Letters from our Readers - July 2005

Newsman Masquerade 
The Downing Street memos are damning evidence that Bush and his power block lied to us and deceived us about the Iraq war.
The media: ho-hum.
Clinton and his personal misdeeds dominate the headlines for months.
The media: Intense, unending scrutiny.
According to Amnesty International, a highly-respected human rights organization regularly quoted in our media, Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld are international war criminals because of the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo and the Iraq war. The problem is there isn't a country in the world strong enough to arrest them, we would destroy them if they tried. Alarming??
If this administration isn't stopped, the world will have to organize against us. This craziness has happened in five short years.
The media: ho-hum.
I hope the media wakes from their slumber, they seem to be elitist soap salesmen masquerading as newsmen. Surely they realize this has become very serious. They are our last defense.
Jim Kane'ala
Seattle, Wa. 

Constitution protects US Flag embellishment
As a graphic artist and designer it is my position that the US Constitution protects the embellishment of the flag as a form of freedom of speech. I have produced many, many patriotic USA flag designs and believe that after 9/11 it is vital to our security to be able to display the America flag without restriction, as a way the public may express its patriotism.
Certainly it infuriates all patriotic American when our enemies burn the American flag in protest, but we should not let this outrage further restrict our freedom and liberty; that is exactly what the terrorist want, to make America like an Islamic state where there is no freedom of religion or liberty.
In many Arabic states if you burn the Koran or flush it down a toilet you can be imprisoned or executed! Do we want to imprison or kill people for burning the US flag or embellishing it to express their patriotism? I believe that if there is constitutional amendment with respect to the US flag, that it should allow and permit the flag to be used in any way without restriction, and that the Flag Code should also be revised to permit patriotic expressions to be embellished upon the American flag.
The patriotic designs I have produced using the American flag at http://www.cafepress.com/bytelandart  have enjoyed tremendous popularity in recent years. I am very concerned that a constitutional amendment with regard to the US flag will make criminals out of patriotic Americans, and play right into the hands of terrorists like Osama bin Laden. Please note that I have also produced a USA flag design which shows a decapitated Osama and says "Support Our Troops - Off With Osama's Head!"
I have also produced USA flag designs which say, "I (Heart) USA, It's the greatest country on earth," "Hillary for President 2008" and "I Love America with all my heart!" These are posted on the Internet at http://www.cafepress.com/bytelandart/533969  for all to see. Most recently I have created a series of USA flag designs which have scripts expressing deep patriotic sentiments as might have been written by soldiers. All these patriotic designs are produced by someone who grew up in a military family and who knows what it means to sacrifice all of one's life for their country!
Could it be that conservative Republicans want a flag amendment so that the may attack their liberal opponents who may embellish the American flag with pro democracy statements or campaign slogans? Would such an amendment make criminals out of all creative artists who use the American flag as a way to promote and popularize ideas of freedom and liberty in art, song or dance?
To me this is a question not only of freedom of speech, but freedom of religion. As soon as you make it against the law to deface the flag you begin to establish a state religion, making the flag more holy and sacred than human life! I say we should be using the American flag to promote democracy around the world, putting it on everything from T-shirts and bumper stickers to M1-tanks and Patriot missiles! Let's let the terrorist know that if they mess with US, they will soon meet their maker, and an American flag will be what brings their demise!
Terry Lynch
terrylynch@aol.com  
Montgomery, AL

Supreme Court Judgement Destroys Property Rights
Lago Vista city councilman Patrick Dixon, state chairman of the Libertarian Party of Texas, reacted to the Supreme Court's June 23rd ruling in Kelo et al v. City of New London, CT with shock and anger.
"Our country was founded by people that escaped repressive monarchies and dictatorships," said Dixon. "They sought a land where they could become property owners and establish a government that protected their rights. This decision is yet another example of government becoming the enemy that our founders fled from.”
The Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 decision, found that the city of New London, Connecticut could take private homes and turn over the land to corporate developers on the grounds that the resulting new development would be a benefit to the community at large. Dissenting justices stated that, because any use of land can be claimed to benefit the community at large, the ruling allows government to seize land at will, regardless of circumstance.
One of the plaintiffs in the New London case is an elderly couple that has lived in the same house since they were married over 50 years ago. This ruling will force the couple, along with the six other families who joined the lawsuit, to leave their home and see it destroyed to make way for a pharmaceutical plant, office space, and harborfront resorts.
"My city of Lago Vista is also a retirement community," Dixon said. "People come here to enjoy their retirement and settle down. The thought that government can force them out of their homes is an abomination.”
"You can count on me to defend property rights as a councilman in my city," he added, calling upon voters to seek out and support Libertarians as candidates for city council.
Kris Overstreet, media coordinator for the Party, said in a brief public statement, "The Supreme Court has spoken, and it said, 'You own nothing. The government owns everything.' Now it is time for state legislatures to forswear this corrupt power, and the Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to return limits on eminent domain to the Founders' original intent.”
Patrick Dixon was elected to city council in Lago Vista, TX in May of 2005. Information on the Libertarian Party, the only political party which supports the preservation of property rights, may be found at www.lp.org .

