Independence Day

Texas has a rich heritage and enjoys traditions. We are proud of our history but don’t always celebrate it as widely as we should. That is why everyone should pay heed to Texas Independence Day, which is today.

I propose the following: Restaurants, schools, stores and banks should make the following announcement at noon: “It’s high noon on Texas Independence Day!”

Celebrants should raise their glasses, doff their hats, get their guns up and show their Bear claws, and all should respond, “Here’s to Texas!”

Steve Copenhaver

Lubbock

Flying flag proudly

To the two men in the white pickup truck who decided to ask me about flying the historic flag in my yard: If you would not have squealed your tires so loudly, you could have heard my answer. So here it is:

Yes, I do realize I live in America, and therefore I can fly a pair of boxer shorts over my house if I so choose.

Also, I am not embarrassed to be flying what you called “a damn Mexican flag” because if you would have taken the time to really look — and knew anything about Texas history — you would have realized that this is a replica of the flag that flew over the Texas defenders during the Battle of the Alamo. I am flying it for 13 days from Feb. 23 through March 6 to commemorate the 174th anniversary of the battle.

So thanks for asking.

John G. Martin

Waco

Don’t blame teachers

The Houston Independent School District board voted Feb. 11 to change next year to a value-added system of measuring student progress. This would allow the firing of educators whose students consistently fail to improve on standardized tests. The teachers unions oppose this plan for Houston, which is the largest public school system in Texas. More than 400 teachers could be at risk under a statistical method to judge their effectiveness.

I am proud that we have taken a different attitude in Waco and McLennan County. Under the leadership of Mayor Virginia DuPuy and Ashley Allison with the Greater Waco Community Education Alliance and other community leaders, the emphasis here is quite different. In Waco, we believe that we all share the responsibility for educating every citizen. To make a difference, join the third education summit next November to share your contribution.

Anita White

Waco

Attend caucuses today

I think most Texans prefer political districts that are not gerrymandered to favor one party or candidate over another. So after today’s elections, I encourage those who prefer nonpartisan redistricting to attend their party’s caucus and propose a resolution to create such districts.

Possible wording for these resolutions: “Political districts shall be created on a nonpartisan basis.”

Ottis Foster

McGregor