Letters from our Readers - April 2006

Kinky Comments
I am a second year student at Montgomery College. This will be my second time to vote (2004 was my frist). I really enjoyed the article an Carole and Kinky. I agree with many points made by both of these candidates, but I have to say I will be voting for Kinky. I like the fact he is not afraid to speak his mind, even if he throws a curse word in there. I think too many people today are afraid to be themselves because of censorship and how the "Christian" community will look at you. Especially when most Christians are not living up to there expectations. 
I agree no one is perfect, but don't be the pot calling the kettle black. I would like to see a change in Texas politics, education, the criminal justice system and gambling. The only way things change in this world is by people going against the norm and by people thinking differently. If that is so wrong then why were people created differently? People fear change because they don't understand it and they are afraid of the outcome. I say give it a shot, you'll never know what you like until you try it. So take chances and let you voice be heard. 
Thank you for taking the time to read my response. 
Rebecca Hammond 
The Woodlands

What Would You Do For An Oscar?
Sunday night, millions of viewers tuned into the Academy Awards and witnessed one of the biggest surprises in award show history. "Brokeback Mountain" was considered a shoe-in for picture of the year. Heath Ledger, the film's lead actor, was also forecasted to take home gold. Even the films co-star, Jake Gyllenhaal was expected to capture an award. But to everyone's surprise, the film's director, star and co-star all went home empty handed. It was a huge upset. Of course, no one was more upset than Ledger, who humped poor little Jake Gyllenhaal with all his might on that now famous mountain, all for nothing.
What would you do for an Oscar nomination? Have sex with Heath Ledger? Jake Gyllenhaal did. That's not fair. It's possible he may have been attracted to the film's undeniably bad script. Yes, I said it. "Brokeback Mountain" sucked. And by saying that I am admitting two things:
1. I have seen "Brokeback Mountain"
2. I am not ashamed
To be honest, it is easy to see how the story of two gay cowboys could conceivably sweep the Academy Awards. It is a weird tale. And you do not have to be a genius to know that Hollywood rewards the weird. 
Often times, it is not how well an actor plays a role but how strange of a role an actor plays. "I've got a script for you Jake. It's not that good, but you might get an Oscar." "What do I have to do?" "Let Heath Ledger hump you." "That's worth an Oscar. I'm in."
When did shock value become more appealing than great performances? Take an actress like Halle Berry, whose best role to date was that of a crack-addicted mother in the 1995 film, "Losing Isaiah." It was a great performance. But instead of getting an Oscar for that film, she was given it for "Monster's Ball," a role which required her have awkward, unprotected sex with Slingblade. 
I took my little brother to see "Monster's Ball." He was six. I thought it was the sequel to "Monster's Inc." When we got home, Child Protective Services was at my door and I almost went to jail. I almost caught a case. After all of that, I'd still like to say "Monster's Ball" was a good film, but it wasn't. Perhaps Halle figured the only way she'd ever get an Oscar was if she had sex with an old white man. Perhaps she was right. "You deserve an Oscar, Halle." "Why didn't I get one for Losing Isiah?" "Nah...but bang Billy Bob and we'll see." "That's worth an Oscar. I'm in."
It is not a black-or-white thing; many actors have had to play extreme roles to earn an Academy Award. Anthony Hopkins starred in over 50 films before he was even nominated for an Oscar. What changed his luck? He started eating people ("Silence of the Lambs"), Hillary Swank became a man for her Oscar ("Boy's Don't Cry"), Tom Hanks dated Antonio Banderas and got AIDS for his ("Philadelphia"). 
Coincidentally, I have just finished writing my first script, which I have entitled "Your Dog, My Dog." If Hollywood wants a film that breaks the mold, this is it. A poignant tale of a lonely shut-in who has a love affair with his neighbors pet; "Your Dog, My Dog" is one of those movies that teaches us true love blossoms from a strong and growing friendship; which in this case, just happens to be between a 30-year-old man and a basset hound. 
A perfect blend of man-animal romance and drama; "Your Dog, My Dog" is the kind of story the Academy eats up. The script is a little weak, but I'm hoping that Kevin Bacon, who I specifically had in mind for the leading role, will carry the film. 
My next script will be the story of two male Internet hackers that meet online and fall in love. I'm hoping to cast Tom Hanks and Samuel L. Jackson as the star-crossed lovers. 
I'm calling it "You've Got Male.”
Jamaal Bachelor
Huntsville, TX (Bachelor is a 23-year-old senior at Sam Houston State University And the Opinions Editor for the campus newspaper, The Houstonian. He has vowed to submit commentary to your organization until he is given a job, or at least a cool internship.)

An American Tale: Hollywood Style
This is the story of an American little girl. Let’s call her Jake. She was born deprived and poor like the majority of Americans and lived in a ghetto. She had evil, heterosexual Christian parents. But an amazing transformation took place when those wicked parents imposed a gender on little Jake by buying her a barbi doll. She was so severely traumatized by this untoward affront that she became a Pimping Gay Transexual Cowboy Suicide Bomber. 
This was no easy transformation, because she was poor. She had to move to California and commit a crime, pimping, so that she could enter the California Penal system and the taxpayers could pay for her operation. 
When she got out, she met a man who would play a prominent role in her troubled life. He was George Looney. He was the son of a newscaster who’s idol, Walter Crankbait, hated America and was in the position to punish America by slanting the news enough to make us lose a war. 
George was the nephew of a movie star who grew up in a pampered, opulent, lifestyle perpetuated at the expense of the exploited unwashed enslaved working poor. This made him mean. 
Looney had a hatred of America that was palpable. His anger reeked of unfulfilled liberal dreams. 
Jake learned from this man and hated America too. Unlike George, Jake had the nads (albeit silicone) to do something about it. 
She drove her pimpmobile filled with TNT and blew up an oil refinery next to a Walmart then went to heaven. She was awarded 72 chaste cowboys. They spent their time drawing cartoons of whoever they wanted to since in heaven that was OK. The End.
Ted Pierce
Woodlands, Texas

