Letters from our Readers - January

MCHD

Public awareness about health care problems is critical. 
I became interested enough to begin attending MCHD board meetings when they so suddenly eliminated the mobile clinics, and have become more and more concerned since then. Granted the former board probably shouldn't have bought the River Pointe building or paid Pruitt a big fee but the present board seems inclined to support very little other than EMS, which hopefully will continue to be supported by MCHD. 
The MCHD board has so alienated doctors that patients now are forced to go to Galveston for chemotherapy and simple medical care, which could be provided locally. The fact that MCHD cannot come to terms with Sadler Clinic, one of the biggest clinics in the country, says a lot about the stalemate between health care providers and the hospital district. 
Doctors donate much of their time in their offices and the hospital, taking care of the needs of the poor. One obstetrician advised me that they had delivered 8 infants for indigents mothers in one night! 
Hospital emergency rooms are required, by federal law to evaluate all patients who come through their door, regardless of their socio-economic status. People with insurance pay in the long run for those without it through increased premiums and deductibles. ERs are forced to go on drive-by status because of overcrowding forcing truly sick patients to look for other sources of health care. The patient could even die in the ambulance. 
The problems with our health care systems are complex to say the least. It is obvious that our resources are outstripped by the demands of the community. Funds are badly needed. Their are governmental agencies, grants, and organizations, including those that are faith based, that may be willing to help. 
MCHD has funds from the overhead saved by terminating the mobile clinics and is expecting tobacco money and proceeds from the eventual sale of the River Pointe building. Will this money be returned to the taxpayers or used for medical care? 
Since the government has done little to prevent the influx of illegal aliens we are left with a health care dilemma. Public health is in jeopardy if we allow potentially fatal diseases such as antibiotic resistant TB to enter our community without safeguards in place. The MCHD legislative charter also states that it must provide health care to the "inhabitants" of our community, whether they are legal or not. 
Please know that it isn't only a matter of compassion, but a matter of protecting the rest of us, especially our children in school, from illness. 
To offset the load, MCHD should attempt to contract with all area hospitals. This would help take the strain off of Conroe Regional Medical Center's ER and more equally distribute the burden of taking care of the poor to every health care provider in our community. 

Kyle Harding 
Conroe, TX

Too Bad Mice 

There are several bands out there not getting the credit they deserve and the Too bad Mice are one of them. They are a few Great guys, who put on a even better show, have fun doing and really know how to show the fans a real good time!!! All I have seen is this awful mess being printed and If it is that the mice are as awful as The press makes them out to be why is it that the mice are the 15th best band in houston out of how many bands in the area. Tom, Rick, and jeff have worked really hard and even with them replacing singers with Phillip They still one of the best bands in the houston area and credit should be given where credit is due and It is in the Too Bad Mices Favor!!! 

Sherry Vegas

Now What Say You

Thank God for freedom of speech; for that matter, free thinking; and, oh yes, close-mindedness.
I’m glad you think President Bush is doing a fantastic job. The Office of Commander in Chief is no doubt the most respected by all true Americans no matter their party stance. When it comes down to it, we all support the “Office.”
The man, however, leaves a little to be desired. 
When the man puts boys in the coffin, he should always be pictured somewhere. At least accountable.
I sure hope you never hear an American military member complain. How weak do you want us to appear? What a foolish statement. When a person joins any branch of the military, they forgo the right to express personal opinion. Why? They join for a higher purpose and stronger belief - the Office and freedom.
As for the families, watch the news. More and more are expressing disgust at our situation with every casualty. They should! 60,000 troops - Wake up! That’s all we’ve got and they sure aren’t here are they? number
300 casualties is not a great loss? Again, wake up! One casualty, American or Iraqi, is too many!
You feel safe? I bet you do. You are as ditsy and blind as a run over dog!
Get a clue. This war was not about safety or liberating a people! It was and is about financial gain for a few while destroying two countries. No, this is a senseless cowardly way for oil businessmen to keep up and if you don't think so, then you’re so poorly educated and fooled too easily. Hari Krishna is still recruiting... you may want to join!
Steps to support:
1. 9/11
2. Can’t catch bin Ladin
3. Alaska veto on oil
4. Private bids awarded to 4 private companies 6 months before Iraq was an issue
5. Iraq becomes issue w/weapons of mass destruction
6. Weapons never produced
7. Where’s bin Ladin
8. Invasion
9. Halliburton - Dick Cheney
10. Wavering US support in polls
11. We got him
12. Very bad economy!
13. Get out of our country (Iraq)
14. What now? Re-election?
Wake up. He knew just what he was doing, and in the process made the Homeland more vulnerable and destroyed an ancient people who didn’t even ask for our help. They don’t even want us and it’s not our troops’ fault, our fault, or Iraq’s fault!
Why the hell isn’t our President focusing on the Homeland and the American people who, 3 years ago, were making a living and succeeding, and now they are struggling!
Trickle down politics? No, avalanche is more like it!
White, Yellow, Black, Green, Purple - We are all Americans and one thing we have in common is we’re all getting poorer and they’re getting richer.
I think we need to quit worrying about race, creed and start worrying about America and our future generation.

