Letters — Social studies, Flock cameras, NBA

Re: "New social studies curriculum advances despite controversy — Muslim students, parents warn Islam unfairly associated with violence," Thursday news story. A Shariah takeover? Oh my, that sure sounds scary! Has anyone stopped to look up what that word means? Google says, 'Sharia represents God's moral, ethical and spiritual guidance for human beings.' Sounds like an equivalent to Christians' Ten Commandments, plus Jesus' teachings. Maybe we could all just relax. And State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, Gov. Greg Abbott and others could abstain from inserting their versions of early world history into our children's textbooks. Live in the present. Look closer and realize we are all God's people, understanding the same moral, spiritual and ethical principles for living together in peace in our world. Pat Evans, Plano Former social studies teacher Re: "City disables 321 Flock cameras — Police are set to shut off almost half of them after Abbott's funding pause," Thursday news story. About 10 years ago, on the night before Christmas Eve, I was randomly punched in the face. I stumbled from concussion as my wife shrieked. While the act didn't occur in a bar, we quickly ducked into one. A waitress gave me ice for the swelling as we awaited the arrival of Galveston police. I then got stitches. We departed on a cruise the following day. A fellow passenger who was a police officer advised we go to the media if we had any hope of solving the case. Upon returning to shore, I got my stitches removed. It was difficult to reach the media on New Year's Eve, but I managed a phone interview with the the Galveston County Daily News, a television studio interview while passing through Houston the following day and a remote interview with a rival Houston station after returning to Dallas. Online comments to the Daily News article were sympathetic. Within days, readers were posting video footage links that led to juvenile arrests. I later received a paltry restitution check. Surveillance cameras played a similar role in solving the case of a woman punched in downtown Dallas two years ago. Had there been street cameras in her neighborhood, would Nancy Guthrie be with her family today? Ken Duble, Dallas/The Cedars If law enforcement is correct and Flock cameras greatly aid in solving crime, then they should not object to a system under which any law enforcement or government employee accessing data without a warrant would be liable to $20,000 in fines, two years in prison without parole and a loss of their license to be an officer. Robert Munroe, North Dallas I'm all for stopping data centers provided there is no interference with my ability to: read The Dallas Morning News e-Edition, bank online, shop online, play online games, send e-mail, watch videos and stream TV. Stuart Johnson, Red Oak Re: "Texas needs to improve childcare — Early childhood educators need more education and opportunity," by Robert DeHaas and Regen Horchow, Thursday Opinion. We are right to train attention on childcare and the "workforce behind the workforce." I welcome any effort that not only builds a ladder for early childhood teachers, but also makes it easier for them to climb it and reach their own goals. The authors rightly note that credentials aren't everything. I'd take that further. A degree reflects one person's training, but quality childcare is bigger than any single credential. High-quality centers operate within licensing standards and health and safety guidance built around the whole child, including the caregiving, environment and structure that shape a young learner's day. Raising teacher education strengthens that system, but it doesn't replace it. And when certified teachers oversee and mentor qualified staff, we can care for more children across our communities. But we should be honest about the bigger threat. If we keep weakening our childcare ecosystem by effectively adding a "14th grade" to the public schools, we're going to be in trouble. As the governor's task force takes up this work, let's seize the moment the authors describe by strengthening the mixed-delivery system we have and supporting continuing education for all educational credential evaluators. Robbin Wilson Wells, Lucas Re: "NBA star's donation to help fight food insecurity," Wednesday SportsDay story. So often these days sports figures are stereotyped as entitled or selfish. On the contrary, many give back. This story on Bedford native Myles Turner's monetary and personal commitment to the Empowering the Masses food pantry in Dallas shows us one example. Turner has committed a donation of $1 million for 10 years to this organization. Their food distribution process is significant. Rather than a pre-selected box of food, patrons get to select what they want and know their family will eat. This not only makes sense; it preserves their dignity. Many of the patrons earn too much to qualify for SNAP benefits. More than 35% of those experiencing food insecurity in North Texas are kids. Turner said he will never turn his back on the people who have helped him. I think we should highlight people of character who represent the best of us. Thanks for doing that here. It made my day. Mike Holloway, Dallas/Casa Linda