Letters from our Readers - April 2004

Response to "Lies our President Told Us”

I think the proper term for "the large number of truly morally upright people who support George W. Bush" should be "...truly morally uptight people who support George W. Bush." 
Platforming under the Christian flag proved to be a strong method in our world of clashing religious "values" and "beliefs." After being fed organized change for a few decades, Americans were ready to cling to that voice of hope which said, "A Return To Ideals!" What better time to blurt out "In God We Trust." Unfortuntely, "Morally right" now seems to now be defined as, "Not as morally wrong as...." 
I am in strong agreement with your assessment that a morally "upright" person would not tolerate lies. Unforunately, it would seem that the propoganda machine has devored our concept of upright, and left us with a president, who like his recent predecesors, openly saturates us in more foolery and leaves us wondering why we even voted.
I guess the only potential freedom we really have within a world of evolving lies, rests between our ability to sort them between our own ears.

Nate Warren

Your rights, how to get them

Welcome to those who want to know what I know.
Leadership is like looking for the needle in the haystack. Till you get stuck you don't know how much it hurts. The fact is Congress has lost touch with us the citizens out here trying to provide a home for the their families and trying to live on Social Security. They live on another set of rules from us the people who elected them. Well its time they understand we demand accountability from them. The tree that does not bend with the wind loses its roots and comes down. Certain respect must be honored to those who vote. In turn understanding of the rules must be taught to provide defense of the citizens rights in our schools to graduate. Our forefathers had common sense that is shown today to be lacking in those now in public office. Greed seems to be the only goal of politicians. Those who deny justice must be removed from office. Kevin Brady is one. The “Bill of Rights” the defense of individual rights must be protected against what the Bush Administration has removed and must be re-established with protection that it never happens again. That can only come from responsible representatives. Justice denied brings rebellion. Example: Our Declaration of Independence against the English. The outcome of this: Our Constitution of the United States of America. Looking at the facts. The funding of political campaigns has become a scandal and corruption of our voting rights. Since the 2000 election the voters have not trusted our system. The voting machine act is a disgrace to this nation and to the voters much less the extortion of their money and rights.
Some things are simple if understanding of the operation is known. Education denied is the destruction of our foundations and our personal rights by our so-called leadership.
We were lied to about “No child left behind”. No funding was ever offered!
In answer I offer answers to satisfy those problems:
Funding of government and elections is simple. Using these guide lines and removal of the IRS by establishing basic financing solves the problem of invasion of a citizens personal finances. Government has no right to this. Now to what is right. It would take eight months to establish the below. In turn it would produce 100% spending into our economy. Congress must establish an excise tax on the use of money in our financial system of 1/10 % of every dollar that goes through the banks. 1/10% = one dollar per each thousand that is used in commerce. All amounts under one thousand dollars would be exempt from this tax. The amount generated by this tax would be greater than the cost of all government. State and Federal Governments combined. Plus providing medical treatment for our nation. The surplus would go into the United States Treasury. The financing of elections should be established on the Federal election level on the amount of voters in each state. Giving an equal amount going to each candidate who filed for election. Based on so much to contact each voter. This is common sense!
I established a platform in 1991 that if approved by the voters will give us law we as voters control by our vote and the protection of that also. www.independenceusa.com/platform1.html
Now I ask for your vote and support to make the above a reality for Americans.

James Wright
Candidate for Congress District 8 Texas

Linda Bauer - Misrepresenting the truth 

In a letter to several newspapers, State Board of Education member Linda Bauer has accused me of lying. She claims I said she has "voted 100% with the Democrats on the State Board of Education." 
As anyone who read my message could see, Linda voted 100% with the liberal Democrats on the votes of APRIL 9th, 2003, the first meeting of the new SBOE term. The important votes concerned powerful positions and committees being set up for the next 2 years. 
Linda, being a journalist, knows better than to take quotes out of context. 
I presented evidence from the minutes of the April 9, 2003 SBOE meeting. Linda voted 100% with the liberal Democrats at the April 9 meeting. 
We have some Republicans (Linda included) who vote far too often with the liberal Democrats, instead of with the conservative Republicans. In an effort to discredit conservatives, Linda referred to four of the Republicans on the SBOE as "extremist ideologues." I can't speak for others, but I am tired of the liberal media referring to conservatives as "extremists." Why would Linda copy the media elite when referring to her fellow SBOE members? Linda refers to conservatives as "robots." Can't we do without that sort of mudslinging? 
Some votes may swing from time to time. But the really important votes will prove where candidates genuinely stand on the issues. I've tried to talk twice with Linda about her votes. She tells me she's too busy. So all I have to go on is her voting record. 
At the last SBOE meeting February 27, she did it again, voting against Gov. Perry's education initiative, with ALL the Democrats. 

Betty Anderson 
Spring, TX

Barbara Cargill's Supporters Have Some Questions to Answer

Why did President, then Governor, George W. Bush actively oppose Terri Leo when she ran for the State Board of Education, and was defeated, in 1996?
Source: George W. Bush recorded phone call to voters, 1996.
Maybe because he knew something like this would happen: 
At the April 10, 2003 State Board Meeting, Terri Leo voted for liberal Democrat, Joe Bernal of San Antonio, for Vice Chairman of the State Board against conservative Republican Cynthia Thornton of Round Top. Mrs. Thornton won on a 9-06 vote.
Source: SBOE April 10, 2003 meeting minutes
Who Supports Terri Leo?
On March 13, 2002, she took a $3,000 contribution from David Bradley, indicted for actions to manipulate contracts for the SBOE's Texas Permanent School Fund.
Source: Texas Ethics Commission report
On March 1, 2002, she took a $500 campaign contribution from former Democrat State Representative Clint Hackney, a lobbyist for investment company Mackay Shields, which manages hundreds of million in SBOE School Fund money.
Source: Texas Ethics Commission report
On November 19, 2001, she took a contribution of $1,000 from a PAC funded by three people, including Russell Stein, indicted for SBOE School Fund-related actions.
Source: Texas Ethics Commission report
Then, at the November 6, 2003 State Board meeting, Terri Leo voted with the Democrats, against the Republican majority, to retain underperforming investment companies for the Permanent School Fund, instead of replacing them..
Source: SBOE Nov. 6, 2003 meeting minutes
Her SBOE friends - Bernal, Bradley and Stein - indicted and awaiting trial.
Terri Leo may not represent her constituents, but she stands by her campaign contributors.

Linda Bauer
The Woodlands, Texas

Fiscal Graffiti

Hi there I am a fellow Conroe/Grangerland citizen in my mid 20's and just starting to vote and concern myself with our country's politics. I read your article in the Bulletin, Fiscal Graffiti. You make some very interesting points about how politics work, I have made some of the same observations, but what can you do about the good ol' boy favors that happen? Push for tighter restrictions on how contracts are awarded? That would just add to the problems and legal mumbo jumbo. 
I hear your cry and share your concern. What is our local government doing about our economy besides helping their friends? I commute to South Houston for employment that pay's enough to meet my financial needs and go to school part-time at MCCC. I look every week on the internet for jobs in the Conroe/Woodlands area that I qualify for that would meet my financial needs and be a little flexible on the hours so I can attend school, well I've been searching for 3 years and I'm still looking. Most of the jobs that I find require 4 year degrees or 10+ years of experience in the field. The jobs I do qualify for and would be willing to work with my school schedule don't pay enough. I don't think I'm asking for too much. It is hard to live in a smaller town with a poor economy and succeed especially if you don't have a degree. 
Back to the main issue, politics in our local government. Good ol' boy favors by the ones in office. Take a step back and imagine what you would have to do to get elected. Imagine what you would do if you were elected? Finally you made it to the top, where you are in a position to make a difference. Now what? You want to make a change for the better and do good, the economy is in the gutter, on one hand there are people coming to you complaining about one thing or the other, on the other hand you have people that seem to be your friend and offer advise and solutions to the problems that some people are complaining about. The complaints don't stop, you have to make a decision, you want it to be the right one so you pick. You can go with solutions offered by other people you don't know, or go with someone you do know. You are only in office for a couple years, so you pick to go with someone you do know, so when yo! u are out of office you still have a friend... 
I'm not justifying the actions of corrupt politicians that seem to only have their self and a small circle of friends in mind when handling tax payers money. I'm just trying to picture why it happens and what would be the best solution to the apparent problem. Standing at city hall or chamber meetings or where ever and complain about the actions of our politicians lets others know what is going on. So once people are informed what is the next step? Do you try and change the system? I think the best solution is to vote for the person that is most aware of the situation and has a desire to do what is right for the greater good. 
How do you know which person is the best person for the job and is going to do the greater good? Unless you are actively involved in politics and personally know the person running for office, one has to rely on the job of reporters for information to make the judgement call of who is the best person to vote for. 
You probably get a lot of criticism and I'm not even sure you are going to read this or just skim threw it and delete it. The point of this e-mail is to share my point of view with you. If you see a different point and/or want to discuss something reply back to me. 