America’s Struggling people

P.S. Your comment to who you responded, “Get over yourself.”
How rude. You get over yourself, because you’re not so hot, either! What makes you so great, huh? Your personal opinion, we suppose is your personal opinion only.
If you’ve got a comment, do it graciously from now on. Rudeness makes you stupid.

Name Withheld
Conroe, Texas

Billions of words per minute

Billions of words per minute are gushing out of the major media every day across America. They are faster than the speed of truth, able to leap to a conclusion at a singe quote, and more powerful than the internet. Ninety per cent of this spewing verbiage is anti-republican, anti-conservative and heck a lot of it is anti-American. Couple this with the hundreds of liberal journalists systematically searching for chinks in the armor of traditional America. It's a miracle that there are any republicans in office whatsoever. 
These conniving correspondents are painting a pitiful, pathetic picture of the state of America. They continue talking down the economy, lying about the war, trying to inject their gloom into every facet of our day to day lives. Sometimes subliminal, sometimes overt, it is a persistent pursuit of a downside to conservatism and patriotism. They don't let the truth obscure their messages. Yet the liberal democrats are complaining that the reason they are declining in popularity in America is that they cannot get their message out. I think their message is coming out loud and crystal clear. America hears it too, and does not like what it hears.
America hears that federal protection is provided to insure that trees cannot be destroyed, but federal subsidies must be provided to insure that a fetus can be destroyed at a whim. We hear we must hate the most successful people, those nasty rich that work for their money. Great achievements after all are the result of an unlevel playing field, not industry, ambition, and perseverance. But we should love the utopian America-loathing Hollywood rich that perform for their money. 
In Florida we hear "Kill the brain damaged". The liberal media love to toss the term Nazi at any republican that disagrees with their tenets, but what could be more Nazi-like than the liberal position on the Schiavo's case.
The liberal democrats are strong proponents for voting rights. They support voting rights for ex-cons, voting rights for felons in prison, and voting rights for illegal aliens. In Louisiana voting rights seem to spring eternal as Election Day looks like "night of the living dead" in some democrat parishes. But in Florida in 2000 ,when it comes to insuring that our service men and women overseas have their votes counted, well that is a little too radical, you see they strongly vote republican. Liberals detest the military.
We have gone from establishing tolerance for gays, to mandatory sanctioning and celebrating gayness. What's next "In Gay We Trust" on $3 dollar bills? The libs anti marriage stance appears to be rooted in a feeling that heterosexual marriage is offensive to those that are not. Those of us who are happily married in public could be forcing some second hand happiness on some lib who just wants to be mad about something.
They thrive on anger and hatred. Their new angry voice is articulated by their populous, pompous, permanent PMS candidate Howard Dean. He is forming his frothing collectivist political movement based on abhorrence and rage. He has mobilized groups that have common principles, hatred of capitalism, hatred of Christians, and above all hatred of George Bush and republicans. We threaten their vision of tearing down this country to build their communalist utopia. In their America villages raise your children, citizens of the world elect your leaders, the rigid standards of Hollywood provide morality, and no one has to work if they don't want to.
Many of the aforementioned tenets are being implemented by the true Clinton legacy. His appointed federal judges are now making law from the bench. We should not pledge allegiance to America, we should not even look at the Ten Commandments and we must establish prayer free zones. We are witnessing their undoing of America, and they are still unhappy. 
Their ultimate happiness is being stymied by talk radio, the internet and the increasing ability of Americans to distinguish the truth in spite of the major media's obfuscation. The voices of reason, common sense and rational thought will ultimately prevail. We are what we are, unlike libs, not what we pretend to be until we get into power. There is normality in our America. It's composed of traditional values, ambition and principled, heartfelt patriotism. America is not and never will be a weak, dishonest, agenda driven, slippery liberal coalition in spite of the mega-media.

Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas

MLK Day 

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963).
It was Fall of 1966. We were beginning our junior year at Pearl-McLaurin High School just east of Jackson, MS. Among the events of the new school year came the fact that our school was to be integrated. 
All went well as the handful of new students became part of our student body. Only one of the new students was part of the junior class – Cheryl D. 
Cheryl was quite an impressive young lady. She was intelligent, very polite and well-mannered and a person who conducted herself with poise and dignity. Cheryl and I were in several classes together. I learned to have a high respect for her because of the quality of her character.
I had always believed in equality for all races. The positive impression that Cheryl made on my life strengthened that belief. As I look back, I also admire her for her courage. It took a great amount of courage to be one of the first to challenge the years of segregation that had been the fact of our past.
The next year more new students came and most were good young people. But one new girl, whose name I don’t remember, carried a chip on her shoulder and often tried to pick fights with other students. Though there were no major "incidents" at PMHS, I do remember witnessing some ugly scenes around the lockers as students had tried not to react to this new student’s hostility. She certainly did not make a good impression.
What was the difference between the positive attitude of students toward Cheryl and the negative attitude that developed toward this student? It certainly had nothing to do with skin color, for their skin color was the same. It had everything to do with the "content of their character.”
In the past 35+ years since these events, much has changed. Full integration and racial inclusion are a reality in most of American life. I have many black friends with whom I fellowship at work, at church, at meals together and in daily activities. Like all my friends, we are welcomed in each other’s homes and we often plan activities together.
My choice of friends has nothing to do with skin color, but it has much to do with individual character. 
Though Martin Luther King’s dream has not come true for everyone everywhere, it has certainly come true for millions of Americans. Yes, there are still bigots with which to contend. All the laws in the world cannot change every human heart. But, as MLK dreamed, most people today are "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Steve Casey
Stonewall, LA

