Letters to the Editor

There is an issue that all of us should rise up in unison to support.

The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without a congressional authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or a declaration of war by the United States.

The resolution was passed by two-thirds each of the House and Senate, overriding the veto of the bill by President Richard Nixon.

The United States has been at war almost every year of its existence — many times made by the presidents of both parties with little supervision from anyone.

Our soldiers often are ordered into wars in which the strategy was never clear and outcome vague or bad. Our soldiers are ordered to go into situations in which they, the soldiers on the other side and countless civilians have been mutilated and killed. Towns, cities, farmlands, etc., destroyed. Our country has poured billions into battles in places most of us can’t find on a map, while needs at home have to wait.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution to avoid unilateral deadly actions by our presidents. The problem is most in Congress don’t have the political guts to stand up and live up to their responsibilities of oversight needed for this deadly enterprise.

Our nation and others now have the ability to destroy life as we know it with our technically advanced weapons. Without serious checks and balances we will meet a tragic end and take humanity around the world with us.

Blake Bailey

Tyler

FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, I caught my kitchen area on fire! I left my cast iron skillet with oil in it on the high burner and left the room. Unfortunately, I got distracted and the next thing I knew the smoke alarm was going off. I returned to find flames going up from the skillet past the Vent-A-Hood, even to the ceiling.

I immediately called Lindale 911 for Lindale Volunteer Fire Department. However, since I live in a mobile home, I knew that almost certainly by the time they could possibly get here it would be too late to save my mobile home. I then called my dear friend/neighbor who lives across the fence from me, and fortunately she happened to be home at the time. I frantically told her my kitchen was on fire. Then I looked down the road and she was already running full speed with a fire extinguisher in her hand. I opened my door and she immediately began spraying the flames. Thankfully she was able to put it out. Otherwise I am quite sure my house would have burned to the ground. She is truly an unsung heroine!

A few minutes later the Lindale Fire Department arrived with an army of fire trucks. Not only did they check to make sure there was no fire left in the walls, but they made sure I was all right. My father was a Dallas fireman in the ‘30s and ‘40s, so I am quite aware that these brave men put their very lives on the line for our community. I am very grateful to them.

Praise the Lord that he again protected me. I could have been trapped in the back bedroom that has no exit!

Also I am very thankful to family and friends for their many hours to help clean up. We have had to throw away food that could have been contaminated by the toxic fumes and wash all the dishes and laundry. My stove was destroyed so I had to replace it, also my cabinets and ceiling tile. But, again, praise the lord it is repairable.

Alice Wright

Tyler

MAKE CHILD CARE AFFORDABLE

Right now, more than half of all Americans live in child care deserts and, for those who can access care, the cost exceeds that of most major household expenses including housing. Child care workers (many of whom are mothers themselves) are among the lowest-paid workers in our nation.

For every $1 invested in early learning and child care, taxpayers get back $13 later due to fewer later grade repetitions, fewer later interactions with the criminal justice system and more.

The average cost of center-based child care exceeds the average cost of rent in every state in the country.

I found out recently that the Child Care Services/Families First helps some families afford child care and that Congress increased funding for the program. It’s great to hear that many Texas families are gaining access to affordable, high-quality child care, but the reality is that there are still too many families struggling to make it work by scraping together care and working odd jobs.

It’s time for our elected leaders to act with the Child Care for Working Families Act! We need more than incremental steps, and this bill is what Texas needs to make sure all families can afford high-quality child care, and that the workforce earns a living wage.

I urge all members of both parties to support this act so that our future citizens get the best education possible by making child care more affordable, and giving those who work with the children a living wage.

Mary Whitehead

Tyler