Shaun 

Negligence must not be tolerated 

The testimony heard by the 9-11 commission made it clear that the Bush administration failed to take steps to protect the public from terrorists in spite of urgent warnings. That constitutes incompetence or negligence -- but not a crime. Terrorists took advantage of incompetence and negligence, but they were not knowingly abetted.
By now, officials and elected representatives should be aware that our democracy is also urgently threatened in a way even more serious than the threat posed by terrorists. Democracy in America is now in the early stages of being overthrown by stealth because of predictable crimes that may never be proven or even detected. The election of November 2004 will make vote stealing in Florida in 2000 look like petty theft. The Republican administration and the Republican-controlled Congress are abetting the commission of vote stealing by knowingly failing to take needed steps to protect the November 2004 election.
Urgent warnings have been voiced by hundreds of journalists and computer scientists who say new electronic voting machines are terribly vulnerable to hacking by both insiders and outsiders. The administration has done nothing to confront that problem. Bills to correct the problem have languished in Republican-controlled Congressional committees for months.
Votes are subject to theft, and that crime may be undetectable if electronic voting machines do not print a voter-verified paper ballot for audit and recount. If vote theft should occur in November in even one or two states, that would be enough to sway results in a close election. Anybody who says that could not happen was not paying attention to what went on in Florida in 2000. 
Certain administration officials, Senators, and Representatives may deny that there is an urgent need to protect honest elections, but the cat is out of the bag. Our own Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison sits on the Senate committee that is holding up passage of S 1980, a bill that provides for a printed paper ballot that can be verified by voters and used for audits and recounts if needed. 
Every concerned American should let officials and elected representatives know that they will be held accountable -- incompetence and negligence will not be accepted as excuses when vote stealing is knowingly abetted by failure to take action that is clearly required.
We citizens are counting on our government not only to protect us from terrorists but also to protect our right to vote in fair elections. It's an urgent issue. Let's hope they get this one right.

Thomas Manaugh, PhD 
Dallas, TX 

The President looks silly on 'Meet The Press'

Thank you for this astute assessment.
But where your correspondent just let out an exasperating sigh at perhaps the most ludicrous statement the president made to Russert was this one:
"I have shown the American people that I can sit here in the Oval Office when times are tough and be steady and make good decisions.”
I would not consider this ludicrous. Remember Bush's not very heroic behaviour the first hours after 9/11? He did not sit in the Oval Office but went into hiding, and did not make any decisions.
In other words, he did not offer as good a performance of The President of the US as Reagan did.
And such a let-down can only be atoned for by firm acts. Firmer than just bombing Kosovo.

Wim Pelt
Netherlands

End of the Tyrant 

It takes more than the campaign manager and a few employees to win and now the law enforcement community and the county are rid of a tyrant and dictator. I strongly believe that the citizens will see a huge improvement in their law enforcement and the safety of their streets and neighborhoods. Tommy Gage is definitely the right man for the job and has the ability to make Montgomery County a better place to live by working with all of the other law enforcement agencies. He is definitely the man needed to bring the Sheriff's Department and ALL the law enforcement agencies together and move forward. What a relief for the men and women of Montgomery County Sheriff's Department to no longer fear going to work. No longer will they wonder what is going to happen tomorrow and where will they be transferred to if they make the sheriff mad. I can definitely see a change for the better under the new leadership. Guy Williams removed Lieutenants from their command and reassigned the deputies from that area to other areas of the county because that area of the county was highly supportive of Tommy Gage. He did this under the pretense of saving money, but numerous officers currently drive further to get to work than they did before. No longer will these men and women who protect us have to worry about being terminated because they spoke up against Guy Williams. They have 9 months left of the tyrant and anyone can survive that, even if he transfers them again (which is what they were told on Tuesday, March 9th), they can make it. To the Men and Women of Montgomery County Sheriff's Department - Congratulations...the TYRANT has been defeated and you can make the next nine months standing on your head if you have too! 

Name Withheld 
Montgomery, Texas

An Open Letter to (KING) Kerry

Your arrogant, pompous response, in your capacity as a public servant has infuriated me. You are everything I despise in public servant who thinks he is a King and his lowly subjects are not to question his activities. Your stripes were more, than at any other time, publicly revealed in that one moment that you interacted with a "responsible" American citizen. A citizen who asked you to name those "foreign" leaders who want you to be President. You must think we are completely stupid!!. As a citizen exercising my constitutional right to question the activities of a public servant (that's right KING KERRY, you are a "SERVANT") I am going to "DEMAND" here, your arrogant HIGHNESS that you answer that same question and you damn well better not tell me "IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS." AND YOU BETTER NOT ASK ME, " WHAT PARTY I BELONG TO OR VOTED FOR"----THATS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!!---- YOU JUST ANSWER THIS "FREE" CITIZENS QUESTIONS!! --- And, If you want to be addressed with respect, then treat us citizens with respect.
As a father of two sons (Korea) and a Daughter who proudly served our country, I am incensed by Your "MOCKING" AND " DERIDING our "BRAVE" soldiers great victory, and"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" slogan. Their mission was to defeat the Iraqi army and depose Saddam Hussein. They did it bravely and with an efficiency that will go down in the history books. As a "Brave soldier" you are not excused for being 'ignorant of that "fact", ... Furthermore your claim that the mission was not accomplished because of the cowardly terrorist's activities going on in Iraq, means you are giving "soldier" status to these cowardly murderers of women and children. And, Mr Kerry, by your standards (lack of) -- you have made them the equal of our disciplined, compassionate, brave soldiers . You disgust me.
You are "once again" repeating the slander you did to your fellow soldiers in Viet Nam, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jane Fonda, while our soldiers were fighting and dieing, and rotting in Vietnamese prisons. Now your slandering and endangering our soldiers in Iraq. I fully expect, from your past performance, (if you win the presidency) to use that platform to further slander and deny the support of our brave soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Kosovo, and around the globe. 
I have yet to hear you describe the Viet Cong as monsters even though it was "routine" for them to cowardly torture and murder civilians, even women and children. What next, are you going to call our soldiers in Iraq monsters. You have insulted the mothers, fathers wives, husbands and children of all who have bravely served in "any" branch of the service.
You Mr Kerry, and your minions again reveal your elitist's attitude when you demean our dedicated reservists, many who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. You Sir are a "SELL OUT" of the worst stripe. Just because you have diminished your own "hero status" by selling out for political gain, don't try to further endanger the lives, and diminish (*excuse me --destroy) the accomplishments of "our" brave soldiers by demeaning the great successes bought with their blood, FOR YOUR OWN POLITICAL GAIN... I don't ever want to hear the word "monsters" used again in the same sentence when you or your minions talk about our soldiers. I suggest you use "monsters" when you refer to to cowardly Viet Cong and Iraqi insurgents who brag about killing their own women and children----- But somehow I doubt you will. 
P. S. some suggested reading material for you Mr Kerry that might open your eyes a bit -- Try reading the story of that great American hero== Benedict Arnold 