An Option Not To Die
I was surprised by the negative public comments of MCHD CAO Allen Johnson recently toward expanding trauma care in Montgomery County. There are so many options that should be examined and so many people dying in Montgomery County because of this issue.
First, Johnson said the MCHD board is not interested in building a trauma center in Montgomery County. I spoke with one board member two weeks ago and he seemed very open to expanding trauma care in the county. I have not polled the entire MCHD board, but I would find it hard to believe that a medical board would not be interested in looking into providing a critical medical service that does not exist in Montgomery County (I.E, patients experiencing a head injury or significant chest trauma from a motor vehicle accident cannot be helped by the small emergency departments found in Montgomery County. They must go to downtown Houston).
Second, Johnson did not feel the Texas Legislature would approve the funds, coming primarily from DWIs, for more trauma care in Texas. The fact is, funds for trauma care in Texas are inevitable, because most people in Texas know we are in a trauma crisis. And, the Houston area has less trauma facilities than any other major population area of Texas. San Antonio, with a much small population, has three. Dallas has three. In short, Houston will be up next for a trauma center and it could be built in, or close to, Montgomery County. An alternative would be expansion of an existing hospital to accommodate trauma patients.
Thirdly, Johnson should be looking at solutions rather than saying it can't be done. I got a call last night from an elected government official from Montgomery County with the idea of working collaboratively with Harris County over this issue. Both counties need a trauma center that could be built on the Harris County/Montgomery County border. They would also be a powerful force in Austin pulling for the facility.
Montgomery County has so many options that should be examined.
Jim Becka
Teacher/Paramedic/MCHD Candidate
Splendora, TX 

Shirley You Jest
Charles Shirley has not been involved in the Native American Chamber, in any capacity, for over five years, thus cannot know much about our status or the present scope of our outreach. We have letters from the United States Dept of the Interior, Governor Rick Perry, Mayor Lee Brown, Mayor Bill White, and Senator John Cornyn, citing our chamber as one of the most effective chambers in Indian Country. In addition, I suggest Charles take an auto trip thru New Mexico and the Northwest, viewing the abject poverty there, surrounding the casinos---visiting with the People, as we have done---taking them food, clothing, and necessities. We have not seen this poverty in the Cherokee Nation, of which he is a member, ---but in many States, it is most evident. I think he should do this, before he makes any judgments. 
Carroll Cocchia

Liberals Where?
Gina Parker reminds me of Senator Eugene McCarthy of the 1950's. He saw communists everywhere, even where they weren't. Gina sees liberals everywhere, even where they aren't. A few weeks ago she called the media, liberal. Have you heard a liberal talk show host on radio recently? All I hear is Rush Limbaughs and his clones. The Houston Chronicle endorsed George W Bush for both governor and president and run columnists who are conservatives. All the TV stations are owned by corporations who contribute heavily to the Republican party, so where is the "liberal media."? 
Now she calls the Supreme Court "liberal", and that really confuses me. If that were so, we would not have had to endure the reign of King George II for the last six years. It was the conservative majority that gave Bush the election, not the liberal minority.
Have you heard of GW's 2 appointments, Gina? They are both proven right wing conservatives, Gina, making the supreme court even more conservative than before. 
When you blame liberals for the Kalo vs New London decision last June, you have it backwards as it is conservatives who support corporations and developers who actually won the case. It is liberals who oppose the corporations and developers in favor of the land owners. Liberals are almost always for the little guy and sure are in this case. Liberals do not want historic sights, homes and churches destroyed so developers can build freeways, parking lots, or shopping centers on them. 
Your conservative supreme court is the blame, Gina, and I know that is hard for you to take, but it is the truth. Oh, I see you also blame the communists. Just where are the communists? Are you saying our conservative supreme court is communist? I, like you, oppose Kalo vs New London and the conservative supreme court on this decision but I sure do not believe they are communists. 
It is amazing to me that conservatives still call those who oppose them communists. The Soviet union has fallen along with all it's satellite communist nations. China is giving up communism in favor of capitalism, just look at all we import from them. Cuba is even slowly becoming capitalist to attract foreign investment. The communist threat is over, Gina, and now we have a new threat and that is extremely far right fanatical Moslems. 
I sure hope we can learn from this threat that extremist fanatical religious people are dangerous. Study history, Gina, and see how extremely far right fanatical Christians have also been terrorists and murdered innocent people. Study how Jews and others who were considered heretics were slain. Joan of Arc is just one example. In the 1990's the Christian Serbs slaughtered their Moslem neighbors. 
Just as we need to work to prevent Moslem countries from being taken over by their extreme far right fanatical religious leaders, so must we in the west need to work to prevent our extreme far right fanatical Christian leaders from taking over our countries.
It appears, Gina, that in Kalo vs New London you are a liberal. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, Tx

Thanks
On behalf of the MCFA, our 2000+ members, and 600+ committee volunteers, I 
want to thank you for your excellent article about the fair events in "The Bulletin" recently. I know that you guys have done a full page cover for us the past two years, and we love it. You have done your part in helping us attain our goal of giving over one million dollars towards youth education 
in the year 2006.
Next year will be our Golden Anniversary, and I am certain you will want to join us in making it something special.
Dr. Michael Davis
PR Chairman, MCFA 