More on MCHD

Kyle Harding said it all in her letter (Jan. 2, 2004) outlining the problems faced by Montgomery County residents. But, there is something I would like to add.
Every day I walk out of my residence and see a Splendora building built with government funds to provide health care. The building has been used for everything except health care during the past year.
Some people justified the MCHD Board decision to close the mobile clinics serving East Montgomery County with the argument that the mobile clinics would be providing the same services as the East Montgomery County Community Center. 
Since none of the MCHD Board members live or work in Splendora, New Caney, or Porter, it is easy for them to avoid questions like: "Why is the current MCHD Board not concerned about East County health care?"
Obviously, we need to look for future MCHD Board members with a goal of serving the entire county. 

Jim Becka
Splendora, Texas 

Sheriff Guy Williams 

I noticed the Tommy Gage sign and went to his website to see what it was about. I saw a bulletin article that was about him that he attached to his site. I believe it was published it was in October. But what I noticed towards it was some yellow journalism, I myself am I political person and i like to follow politics. But after some research I noticed that some of the facts stated in that article were untrue and down right not factual. I am a practicing journalist like I said in this case I'd rather remain anynomous but I think that both facts should be presented in a case such as an election so that biasness is irrelevant. And I'm sure its not the case but it seems all the editorial replies are against the Sheriff which yet still go on with a nonfactual background just personal driven attacks. I'd just like to see a clean campaign and not a campaign that is said to be clean. 

Name Withheld

(Publishers Note: If you would have done the research, you would have found that we printed a front page story on Guy Williams (Issue #38, September 19 - September 25, 2003). We then did a front page story on Tommy Gauge (Issue #45, November 7 - November 13, 2003).
When we did these articles, we sat down with each of the candidates for over two hours to gain a complete view of what they would do if they won the upcoming election for Sheriff. In both cases we let the candidates speak openly and tried to convert two hours of conversation as best we could into a condensed print format. 
We did not practice yellow journalism. We did not get just a ten minute phone interview with a few juicy quotes and then call up the other side to spend five minutes getting a few more juicy quotes that would simply rebut the quotes from the first candidate, as your average daily publication would do. 
We plan on doing many more of these types of interviews in the future. We feel that it is important to get both candidates’ opinion. 
You can still find these articles on www.thebulletin.com by pulling up our archives and. In November, the story on Tommy Gage is entitled Tommy Gauge wants to be your Sheriff. In September, the story on Guy Williams is entitled High Noon. 
As far as the editorial replies go, or as we call them, Letters to the Editor, most of them seem to revolve around members of the department feeling as if their job is insecure if they do not actively politic for their current boss. We don't know if this is true or not. However, we do know that the members of this department spearheaded the drive to make county employees civil servants.
They worked hard at bringing the issue to public attention. They stated that they were hard- working individuals with families that relied on their jobs for the support of these families. That they were not politicians. They did not want their kids to go hungry on the whim of who was elected as their boss while they risked their life to protect us. The voters in the county agreed. 
Judging by the letters we get and the effort put forth to change the system we would guess that county workers have a great concern when it comes to their job security. As you might guess the elected officials who hold control of their livelihood don't agree. They would, as you might expect, like to maintain the control they now have.)

Media Bias 

I read your article about the illusion of the liberal media and the pulling of the Reagan film. 
Much agree. It seems hopeless in the face of overwhelming right wing media bias and an unaware public. 
Keep up the good work. 

Mack Green

Americans should get help first

I love your publication for the bold statements and the controversy which is regularly brought out in the open and debated.
I am writing today in response to the Bullpen about Christians or so-called ones who expound hate toward illegal immigrants.
I am aggravated the Christians are the first to be attacked at this subject.
I am a mother of four children. We have no health insurance except when the boys qualify for Medicaid. As the adult(s) in the family, I and the boys’ dad have no hope for medical or dental care and yet I am supposed to jump up and be happy when people propose illegal immigrants need help.
I am not opposed to helping children but if American citizens can’t get help because we are of working age, then neither should the immigrants if they are of age to support themselves.

D. Burgess
Conroe, Texas

Pallotta's 

Read your story and review. To be brief, as a connoisseur of Italian food, Pallotta's is the BEST in all of north Houston-Montgomery County area. Period.