Paul Lebedzinski
Huntsville, TX

Power and Persecution 

this whole issue of gay marriage and homosexuality being a sin, i find interesting and unsettling. in one sense the successes for freedom and equality by homosexuals has been reassuring. society is rife with different groups championing for causes of equality and justice. and the persecution that still exists againsts homosexuals is tepid in comparison to past persecutions. but im a heterosexual believer in christ. what is unsettling for me is that the govt and the medical having reversed their anti gay positions leaves the church as the lone persecutor. in a sense , and i know there is really no comparison, but its like reliving martyrs being burned at the stake in the name of fear and distrust. but now i realize that it is more about a conflict about a cultural cancer that has been around since this nation was founded. the reluctance to reverse the persecution stems from the heterosexual majority's unwillingness to relinguish its power over a gay minority. first of all gays have been used as moral scapegoats. their condemnation mitigates issues about our own sin. their suppression has allowed the heterosexual majority to avoid their own gender related issues. one is the fear of physical contact that may have sexual overtones because we are sexual beings. the nuances of our own sexuality threatens our own security. in short condemning homosexuals keeps us heterosexuals from dealing with our own sexual fears. and its also about power being a thing unto itsself. that once you have it, it becomes your identity and a source for our own affirmation. and the other aspect is that we do it because we can. there is something delicious about hoarding power and expressing power. 

John Roberts
Email

Please help 

My name is Joe Thomas and I'm emailing you from Illinois. I am searching for my brother who was adopted at birth and I have recently found out that the adoption took place in Conroe Texas. Well after searching for years and coming up with nothing, i have located some names in the Conroe area who fit my brother. 
My brothers name is Shannon "Eric" and was adopted by Steve & Kay Mayo. So I would assume his last name would be "Mayo" He is 32 yrs old and was adopted at birth. What I am asking of you is if there is any way you can run an article in your local paper to help my family and I find my brother. 
My name is Joe Thomas. Our mother's name is Phyllis. Shannon has 4 other brothers and 1 sister. We all live in Jacksonville Illinois and once again we have been searching for Shannon for several years now. Please help us put our family together. Your help will be so much appreciated and never forgotten. 
Thanks and God Bless.

Joe Thomas 
1053 Doolin 
Jacksonville, IL 62650 
joethomas12003@yahoo.com

MCHD

Montgomery County, like all other prosperous, growing communities in Texas, is experiencing a rise in property values. Tax abatements are bringing in new businesses and homes are increasing in value. 
People want to live here. 
We all want good schools and efficient services and we want to hold the line on paying for them. But cheaper is not always better if what results diminishes our quality of life.
At the last hospital District Board meeting the Board did not vote to lower taxes. The decision made was for the CEO to prepare a budget at the 9.99 cent level to see what can be decided. Basically the vote was a fishing expedition just before a May county wide election.
During that March 16th Board meeting it was stated that with the 8 to11 % growth of taxable valuation in the county the MCHD Board could lower the tax rate and get the same level of service. But the level of service has been cut dramatically.
The agreement to staff a clinic in the new East County Development Center has been broken because the Board voted to withhold funding for the project. The mobile clinic that served East County is gone. CHIP outreach has been discontinued, undocumented workers who were once served by the district have been dropped, and legal immigrants with a green card must now wait 5 years before they can apply for public assistance. 
And there are 40,000 people in Montgomery County without health insurance.
According to the Board the proposed tax cut would take away two million dollars in revenue -- money that could support more clinics, provide more services to the medically indigent and continue the high level of EMS service.
Many of the public assistance clients live in homes valued under $100,000. Many are employed but their employers do not provide health insurance and their salary is not enough for them to purchase insurance. If the tax rate is lowered, according to the Board’s calculations, these home owners would save approximately $8.30 cents a year.
Less than 3 cents a day. Will that help them?
The present hospital district tax on a $500,000 home is about $541.00. If the proposed tax cut is adopted the tax reduction on that same half million dollar home would be $43 dollars a year. 
This is a much bigger savings for people who have a sizeable income, have health insurance, have savings in the bank, have security and do not rely on the hospital district for a safety net. 
But the Board should not bring tax relief to the wealthy by trampling over the backs of the working poor.
At a Planning and Development Committee meeting on March 2th the health care situation was reported from many view points including the patients’ perspective. Public assistance clients want a fair process and quality of care. They expect to contribute a portion of what they have and they want to be treated with dignity. 
The Board should consider the needs of the medically indigent of Montgomery County before any further tax cuts are considered. 
Less than three cents a day saved or 2 million dollars lost. Which decision is in the best interest of the families that the hospital district is responsible for?

Margaret Moorehead
The Woodlands

The Cookie Jar 

the law talks tough about the new septic system stating everyone must have the new type filtering water on the ground. 
Who's watching the cookie jar, the hen house, the fox! Nobody {gov folks}has taken into account all the small business's that sell septic systems to anyone. These anyone folks are installing illegal septic systems and NO ONE is watching the cookie jar, hen house or the fox. 
hmm new laws that don't hold anyone accountable. 
is it loop holes or bad judgment which is it. 
the small business don't have to keep records of who's buying the old septic systems nor are they required to sell the systems only to licensed installers. 
What's up with laws that aren't holding anyone accountable. 
just wondering who's watching the cookie jar or the hen house? 
Fox got there tongue? 

G. J. 
Email

thx 

I thought magnolia potpourri would have "write the editor" foolish me. ho hum i guess my thought don't matter or the fact that small business are selling the old septic systems right under the {gov}nose. 
i already wrote my comment "cookie jar" hen house or the fox. to your newspaper. thanks for letting me voice my opinion. 
ya know i wonder how many illegal septic systems have already been put in the ground. 50/100 i don't know i'm just wondering. Why aren't the law makers wondering, why aren't the law makers requiring small business's who sell septic systems required to sell the systems only to state cetified installers. 
just wondering 

G.J.
Email

Benefit for Georganna Russell

Most everyone of you know or know of Michael Russell, he is photographer/artist, he was the 1st Director of Texas Arts Venue, and a friend. He is also the grandfather of baby Isabella. You may remember many prayer requests for her last summer. 
At about that same time, on a sidewalk in downtown Conroe, Texas, Michael the photographer met Georganna the dancer. Two doors down from Texas Arts Venue outside Wilson's Center of Performing Arts, G's studio. They fell deeply in love and were married last September in a gorgeous ceremony. 
Then, in January of this year, Georganna was diagnosed with stage 3B colon cancer. She is fighting like hell. Her vivacious and positive character has neither, failed nor evaded her. She is really something, but she is also really ill with a disease who's treatment and meds alone can be financially devastating. And then throw in being a small business owner who can't work, daily trips to MD Anderson (about 60 miles a day), and an impending surgery. 
So, once again I come to you asking you to direct your love this way. 
Mike & G's downtown friends are going to host a benefit, Sunday May 16th in downtown Conroe. 
I once read a story (a really warm, fuzzy story) about how when you need something, just ask for it, God will provide. 
Here's what we need 
Your prayers 
Artists to perform, and/or donate pieces for auction 
Auction items (for silent auction) 
Food & Beverage (vendor) donations 
Folks to come and listen to the music, bid on auction, and eat food and drink beverages 
The ever popular, Volunteer 
Financial Donations, everything goes to The Russells 
CONTACT Jay Martin @ 936-756-8095, or Emy Kolander @ 936-274-4125
This date is the Sunday after Mother's Day, Conroe City Elections, and Guy Clark & Paul Thorn at The Sounds of Texas Music Series. If you can, please come in person for a great weekend in Conroe, where you can help, I mean really help someone, while having fun. 
Donations can be made at any Woodforest National Bank to the Georganna Mills Russell Benefit account, number 5398730.