Real Or Make Believe?
Sometimes I think the contributors to this paper like Gina Parker an Ted Pierce are just "figments of the imagination" of the people at the Bulletin designed to get up the ire of people like me who can't stand idiocy. This idea is a whole less scarier than the notion that these are real people with the same inherent rights to voting and free speech that the rest of us enjoy.
Richard Amburgey 
Spring, Texas

(Editor's Note: As far as we know they are both real people. Gina Parker is the CEO of Dental Creations, a dental manufacturing company, and is also a successful attorney. Ms. Parker serves as a Perry appointee to the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation. She serves on the American Family Radio Advisory Board, and she was both the former Republican Party of Texas Treasurer and Associate General Counsel. Ms. Parker was a former candidate for Chairman of the Republican Party, and she now speaks on issues of national importance, including the need for judicial reform.)

Keep Um Busy, Smokey Joe!
Personally, I think it is rather silly that the constituents of the 6th District and other Texans rant and rave about the conduct of their Corporate Congressman, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX). Barton is a career politican and thus obtains funds for re-election from corporations. In return, his contributors receive the protection of the powerful Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Barton serves a broad spectrum of unethical corporations.
In 1997, when the FDA targeted tobacco, Barton attacked the FDA’s Commissioner, David A. Kessler. Admitting defense of the attacks required most of his time, Kessler finally resigned out of frustration. 
Barton’s press secretary, Ms. Modlin, recently stated that Barton refuses tobacco money. While Barton does not allow direct deposits from RJR or Philip Morris, contributions from all other divisions of the tobacco-executive run RJR-Nabisco, Kraft/Phillip-Morris corporations are greedily accepted.
As for Barton’s protection of big oil; in 2005 Barton wrote letters to scientists who see the oil industry and global warming as a threat. As is typical of his defense of unethical corporations, Barton has requested so much information that the scientists have little time to do anything else. This is the same tactic used on Kessler.
It should be clear to the voters of the 6th District that Barton works for unethical and immoral corporations and not for his constituents. It is past time to vote Barton out of office.
Leonard Jensen
Fort Worth, TX

Speaker Tom Craddick on the Endangered Species List? 
The recent Texas Republican Primary should speak volumes to Craddick and the Texas GOP. The sights on the "guns" of voters may be focusing on Craddick come this November. Republican voters made a huge statement by voting-out Rep. Kent Grusendorf, a long-time "blister on the butt" of school financing. With that blister now removed, can Craddick be far behind Grusendorf? 
The Speaker has been the primary catalyst for the last five years of House stagnation on urgent issues. Instead of becoming more active as the leader to improve the ailments of most hard-working Texans and their families, Craddick has become one of the main causes of urgent issues becoming state of emergencies. 
Ousting Craddick this November should be the primary objective of all Texas voters. It is NOT an issue of party loyalty. Without the Speaker damming-up the legislative waters, urgent issues may be resolved more easily. 
It's time the governor's favorite old war-horse is sent out to an enclosed pasture, where he no longer can harm the future of our Texas children. 
Peter Stern,
Driftwood, TX

Democratic Election Gains in 2006
I am predicting gains of up to 25 seats in Congress for Democrats in Congress in the 2006 elections if the outrageous Delay orchestrated Texas Congressional Redistricting Scheme is reversed by the Supreme Court. The recent appointments of Roberts and Alito put that issue in doubt. 
Before those court packing nominations were approved by the Senate, the Texas Scheme would almost certainly have been reversed. Senate Democrats failed to zero in on this issue during the Senate hearings of these nominees. The failure of the Alito filibuster effort will forever shame those Senate Democrats who scuttled the effort.
They seriously undermined American Democracy by being essentially spineless. The few Senate Democrats who actually voted to approve the Alito nomination should all face active Democratic Primary opponents. They may have kept the unpopular, anti-democratic forces of Bush Republicanism in control of Congress.
Political events could still produce such large Democratic gains to make the Texas court case outcome less important. If Bush takes the United States to war with Iran before the 2006 elections, I predict Democratic gains in Congress will top 50 seats. Americans are tired of the seemingly endless war lust of Bush Republicanism. 
The incompetence and greed of the Bush Republicans when it comes to war has finally penetrated the American psyche (except for those whose perception of reality has been distorted by Right Wing talk radio and/or Fox News.) Americans do not want us involved in 3 major wars with Moslem nations at the same time with no viable plans for winning completely in any of them.
Should gasoline price hit $3 per gallon again and stay there for more than a couple of weeks before the November elections, Republicans and those few elected Democrats who vote often for the Bush Agenda will suffer badly at the polls.
Americans understand that the Republican Party sides with huge international corporations over American consumers at every opportunity. The oil industry, drug companies and credit card companies virtually own the Republican Party in the Bush era. This will certainly not change before the 2006 elections.
Any successful large-scale terrorist attack before November will certainly doom Republican chances for retaining power in either the House or Senate. Tough talk but incompetent execution on homeland security and terrorism has grown very old and annoying to American voters. The Bush Republicans are good at undermining American freedom in the name of security but are terrible at actually improving security. 
Renewal of the falsely-named Patriot Act, the Dubai port deal and the failure of Republicans in Congress to investigate the illegal wiretapping by the Bush Administration will already cost Republicans badly at the polls. Any successful terrorist attacks will highlight Republican incompetence in dealing with terrorism. I certainly do not want to gain votes in this manner but the issues is not in the hands of Democrats. Democrats who voted for the falsely-named Patriot Act renewal are likely to suffer along with the Republicans. Hopefully, the falsely-named Patriot Act will be repealed immediately by Democrats in Congress after they gain control.
The greatest assets Democrats have going for them in 2006 are the policies and record of Bush Republicans over the past 6 years. Never before in American history has corruption so dominated a major American political Party like it has the modern Republican Party. Never has greed and incompetence so dominated the actions, policies and record of a governing Party. Corruption, cronyism and cover-up are the keywords defining Bush Republicanism. 
Only Democrats very closely tied to Bush Republican policies need to seriously worry about re-election. Almost all Republicans should be worried. Few swing seats will be taken by Republicans. Many formerly safe Republican seats will not be safe for Republicans in 2006. Democrats have great allies in Bush, Cheney, Frist, Delay and crew!
Stephen Crockett & Al Lawrence
Earleville, Maryland

