Agreed; Nico firing is too late
Re: “Trade, bleak season force GM out door — Team fires embattled manager after tenure marred by Doncic deal,” Wednesday news story
Too little, too late. While the firing of Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison is welcome news, the irreparable damage to the team and fan base cannot be undone. The sad truth is that Harrison can walk away from this mess, but the fans will mourn the ramifications of the worst trade in NBA history long after Luka Dončić retires, likely with a handful of championship rings for the Lakers.
And the fact that Mavericks’ governor Patrick Dumont’s letter to the fans didn’t even acknowledge the error of their disastrous decision to trade Luka further exemplifies the organization’s lack of understanding of the city’s passionate fan base.
Short of begging Luka to return, we at least want an apology and accountability, not for the terrible start to this season, but for trading the generational talent who brought magic to the team, helped us reach the NBA Finals in 2024 and was the face of the franchise.
Opinion
I’m still incredibly sad and angry about Harrison’s inexplicable decision to trade Luka, but I support our players and will always be a Mavs fan for life.
Ann Pask, Dallas/Preston Hollow
More investment in DART needed
Re: “North Texas Traffic Goes On Forever — Building more roads and highways alone isn’t the answer,” Tuesday editorial.
North Texas traffic is bad, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon. The Texas Department of Transportation’s 635 East Project may offer some relief initially, but not for long. Induced demand will soon take over — that is, when there is more road space, more cars will use it, re-creating the traffic jams the new roads were designed to reduce in the first place.
And DART looks like it’s on its way out, as several member cities are set to abandon the system. The only way DART will be able to continue service with such a budget hit is to cut routes and frequency. That’s not the answer to the traffic problem. Instead, the cities should be investing more in DART so that it can build something cool and efficient — like an underground pneumatic or maglev subway.
It can be built connecting all the DART member cities along with DFW International Airport. Just line up some federal grants, regional bonds, TIFs, value capture and land-based financing. This is the only real answer to reducing North Texas’ traffic burden.
Jason Nancarrow, Plano
Disagreeing with reviewer
Re: “‘Dialogues of the Carmelites’ vivid but uneven — While orchestra comes through clearly, vocals are not as consistent,” by Scott Cantrell, Sunday Metro review.
Cantrell concluded his review of Dallas Opera’s production of Dialogue of the Carmelites with the words, “I found it more confusing than convincing.”
I am not alone among regular Dallas operagoers who have attended performances to date in finding Cantrell’s reviews more confusing than convincing.
Carmelites is a difficult, dark piece with beautiful music and dramatic dialogues that show the inner strife of each nun as they struggle with the decision of martyrdom. This production is one of the best productions of the Dallas Opera since the move to the Winspear in 2009.
The sets were understandably sober and remarkably lit. We are after all in a convent for the most part. Emmanuel Villaume brought out a sound from the excellent Dallas Opera Orchestra that we have not heard perhaps since Das Rheingold three seasons ago.
Above all, the last 15 minutes are perhaps one of the most harrowing and emotional parts of the opera.
If you have not seen it yet, please make the effort to see the remaining performance Saturday.
Antony Francis, Dallas
Where were the flags?
Tuesday morning, my daughter and granddaughters visited Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery to pay respects to their father and grandfather. To their dismay and disappointment, there were absolutely no flags around to honor the veterans. The government shutdown prevented this very special annual event.
My late husband was a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and served in both the Korea and Vietnam wars. And this is the respect he gets?
Nancy Pfrommer, Dallas
One important distinction
Re: “Immigrants are U.S.,” by Elizabeth Knoop, Tuesday Letters.
Ms. Knoop correctly states that the colorful patchwork of hardworking immigrants has made America a leading global nation but wonders why we are now turning away immigrants. A simple answer from an immigrant from Hungary who came to the United States in 1950 with my parents — like hundreds of thousands before me and after me: We all came legally.
Kevin Halter, Celina
… And reform is a good idea
Ms. Knoop’s letter points out a fundamental misunderstanding about immigration and our attitudes toward it. I’m not aware of anyone who is opposed to legal, orderly immigration. Or at least not a serious plurality.
I agree wholeheartedly with the fact that we are a nation of immigrants and that this has helped to make the U.S. the most powerful and prosperous nation in history. Millions around the world are trying to immigrate to our nation as our forebears did.
What many of us have issues with is the unvetted, uncontrolled flood of immigrants that has always been a problem, but has been exacerbated in recent years. I’ve no doubt that most of these illegal entries are by honest, hardworking individuals seeking a better life, but how can we know that if there is no check on undocumented entries?
We probably need immigration reform in some kind of guest worker program or a cleaner path to citizenship, but Congress continues to fail in that duty. So, yes to immigration. No, to undocumented entry.
Robert Lofland, Royse City