Emy Kolander

She Said

Letter to Attorney General Greg Abbott:
I am a board member of the Montgomery County Hospital District. I am requesting that you investigate the sale of the Riverpointe building, owned by the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD). This sale has not passed the smell test since it's inception. 
The decision to sell the building was first done out of the sight of the public by some members of the board of directors. As per Mr. Eric Yollick (a board member), he and Bill Leigh (chairman of the board) met and discussed selling the building with the Chief Financial Officer of the district and Mr. Calhoun, their hand picked realtor to the district to review documents for the sale as per the Records Manager of MCHD. Either both or one of them took it upon themselves to have the CEO write a contract for Mr. Calhoun to be the leasing agent and to sell the building for a handsome commission on the sale. All of this occurred without a meeting of the board. It is my opinion that meetings were held, MCHD board business was discussed and action taken. I feel that this is a textbook violation of the open meetings act. I am aware that real estate matters may be discussed in closed legal executive sessions but this was not the case.
None of this would have come to light if I had not requested that a bid be put out for a leasing agent (at an authorized board meeting) after I was informed by the CEO the district was looking for a leasing agent. This was only after our current Building Manager was fired and told by the CEO that the reason was because the board had planned on selling the building and his services were no longer needed. I'm on the board and this had not been discussed or approved at a board meeting. Imagine my surprise when the Records Manager told me only after I asked her to please let me know when bids came in for the leasing agent that there was already a signed contract not just for leasing but to sell the building. I was appalled and immediately informed her to make a copy in case the original was destroyed (because I planned on a confrontation). As a board member I demanded to see the contract. If I, as a board member, did not know this had occurred, I guarantee that the public did not know. When the original was given to me by the records manager to look at, Jim Hamilton, the CEO, stormed in and ripped it out of my hands and destroyed this original contract. Luckily the records manger had done what I asked her to do and kept a copy before allowing me to view the original. This has resulted in a whistle blower lawsuit by the records manager who contends that her later termination was due to this.
Action to sell the building continued, now with a board vote, after I forced it into the open. As the bidding process now unfolded, low and behold, Mr. Calhoun, the hand picked realtor of Yollick and Leigh, represented one of the bidders. Mr. Calhoun's client's bid came in second, yet in executive session, Mr. Yollick argued that we should take the lesser amount offered by Mr. Calhoun's client. I ask you, why would a board member, charged with safeguarding taxpayer money, argue to accept a lower bid from a client of a man that he had already tried to get hired to sell the building without a legal and board approved contract?
It is my belief that the telling action as to whether this action was done in good faith or not is the refusal of the board to have an appraisal of the worth of the building. It was my opinion, especially with the high jinks that were going on, that it was only prudent to get an appraisal to determine what the Riverpointe building asset was worth. Instead Mr. Calhoun came to a committee meeting put on by Yollick telling us the building was only worth 3.2 to 3.7 million dollars. The most recent appraisal had been done in 2000 stating the building was worth 5.2 million dollars and it is currently on the tax records for that amount. I asked for an appraisal several times only to be refused. This 3.7 million amount was reported in the newspaper along with how desperately the board wanted to sell the building. It was only until there was a wave of anger in the community that an appraisal was ordered. The appraisal was only ordered after the board approved the sale of the building! Four thousand taxpayer dollars were spent on an appraisal, that was to be performed after the sale had already been approved by the MCHD board for, “curiosity's sake” as one board member said. 
The appraisal was to be completed on March 31, 2004. I asked for a copy of this governmental record as a board member on April 2, 2004 and was told that I could not have it because it wasn't completed and needed some reworking and was in draft form, as per Jim Hamilton, CEO of the hospital district. When I asked to see it I was told he did not have it that it was with the appraiser for “reworking”. He assured me I could have either the draft or hopefully the final version on Monday April 5, 2004. The following Monday, I then demanded the document, only after I called the appraiser and found out that the document had been delivered to Mr. Hamilton. I was refused again and told that I couldn't get it until Thursday when the rest of the board would get to view it. I immediately went to The Courier our local community newspaper and asked them to please help me get this information by bringing to light that a board member was being refused board information from the CEO. They agreed to do a story and inquire into the situation to help me get this information. That evening I called the Chairman of the Board, Bill Leigh expressing my outrage over the CEO's behavior only to be told it was at his command that the CEO denied me this information because he didn't want it to get to the public until some questions he had were answered. I still have no clue why the CEO would share information with some board members and not others but I do understand the political nature of the beast. Only after I told Mr. Leigh I had gone to the newspaper and agreed to give my word I would not give it to the press (even though I believe it is an open record) did he allow me to have a copy of this information. The appraisal came back at 4.55 million dollars; unfortunately, the sale had already been made for 4.15 million dollars. A taxpayer asset was sold without an appraisal. When an appraisal was finally done, after the sale price was accepted, the appraisal was four hundred thousand dollars more than the sale price. 
A decision to sell a major taxpayer asset was made without a meeting of the board. A decision not only to sell the building, but also as to whom they should hire to sell the building was made and a contract signed. All of this was before a decision was made by the board in public. The person Yollick and Leigh hired to sell the building represented a group that then bid on the building. Not withstanding that the group represented by this person bid lower than the original winning bid, Mr. Yollick argued that they should be awarded the contract. No appraisal was done to determine the worth of the asset prior to the acceptance of the final winning bid. When an appraisal was finally done, at the demand of an outraged community, the appraisal was almost a half million dollars higher than the sale price. The response of the CEO was it was sent back for “reworking,” after I requested the original documents. Also, some board members being denied access to information is wrong.
This whole episode, not only does not pass the smell test, it stinks to high heaven. It is certainly within the realm of possibilities that all of this is just happenstance. If it is, then an investigation would make the public feel that no one has just won the lottery at their expense. If it is not, then action needs to be taken on your part to ensure the integrity of government.