Surprise Surprise! 
The Emirates are trying to exercise control of our ports and guess who"s right in the middle of it? None other than the President's brother. Remembering the Silverado banking debacle which Neil was responsible for in the U.S., which is never mentioned now and was given little press coverage then, how can we trust the Bush family?
It's pretty clear that this president is more concerned about his own personal and political deals than he is in the safety of our country.
While our ports are being put in jeopardy Neil Bush is living like a King and getting richer wheeling and dealing with the Arabs at our expense. There's something very wrong with this picture and finally the American people are beginning to pay attention and making their voices heard in Washington. The Republicans (because their re-election is in peril) are finally listening and refused to go along with their president. Wake up America, we have the power. Let's get together and use it to take our country back. 
Rosalie Sedita
Boxford, MA. 

A Dangerous Line in the Sand 
Political commentators are always arguing about what is the proper role of government. Ronald Reagan stated, “Government’s first duty is to protect the people.” If the Gipper were alive, he would be alarmed that our government is failing in its duty to protect “We the People.” 
Today there are violent skirmishes occurring along our southern border. These battles are a sign of the new war that faces our state and our nation. The 2000-mile border between Mexico and U.S. southern states is as porous as a screen door. The clamor about guest worker programs and amnesty detracts from the more serious threats to our country’s security – escalating violence and covert terrorists spilling across the Rio Grande. 
In January 2006, drug smugglers crossed into Texas. Men in Mexican military uniforms armed with 50-caliber machine guns escorted these thugs. Local sheriffs, border agents, and state troopers were in an armed standoff with foreign invaders on U.S. soil. Thankfully, no shots were fired, and the enemy retreated across the river. 
Last April, R.D. Ayers witnessed an invasion of his friend’s ranch that was a scene straight out of Apocalypse Now. Aproximately, 11 miles north of the Arizona-Mexico border, Mr. Ayers watched an unmarked Huey helicopter descend and land. Soldiers streamed out of the chopper, wearing helmets, masks and body armor, and brandishing military-style rifles. Mr. Ayers could clearly see a patch on their sleeves that said “Mexico.” After holding Mr. Ayers at gunpoint, the leader ordered his men to return to the helicopter, and they flew toward the border. Authorities speculate that the invaders were looking for vehicles to use for smuggling drugs. 
The most dangerous threat posed by our open borders is the potential of terrorists who could sneak into Texas or Arizona with ease, carrying weapons of mass destruction. No one would know of this “immigration” until there was a mushroom cloud over Houston or a nerve gas attack in Dallas. 
Texas law enforcement agencies have detected camps south of the border where “narco-terrorists” are trained in combat techniques and evasion. The FBI has warned sheriffs in southern Texas that Islamic men with possible al-Qaida connections are training in these camps, adopting Hispanic names, and crossing the border. Intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaida member Adnan Shukrijumah met with alien smugglers in Honduras and Mexico in 2004. Shukrijumah was making plans to bring more terrorists into the U.S. Last year, Mahmoud Kourani was convicted in Michigan of aiding Hezbollah. Kourani was in Michigan after sneaking across the Mexican border in 2001. 
We face a serious threat to the lives of our citizens. It is time for political double-speak to end and for action to be taken to protect our borders. Anything less is a dereliction of the duty of government to provide basic protection to its citizens. 
Gina Parker 
Waco, TX 

I Am Fed Up...
I am sure there are many people out there who feel the same way as I do about overseas customer service reps. It is a shame that our American companies have not only sold the American workers out for cheap labor overseas, but have also sold the American people out for very poor customer service. It is so annoying when you have a problem with an account that is serviced out of India or Pakistan, and after being on hold for about an hour you finally get someone who can barely speak English. And it sounds like they are following a script. They go down a list of questions to ask you whether it pertains to your problem or not. And lets not forget the rudeness these people already hate Americans so being courteous is not on their script. I have had them to hang up on me several times because they could not answer my question. Have you ever noticed that when talking to an overseas person it never says that this call is may be recorded for good service. But when you talk to someone in America it say its being recorded and they always ask have I answered your questions satisfactirily.
If the companies are going for the cheap labor at least teach them to be courteous and to speak English. It is not fair for us to have to learn Hindi or any other foreign language just to have a happy solution for our customer service problem. The last time I checked this was America. If they are going to take our jobs at least let them be able to talk to us where we can understand.
At least teach them to say YOU GOT OUTSOURCED, or better yet I TOOK YOUR JOB, in english.....
Kyle Palmer
Willis, Texas