Lou Milano

Sheriff Guy Williams 

It is time that we not look at more than one candidate in this Sheriff election. I've seen the article about Tommy Gage and his proposed budgeting. But in all honesty where does he have the education to actually propose such an issue? After much research I have found that he has no degree in law enforcement nor business. Sheriff Guy Williams has a degree in law enforcement and a minor in business. Such allegations regarding to "punishment" of employees for supporting Gage is only word of mouth and should only be taken as hearsay. If Gage is running a clean campaign then lets see no more rhetoric regarding false allegations. And to the editor, as a journalist I'd expect more of an article that's well researched than a bunch of circumstantial evidence. Let the full story out before telling a half truth. As a concerned citizen and a voter I have a right to know both sides and not the side of only one candidate. 

Name Withheld

Wilkerson Should Retire

I attended the Montgomery County Republican Party (MCRP) meeting Thursday, Jan 8. Upon entering the meeting auditorium, I was given a handout with Jim Jenkins’ mug shot and notice of his having been held by county police in early 1999, in a distorted representation of what turned out to be spanking one of his children. The judge dismissed Mr Jenkins’ charge with a compliment to Jim for disciplining his children. Would that more parents explained and enforced the boundaries of moral character to their kids. (I too spank my children and am frequently complimented for their good behavior. So do many other parents, along Biblical guidelines of justice and love.)
Later that evening as I observed the GOP executive meeting, a resolution was proposed stating that the party take a position against tax-supported payment for non-emergency treatment of illegal aliens at local medical clinics. Rather than debate the issue on its merits alone, county GOP chairman Dr Wally Wilkerson (who has come out publicly in favor of free medical care to illegal aliens, while having been completely silent on the problem of internet pornography in county libraries) brought up an MCRP rule that “issues are not to be endorsed one way or the other”. This thinking, championed also by another speaker at the meeting, carried the day with majority of the current precinct chairs (recruited by Wilkerson), and the resolution was defeated.
Dr Wilkerson apparently seems to think that political parties and campaigns should not be run on issues, while GOP insiders should be allowed to sling distorted 5 year old “mud” at his election opponent, Mr Jenkins, 2 months before the election, on an issue in which Jenkins was exonerated!? Ideas/issues are what this country was founded upon, not slanderous attempts at character assassination. Wally Wilkerson may have some good qualities, and has helped grow the GOP in Montgomery County during his now 40 year tenure as party chairman, but it is high time for new leadership. If a party thinks discussion and endorsement of issues are out of line, while blatant attempts at character assassination are OK, we have really missed the point of good government! No wonder voters have become so apathetic about party politics. Conservative principles and conservative media are now on the ascendancy in this country, and it is time for the tired old liberal school of Wilkerson to step aside in favor of change, the discussion of issues, and principled politics.

Mark Cadwallader
Conroe, Texas

Opinions 

“But be careful of what you hear or read
If it is written by Cadwallader.” 
(The Bulletin Online - Christmas Eve in Montgomery County)
Funny, Cadwallader's writings appeal to me more than most of the drivel I read in the Bulletin. 
I find myself reading it to see if he's in it again, whereas I didn't use to bother. 
His letters are a beacon of common sense in a culture of chaos that has lost its way. 

C. Harris 
Conroe, Texas

Jim Jenkins

The truth comes out about this dangerous man. Hopefully this will signal the beginning of the end for Jim Jenkins and his group of backward thinking individuals. I have received word that one of the RLC's goals is to get rid of CPS in Montgomery County so they would be free to discipline (read abuse) their children how they see fit.
Excuse me while I puke. 

Matt Potter
Bulletin Online Reader

Helping illegals helps us

I remember standing in line for the polio vaccine in the late 1950’s. My family and I quietly stood in a crowded elementary school gymnasium, surrounded by our neighbors. Even as a child, I knew this was a serious occasion.
I remember the quietness of the room, although filled with people. I remember the nurses in white uniforms, white shoes & hose, and the traditional white nurses cap bustling around the room. I remember being told time and again to “not touch the sugar cube”. The white sugar cube in the white cup was impressive to me. As a child, my relief that day was that I would not get a shot. My parents relief though, was much more profound.
For this disease threat was serious. My mother tells me of being told to “keep her children at home” and to “not allow them to play with anyone new”. She tells me of watching us closely for signs of polio and taking us only to two places – church and the Doctor’s office. This is a memory that is significant to my family. This was a public health issue. And that day, our government responded to it.
This occasion, an answer to many prayers combined with a discovery by a genius, was administered by the U.S. government. And yes, it was paid for with tax dollars.
Those who are anti-government use as their battle cry, “Pay no taxes”. But they forget about public health. Government is a safeguard and provides us with levels of defense. Whether it is the local police or national military protecting us from violence, or governmental agencies protecting us from environmental pollution, or local officials establishing priorities and managing projects, government adheres to established guidelines and a written purpose. When these safeguards fail, we as a people take a hit, and our country weakens.
The recent proposal presented by the White House to grant legal status to undocumented workers implies with it a right to a basic level of healthcare. Our National and State leadership is aware that public health threats demand quick and thorough responses.
As an arm of government, our local hospital district has the responsibility to take action in the area of public health. They have the responsibility to always keep in mind their written purpose.
On that day in the late 1950’s I do not remember anyone being turned away. In fact, friends and neighbors were eager for everyone to participate. I was pleased to hear at a recent MCHD meeting board members address the need for basic health care for the working poor as well as for illegal immigrants. This is a challenge our hospital district has to take on and face. For if this board fails to fulfill its established, written purpose to “provide health care for needy inhabitants of our community”, then they fail as a governmental agency. They fail to provide us safeguards, and we as a community take a hit and are weakened.