Nicol Huff
MCHD Board Member

He Said

Ms. Huff's recent letter to Attorney General Abbott, printed in the Courier on 04/10/2004 is factually false. Her letter to the AG was politically motivated and not intended to instigate an investigation, since the AG's office does not do these type of investigations. 
Here are the facts. 
Ms. Huff, herself, led the purchase of the Riverpointe building in 2000, using tax dollars that were dedicated to support healthcare for the indigent. She took money from the indigent to buy a building for no other reason than to expand her little empire. 
At the time of the purchase Huff told people far and wide that MCHD was entitled to buy its own office building because, “Other government agencies own office buildings, so why can't we?”
She and her “old guard” allies purchased the building for $5.25 million, even though the seller had purchased it only one year before for $2.3 million. 
To support this outrageous purchase price, and after the deal had been negotiated, Ms. Huff and her allies relied on an “appraisal” which was performed by an “appraiser” who was hand-picked by the SELLER. 
Ms. Huff and her fellow board members never independently engaged an appraiser to act on behalf of the District. They never authorized the “appraisal” in open session. They never approved the “appraisal” in open session. They merely accepted the word of an “appraiser” who very arguably was working for the benefit of the SELLER. And, to top it all off, the taxpayers of Montgomery County paid for this unauthorized “appraisal,” although such payment was not explicitly authorized and was buried in the closing costs.
If these facts seem implausible, just remember that these board members only a year or so later paid a consultant one million dollars to study the feasibility of building a 60-bed county-owned hospital.
The 2000 “appraisal,” such as it was, was not even based on comparable sales in Montgomery County, or even Fort Bend or some other similarly situated county, but on sales in Harris County. AND, not just in Harris County, but on sales of buildings inside of the IH 610 loop. Inside the IH 610 loop is the economic heart of Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. The IH 610 loop is almost 40 miles away. Buildings in that area are hardly comparable economically or geographically to buildings in Conroe.
Shortly after the purchase of the building, occupancy rates started to drop like a rock. Instead of saving taxpayers money, as was the often repeated mantra for the old board's decision, the building now costs the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in annual maintenance and operations.
By selling the building now, the District (and, therefore, the taxpayers) will save around $1 million in the first year by avoiding the annual operating loss and some very critical deferred maintenance items (such as replacing the HVAC system).
Many of the allegations that Ms. Huff makes in her letter regard events that took place over nine months ago. Yet she has waited until just before the May 15 election to bring her grossly distorted story forward.
At the August 19, 2003, board meeting after Ms. Huff had made some public allegations to the news media about illegal activity involving a proposed contract with a leasing agent, Mr. Larry Calhoun, I asked her and District CEO Jim Hamilton to explain exactly what had happened to form the basis for the allegations. Neither of them provided me with any response. The board then proceeded to vote to pay Mr. Calhoun as the temporary leasing agent for MCHD. However, because of the unanswered allegations, I voted AGAINST hiring or paying Mr. Calhoun. Interestingly, Ms. Huff, the maker of the allegations, made the motion to hire and pay Mr. Calhoun.
It is significant to note that Mr. Calhoun was not a realtor or purchaser involved in the actual sale of the Riverpointe building. 
It is also significant to note that Ms. Huff told her version of this story to a reporter for The Courier, and the paper printed two front page articles about it. In neither article did Huff make any accusations against me personally or in any way impugn my actions. Now, many months later, Ms. Huff is supporting my electoral opponent and has changed her story to allege some misconduct by me.
Tonya Smith the former MCHD Records Manager upon which Ms. Huff is relying for the basis of many of her allegations, was herself terminated by the district for numerous misdeeds involving distortions of government records. That same former employee is now suing the district and is also currently a candidate for the board. This former employee/plaintiff/candidate is receiving aid and support from Ms. Huff at the same time she is suing the taxpayers.
The lawsuit filed by the former-employee/ plaintiff/candidate does not in anyway include me in its allegations of wrongdoing.
Ms. Huff's story about what transpired in certain executive sessions is untrue. The public action of the board confirms the fact that I wanted the District to accept the highest bid, not the second highest bid as offered by Mr. Calhoun's client. I made the motion to accept the highest bid in an open board meeting and actively worked to get that sale accomplished.
I was the one who brought forth the resolution requiring an appraisal of the building prior to the sale, despite my reservations, as an attempt to demonstrate to the taxpayers that we, the current board members, were doing everything we could to make the sale transaction above board and accountable.
The latest appraisal was made public two days before the sale was finally approved. Ms. Huff had a copy of the appraisal prior to it being made public. In fact, Ms. Huff had a copy of the appraisal even before I was aware that it was completed. She failed to share the appraisal with me or any of the other board members.
The appraisal shows a net economic value to the taxpayers of $4.13 million, not $4.55 million. Since the appraisal assumed that the deferred maintenance items were only $120,000, when they are actually approximately $400,000, the net economic value to the taxpayers of this building was around $3.8 million.
The appraisal supported the sale of the Riverpointe building and raises a very important question: why would Huff pay several million dollars more for the Riverpointe building than it was worth at the time?
If, as Ms. Huff alleges, a decision to sell the building occurred without a meeting of the board, then it was Ms. Huff that was privy to it, not I. I voted against hiring Mr. Calhoun. Huff voted for hiring him. I made the motion and voted to sell to a bidder other than Mr. Calhoun's client. Huff opposed that motion. 
On January 9, 2004, Ms. Huff joined with the entire remainder of the board in voting to sell the Riverpointe office building utilizing a procedure that did not include an appraisal as a condition of the sale. The precise procedure, which Ms. Huff supported, is the procedure which the board followed in bringing about this important relief to the taxpayers.
Should a Montgomery County grand jury seek to investigate Ms. Huff's false and politically motivated allegations, they will have my full cooperation. I relish the opportunity for Ms. Huff to appear before an investigative body to give some sworn testimony. 
Citizens should recall Ms. Huff's track record as an MCHD Board member. Among her many costly missteps are (1) flushing away a $23 million dollar trust fund intended to help fund healthcare for the poor and (2) spending $1 million of taxpayer money on a pitiful study the most enlightening finding of which was that Montgomery County is growing at a very fast pace.

Eric Yollick
MCHD Board Member

Reaction to "Veto This”

It isn't every newspaper that has the courage to bring to the attention of the public to some outrageous moves by people in our governing system. My hats off to you for some courageous and informative information that might easily be overlooked by many newspaper readers. The Lewis' bill 
is an insult to all that our country stands for, relevant to the separation of powers within the United States. I am one of those citizens who holds dear the American way of life and despises those who attempt to remold the operation of principles that we have successfully operated under since the establishment of our Constitution. People who do not agree with decisions have the right to make their voices heard, but not assume that their vision for over riding some of our most sacred basic principles is the way for all citizens to proceed. 
If getting your name in print satisfies your ego, Congressman Lewis, face the fact that you have done it in a way that will get you the most negative publicity, so perhaps you have done us a favor by showing us the lawless side of your arrogant thinking...Thank you for that. 

F. Carol Schneider
Montgomery, TX

ERA

The ERA WAS on the ballet and failed to pass in all 50 states. Current federal, state and local laws already address "gender" discrimination and the EEOC is still in business..... :-) 

SQ 
Email

Suggestions for Bush

In his recent press conference, President Bush was asked what has been his biggest mistake and what has he learned from it. Bush, like a deer caught in the headlights, cracked jokes but was unable to come up with an answer. 
Mr. President, might I respectfully offer some suggestions: 
1. "I was never given intelligence that Al Qaeda was plotting a terrorist assault." 
2. "We can afford to reduce spending on intelligence." 
3. "America shouldn't be in the business of nation building." 
4. "There are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq." 
5. "Saddam Hussein had a connection to Al Qaeda." 
6. "We will have the support and cooperation of our allies." 
7. "We can pay for the war and cut taxes." 
8. "The people of Iraq will shower us with gratitude." 
9. "Bring 'em on." 
10. "Mission Accomplished" 
With 689 American service men and women dead (a third of whom have died since Saddam's capture), an average of one death for every day we're there, and Pentagon estimates that our presence in Iraq will need to extend well into 2006, it is now possible that more Americans will die for the rebuilding of Iraq than died on Sept. 11th. 
Mr. President, you owe the American people an answer to the question. 