Letters
I would like to take a moment to respond simultaneously to two letters, one from the left and one from the right that appeared in the April 7-13 issue of the bulletin. 
Anyone who regularly reads the letters section of any local newspaper is no doubt familiar with the writings of Ted Pierce of the Woodlands. Ted is one of the most prolific editorialists in all of Montgomery County. I have to say that Ted's most recent piece published in your paper was indeed one of his most original. It had colorful characters and an extremely imaginative story line. The creativity of this piece made it well worth printing and more worth reading. I hope someone has a scrapbook to put it in. However, Ted ruined what would have otherwise been a great piece by injecting his tired old political opinion, that anyone who disagrees with him and the boilerplate rhetoric of the Republican Party and Rush Limbaugh must hate America. Come on Ted, surely you can do better and actually say what you mean. Instead of vilifying those who disagree with you why not turn your skills toward something really creative.
Defend your own position. 
As for the letter from the left, I was in great agreement with much of the letter by Bill Talley of Houston, but he did not help advance the view from the left by confusing Senator Eugene McCarthy with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Everyone knows that Eugene McCarthy was the brilliant anti-communist liberal from Minnesota who broke with LBJ and the Democratic Party over Vietnam, and Joseph McCarthy was the fanatical ego-maniac anti-communist from Wisconsin who let his pursuit of personal power and his ardent anti-communism get out of hand and destroy many honest, decent hard working Americans without every uncovering a single communist (although we all know that they were out there). Bill, a good argument is often destroyed by a poor command of the facts. 
Either way I thank God that I live in a country where freedom of expression is guaranteed for all, and not just for those who actually have something to say. Thanks for having the courage to print both letters. 
Duncan McGinnis 
Willis, TX 

Protesting
What if millions of Americans took to the streets and demanded that slavery be reinstated- could it be done? Would it be right? 
What if millions took to the streets and demanded that women be denied the right to vote? Would that be enough to change a good law? 
What if 100,000 child molesters walked in solidarity down Pennsylvania Avenue and demanded amnesty for their crimes- would our congress give it to them or would they need 200,000 to get their way? What if they all waved 2 American flags each as they chanted?
If a person who has clearly broken a law says they haven't- have they or haven't they? And if they haven't then why is there anyone in jail anywhere in this nation?
So why should it matter how many illegal aliens march demanding amnesty and which flags they are waving while they demand it? 
Last week millions of ILLEGAL aliens filled our streets protesting. They were using a right that none of them had earned. They waved Mexican flags and shouted Viva Mexico!. Their illegal children walked out of schools that they should not have been attending in the first place. They hung the Mexican flag ABOVE the American flag and in some places hung the American flag upside down! If the reverse had been done in Mexico the authorities would have cracked heads or at least arrested scores of protesters. 
But our police stood by and did nothing. They were probably hoping Cindy Sheehan would show up so they could at least pretend like they were doing their job. An American citizen whose son died for this country gets arrested everywhere she protests but illegal aliens get a free pass to do whatever they want. Insanity.
But something unexpected happened. people-legal citizens- started calling their congressmen, writing letters to editors, calling in on talk shows and talking with their neighbors about the insults these criminals were slinging at us. No, we did not march by the thousands -we shouldn't have to. But Congress got the message anyway and chickened out on the immigration bill and ran away from the problem but it won't go away. This week the protests continued but this time some of the people smartened up and started waving the "Stars and Stripes". But it is too little, too late.
Amnesty supporters want Americans to believe that illegal aliens are "decent, hard-working and respectful" people who would contribute greatly to our country. But last week's actions showed these people's true colors- and they are not red, white and blue.
This is just a taste of what we can expect if these people are allowed to become citizens. If they are given amnesty does anyone think that they will just quietly blend into the scenery and go back to life as they knew it now that they no longer would have the threat of deportation hanging over their heads? Why should they? After they taste real power what is to stop them from pushing further? What if they decide that they want all of their relatives to join them from Mexico? Who is going to stop them? What if they decide to unionize and demand $15 per hour to mow your lawn, cook your food or raise your children? Who's going to say enough is enough?
If these illegal aliens don't respect what this country has given them when they did not deserve, why would they have any reason to respect this country afterward?
The answer is easy. No amnesty to illegal aliens. No automatic citizenship to someone who purposely comes to our country illegally to commit same act. Build the fence and charge the cost to the offending countries. Force the illegal alien's home countries to treat them better. Raise the US minimum wage to $10 per hour and watch all these so-called amnesty "supporters" kick these people to the curb like tomorrow's garbage. Fine employers who hire illegal aliens after this date to pay 1% or their gross income per alien. Make English an official language (like other countries do) and require it to be the only language used for business. And ship these millions of "decent, hard-working and respectful" protesters back to their countries to demand change where it is needed most.
Richard Amburgey
Spring, Texas

