Left standing for ideals

We have a new president. I am one of the minority who didn’t vote for him. To the best of my ability and consistent with my values, I will support him.

But before we emerge from the heat of this election, wouldn’t it be fair for someone, without hyperbole, to sum up or critique the democratic side of the historic nature of the event?

Can anyone disagree with the view that over half of the voters in this great country essentially rejected character as the decisive criterion for how they voted? When we as individuals examine our inner selves, again without hyperbole, don’t we have to agree that most of those who voted for Donald Trump had to reject every ethical, moral and spiritual tenet their parents taught them as they were growing up?

So, where does that leave us? While honoring the will of the majority, it is my fervent hope that it leaves us, not defeated, but more determined than ever to press (I’ve never liked the word “fight”) for the same ideals and principles we stood for in this election — the rule of law, the Constitution of the United States and the welfare of our neighbors.

Rodney Pirtle, Dallas

What did Harris just do?

Wait, so Kamala Harris has already conceded? Doesn’t she know how this works nowadays? When a contender loses a presidential race, he or she is never supposed to concede. And the loser should play the victim and childishly whine that everything is rigged against them.

And certainly don’t fret about how doing this needlessly tears the country in two. And despite any evidence, how about filing 60 lawsuits that go nowhere — even when in front of politically like-minded judges.

And be sure to tell state secretaries to just “find” you the votes you need. Oh, and tell your own vice president to overthrow the entire election by blowing a hole in the Constitution by not certifying the Electoral College.

By not doing any of that, what is Harris thinking? Oh, that’s right — she’s acting like an adult. An adult who puts the country over herself.

Brad Stone, East Dallas

No more conspiracy theories

To all the Donald Trump supporters, congratulations. Now do the other half of the population the favor of calming your anger and setting aside all of your conspiracy theories. It’s time for some peace.

Bonnie Wulff, Dallas

Minimizing Texas public schools

In Thursday’s Metro section, a photo caption shows Gov. Greg Abbott hugging Kingdom of Life Academy director Joel Enge in Tyler while promoting his school voucher initiative that will help schools like Kingdom of LIfe, a private Christian campus.

So in addition to transferring taxpayer dollars from the 5.5 million public school students to the 330,000 private school students in Texas, the purpose of the Abbott-supported voucher plan is to help private Christian schools? Of course Abbott has the support of private Christian schools — who’s not in favor of free nonrecourse state funding for their business?

The state of Texas is quickly headed to the bottom of public state school quality rankings.

Douglas T. Peck, Plano

Other side winning is healthy

Every sports fan loves an upset, especially when it’s done by an unlikely team playing as an underdog. It all sounds so typically American. Until you come to know that one of the latest sporting underdogs was none other than the New Zealand cricket team, which has become an unlikely Edmund Hillary (a New Zealand mountaineer who was the first alongside Nepalese Tenzing Norgay to climb to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953) in being the first cricket team to win a test series in India after 12 years. It came off the back of the Kiwi women’s side winning its first Women’s WT20 as well.

As an Indian cricket fan, I was in shock that India’s unbeaten streak could suddenly come to an end. But it’s a reminder that in sport and life, it’s not always a bad thing when the other side wins.

Many people this election look at it as a life-or-death scenario if their team, or political party, doesn’t come out on top. But for the health of democracy, it’s indeed a good thing if we have more than one formidable party. It encourages new perspectives and breathes new life into our country. Similarly, in sport, it preserves its overall popularity and relevance. We’d do well to remember this at this time.

Jay Deshpande, Allen

Suggestions for the head office

I am asking that Jerry Jones and his merry men consider the following suggestions: learn clock management, don’t jump offside, emulate DeMarvion Overshown and Brandon Aubrey’s performances, tackle the legs and wrap up, no 1-yard passes when 10 yards are needed, allow opposing quarterbacks less time for passing, move the pocket for Dak Prescott so he won’t be a statue and find a person who can call offensive plays without being so predictable (perhaps enlisting the 100th fan to enter the stadium).

James Geels, North Dallas

This sounds familiar …

The TV character George Costanza once berated an actor playing George Steinbrenner: “With all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made for this fine organization. In the past 20 years, you have caused myself and the city of New York a good deal of distress as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduce them to a laughingstock, all for the glorification of your massive ego!”

Change 20 to 29, New York to Dallas, Yankees to Cowboys, and history has repeated itself.

Jeffrey York, Dallas

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com