Raymond McNeel 
County Chair 
Montgomery County Democratic Party 

Morality and the Republican (or any) Party

In a recent editorial letter, a writer states…
“The election is over and another assault by the RLC Jenkinistas has been thwarted. This morally superior minority’s persistent pernicious attempt to take over the Montgomery County Republican Party is alienating many voters.
Their lofty goal appears to be to legislate morality to create a party in their own image. An exclusionary party with litmus tests concerning very personal beliefs possibly administered weekly. 
Suspect activities regarding the removal opponent’s signs and other election code violations calls into question their own interpretation of fairness. I believe in their ends justifies the means mindset, their morality trumps fairness. This is a precarious perspective to an allegedly moral group.
Legislating morality is not Republican. It is not even American. Freedom is the essence of the Republican Party and America. Qualifying the freedom to fit your personal religious beliefs would be the end of our party.
Congratulations to Dr. Wilkerson for the affirmation of your steady leadership, integrity and fair play. Thanks to the voters who took the time to examine the issues and recognize the strides that have been achieved in our county.
We are facing a very tough election this year. We do not need a divisive, insular, moral minority undermining our party. We need inclusivess. We need reasonable, rational, mature leadership exemplified by the tenure of Dr. Wilkerson. We will not maintain control of our government without it.”
As I tried to point out in my last letter to the editor entitled “Party Platforms and Big Tent Politics”, the only thing that separates political parties is their platforms. The platform is what defines a party’s basic beliefs, goals and directions. 
As a matter of integrity, if a person is willing to be labeled by a particular party, unless otherwise specifically stated, he or she should also be willing to uphold and support each of the planks of the platform. I also realize that it is unreasonable to expect anyone to agree with every single plank of a platform that is extensive, such as the current 2002 Texas Republican Party Platform (which contains approximately 270 major planks). Indeed, I, myself disagree with a couple of the planks, as they currently read, but have decided to either live with them, or to use the political process to change them at some future date. As such, if I were to decide to run for political office, I would expect to disclose my own exceptions along with my rationale, and accept the consequences at the polls. 
In conversations I have had with Mr. Jenkins and several others that support the concept of platforms, it is my understanding that the basic desire is to allow the voting public to be made aware of inconsistencies between a candidate and the platforms they supposedly support, in order to make the most educated and thereby the most democratically accurate selection at the polls. The intent is not necessarily to be “exclusionary”, but to encourage candidates to be completely open about their positions on the platform planks and on any issues that might be deemed critical or important to the voters during the candidate’s tenure. Additionally, the intent is not to create a “party in their (RLC’s) own image”, but to support the party as described by the party itself during the party’s bi-annual conventions, directly, or through issues and grassroots activity. 
Additionally, the writer states, “Legislating morality is not Republican. It’s not even American.” This surprises me, considering some of the other fine articles the writer has submitted. In truth, there are only two types of legislation that have ever been created, “priority” and “moral”. “Priority” legislation involves decisions between right and right. For example “Do we build a road here or there?” Moral legislation involves decisions of right and wrong. “Is it okay to steal something that does not belong to you because you want it or maybe need it?” “Is it okay to lie under oath?” “Should we be allowed to carry guns to protect ourselves?” It sets the boundaries of accepted human behavior. If you spend any amount time perusing statutes of law, you will probably notice that the vast majority of legislation written is “moral” on nature. Indeed, every lasting society has its share of “Moral” legislation, and its constituents expect their government to uphold these “Moral” laws. To do otherwise would result in anarchy. 
Also, to state that America and the Republican Party (or any party for that matter) is not involved in legislating morality is absolutely incorrect. In fact, one of the very first legislative actions presented by the Republican Party was the abolition of slavery. And America itself was established to do away with immoral oppression and tyranny from abroad. 
I believe that most strong Americans feel it IS our moral legislation, that which defines us as a moral nation, that makes us the most desirable nation to live in and the nation with the most to offer the world… a nation still blessed, and hopefully continually blessed by God. So, you see, we must legislate morality. As Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Stephen J. Chauvin
The Woodlands, TX

Poetry Workshops

To Carol Schneider:
Thank you SO much for orchestrating the workshop with Marc Smith yesterday. 
Our students loved it - and many of them have enjoyed "basking" in the positive 
feedback they've been receiving from their peers about their leadership and/or writing. 
One of my students this morning said, "I didn't know people here could write like that!”
I mentioned the April poetry slam, and the students are really excited about even the possibility of being there. 
Mr. Smith was so gracious about and with our students. They were very moved that he had such a high opinion not only of the group two years ago, but of this group, too. It did a lot for their self-images. One of my students went home last night and organized all his poems. 
I know you've done an extraordinary amount of work bringing him to Conroe, and 
only time will reveal the impact his being with our students may have on their futures. Thank you again for allowing our students to participate in such a valuable experience (not to mention that they had a BLAST). 
We ended up with some really good pictures. I have to "borrow" a computer, 
because a few months ago I managed to get a piece of a disk stuck in my "a" drive. I'll get them to your husband's address today or tomorrow. 

Debbie Williamson 
Hauke 

Editors Note : Mark Smith (Slam Papi) was so impressed with the students that two of them will be performing prior to the Slam on the 24th of April. David Neumann and Matthew Becker will be sharing the stage with some of the best Slammers in the world. 

The Absurdities of Gitmo

You're kidding, right? That's it? 
After holding Brits in our extralegal dungeons for two years, one day we just let 'em go? 
We've still got more than 600 people imprisoned in our Halliburton-built prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where for more than two years we've been interrogating them, denying them lawyers, denying them any kind of judicial review, hinting quite bluntly that they could all remain in limbo like this forever, and trying to put a brave face on all of the suicide attempts. 
And every now and then, without comment, we bundle a few of them onto international flights and dump them out on a street somewhere -- and suddenly it turns out that this dangerous menace was just a bewildered Kabul taxi driver, or a 10-year-old. 
What the heck is that about? 
I mean, if the argument is that these people are too horrifically dangerous to ever risk granting them access to the American judicial system, how can you just up and cut them loose? 
And if they're not dangerous -- well, how can you hold a man in a Kafkaesque jail for two years, slapping him around, denying him sleep, asking him randomly desperate (and therefore asinine) questions like " Do you know Mullah Omar?"; and then one day open the door, shake his hand and wave goodbye, without even the slightest blush of shame, the most sheepish of apologies? 
One of the first of five Britons released this week from Gitmo was one Jamal al Harith of Manchester, a website designer and a father of three. 
"After a while, we stopped asking for human rights -- we wanted animal rights," Harith told Britain's Daily Mirror. "In Camp X-Ray my cage was right next to a kennel housing an Alsatian dog. He had a wooden house with air conditioning and green grass to exercise on. 
"I said to the guards, 'I want his rights' and they replied, "That dog is a member of the US army'." 
This man, Harith, wasn't held but a few hours by British police and security services before they had shrugged and let him go free. There's no case, apparently. 
And now, of course, these and other detainees are gearing up to sue the pants off of the United States government. Chalk it up as one more bill that the Bush-Cheney team will leave us to pay for long after they're gone.

Bulletin Online Reader

Advertising 

I have just read another article in your paper by Donald Kaul. This is much like last weeks article. You can be assured that when it comes to advertising, which I am looking at new sources, you will not receive any money from me.. 

Allen Little 
Allen's Photography

Kerry's Conduct

If current revelations in print are valid, Senator John Kerry, probable Democratic Party presidential nominee, has a golden opportunity to set straight both his personal war record, and restore the country’s faith in the veterans his organization smeared and dehumanized. 
As a spokesman for Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) in 1971, Kerry spoke before the US Congress and accused our servicemembers of..."war crimes... committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command." Then Kerry detailed the crimes of our troops to the stunned senators: "They had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Kahn, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South
Vietnam.. " He specifically said that 200,000 Vietnamese a year were..."murdered." He was referencing, in part, statements from a group of supposed exservicemen. For his book "Stolen Valor," B.G. Burkett recontacted these authorities and found their stories were generally bogus, or they were simply impostors. A Naval Investigative Service probe found the same. Kerry appeared on Meet the Press with one fabricator, Al Hubbard, but Kerry never disassociated himself from Hubbard’s lies. Nevertheless, in the wake of Kerry’s testimony, and as a result of demonstrations launched by VVAW (an organization led by Kerry, and funded by Jane Fonda), the stereotype of the drug-crazed, psychologically-damaged, deranged and socially uncommunicative Vietnam veteran was spawned. Taunts of " baby-killer," and "murderer" were common. Although no war is free of atrocities, Vietnam veterans who never perpetrated, or ordered such acts, were denied their deserved respect. 
However, that may soon change, if Senator Kerry will only cooperate. In early March, 2004, the Washington Times revealed a statement by former assistant secretary of defense W. Scott Thompson, who recalled a conversation with former chief of naval operations Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Zumwalt, who commanded naval forces in Vietnam, and had personally decorated Kerry, said that Kerry had created "great problems" for him and other Navy brass.."by killing so many non-combatant civilians and going after other non-military targets." The admiral reportedly added, "We had virtually to straitjacket him to keep him under control.. " Kerry had his first Purple Heart within 24 hours of taking command of his swiftboat on December 1,1968, and accumulated 3 such decorations for “wounds," but never spent a day in the hospital. Unfortunately, Kerry will not permit his treatment records, nor his recommendations / citations for valor, to be disclosed. Further, Kerry’s biography, "Tour of Duty" by Douglas Brinkley, reprises a 2001 appearance by Kerry on Meet the Press wherein he admitted to committing “the same kinds of atrocities as thousands of others, during his brief 5 months in the combat zone. 
Kudos to Kerry for confessing to personal outrages--but that doesn’t make the rest of us "murderers". If Kerry’s conduct was indeed atrocious, and the statements attributed to Admiral Zumwalt are correct, a fuller explanation is definitely necessary. On March 26th, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a Kerry lawyer had issued a statement calling the 1971 charge of murder against Vietnam veterans--"inappropriate."
Hardly a beginning. Veterans should demand, in addition to Kerry’s full release of records, a description and apology for his personal war crimes as revealed in the Brinkley biography. He should also admit that his broad brush characterization of Vietnam veterans as “murderers" was based on bogus confessions from fabricators and liars. Holding veterans hostage to the liberal anti-war and anti-anti communist mindset is also "inappropriate."
Vietnam veterans should contact the Kerry campaign (info@johnkerry.com) with demands of justice for the families of 58,000 dead--as well as satisfaction for the rest of us who just want our good name back.

