Letters from our readers-January

LETTERS:Thanks for the article

First, I want to express gratitude that your newspaper prints items like Donald Kaul's Reasons for War. (Reasons for War, ISSUE 1 by Donald Kaul) In these times, I believe many Americans fear that speaking out about preemptive attack makes them "unpatriotic", and just seem to believe that what is being reported in most newspapers and news programming is inevitable. I believe that loving one's country means standing up and making the statement that there is another way. Thanks for giving us this article.
For those who feel peace can be attained, and wish to work toward that end, I'd like you to know that every Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm at the Mecom Fountain in Houston (that's on Montrose near the museums) there is a candlelight vigil for peace. Candles are provided, as well as signs, but feel free to bring your own. There are between 30 and 50 or more people who attend. This is sponsored by Houston Coalition for Justice not War. Here is their website: http://www.houstonjusticenotwar.org/
There will be a march for peace in Houston on Jan. 25. We will assemble in the Fiesta Grocery Store/Dollar Store parking lot at 75th Street and Lawndale, Houston, at 1:30 pm. We will then march down 75th Street to Mason Park. The rally will be held in the front section of the park, which is bordered by 75th Street and Tipps St. These events are sponsored by the Green Party, and I believe you will find the effort made in participating well worth your time. Here is their website: www.zounds.net/greens
As Martin Luther King said in regard to speaking out when injustice is occuring, silence is betrayal.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to make my statements.

Name withheld by request
The Woodlands, Tx

LETTERS:Doing something about volcanos

My name is Charles Henry Schoonover and I would like to be the President of the United States of America in 2004. As president, I would like to do something about volcanos. Here is what I propose: I propose that the Army Corps of Engineers learn how to cause volcanos by using a nuclear explosion. (I believe that the military already knows how to do this). Then, when they know how to cause a volcano, the Army Corps of Engineers can use the technology to cause a lot of little volcanos in areas that are at risk of a larger volcano. This can be done to reduce the stress that can build up to the point that it causes a larger volcano that cannot be controlled.

Charles Henry Schoonover
2004 LP Presidential Candidate
Bulletin Online Reader

LETTERS:Since I was little

Sorry it took you so long to find it! (Delectable Seafood, ISSUE 51 by Heather Yarborough) I've been eating there since I was a little girl. I'm 37 now. My mother's favorite dish there back then was Oyster's Rockefeller. We went there for her birthday almost every year. My husband and I went there for our last anniversary. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal there. Great story!

Sheri Anderson
Montgomery, Tx

LETTERS:No Olives

I am excited to see an article about my restaurant published in The Bulletin, (Who can turn down hot beef on a stick? ISSUE 49 by Heather Yarborough) but I would appreciate clarifying to the author and the readers the ingredients in the Stuffed Grape Leaves. There are no OLIVES whatsoever in them! They are stuffed with rice, chick peas, onions, tomatoes, and parsley.
Thank you for showing an interest in our establishment. We are so excited about being in The Woodlands!

Susan A. Hage
Montgomery County, Tx

LETTERS:Let The Bulletin be our guide

I have read with interest, articles, letters, etc. concerning the controversy over Montgomery County Libraries' policies and their shelving the books for children which discuss, and illustrate, sexual topics, including homosexuality, lesbianism, etc.
I suggest you publish the illustrations used in these books in future editions of The Bulletin and request that your readers then vote "yes" or "no" on whether or not they should be removed from the libraries.
I think this would add a lot to settling this matter.

Jeff L. Anderson
Panorama Village

LETTERS:Slamming in our schools

Topic: A winter seed that takes root immediately! The seed I refer to is related to poetry performance. Last year our Bluebonnet Poetry Slam leader, Marc Smith gave a few workshops in "The Art of Performance Poetry," for 6th graders and a junior and senior highschool class. It was quite exciting for the faculty who had arranged to have this event in their schools, to observe the enthusiastic response of their youngsters to learning the techniques that Marc Smith demonstrated for them before giving them the chance to try it themselves. This year Smith is coming to lead additional workshops during the first week of February.
Poetry has always been a part of the English curriculum, but to have the ability to make words come alive with emotional content is an art. No one is, more capable of demonstrating this than the man who has brought this art into being.
The whole slam movement began with him and has grown into an international phenomenon in all the English speaking countries of the world.
The enthusiasm to be part of this movement in the schools is greater than the money allotted to pay for this kind of enrichment for youngsters.
However, it is when they are young that they are open to explore a variety of things themselves, including the art and power of the spoken word. At times like this, happily there are members of our community who both see the need for this kind of enrichment and are willing to help support it. We have to thank those that do contribute to bringing that "something extra" to our schools.
I, as the champion of this movement which is in its 5th year in our community, am always eager to hear from those of you who would like to be involved in helping to make this happen. Carol Schneider (936)447-4223.