Janis Allen
Spring, Tx.

MCHD

It is apparent that the Montgomery County Hospital District has lost control of its board members by allowing personal attacks to undermine its credibility. Bill Leigh, the chairman, needs to regain control of his board and not allow his "poster boy for bad behavior" to make a mockery of the board's proceedings. Why no decorum exists on a board that nit-picks rules is curious. Until the board reins in showboat antics, it will continue to be unprofessional in its approach to the vital business of dealing with important matters regarding the health care of this community.
I did not make any personal attacks and will not be part of these silly games. HEART (Healthcare Excellence and Responsible Taxation) stands committed, regardless of personal attacks, to addressing the medical needs of the entire community, including the indigent, the underserved and the uninsured, in addition to undocumented residents. 
Personally, I am ashamed to be part of a county that allows this type of activity and political grandstanding. Do we want our county to be known for good healthcare and responsible government or do we want it to be known as a bedrock for political cartoons? The image of Mr. Yollick holding up an umbrella in a board meeting is a sad commentary regarding how the board has lost control of the actions of its members and makes it the laughing stock of the entire region. Mr. Yollick's actions reflect on his own character. Theatrical antics, personal insults and grandstanding should not be allowed by any elected official. 

Steven Farber, MD

We Need Gage

On January 15th, 2004, over 2000 citizens, elected officials and law enforcement officers from all over the County came out to attend Tommy Gage's BBQ Fundraiser. This made a strong statement that Montgomery County is ready for a change.
Under the current administration, our Sheriff's Department is spinning out of control. We need Tommy Gage as our Sheriff. He will bring respect, dedication and professionalism back to the Sheriff's Department.
Over the next few weeks, debates/forums will be held throughout the County. I encourage you to attend these, so you might hear for yourself what Tommy Gage has to say.
I'm honored to have known Tommy for so many years and I'm just as honored to call him my friend.
My oldest daughter turned 18 in 2003. I'm so proud that her first time to vote, she will be voting for Tommy Gage.
When you go to vote on March 9th, please remember one name - TOMMY GAGE. He's #1 on the ballot and #1 in our hearts. 
Tommy Gage wants to be your Sheriff.

Marie Schwind Moore
Conroe, Texas 

Sheriff Guy Williams 

It seems to me that the Tax Payers of Montgomery County need to know the truth. I have lived in Montgomery County for my entire life and have watched the change in the administration with the local law enforcement. The current Sheriff was a good choice at the time, but he has outlived his ability to make the department a better place to work. He has been in his current position long enough. I want to point out some of the problems in the current administration. 
1. Sheriff Guy Williams contributed money for the Civil Service voting issue ($2500.00) when he was not running for Sheriff and then he decided to run again and openly opposed it. 
2. Sheriff Guy Williams has been the negotiator when one of his Captains was arrest for drugs, this is of course after he allowed him to retire from the department. He negotiated with the District Attorney, Mike McDougal to get this guy off. 
3. Sheriff Guy Williams sent a letter to all of his employees stating that he was not running for re-election and for them to choose a candidate and support him. When the employees did not choose Lt. David Parks, then the Sheriff decided to run again. He did not tell his employees first. He told the Courier and they found out by reading the newspaper. He then expected them to yank their support from the candidate they had chosen and support him. Most people, once they give their word, do not change it. 
4. Sheriff Guy Williams has transferred or had his Captains transfer numerous employees that he knows do not support him for re-election so that they have to drive further to get to their office. This is costing the county Tax Payers more which will ultimately make him run over budget again unless he takes their cars away again which is the normal thing when he gets mad. 
5. Sheriff Guy Williams also ensures that if you do not sell his "fish fry tickets" that you are made to stand judgment for that. This is viewed as the ultimate disloyalty. Numerous individuals have been transferred because of this under the disguise that the area they worked in was not going to be left as a district. Lt. Hamilton was the District IV (Magnolia, Montgomery, etc) patrol Lieutenant. When he was reported to be at a fundraiser for Tommy Gage, along with numerous other officers, he was then transferred to Walden. The District IV Patrol office was essentially eliminated. Now, after the retirement of Capt. Burks, this bad change is being blamed on him and the district is being re-created. Rather than bring the highly qualified Lt. that was leading this district back to his district, they have promoted others and moved this Lt. to the Jail. Lt. Hamilton is also the President of the Deputy Sheriff Association of Montgomery County and was instrumental in helping to WIN CIVIL SERVICE for the men and women who work for the County. 
The current Sheriff is using fear and intimidation to run his organization. He makes it known that if you oppose him you will be punished. We need a new Sheriff in Montgomery County. One that will work for the Tax Payers and NOT THE GOOD OLE BOYS. 

