Opinion

The one (and perhaps only) thing Americans seem to agree on these days is political rhetoric is too toxic. They long for folks to cool down and behave like dignified statesmen from that long-ago time before Twitter inflamed passions.

Supermarkets’ cake mix shelves feature the Big Three. There’s Pillsbury, whose Doughboy is a cartoon character. There’s Betty Crocker; sure, her pretty face is on the box, but it’s a portrait drawn from imagination because she’s fictitious.

TO THE EDITOR, ` I’m writing in regard to the April 2 article “City needs tourism for $$$ boost.” Maybe it’s time to bring back three tourism initiatives started during my tenure as mayor but discontinued by the mayor between the current mayor and me. These were the Tourism Commission, the Sports Commission, and participation in the Houston Tourism Summit (resulting in three consecutive tourism marketing matching grants).

A judge with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week the Texas Education Agency can release its 2023 A-F school accountability ratings, the Houston Chronicle reported. The ruling overturned a district judge’s injunction after more than 120 school districts sued to stop TEA from releasing the ratings.

After a four-year absence, Andrew Jackson is back in the Oval Office. Not the actual Jackson, of course.

The bad thing about living in a new place is that I don’t know anyone. The good thing about living in a new place is that I meet new people.

Sixty years ago, Americans were doubled over laughing at a 70-something spitfire’s antics. When “The Beverly Hillbillies” made its debut on CBS in 1962, critics were aghast.

After a while, no one wants to look like a tourist. Experienced travelers will buy a hat in a local store, convinced that having the same head covering will somehow make them less conspicuous.