Carol Schneider
April Sound

LETTERS:Socialism leads to blood-soaked hell

I do like your newspaper for information on what is going on in Montgomery Co., and you do state very clearly that it is an alternative newspaper. However, I hope you get good a response to your ad for new writers. Hopefully, some better informed and less socialistic than Donald Kaul. (SUV owners shouldn't read this, ISSUE 2 by Donald Kaul) Mr. Kaul is evidently a starving young socialist writer who cannot afford a full size car and probably drives a used Ford (what the hell kind of car is that) Fiesta.
Socialists have long promoted the idea of a government that exercised absolute control in the interest of the "common good." In a world of individuals with different needs, tastes and preferences, a common good does not exist.
Mr. Kaul must be a socialist. Evidently, he is of the opinion that Americans are not fundamentally capable of acting in their own best interests or the interests of others. Early socialists bent entire nations to their will. They murdered tens of millions in pursuit of their dream. They toppled form grace only when it became impossible to ignore the fact that they had in fact created a series of blood-soaked hells on earth.
I drive a Tahoe for the versatility and comfort. I get seventeen (17) mpg around town and can take all five of my grandsons on a two day fishing trip, All at the same time. Try that in your used Ford (what the hell kind of car is that) Fiesta.
America is about freedom. Freedom of speech, religion and freedom to choose what kind of car we drive. So Mr. Kaul, why don't you take your used Ford (what the hell kind of car is that) Fiesta and move to Europe. In most places there you would be driving a gas guzzling big sedan.

Ben Bryant
Willis, Tx

LETTERS:Just Saying Thanks

You did it again! The Friendship Center would like to say thank you for your support this holiday season. Amazing things truly do happen when a community works together for the greater good.
Our season of giving began with Thanksgiving, where volunteers delivered more than 300 meals to homebound Senior Adults on Thanksgiving Day. Many families and student groups have made this a tradition. Our thanks to The Salvation Army and The Ark Church for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful program. In addition, St. Anthony's of Padua Church donated 100 food bags that were distributed to the Senior Adults to help make their Holiday Season a little brighter!
For the fifth consecutive year, First National Bank of Texas sponsored the Santa for Seniors project. Each participant of The Friendship Center submitted a "Holiday Wish" that was placed on an ornament. This ornament was then placed on a Christmas tree in one of the First National Bank of Texas locations throughout Montgomery County. Our thanks to each member of the community that participated in this program as well as to the employees of First National Bank of Texas for their tremendous effort.
Southwestern Furniture also made a tremendous impact at The Friendship Center. They began collecting bags of necessary items (toiletry items, hats, gloves, blankets, etc.) in November. The final tally of gift bags was an amazing total of 586 bags filled with goodies! These bags went to our Meals on Wheels participants throughout Montgomery County - and they were thrilled with their packages again this year!
In addition to a "Holiday Wish", each Senior Adult received a bag of miscellaneous items. This year's sponsors of the five Holiday parties and the gift bags were: Constable David Hill (Magnolia Center), Conroe Lion's Clubs - Noon & Evening (Conroe Center) Emerson Homes (Porter/New Caney Center), Keller Williams-Judy Bell (The Woodlands Center) and Keller Williams-Don Bennett (Montgomery Center). A huge thank you to ALL who helped in collecting items for the gift bags - and to ALL those who helped to fill the gift bags!
Our sincere thanks to the following for providing gifts, food/fruit baskets, monetary donations and their time to make spirits bright right here in Montgomery County: Academy Electronics, XI Alpha Gamma Alpha, Conroe Noon Lion's Club, First Baptist Church of Conroe, First Presbyterian Church - Tomball, Klein Bank, Lake Conroe Area Republican Women, Lake Forest Falls Ladies Auxiliary, Montgomery County, Memorial Hermann Hospital - The Woodlands, NCI Building Systems, National Charity League Roundtable, Northshore Republican Women, Oak Ridge High School FHA Class, St. James Parish Episcopal, Service League Youth, TXU Communications, United Methodist Women, Vogel Intermediate, The Woodlands Highsteppers and the countless others who took the time to sew, knit, crochet, and shop to fulfill a Holiday Wish!
If you would like to continue this rewarding experience and become a volunteer with The Friendship Center, please contact Margaret Conwell at 936-756-5828, ext. 26.