Name Withheld. 
Montgomery, Texas

Democratic Cast of Losers

I was a Louisiana Democrat for 46 years. I'm now a Mississippi Republican. 
Why? Immoral and unethical "Slick Willie" Clinton and his ambitious and opportunistic wife "Hellery," irresponsible and I think criminal Ted Kennedy, obstructionist Tom Daschle, unconscionable Patrick Leahy, ridiculous Nancy Pelosi and others have turned the Democratic Party into the Socialist "Demon-cratic" Party. 
And some of the Donkey contenders for the presidential nomination are simply not presidential material, especially Dean and Clark. 
General Franks, when asked about Clark, said that he "wouldn't vote for him," his answer's intonation implying he knows something that you and I don't and maybe should know. 
Dean is a doctor that evidently needs a good doctor of psychology. Listening to Dean is like having a mixed-up bad dream as he tosses and turns from one bad and irrational thought to another. 
I wouldn't trust temperamental blow-hard "Coward" Dean or wishy-washy "Weasel" Clark to baby-sit my "Grandcat," much less let them be in charge of our country, our economy and our military arsenal. 
We Americans deserve better. 

R. Tullos "Dan" Hanchey 
Ridgeland, MS

Affirm Wes Clark

As our presidential selection process continues, it's becoming clear to me that Wes Clark would be an excellent choice as our Democratic candidate.
He is the real thing. His background certainly qualifies him to speak to the middle class, coming from our public education system, being raised according to American values. 
I consider him a true American hero, a success story of our time. He graduated first in his class at West Point, he was a Rhodes Scholar, four-star general, commander of NATO, and if we're lucky, President of the United States.

Dan Lavielle
Seattle, Washington

Liberal Garbage 

What is this crap youre writing in your paper? I thought liberal garbage was limited here in the great state of Texas!!!!

Jennifer McClung 

Jim Wright

Jim Wright is a great guy, I communicated with him before. He is the kind of person with the courage we need to change the drift of this country to below the level of a banana republic. Hope other publications will pick this up. Think about it, how many people do we have who will risk every thing to tell the people the truth? Not many any more, we are becoming a country of moral cowards.

Erica Stuart

Globalist for Dean

As the November presidential election approaches, liberal democrats, by far the biggest proponents of campaign finance reform are tiptoeing around one of the most fundamental principles in American politics "Keeping American elections funded by Americans".
From Sweden to Canada to Portugal, international web sites are soliciting citizens of the world to contribute to advertising campaigns intended to influence "our" election. They are not trying to re-elect George Bush. Howard Dean and Wesley Clark are "their" choices.
CanadaForClark and MoveOn.org are tainting an American election with foreign money. Dean and Clark are conveniently insensitive to the gravity of this situation. Their lack of judgement is only compounded by the fact that we are at war and the money solicited is expressly to stop President Bush from carrying out our war on terrorism.
I have no doubt that to MoveOn.org Saddam's (billionaire Bush-hater) money would be just as welcome as Soros's (billionaire Bush-hater) or Osama's (billionaire Bush-hater) for that matter. Our country and our electoral process are under attack.
Isn't it interesting that from Gore and Clinton's Chinese connection to Clark and Dean's citizens of the world connection, the traditional republican America is what these globalists detest. Freedom and capitalism do not fit well into their socialist utopian delusion and they will lie, cheat or steal an election to attain it.

Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas 

More for Tommy Gage

In response to the letter criticizing sheriff’s candidate Captain Tommy Gage and your alleged one-sided research of the issues, I submit the following:
1. You are dead on target.
2. It is indeed true that Sheriff Guy Williams has a degree in Law Enforcement and a minor in business. He bolsters his credentials by surrounding himself with toadies that given the extent of their gaffes, could not collectively run a Fotomat.
3. Sheriff William’s vindictiveness toward present and former employees is well known in the law enforcement community. Add elected and appointed officials to the focus of his wrath coupled with the paroxysms of rage he exhibits to any real or intended slight by the news agency, and his decline to the status of pariah is not surprising.
4. He recently said in one of his inane mutterings, “We watch every dollar spent,” in referring to his self proclaimed masterful stewardship of his annual budget.
A. Who was watching the money from October 2002 until August 2003 when he presented his budget to commissioners court, surrounded by his courtiers who were genuflecting on cue when County Auditor Linda Brazeale jerked his chain with the revelation that his department was 2.1 million over budget at that moment?
B. Who was watching the money when former Chief Deputy Buck Drake made the decimal point error that caused the county to refund 2.4 million already spent back to the feds?
C. Who was watching when the money disappeared from the inmate trust fund and still remains missing after months of relentless and rabid investigation by sheriffs detectives? Hello?
D. Who was watching the money when funds allocated by commissioners court for the purchase of patrol cars was spent elsewhere?
E. Who was watching the money being spent on stocks of pain management drugs in the jail? Who took the drugs? Was it the same inmate that was suggested to have stolen the money from the inmate trust fund? Give me a break. What kind of picture is this? Are we to believe the inmate filched the money from the trust fund, did two pirouettes and a pas de deux, ended at the jail dispensary, presented his money with a flourish and left with a handful of Nirvana?
5. If the high sheriff is wallowing in competence, why then did County Attorney David Walker and District Attorney Mike McDougal endorse the candidacy of Captain Tommy Gage on January 15, 2004 without a single dissent from any elected county official present? David Walker said, “If you want to know why, call me.” Do so. He’ll give you the facts. Look at what Mr. Walker has had to defend:
A. The lawsuits brought by formaer employees Buster Waddell and Sherman Sauls. They won.
B. The recent fiasco with the bail bond agent that caused the issuance of a restraining order by U.S. District Judge David Hittner, and a subsequent out of court settlement to the plaintiff.
6. How long are we expected to sit by and say “Oh, well” as the commissioners court is compelled to raise our taxes due to the sheriff’s blunderings.
7. Now for a word about Tommy Gage. Examine the history of sheriffs in Montgomery County. From Joe Corley to Gene Reaves to Will Willett, Fannie Pearl Surratt, Herschel Surratt, Bud Hooper, Grover Mostyn. Captain Tommy Gage has the most impressive credentials and is infinitely more qualified in terms of sheer law enforcement experience and years of service than any sheriff in recent memory. Talk to him. Listen to him. His career has matured along with him unlike Sheriff Williams who has done his first year in office eleven times now. The mark of a successful administrator is not to be a genius, inundated with college degrees, but to have the common sense (something that can’t be taught, bought, borrowed, issued or leased) to not take himself seriously, but to view his task with extreme seriousness and surround himself with intelligent, dedicated, caring and compassionate commanders that are masters of their craft. They will not only make him look good but will inspire the troops by deed and example, not by fear and reprisals. Captain Tommy Gage has but one goal, that should be common to all peace officers - the desire to help people. If you’re a policeman for any other reason, you need to find something else to do.
8. When Sheriff Williams took office, he had no idea of the enormous responsibilities facing him and I quote from his remarks in the Conroe Courier March 7, 1994. “I wasn’t sure what all the sheriff did. I’d never had the reins of the agency. I’d never had 300 plus employees. I’d never even worked in the jail much less been given the responsibility of having a jail.”
Captain Tommy Gage has worked jail, patrol, investigations, and ran the training academy. Sheriff Williams spoke recently of the burdens of office becoming an “inverted triangle” on his shoulders. He was the one that said at Taste of the Town in The Woodlands in 1996, “If you can’t take the heat, don’t sit down in the chair.” After eleven years the sheriff still can’t take the heat without trying to reflect it onto the commissioners court.
The sheriff’s department that exists today runs because of the dedicated deputies and civilian support staff that still have enough self respect and devotion to duty to prevail in spite of the perils of the sheriff’s knee-jerk management that enacts policies with no thought to the ripple effects that plunge employees into the depths of despair. To what ever degree we are safe and secure, it id because of them, not him.
The emperor has no clothes.
It’s time for a change.
The department needs a leader that can make it part of the community and apart from it.

Name Withheld
The Woodlands, Texas

The Sky is Falling

“The sky is falling!” This is how plaintiff attorney and Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) board member Eric Yollick started his attack, from under an umbrella that he opened in the boardroom, on a respected local physician who wanted to speak to the board. Dr. Farber, a local cardiologist, who founded a citizen's group called HEART (Healthcare Excellence and Responsible Taxation) to study health care issues that face our county, was going to present the findings of the group's study and letters from prominent local and regional physicians on the subject of the crisis in over-crowding in the emergency department and primary health care for undocumented residents. 
Dr. Mattox, a world renown trauma surgeon and the head of Houston's Save our ER's said in a letter to the board of MCHD that there is a crisis in our area due to uninsured patients that include undocumented residents. Dr. Mattox further states that, “When these individuals develop acute manifestations of a chronic illness, or develop an emergency medical, surgical or trauma condition, they seek help at the only resource available our emergency rooms and county health systems.”
Unfortunately, the wealthy attorneys, Eric Yollick and Bill Leigh and their allies extinguished the mobile clinics that served our county and left the uninsured with emergency rooms as their only alternative for healthcare. As Dr. Mattox powerfully stated, “Each human being in this multiple county region is one second, one heart beat, and one breath away from needing a publicly supported ambulance, emergency room, operating room, and intensive care unit.”
To waste these resources on problems that could have been treated in a clinic, whether they are uninsured citizens or illegal immigrants, is fiscally irresponsible and morally corrupt. It is a human trait to believe that life threatening health problems will not affect us, that it will always be someone else. The reality is that the next person that needs that emergency bed could be Yollick or Leigh. I wonder if they believe that they would get that bed because they're rich. The reality is they will NOT.
Yollick would have you believe that this entire issue was cooked up by Dr. Farber to milk the taxpayer for money. With full support of Farber, a cardiology specialist, and HEART, I proposed an amendment to the resolution that Yollick designed to send any chance of getting primary care for undocumented residents into oblivion. That amendment was that MCHD provide ONLY primary care to the undocumented residents. This option would fall under the indigent care contract that has a financial cap, would not include specialty care and therefore would not cost the taxpayers any money. This was voted down by a 5-2 margin. It begs the question as to why? It would not cost the taxpayer, it would help relieve the overcrowding of the emergency departments and decrease the chance of communicable diseases in our area. The only explanation that I can see is certain board members felt it would not be politically popular. Political office is not a popularity contest. Hard decisions sometime have to be made. It is a test of moral fiber, backbone and integrity. Yollick and his antics clearly demonstrate the lack of these qualities on the MCHD Board.
Yollick mocked Dr. Farber by shouting from under an umbrella that the sky is falling. Unfortunately, Dr. Farber is correct. There is a healthcare crisis. Tragically, Yollick and his allies do not have the foresight or the backbone to see it and act.