Illegal Immigration
"What goes around.... needs a passport" 
The Bush administration is whirling about haphazard solutions for illegal immigration and is screwing itself into the ground. 
Currently it is illegal for any immigrant to enter the U.S. without a passport, visa and/or special working papers.
Consequently, under the current immigration laws those defined as "illegal" should be deported immediately to their respective home lands. Will it happen? Absolutely not! 
There are millions of illegals living and working in the U.S. and to deport all of them --- even if we wanted to --- won't happen. It's too big of a headache and it's a tax dollar nightmare. 
Trying to "keep track of" all the illegals also is a nightmare, which is why some "creative" ideas have emerged from the administration: 
Provide driver's licenses to illegals 
Develop an immigration registration program 
Provide amnesty and/or U.S. citizenship to all illegals currently here 
Change the current immigration laws.
Since the above issues try to circumvent the current immigration laws, many members of Congress won't approve any of them and many U.S. citizens are angry about illegals living and working here without contributing tax dollars, paying for health care and education for their family members. Many Americans, right or wrong, also feel that illegals obtain other services for free because they fall through the cracks of immigration enforcement. In addition, millions of illegally made salaries are being sent back to families who remained in their native country, which adds millions to the losses of America's goods and service industries. 
Consequently, under severe scrutiny and pressure the administration is considering questionable alternatives: 
Modifying the current immigration laws 
Building a 2,000-mile fence between Mexico and the U.S. to keep out illegals 
Reducing the penalties for illegal immigration 
Introducing new and more realistic work programs.
The illegal immigration problem has evolved because immigrants are desired in our nation by companies looking for bigger profits. It is stated that immigrants work for less and will perform quality work at jobs Americans don't want to do. To continue to pay illegals illegal salaries, companies rather contribute big dollars to legislators to ensure that the loopholes in our immigration policies remain. 
Americans are correct in that they shouldn't be expected to pay tax dollars that help support illegals in this country. The immigration laws are clearly against this; however, the reality is that Americans often do illegally support illegal immigrants. This is a major reason why so many Americans dislike immigrants and why they are looked upon as community parasites. 
The illegal immigration problem will remain an urgent issue as long as the U.S., Mexican and other governments permit it to fester as it is. 
As long as illegal immigrants are hired by American companies to perform jobs in the U.S. and earning lower than legal wages, the problem will continue. 
There are no temporary Band-aids that will heal the immigration policy. The sooner intelligent people rationally resolve the multiple issues inherent in our immigration system, the quicker we can all get back to our American lives. 
Peter Stern,
Driftwood, TX 

Immigrants 
We need a real solution concerning ‘illegal undocumented alien workers’. They do American jobs for less money. That’s gooood for the economy, right? Well some Americans, who are not out protesting, are deprived of opportunities due to this. I know the spiel, Americans don’t want those jobs. Well, that is false. Americans don’t want those jobs for that pay. That pay will never increase as long as there is no marketplace pressure, which has been removed by IUAW’s. 
Also, we are not safe without secure borders. Our gutless leaders will not solve either problem.
I have a solution. Let IUAW’s enter and compete with attorneys, actors, professors, TV journalists, and politicians. Let them work for lower wages in those fields and a solution will appear shortly.
Note: I am a real Viet Nam Vet, ex-New Orleans Police Detective, and have been a real practicing scientist for 30 years. I have tasted, smelled, and felt war, the streets, the wonders of scientific endeavor, and have more than earned my right to vote and express an opinion. Also I have an acute sense of humor unlike many of my liberal friends. I’m as real as your olfactory orifice.
Ted Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas

How Much Money Did Willie Raise?
I just wanted to respond to the comments of Ms Cocchia. First of all, many, many Indian people have raised serious questions about Ms. Cocchia's heritage. She cannot provide evidence of her claimed Indian heritage.
Second, I have worked for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and I have traveled Indian Country extensively. I have visited over 200 individual Indian reservations and I have worked with dozens of Indian-owned businesses. I have more experience in Indian Country than Ms. Cocchia will have in her lifetime. So Ms. Cocchia's attacks on my personal experience is a simple red herring attempt to take the focus off her lack of understanding of Indian Country and he completely incorrect statement in your paper about who runs casinos in Indian Country. Third, I have shared that article with dozens of Indian tribal leaders--since most of them do not live in Montgomery County--and the reaction has been unanimously negative. Ms. Cocchia's statement, "Virtually all profits from casinos located on Native American reservations are forwarded to the National Indian Gaming Commission, which runs the casinos," led the tribal leaders to condemn Ms. Cocchia's incorrect and paternalistic comment. Fourth, I would love to see the letters from the Department of the Interior, etc. which she claims to "citing our chamber as one of the most effective chambers in Indian Country." I don't believe that these letters exist. I would really like to the see the letter from Gov. Rick Perry. That one has to be figment of Ms. Cocchia's imagination since Ms. Cocchia attempted to use the Chamber as a vehicle to endorse Mr. Tony Sanchez for Governor in 2002, which of course, would have been a violation of the Chamber's 501(c)(3) status. Fifth and finally, I would like to ask, how much money was raised from the Willie Nelson concert and where is that money going to go?? 
Charles R. Shirley

Real Trouble
On a cold, rainy dark January night 2 years ago, I had car trouble while trying to get home in rush hour traffic. I made it to the southbound feeder road trying to locate a safe and lighted place to pull over. Finally reaching a shopping strip, I pulled up near Mobile One. The noise of my approach was heard by three men who left the store and came over to my disabled vehicle. 
I had two flat tires, we discovered. The youngest of the 3 asked what I wanted to do. Unable to come up with anything more coherent than burn the *#%*** car, he sensibly withdrew from my ravings, talked to the other men back in the store, and returned with a suggestion. 
He jacked up the car, removed the shreds of the tires, and took them and me in his pickup to the nearest tire store. He waited with me for the new tires to be found, balanced, etc. and returned them and me to my car. He put them on in the rain, and refused any compensation. He was practicing and living his Christian faith. His name? Cullen Sinner. 
We'd chatted as new aquaintances do, and I'd asked him about his plans for the future. Neither he nor I could have foreseen what has come to be. 
Cullen and his fiancee Sarah Kane are marrying this weekend. Then, on April 8, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Home Depot parking lot, located at the corner of FM 1488 and FM 2978 a barbecue fundraiser will be held to raise money for the young bride's medical expenses of over $250,000. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer, and told she has less than a year to live. 
I ask for your prayers for this young couple as they face the joy of their wedding and their time together. In addition, any donations to her mounting medical bills are appreciated. 
Jan Hamilton 
The Woodlands TX 