William Fielder
Peachtree City, GA

More Kerry

If you are going to post such out right lies about our President, then you also need to post the resume of John Kerry. Make sure that you include his inability to make a decision and stick with it. The fact that even people within the Democratic Party don't think he has what it takes and all the other atrocities of the man, right down to his disgraceful acts with his military medals. If he is elected, it would be a slap in the face to all veterans, myself included. 

M. Rogers 
Montgomery, TX

Don't Get Out Of Step

The recent "Bullpen" editorial attacking Congressman Kevin Brady proves once and for all The Bulletin is out of step with Montgomery County readers and voters.
Your suggestion that those tax paying Americans who work at Home Depot are second class citizens is a testament to the type of standards that your publication stands for. I for one am very offended as well as those friends I have who work for Home Depot. The economy is coming back. Over 300,000 jobs were created in March - employers (Home Depot included) are hiring Americans in-force. I guess tax relief really does work -- I know it does for my family. I for one am thankful Kevin Brady votes every chance he gets to make sure we keep more of our paychecks than Washington does.
Had the "Bullpen" done their homework they'd know teachers keep more of their spousal Social Security benefits today than 96% of other working Americans. That's because a teacher's spousal social security benefit is offset by 2/3 while everyone else in America has their spousal benefit offset by 100%.
The teacher loophole has already drained $450 million from the Social Security Trust Fund. That's $450 million taken from widows and retirees. Keeping Social Security solvent is something I am serious about - especially since my parents are collecting it and I am getting closer to retirement every day. Why are we paying teacher's more in Social Security benefits than we do the people who've paid into the system their entire lives?
Your insinuation that Kevin is some how funding his campaign by less than forthright means was absolutely ludicrous and proves you don't really know Kevin Brady. I am very proud of my friendship and working relationship with Kevin and you will find that I am not alone as we continue to elect him to represent us. His honesty, integrity and concern for the American people is beyond reproach.
Kevin Brady is the best Congressman we've ever had! I hope he keeps fighting for lower taxes, keeping social security solvent, and Washington out of my pocket and as far away from Montgomery County as possible.

Kenny Speight 

Freedom Of The Press

As all the readers of this paper seek knowledge for the protection of their vote and how that vote should be used. You bringing the fact that Kevin Brady has broken many laws and now has the guts to ask for re-election when he refused to face the jury. NO WAY should he ever be elected again. Jails are for criminals. Look to a better choice and where you will get the facts. www.wrightforcongress.com 
Thanks again for freedom of the press. 

James Wright

Quality Or Quantity?

It used to be called quality marina, were you could go and get your boat fixed. And talk about how the fish are biting and such. But now I think it is called Quantity marina because they want your dollar and you out the door. No thank you ,have a good day kiss my a@@... I know I will find some whereelse to go .Even if I have to pay a little more at least I they may say have a good day. Lake Conroe is turning in to Houston’s playground, do not try and fish on the week end you will get run over by a 30ft boat and the owner, could not operate a jon boat. 

David Rabolo 
Montgomery,Texas 

Wreck’d

A couple of things you didn't cover in your article I'm not sure you are aware of. In Texas, the insurance company must get the customer to sign a form clearly stating they do not want uninsured motorist coverage. Did the Snows decline the coverage? If they didn't, they have the coverage for the minimum limits. If the insurance company doesn't agree, they need to file a complaint with the State Board of Insurance. 
Second, their liability insurance covers, with no limit on how much it costs, defending the lawsuit against the Snows. The insurance company has a duty, in the contract, to defend them against any lawsuits resulting in an auto accident. 

Tom 

Wrecked Response

I would like to make a response to the insensitive person who decided this article needed to be written. 
1. If it was addressing a system of inadequate insurance rates/or lack of coverage it did not need to go into a pity party for the Snow's family. 
2. What about Billy Gorden's family. At least the Snow's get to see their daughter grow up, see her accomplishments and continue with her life. Billy's mother, father, step-parents and sisters, nieces and nephews will never get to see what this 19 year old could have accomplished in his life time. He has a baby daughter, born last May, who will never get to see her father or be held by him. 
3. It appears the injuries to your family were due to a malfunction of your vehicle.
Why would you want to continue the grief this family is feeling everyday for a son they will never ever see again. Why would you mail them this article to his mother, you are that hateful? 

Cindy Gorden 
California 

(Editors Note: The Bulletin did not mail a copy of this article to Billy Gorden’s mother.) 

MCHD 

Events of the past year have proven that the MCHD Board of Directors needs someone with an accounting background. It is evident that its bookkeeping leaves alot to be desired. Taxpayers deserve a full and accurate accounting of every tax dollar collected rather than numbers that are cloaked in secrecy. 
A lack of data has led to inadequate and inappropriate solutions to critical problems. Lower tax rates sound great at election time, but have taken the place of a clinic in East County, two mobile clinics, and the funding of the Conroe Family Practice Residency Program which cares for patients at the one Star Clinic and supplies our county with future physicians. How do we explain cuts in services to patients who were abandoned by the MCHD board's decisions? These people were given no advance warning of the mobile clinic shutdown and were told by the MCHD board that a still unopened East County Clinic would replace them. 
The scary thing is that the MCHD board admitted at the time that it lacked financial and demographic data to support these and other important decisions. Furthermore, the MCHD board needs an accountant to prevent mistakes such as selling a building that is owned by the taxpayers for $400,000 less than it is worth. We need honesty and decency rather than trickery, deception, and Machiavellian tactics. Montgomery County needs a game plan that is based upon solid data that is shared with the public, not decisions that are made in private that are supported by manipulated figures to support political agendas. 
It is time to clean up the politics on the Montgomery County Hospital District Board of Directors. We can start by voting for Laura Norton for at-large position 1. She is honest and hard-working, and has the knowledge, accounting background and experience in public service on the WCA board of directors that will make her an invaluable asset to the health care of Montgomery County. She will make fiscally responsible decisions that are based upon fact rather than fiction and make the term "compassionate conservatism" more than an abused political slogan. 