Nicol Huff
MCHD Board Member
The Woodlands, TX 

Yollick a True Genius

Eric Yollick is a true genius. He has a plan to offer permanent entertainment at MCHD Board meetings. After all, who wants to talk about sick people when there are so many other things that can be done.
The sly Bulldog knows that by closing the clinics in East Montgomery County he can probably increase the death rate. That means, with less sick people, we can turn MCHD Board meetings to events sure to dazzle. Maybe the board could bring in a band or get a couple of board members to put on a puppet show.
Yollick's umbrella routine showed that he has a penchant for theatrics. I know personally that Yollick is a fabulous magician. He made health care in East Montgomery County disappear.

Jim Becka
Splendora, TX

Inhalers and Caney Creek 

I use that same inhaler, which I am supposed to have on me all the time. I have COPD and I never know when I will stop breathing. I have forgot it several times. There was a time one night when someone couldn't breathe and a few people knew that I had inhalers and this woman was holding her hand out to me when someone screamed at me to let her use my inhaler. 
This girl would have probably have died if I had not let her use my inhaler. My inhaler has saved my life several times, but accidents do happen and we do forget to take them with us. I really laughed when I heard on TV about the teacher being sprayed in the face with an inhaler and had to be rushed to the hospital, be for real, check these out, usually the first doesn't hardly put none out, that is usually why I have to take 2. Heck was that teacher right up in his face. 
I don't like the way kids disrespect adults in this day and age. But schools a lot of times just take things too far. Caney Creek High School will let the bad kids go to work all day and not even attend school, only to report in once a week but yet they graduate and walk with the other students. My son was learning disabled but he only got to be in a work program the last year of school and he also went to school a half of the day. He still had to have his math and reading credits. How in the ???? can a ninth grader be in a program at school and work all day. What is he learning. If a child doesn't go to school then why she he get a diploma that kids work hard to get. It is not fair. I know this is so....so this means he gets no schooling for the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. What has he learned, and why should he graduate from school. This is what Caney Creek does........I wished I lived down here when my kids were in high school, my 2 sons that did quit could have worked and got their diplomas. Instead 1 boy quit in the 11th. The other one got a GED, but at least he did learn from books. What do you learn working cleaning tools for Mechanics or sweeping the floors, cleaning up grease from the cars. But he is getting those credits.....I really just don't understand.....and probably never will.....

Name Withheld

War Fatalities Extremely Small 

War is war is war! 
There can be no sanitary war. 
Put American and allied losses in proper perspective. 
History is littered with deadly DAYS when more people were killed in ONE DAY than in the whole Iraq conflict, and that will still be true when we exit that dangerous and hostile arena. The total of U-S military lives lost as a result of hostile action will be well below some of history's greatest ONE DAY losses. 
Many of those U-S and allied lives have been lost as the result of accidents. 
We have more people killed in our American cities in one day than are killed by hostile action in any one day in Iraqi cities. 
Quit trying to tug at the heartstrings of America and making only 500 total Iraq war casualties sound so tragic. 
Besides, there are more important things happening in the world, even in Iraq, than bombings and deaths. You have a responsibility to report the good news, too. 
Kindly remember, if the terrorists were not busy attacking Americans and the new government in Iraq, they would put their focus on the continental U-S-A. Would you rather have bombings in Baghdad and Iraqi cities or in Conroe and American cities? 
Please...report real news, fair and balanced, without editorial bias or prejudice in those stories. Edit Associated Press and other "pre-packaged" stories before printing them. Save all personal opinions and "spin" for the Editorial pages. 

R. Tullos "Dan" Hanchey 
Ridgeland, MS

NOTE: You can respond to any of these letters by going to www.thebulletin.com and posting a message on our Bulletin Board.

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 DECEMBER 2003

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2003

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2003

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2003

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2003

LETTERS FROM JULY 2003

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2003

LETTERS FROM MAY 2003

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2003

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2003

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2003

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2003

LETTERS FROM DECEMBER 2002

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2002

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2002

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2002

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2002

LETTERS FROM JULY 2002

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2002

LETTERS FROM MAY 2002

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2002

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2002

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2002

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2002