Trauma
The recent Team City Summit at the East Montgomery County Improvement District building was productive; but, there was a little confusion coming out of the meeting.
The need for a trauma center in Montgomery County was discussed; unfortunately, a few people stated that a proposed trauma center being considered for Montgomery County would be a drain on local taxpayers. This is incorrect because the trauma center being considered for the Houston area will be built with state funds obtained from DWI's across the state.
Montgomery County has a good chance at the funds, because this area has less trauma care than other major population areas of Texas. There are hospitals in Montgomery County, but none of them offer major trauma care, and trauma is the leading cause of death for residents under the age of 45.
Motorists experiencing internal bleeding following an accident must be transported to downtown Houston or Galveston for emergency surgery. Many will not survive the long trip.
A Montgomery County trauma center would take pressure off trauma centers in Houston, which sometimes divert critical patients (i.e., an area man with massive leg trauma had to be flown to Austin where he died). Cooperation between Harris and Montgomery Counties could end this crisis, without local tax money.
I decided to run for the MCHD board to bring this important issue to the residents of Montgomery County, that they do not have to live with a very high death rate from accidents. A trauma center would bring better medical care and more jobs to the county.
Jim Becka
Splendora, TX

MCHD
Expenses are low and revenue is high! MCHD is awash in money! What could be better? 
One good thing about election season at the Montgomery County Hospital District is that board members who have cut to the bone every aspect of service from health care for poor adults and children, to administration, to emergency vehicles, to ambulance staff are opening their pockets. 
Three new ambulances were purchased. Each of the ambulance staff will receive $1247 plus a 10 percent increase in salaries to compete with those in neighboring jurisdictions. That investment is wise since EMT training of $10,000 apiece is a loss if trainees go elsewhere for employment. Cost comparisons demonstrated that raising salaries actually costs the district less than losing newly trained EMTs and seasoned employees. 
Ten million dollars sits in an emergency fund, and $800,000 annually comes in from the tobacco company settlement. Those who use ambulances pay for the service. Those who take EMT training pay for their classes. With free medicine from pharmaceutical companies, the federally qualified health center covers all but co-payments for prescription drugs for patients over 65, who now must purchase Medicare Part D with money they do not have. 
The only MCHD responsibility not receiving benefits is health care for poor people. 
Four years ago the Hospital District board tightened the eligibility criteria for obtaining health care assistance. The result has been that poor residents go without basic services until they are very sick then go to hospital emergency rooms, for which MCHD pays only when patients are on its rolls. Hospitals pressure MCHD to enroll patients who qualify. 
Two local clinics that serve the uninsured and indigent each serve about 3000 patients monthly, some of whom previously obtained help from the Hospital District. MCHD serves about 800 indigent people a month, down from about 2400 four years ago, while the county’s population grew by about 80,000 in the same time period. The MCHD staff takes applications only by appointment under strict procedures that do not accommodate the needs of applicants. Children’s Health Insurance Program is not enrolling children. 
Four years ago the Hospital District stopped serving poor and indigent people where they live—in Magnolia, Montgomery, New Caney, and Spring. Without notice, MCHD sold mobile medical units and left sick people to find transportation to Conroe. The Friendship Center will transport people to appointments if people know to call and ask. 
The MCHD board referred to committee a three-part health insurance proposal. The proposal requires an entity with money to fund one-third of the cost, while an employer and an employee pick up the other two parts respectively. MCHD is not interested in being the funding entity. 
Waiting in the wings are funding for staff of a new mental health crisis facility and improving trauma services in the county. MCHD can meet all of these needs without raising taxes. Hooray! 
Karyl Paige,
The Woodlands, TX

The Old Bull Dog
Eric Yollick claimed in the April 18, 2006, board meeting of the Montgomery County Hospital District that the reason MCHD serves only about 800 indigent people is that the economy has improved. According to Mr. Yollick, as the price of oil rises, it provides employment with health care to poor and indigent people, who no longer need the Hospital District. How many of them can afford the gasoline to apply for a job?
This board director circumvents the items on his own $5 Million Plan in which eligibility criteria were tightened to exclude nearly everybody who is not destitute. After his plan went into effect, the number of recipients dropped from 2400 a month to 800. 
He ignores the procedures that require a person seeking health care to make an appointment at the River Pointe building; reaching it requires private transportation. Relatives and friends work during appointment hours. 
People whom MCHD accepts must renew their eligibility during a two-week window, which often does not have appointment times available. Everyone in an applicant’s house must be scrutinized for the ability to pay for the applicant’s health care. MCHD pays for services to examine the finances of everyone in the applicant’s household. One granddaughter had to spend down her college fund to obtain help for her grandmother. 
Who is Mr. Yollick kidding? The shame is that no one else on the MCHD board of directors challenged his ridiculous proposition. 
John Haydel
Conroe, TX