Steven Farber, MD 
Chairman of HEARTWATCH 

More MCHD

It is understandable why a few individuals might be confused by my criticism of Eric Yollick, candidate for MCHD Board. A few individuals claim I got my facts wrong. 
Not everyone has kept up with the actions of the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) Board during the last year. Also, candidates for political office tend to put a "spin" on facts to avoid responsibility for their mistakes. Voters do not know what to believe. 
These are the facts that voters should be aware of: 1) Approximately one year ago east county was provided clinic service through a mobile clinic and the Woodlands received care through a separate clinic; 2) Approximately one year ago MCHD chose to keep open the Woodlands Clinic and discontinue east county clinic service; 3) Part of MCHD's reasoning for discontinuing service to east county was because a Splendora Clinic was opening and providing the same service; 4) East County clinic service was discontinued abruptly without notifying the patients scheduled for appoints (These people actually showed up for scheduled appointments that were never honored by MCHD); 5) The scheduling of patients by MCHD for care mandates that MCHD follow through with the care (The same principal applies to someone having a heart attack and dialing 911. Imagine an ambulance crew deciding that they will ignore the request for help and finish watching a Houston Texans football game. The EMS provider - like MCHD - could face serious litigation for violating their responsiblities); and 6) The Splendora building built a year ago with Federal funds to be used as a clinic, has never been used as a clinic. 
These are serious errors in judgement by individuals who hurt their credibility for refusing to face up to their mistakes. The MCHD Board has never apologized to the east county individuals scheduled for care. The MCHD Board has never followed through on their claim that the Splendora Clinic would open as a clinic. The MCHD Board has never explained why they chose to continue clinic service to the Woodlands while discontinuing service to east county.

Jim Becka
Splendora Tx.

You Go Eddie

Great article about Eddie Duncan! He's just one of millions of us around the country fighting back with the law. We study the law and find out where they are lying about what the laws say. Keep up with the writing of the truth. www.texasisaliar.com 

Daniel
Email

Duncan's Spirit

I admire this guys " spirit " but if he keeps making statements like "Duncan says that he just doesn't see the problem with not strictly obeying a law enforcement officer when pulled over. "They have no right to ask to see anything. They work for us." well....that statement ADMITS that Duncan is a MEMBER of the Body Politic and therefore the "law" does in fact APPLY to Duncan ! He just made himself a MEMBER of the slave group by his statement and mistakes like that will HANG him when he gets to court........ I don;t believe this guy is WINNING anywhere..........? plus if one spends as you state " Eddie Duncan got locked up for 52 days after this encounter" .I certainly wouldn't call THAT a WIN ??? 

Paul
Email

Why the Iraqi PEOPLE DO love us

All that is required to understand the situation in Iraq is to as one of the thousands of soldiers that have recently returned, and that is getting easier all the time. Every interview I have seen on TV, heard on the radio or read in our local paper and every soldier I have personally talked to has mentioned the absolute appreciation presented to the coalition troops by the Iraq people. Every one of them has stated how far they have come. Nearly all have stated a desire to return to see the job finished and to support their colleagues.
All rhetoric aside, I choose the believe what I hear from the “horses mouths” over some ant-Bush/anti-War/anti-American blabber-mouths.
My own son is in the service, in a less-than-American-friendly nation. If we do not finish the job we started, not only will the Iraqi people be returned to government by tyranny, the likes of which the world has never seen, but we tell all the terrorists throughout the world that terror and mass murder are the best ways to accomplish their goals. We tell them it is alright to kill American’s because we are now pansies like the French and the Spanish. 
I don'’t think so!

Stephen J. Chauvin
The Woodlands, TX

The Great Sell-out. 

I have been encouraged by the few hundred thousand jobs our government said they created recently. That's good. jobs for who Mr. Politician? Jobs for who?
But then I drove around my small city to the new home construction and where I am used to seeing nearly 100% USA citizens earning a honest living, I now see 100% non-citizens happily toiling away, taking away the American jobs. 
I have looked in work places and some factories where USA citizens were employed only to see illegal foreign workers in place of our own citizens. 
We want those jobs.
Who are you representing Mr. Politician? 
These people can't even vote for you yet you wink away the problem plaguing this country. 
Why do you forget us Mr. Politician? 
What's in it for you? 
Is it fair that USA citizens have to compete against illegal foreign labor?
USA citizens! Had enough yet? 

G. C. Martin

There Is A Democratic Party

In his recent press conference, President Bush was asked what has been his biggest mistake and what has he learned from it. Bush, like a deer caught in the headlights, cracked jokes but was unable to come up with an answer. 
Mr. President, might I respectfully offer some suggestions: 
1. "I was never given intelligence that Al Qaeda was plotting a terrorist assault." 
2. "We can afford to reduce spending on intelligence." 
3. "America shouldn't be in the business of nation building." 
4. "There are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq." 
5. "Saddam Hussein had a connection to Al Qaeda." 
6. "We will have the support and cooperation of our allies." 
7. "We can pay for the war and cut taxes." 
8. "The people of Iraq will shower us with gratitude." 
9. "Bring 'em on." 
10. "Mission Accomplished" 
With 689 American service men and women dead (a third of whom have died since Saddam's capture), an average of one death for every day we're there, and Pentagon estimates that our presence in Iraq will need to extend well into 2006, it is now possible that more Americans will die for the rebuilding of Iraq than died on Sept. 11th. 
Mr. President, you owe the American people an answer to the question. 

Raymond McNeel 
County Chair 
Montgomery County Democratic Party 

Tents Platforms and Legislating Morality

I would like to present counterpoints to the Big-tent Politics, Party Platforms and legislating morality opinions that were presented.
Ronald Reagan the progenitor of “Big Tent Politics” transformed our Republican Party into the successful coalition it is today. His vision of an ideologically driven and principled big-tent party as the way to build consensus has become the foundation of our party. 
I believe what we are seeing in the Montgomery County Republican Party is a group of people who are exhibiting an attitude of exclusivity and judgmentality. We are witnessing an erosion of the openness inclusiveness that lead to our accomplishment. 
Reagan realized that the benefits of conservatism and traditionalism are not the exclusive entitlements of anyone. We can build consensus without sacrificing principle if we realize that with politics and government you don’t get your way 100% of the time. 
A party platform is a collection of principles that bring people with common beliefs together. The individual ideas are the planks that compose the platform. We should not view planks as stairs that must be ascended to become a Republican. If a few planks are missing you should not be prevented from joining the party.
We should stand together on our platform, and if a few planks are missing we should still support each other based on our commonality. United we are strong.
Now if too many planks are missing then a fall into the writhing, howling morass of the Democratic Party, the Green or some other socialistic, anarchistic alliance occurs.
Legislating morality is a very complex issue. While it is possible to legislate morality and there is significant overlap of morals and law, the legality of something doesn’t necessarily mean anything morally. You can’t make people moral by legislation. 
I would also ask who’s morality should be legislated? 
When religious morality becomes the driving force behind legislation we can have a problem. 
The left is trying to legislate immorality and the far right is trying to legislate religious morality. 
If people could be made moral by law, it would be a simple matter for Congress to pass laws making all Americans moral. This would be salvation by law. Men and nations have often resorted to salvation by law, but the only consequence has been greater problems and social chaos. History suggests that such efforts, though well-intentioned in many cases, are often ineffective. Prohibition is one example.
Personal moral rules are not as clear-cut as legal moral rules. My personal ethical rules may not be the same as yours. An ethical crisis for me personally may be inconsequential to you.
Punishing hate crimes more than normal crimes is a moral judgment about the thoughts of the individual with hatred for another person. Does this type of moral legislation make sense?
I don’t trust my government, as principled as it is, to create my morality. The stakes are too high. 
The RLC in Montgomery County is in my opinion is promoting an agenda of narrow chauvinism and smug haughtiness that is based on their religious morality. Establishing the “Republican National Church” is not the way to victory in November. This will not perpetuate the successes that the Republican Party in Montgomery County has been able to accomplish.

Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas 

The Slam Was Great

Thank you and the other supporters and sponsors of the 6th annual Blue Bonnet Poetry Slam. This was my first time at the slam, and I will not miss another.
What an extraordinary, close-up evening with intelligent, talented writers and performers! What an emotional roller coaster ride we all took together, overflowing with feelings of fun, enlightenment, sadness, awe, and I don't know (I am at a loss to describe them). 
The evening built from really good to excellence far beyond my wildest expectations. I wish it had been recorded so I could have purchased copy to share with my family and friends. 
Thank you again, and thanks to Slam Papi Marc Smith and the performers--every last one of them, including the two wonderful kids from Hauke. They were incredible! 

Fred Halperin
The Woodlands 

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