Gary A. Louie
Executive Director
The Friendship Center

LETTERS:First Time Reader

I just picked up a Bulletin for the first time and wanted to tell you how impressed I was. I have lived in The Woodlands for 5 years now and have never seen one. How long have you guys been around? I have been looking for a paper like this since we moved here.
We love the Houston Press and your paper is very similar. We would love to know more about club information....as much as you can give!!!!! We love live music and festivals. I just wanted to let you know that your paper looks GREAT!!! Keep up the good work!

Dan Makerly
The Woodlands

LETTERS:What a perspective

Read the PERSPECTIVE, this weekend, the McKeeg Russell article.....fantastic. (Hello is anybody out there, ISSUE 3 by McKeeg Russell) Good read and writing!

Mark Meadows Ph.D.
Tomball College

LETTERS:Unique paper covers unique artist

I just read the article about my brother-in-law, Bill Laufer, in The Bulletin. (Life inspires art for Woodlands artist, ISSUE 2 by Susan Fitts) I am thrilled that such an article has been written about him. He is a unique person who is interesting to know and to listen to. He really doesn't do much "small talk," but he does have very significant things to say about ordinary things in life.
His art work--all of it--is unique like he is. Each piece is specially designed and has meaning. I know he makes mess-ups, and I think they, too, are probably extremely artistic and lovely. Thanks for doing the article about him. I wish the whole world knew him, his writing, and his art. Also, he is married to a gifted writer whom the world needs to know.

Glenda Lowery
Amarillo, TX

LETTERS:24-hour lighting

I am sure that the hardworking taxpayers in the Montgomery ISD are proud of the new Athletic complex that is being built across from the Montgomery Jr. High and High schools. It will be a great benefit to all of the children in our school district.
I wish to pose a question, however, to the citizens whose tax dollars have made this all possible: Do you know how many dollars per day it is costing you to supply power to the big, beautiful floodlights that cast their wondrous glow across the ball fields 24 hours a day while the complex is under construction??? Did they hardwire the lights into the electric supply or did someone simply forget where the on/off switch is???
Should I consider buying stock in the electric company that supplies the complex?

Name Withheld
Montgomery, TX

LETTERS:The threat is real

I enjoyed reading your piece, The World's Not Promising Just Now." (ISSUE 4 by Donald Kaul) Many points are well made and your article is very accurate. There is perspective that has yet to be viewed. It is a difficult issue and even more difficult to deal with.
My job requires that I travel extensively as the aircraft and the country's my airline serves is many. During my near 40-year career of travel, I have see sentiment changing toward American. I have seen respect toward our country dwindle. Yet we have done much to advance freedom and technology throughout the world. Now, we are watching not only as your citizens are threatened abroad through the bombings of our embassies, but also individuals are threatened and sometimes kidnapped. Our service men are on guard when abroad and common citizens are warned to be on the lookout and not to stray off the beaten path when abroad by our State Department. Further more we know not only Ben Laden but also Iraq sponsored the 9-11 attacks. The news reported just today that the families of those who carried out the attack on 9-11are sent regular checks from Iraq. To question if Iraq is our enemy is foolish and naïve. The only question we need to ask is how far will they go and where will it stop?
The issue that seems to miss the media is the effects and growing threat on terrorism and who is actively carrying it out. It is not only organizations as Al Qieda, and Hamaz , a great deal of protection and funding is being given my countries, such as Iraq. The threat is not only an occasional bombing; the threat is to our way of life. Our society is based on freedom. Terror threatens freedom and thus our economy. The world market is suffering as part of this on going threat. It is not the only factor in the equation, but it is a substantial one. How do we stop it? Where do we begin?
The hate toward America has grown constantly through the last decade. The organizers have had safe haven to spread their hate message and organize. We have not raised a hand to stop them. Where do we begin? Should Iraq continue to sponsor terrorism and give these criminals weapons as well as safe haven? Should we sit still for them? Should we sit back and wait for the next attack or, should we defend ourselves against a known enemy? Should we allow them to steal our freedom and attack our way of life because of their hate and resentment?
Many think, because they cannot see the hate and anger, the hate and anger does not exist. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The young and uneducated are taught anger and hate toward Americans at a very young age. It has had generations to perpetuate. We are just now seeing the results of those years. In order to sustain our freedom and our way of life, we are bound to defend our society. I see this as the root of our current administration actions. Those who choose too not understand are naive and simple minded. The threat is real. Should anyone doubt that, just remember the attack on the World Trade Center on 9-11. The only question now is: What are we to do to stop it?

Capt. J. L. Pulis
Bulletin Online Reader

LETTERS:Real men... get low gas mileage

Well now... real mountain men driving the pickup trucks with the gun rack in the back window, huh? Would that be the 1972 Ford Pickup that blows oil out the exhaust onto the environment and gets about 2 miles to the gallon? You make me laugh...

Tig
Bulletin Online Reader

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