texas leaders should oppose the moratorium and advocate for its repeal to strengthen America's energy future.
Rob Jennings, Washington, DC;
American Petroleum Institute Vice President, Natural Gas Markets
DEI initiatives are important
Re: “As courts erode federal safeguards, states aim to strengthen protections – weakening voting rights laws spurring Democratic lawmakers across the country” and “Race on list “Correcting bias – Thousands of Black people are being turned away from kidney transplants,” Tuesday's news article.
These two seemingly unrelated articles in Tuesday's newspaper are prime examples of how important the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion is.
Page 2A has articles about legislators in several states pursuing state voting rights laws. Minnesota Rep. Emma Greenman was quoted as saying, “We need to protect the rights of our voters.”
Directly across from Page 3A is an article detailing how black people were systematically denied kidney transplants based on a formula that calculated different outcomes for whites and blacks.
DEI efforts are important for exposing these disparities and encouraging research into them. In some cases, people of color are being disenfranchised, and in others, they are being denied basic health care. The need for DEI initiatives and legislation has never been greater.
Ron Romer, North Dallas
Intensify protests by voting
Re: “'People Power'—UTA Students Protest Diversity Bans, Immigration Laws, Speech Restrictions,” Thursday Metro & Business article.
University of Texas at Arlington student Seraphine Pekson is mostly right. Protesting is an effective way to make your voice heard on college campuses, but there is a more important way. Please register to vote before voting.
College students can protest all they want, but voting is even more important. November may seem like a few months away, but it's never too early to start making plans to check your voting information. There are deadlines and certain steps that need to be followed, such as having to register at least 30 days before the election date.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you can do all of this online, at least not in Texas. You can pre-register to vote in Texas if you are at least 17 years and 10 months old and will turn 18 by Election Day.
The website VoteTexas.gov has all the information on what to do. The details are included so that your voice can be heard. Please continue to be active on campus and make your voice heard. Then take the next step by participating in local, state, and federal elections.
Perry Brackett, Louisville
Republican immigration views
Re: “Republicans may be able to rescue workers,” by Dan Hooper, Wednesday Opinion, and “Trump: Border ‘Bloodshed’ Will Destroy America,” Wednesday News article.
Two articles reflecting the Republican Party's vehemently opposing views on immigration were published in the Wednesday edition of your newspaper.
On page 14A, Hooper persuasively argues that immigrants are needed to “replenish the workforce.” He points out that “in Texas, he has only eight available workers for every 10 open jobs.” He cited research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas that points out how “immigrants, both legal and illegal, have contributed to economic growth in our state and in the United States.”
In contrast, the second page features a report on Donald Trump's campaign claims that highlight his falsehood that “bloodshed” at the border is “destroying the country.”
Hooper concludes his column by hopeful that if Republicans control the White House and Congress in 2025, we will see “Reagan-like” immigration reform enacted. I'd like to think that's possible, but given the state of the Republican Party today, I think that's a complete fantasy.
Bill Maina, North Dallas
AI lacks understanding
Re: “Human Intelligence Will Beat Artificial Intelligence — What AI Will Never Replace: The Soul of the Artist,” by Craig Detweiler, March 31 Opinion.
Detwiler's comparison between human intelligence and artificial intelligence was insightful and important. His AI's ability to use existing published works to create new presentations of that information is very impressive. However, there is no evidence that they understand the meaning of its contents. Making sense of all forms of research is a hallmark of human intelligence.
Since all biological life is built around the element carbon, one of the mysteries of the development of human consciousness is how carbon realized it was carbon. I would like to suggest that there is reason to believe that there is more to existence than just its physical aspects.
Jim Wade, Dallas
We welcome your feedback in a letter to the editor. Please refer to the guidelines. Submit your letter here. If you have any problems with the form, please email us at: Letters@dallasnews.com