Letters to the Editor

Religious-based politics in the way

I read with both interest and dismay Nov. 16-17 editorial on Page 4A, “Who is the real Robert Roberson?”

I wonder if such character analysis and power struggles between branches of the state government are really important when we’re dealing with a man’s life? Indeed, knowing him may be extremely difficult in that the man suffers from autism.

Roberson was convicted by little more than “junk science” and personal prejudices in the emergency room.

The little girl was suffering from pneumonia and sepsis. The pneumonia alone could have caused a high temperature and depleted oxygen intake sufficient to cause dizziness and reduced stability to cause falling. Pediatric medication that were administered to her has since been discontinued nationally and I suspicion a narcotic base of such medication on that basis.

Having formerly served as an Assistant Hospital Wardmaster in the military, I discount “shaken baby syndrome” due to a lack of family history and the fact that such is often caused by sibling rivalry.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s rigid stance seem to be based on nothing more than religious based politics.

Can you say separation of church and state?

I grow weary of “Bible beater” soap box politicians playing racquetball with a man’s life.

Let’s settle it this way.

Get Roberson out of solitary confinement where he’s been for 20 years (why?) and put Craig Watkins at the head of his legal team.

Most importantly, have Roberson undergo voice stress analysis by the Texas Rangers and make the results immediately public.

While I can’t speak for others, this charade and the invasion of Texas Women’s healthcare by Abbott and Paxton convince me to hope for Don Huffines and Eva Guzman running again.

Bill Hoffman

Flint

Ask Congress to pass Kids Online Safety Act

I am a parent living in Tyler. The older our kids get, the more present smartphones and social media are in their lives and the lives of their friends. Many kids lose sleep, worry about their body image, and receive messages from strangers.

It’s past time for Congress to help parents fight back. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is a very straightforward bill — written by Democrats and Republicans — that puts in place protections for kids online, like regulating addictive features and harmful content.

Data shows parents badly want it, regardless of political affiliation. In an August poll, “76% of Republican voters are more likely to vote for a U.S. Congressional Representative who supports KOSA.” The numbers among Democrats were nearly identical: “79% of Democratic voters are more likely to vote for a U.S. Congressional Representative who supports KOSA.”

Reports are surfacing that Meta lobbyists are making the rounds to both Republicans and Democrats, spreading narratives that are easy to believe but are not grounded in fact. Social media companies are the worst offenders when it comes to privacy and parental autonomy. These platforms have been collecting, sharing, and selling children’s data for years, while using design features that promote compulsion and undermine personal agency.

To U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and our Congress: please give parents the autonomy we so desperately need. Pass KOSA, and pass it now!

Ashleigh Berry

Tyler