Letters to the Editor — Natural gas, DEI policies, voting, immigration, AI

Oppose natural gas pause

Re: “Phelan committee to probe pause on natural gas — House speaker asks group to determine whether Biden had power to freeze permits,” March 26 Metro & Business story.

America’s role as a global energy leader is essential for maintaining global energy security and supporting our allies. The recent pause on new and pending liquefied natural gas permits to non-free trade agreement countries puts that in jeopardy.

Leaders in Texas are considering what the impact of the pause might be, as discussed in this story. Here are some things for them to consider.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, America stepped up to support our allies and became the largest supplier of LNG to Europe. Looking forward, Europe will likely need more U.S. LNG for decades as Russian gas is phased out.

Beyond Europe, the landscape isn’t trending toward stability, and we cannot risk further undermining global energy security.

For those concerned about the impact here at home, even as we have reached a record level of LNG exports in recent years, Americans enjoy among the lowest residential natural gas prices in the world.

Leaders in Texas should oppose the pause and advocate for its reversal to help strengthen America’s energy future.

Rob Jennings, Washington, D.C.,

vice president, Natural Gas Markets at the American Petroleum Institute

DEI initiatives crucial

Re: “States aim to shore up protection as courts erode federal safeguards — A weakened Voting Rights Act spurs Dem lawmakers across U.S.,” and “Righting a list’s racial bias — Thousands of Black people kept from kidney transplants,” Tuesday news stories.

These two stories in Tuesday’s paper, seemingly unrelated, are a prime example of how critical the need for diversity, equity and inclusion is.

On Page 2A, a story talks about legislators in several states pursuing state voting rights acts. Minnesota Rep. Emma Greenman is quoted as saying, “We need to protect the rights of voters.”

Directly opposite on Page 3A is a story detailing how Black people had been systematically denied kidney transplants based on a formula which calculated results differently for whites and Blacks.

DEI initiatives are critical to bring disparities such as these to light and to encourage the study of these disparities. In one instance, citizens of color are being gerrymandered out of their rights and in the other, they are being denied basic health care. The need for DEI initiatives and laws has never been greater.

Ron Romaner, North Dallas

Bolster protest by voting

Re: “’The power of the people’ — UTA students protest diversity ban, immigration law, speech restrictions,” Thursday Metro & Business story.

University of Texas at Arlington student Seraphine Pecson is almost correct. While protesting is an effective way to have your voices heard on college campuses, there is an even more important way to be heard. Register to vote and then vote.

College students can protest all they want, but casting your vote will matter even more. While November may seem months away, it’s not too soon to plan to check voting information. There is a deadline and specific steps you will need to follow including that you must be registered 30 days before the election day.

Don’t make the mistake and think you can do all this online, because you can’t, at least not in Texas. You can pre-register to vote in Texas if you are at least 17 years and 10 months old and turn 18 by Election Day.

The website VoteTexas.gov has all the information on what to do. The details are there to have your voices heard. Continue to be active on campuses and make your voices heard. And please take the next step by participating in local, state and federal elections.

Perri Brackett, Lewisville

GOP immigration views

Re: “Republicans could rescue our workforce,” by Dan Hooper, Wednesday Opinion, and “Trump: ‘Bloodbath’ at border destroying U.S., Wednesday news story.

Two stories reflecting wildly opposing Republican views on immigration appeared in the Wednesday edition of your paper.

On Page 14A, Hooper argues persuasively that we need immigrants to “replenish our workforce.” He points out that, “In Texas there are only 8 available workers for every 10 open jobs.” He cites a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas study that points out how “immigrants —both legal and undocumented — have helped our state and the U.S. economies to grow.”

In contrast, on Page 2, there is a report about Donald Trump’s campaign claims that highlight his falsehoods — of a “bloodbath” at the border that was “destroying the country.”

Hooper ends his column with the hope that if Republicans control the White House and Congress in 2025, they will enact “Reagan-like” immigration reform. I’d like to think that is possible, but given the state of the Republican Party today, I believe it is pure fantasy.

Bill Maina, North Dallas

AI lacks understanding

Re: “Human intelligence beats artificial intelligence — One thing AI will never replace: The artist’s soul,” by Craig Detweiler, March 31 Opinion.

Detweiler’s comparison of human intelligence to artificial intelligence was insightful and important. The ability of AI to use existing published works to compose novel presentations of that information is very impressive. However, there is no evidence that it understands the meaning of its content. Understanding the meaning of any form of research is the hallmark of human intelligence.

Since all biological life is built around the element carbon, one of the mysteries in the development of human consciousness is how did carbon become aware that it is carbon? I would suggest that there is reason to believe that there is much more to existence than just the physical aspects.

Jim Wade, Dallas

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