Letters to the Editor – Ukraine, health insurance, books, new columnists, sports

Clock ticking on Ukraine
Re: “Answer Ukraine’s Call — U.S. must fully resolve to supply weapons to push out Russia,” Sunday editorial.
This editorial shines a bright light on a harsh reality. Russia’s invasion is a geopolitical challenge to core U.S. and Western interests and not simply a technical question of supplying the ideal weapons systems to fit battlefield conditions.
The fundamental question is whether the Biden administration wants to avoid Ukraine losing or reverse Russia’s aggression. Ambiguity over the goal within the Biden team and America’s NATO allies — especially Germany — is demonstrated by the pattern of delay before finally relenting in supplying military hardware.
The clock literally is ticking as the war approaches its first anniversary on Feb. 24. Acting decisively now and actually delivering the F-16, fourth-generation jets from our European partners, and U.S. Air Force A-10 jets to Ukrainian pilots along with the Army Tactical Missile System will give the Ukrainian military game-changers that can tip the balance. It also sends a strong message not just to Russia but also a clear signal to China, Iran and other authoritarian nations.
James L. Regens, Nichols Hills, Okla.
Destroy lethal drone factory
Why doesn’t the U.S. use armed drones to destroy Iranian factories producing Kamikaze drones that strike Ukraine?
John Lemandri, Williamsburg, Va.
Medical insurance a lifesaver
Re: “Doctor with MS imagines life without insurance — Health care gaps leave too many disabled, unable to pay mounting bills, unable to work,” by Lisa Doggett, Monday Opinion.
My luck when symptoms first appeared at age 32 was similar to Dr. Doggett’s luck. I had access to medical professionals who would and could help figure out what was wrong with me.
Working in medical research at a highly acclaimed medical school, divorced from a research-oriented doctor, many accepted the task of diagnosing me as well. They were in agreement that I had “a demyelinating disease” and it was probably MS.
No one charted that diagnosis in my medical records because we all knew that I would probably lose my research job, lose my medical insurance and would eventually be headed for the proverbial poor house.
After a few years of symptoms creeping along, the progression waned and finally stopped completely after a few more years. That was 1980. Once I became Medicare-eligible, I admitted to the diagnosis of MS at doctor’s offices, which helped explain why an old MRI of my head showed lots of “holes.”
I’ve done a “Thank you, Lord” statement every day because I beat the odds and was able to keep working. Without keeping my medical insurance, I’m sure my life would have turned out in a very different way.
Lea Head, Whitewright
‘Both-and’ will enrich literary path
Re: A battle over the classics pits modern voices against dead white men. But thoughtful academics can bridge the book divide,” by Jessica Hooten Wilson, Sunday Opinion.
Wilson’s essay highlighting the rich, varied and neglected voices in literary history is informative, and her clarion call to a “third way” is timely.
As her previous scholarly work has espoused, knowledge of history in any discipline is key, and it seems we have departed a path of enlightened consensus to a briar patch of “either-or” hostility.
The essay’s advocacy for a “both-and” foundation for literary wisdom is important for inspiring our way back to the path toward “the good life” and should be a widely read and resourced manifesto for this effort.
And may this serve as the nomination of Wilson to your group of contributing columnists.
Allan Anderson, M.D., Salado
New columnists a good start
Recently you announced a plan to invite a dozen outside writers to contribute some new viewpoints to your editorial section. It’s time to freshen up and that’s a good start.
The media wield much influence. We need to get more information about the border. There’s a war going on in Mexico between the cartels and the military that we need to know about. We know that a vast majority of refugees don’t qualify for refugee status, and that needs to be addressed.
Hopefully, your invitation will include some investigative reporting with a dollop of conspicuous integrity that exposes both sides of the issues.
Let’s make The Dallas Morning News a leader and expose what is going on. The country is absolutely bankrupt and in debt so far that we will never get out of it. Debt ceilings are meaningless since they only provide an issue for contention and then raise it again … and again.
Your decision to invite more opinions is the right thing to do. Read your founder’s declaration and do it. Your responsibility is not one-sided!
James F. Van Gilder, Rockwall
Time for budget amendment
The U.S. government has raised, temporarily suspended or altered the definition of the debt ceiling many times since 1960. What is it going to take to make Congress responsible for spending within stated limits? A constitutional amendment for balanced budgets has been bandied about many times. It is time to make it the law of the land. Those who read these letters know we are at $31 trillion right now — egregious!
Marc W. Morisseau, Heath
A triple from SportsDay
Regarding Monday’s SportsDay pages: 1. Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks. Does the team realize what their mascot is all about? 2. At last, the Pro Bowl folks have realized that fans want to see their stars playing and not limping. 3. Alleluia, golf stats in point 8 type so old folks like me can find the scores of our favorite players.
Timothy Gollob, Dallas
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