No Quick Witt Here
David Witt has done a disservice to the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD). I served on the board when Witt voted to relinquish a judgment of over $100,000 that MCHD had won in a court of law. A former CEO of MCHD had stolen money from the taxpayers by using our tax money at a topless bar, a liquor store and a local hotel to name a few. He voted to let him off the hook even though MCHD had a valid judgment from a court of law. He voted to retain another CEO that had been using the Internet to access porn and dating sites while working as CEO. He was outvoted. Later, he was outvoted because he wanted to send a positive reference letter for this same CEO. Why he believes it is okay for top administrators of MCHD to use taxpayer money and equipment for sexually explicit pleasures is beyond my comprehension. He condones their illegal conduct.
He treats the public with disdain. He claims to have healthcare administrative experience but he voted to terminate mobile medical clinics serving the poor the very next day. People were standing in line the next morning to be seen and waiting to get results of medical tests only to be told by MCHD, Witt and three others voted to terminate their access to healthcare the night before. Anyone with healthcare management experience knows this is abandonment of patients. Earlier, he stated in a meeting he had been against the mobile clinics but somehow they seemed to be doing the job. Then later in an article he said he never bought the excuse the poor couldn't get to the main clinic. He said, “(The patients) always seem to be able to get to the mall or to the emergency room." He is so out of tune with the poor. He needs to stand in line at the Community Clinic in South County to get a dose of reality.
After a group of citizens wanted to express their views to MCHD, Eric Yollick placed them at the bottom of a long agenda in hopes the press would leave. I made a motion to move them up on the agenda. Witt along with others voted not to and was quoted in The Courier saying, “I have to stay the whole time and I don't get paid either.” With this type of attitude he needs to go. Please vote against Witt on May 13th.
Nicol Huff
The Woodlands, TX 

Roy Harris
I live in Frederick, MD and met a young Marine yesterday who grew up in Cut and Shoot TX. He was amazed that I had heard of his home town, but I remembered the town's name through its association with boxer Roy Harris. After reading a bit on the internet about Cut and Shoot, I searched for info on Mr. Harris, and found your wonderful article. I was born in the same year as Mr. Harris, and well remember how "big" boxing was many years ago. There even was a time when boxing was broadcast on the radio from Madison Square Garden every Friday night. Many thanks for a very well done profile of a colorful character from the past. 
Don Baker 
Frederick, MD

Big Government’s New Pet Project 
If your cat is planning to have kittens, you better take a number. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has hatched the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The NAIS comes in response to fears of mad cow disease and bioterrorism, even though there are at most three instances of mad cow disease in U.S. history and no documented instances of animals being used for bioterrorism. 
This program, which began on a voluntary basis in 2004, becomes mandatory this year for 25 percent of premises where animals are kept. Eventually, all premises will be required to register their animals with the government or face criminal penalties, including a fine of $1,000 per day. Every animal on the premises must be given a radio-frequency identification tag (RFID). 
States can choose to administer the program themselves. For example, the Texas Legislature has charged the Texas Animal Health Commission with doing so. After an avalanche of protests from small farmers at their last meeting, the Commission will convene again on May 4 to consider whether to begin enforcing mandatory registration.
Each state can determine the definition of a “premise.” Texas and most other states will likely exclude private pets, but persons who raise or transfer animals will be covered. Accordingly, if a litter of kittens is born and the owner wishes to sell or give them away, the owner must register his premises and tag the kittens with a 15-digit electronic identification device. While large agribusiness operations may have the wherewithal to implement this scheme, small farmers throughout the nation are bracing for an unbearable regulatory burden. Even high school 4-H or FFA programs will have to comply with this mandate, although the Commission is considering an amendment to allow them to register each project rather than every animal.
Small ranchers are worried that the compliance costs of registering their premises and animals will make their business an endangered species. Harold Renfro, a Nacogdoches County rancher, told the Lufkin Daily-News, “I think that this is an undermining of the small farmers, and ranchers. I believe that this is just another way to get people to quit farming and raising their own livestock. They have already put the small packing houses out of business because of all the red tape." 
The red tape associated with the NAIS does not end after a premises owner registers his premises and tags and registers his animals. Rather, the burden continues as the owner must report, within 24 hours, any missing animal, any missing tag, the sale of an animal, the death of an animal, the slaughter of an animal, the purchase of an animal, the movement of an animal off the farm or homestead, or the movement of an animal onto the farm or homestead.
The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association stated in its comments to the Commission, “Not since Prohibition has any government agency attempted to enshrine in law a system, which so thoroughly stigmatizes and burdens common, everyday behavior and is so certain to meet with huge resistance from the citizens it unjustly targets.”
Like many burdensome and intrusive government programs, there are likely to be unintended consequences. For instance, a greater percentage of cattle or wild game may be raised in Mexico or Central America where the level of regulation and sanitation is lower than the U.S., even without the NAIS. This net result would be to lessen the safety of the beef and other animal products consumed by Americans.
Finally, why should an honest error in complying with this Orwellian program be a criminal offense? While House Bill 1361 passed last session by the Texas Legislature classifies the offense as only a Class C misdemeanor, that still means a $500 fine for each day a violation occurs plus court costs, which can add up to thousands of dollars. If the offender does not pay, he can be sent to county jail. If we must have an animal identification program, compliance should be treated as a civil matter, rather than making criminals out of a family whose cat has kittens or a small farmer struggling to navigate this regulatory labyrinth. 
For centuries, Texans have lived off the land, raised livestock, and enjoyed the companionship of pets. What has changed to warrant making all of these private activities subject to registration and surveillance? The government has cried wolf and the public outcry has just begun.
Marc A. Levin
Austin, TX

Editor's Note: We encourage you to send in your Letters to the Editor, but please remember to give your name and town. `Anonymous' letters will no longer be accepted. Direct confidential questions by calling (936)539-2200 or e-mail editor@thebulletin.com.

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2006

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2006

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2006

LETTERS FROM DECEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2005

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2005

LETTERS FROM JULY 2005

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2005

LETTERS FROM MAY 2005

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2005

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2005

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2005

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2005

LETTERS FROM DECEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2004

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2004

LETTERS FROM JULY 2004

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2004

LETTERS FROM MAY 2004

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2004

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2004

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2004

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2004