FDA Accountability past due!
When a person is diagnosed with lung cancer, it is common to question smoking cigarettes as the cause. When women are diagnosed with breast cancer, or any cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc, the question of taking female steroid drugs- estrogen, or estrogen and progestin drugs are commonly ignored. Why? Why do women continue to withhold information that might save another from a horrible disease? Why do women refuse conversation of prescribed female hormone drugs causing her harm?
Unfortunately for individuals to put blame on the pharmaceutical industry is known to simultaneously refer to exhausting and futile effort. But what about our FDA? Waiting over 6 decades to publicly disclose the truth about several dangerous and fatal female steroid drug side effects that the FDA had approved (and promoted), as safe and effective, while neither were true.
When it comes to unisex drugs, like Vioxx, Celebrex, Fenphen, etc, etc, the FDA is questioned and congressionally investigated. When it comes to dangerously toxic and carcinogenic female steroid drugs, promoted to several million healthy American women for over 6 decades, no one seems to care.
There must come a day when the FDA is equally investigated and questioned for the approval and promotion of female steroid drugs, that in spite of known toxic and fatal consequences continue even to this day as commonly prescribed to millions of healthy women. 
Fax a letter demanding an FDA investigation regarding female steroid drugs to- Senator Enzi, Health Policy Office, Attention- Amy Muhlberg, fax- 202-228-0411, phone- 202-224-0623.
This moment you take will help to solidify a FDA investigation that is LONG past due. 
Gail Elbek
Santa Barbara, CA 

Mike McDougal, Where Are You?
According to Texas state law, a corporation organized under the Texas Business Corporations Act may not make a political contribution to a candidate or officeholder. [Election Code 253.094] Also, a candidate may not knowingly accept a political contribution that the candidate knows was made in violation of chapter 253 of the Election Code. [Election Code 253.003] In the words of Republican State Senator Robert Deuell, “Texas law is clear. Direct or indirect corporate or labor contributions to candidates is a felony offense.” [bold emphasis added.]
In the official investigation of Montgomery County Commissioner Michael Meador by the Texas Ethics Commission (Case # SC-2406113), these facts were established:
1. Mr. Meador “acknowledges having accepted contributions from the following business enti­ties: Gray’s insurance Agency, Inc., Lone Star Services, Inc., Rods Surveying, Inc., and Summit Flow.”
2. “According to the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division, the business entities listed above were incorporated when the contributions were made.”
3. Mr. Meador “does not deny that he knew that corporate contributions were illegal at the time he accepted the contributions at issue.”
The obvious question is: Since Mr. Meador knew that corporate contributions were illegal at the time his campaign committee accepted the corporate money, what was his reason for doing so? His answer: “However due to the fact that my daughter helps me with my campaign report and obvious lack of due diligence on my part these checks were overlooked.” Mr. Meador’s excuse is that he didn’t knowingly accept corporate checks. But, when overlooking a corporate INC. iden­tification on a check can potentially cost you a felony charge, Mr. Meador must know that many citizens will question his weak excuse.
But, at best, Mr. Meador is being disingenuous. Consider this timetable:
• October 14, 2003 - The TEC starts an investigation of fellow Commissioner Ed Chance, in­cluding an allegation of accepting corporate contributions.
• November 24, 2003 - Possibly warned by the Chance investigation, Mr. Meador returns some corporate money he received over a year earlier.
• June 14, 2004 - The TEC starts an investigation of Mr. Meador, also including an allegation of accepting corporate contributions. Mr. Meador later returns the remaining corporate money in his campaign account. Note that Mr. Meador had plenty of time (at least nine months) to get his corporate contributions returned before the TEC intervened.
If Mr. Meador lacks diligence with his own campaign money, how much diligence does he show when spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer’s dollars? If he lacks diligence with our tax money, who then does he blame? Or does he just raise our taxes? At the rate our taxes are rising, I think we all know the answer.
But, the Texas Ethics Commission is not through with its investigation. After District Attorney Mike McDougal declined to investigate the Meador situation, the TEC decided to investigate the four corporations that contributed to Mr. Meador’s campaign. According to the Election Code [253.095], an officer, director, or other agent of a corporation or labor organization who commits an offense under this subchapter is punishable for the grade of offense applicable to the corporation or labor organization.
That the offense is a third degree felony shows the seriousness that the state legislature and the citizens place on this type of behavior. Let’s just hope that District Attorney McDougal will also show a little more diligence, and not leave it to Austin to handle problems with our local elected officials.
Pete Goeddertz
Magnolia, TX

Texas Newspapers Defend the Tobacco Industry
While the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News do serve their surrounding communities in many ways, they also continually defend Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex) and Sen. Kay Baily Hutchison (R-Tx) from anti-tobacco advocacy. Both Barton and Hutchinson are pro-tobacco. Both have benefited politically from defending the "legal right" of the tobacco industry to kill 400,000 Americans per year.
If you think that tobacco is an issue just for smokers, think again. If tobacco was off the market, our health care costs would take a $100 billion plus per year nose dive. Tobacco is a heath care cost issue for all of us.
Below is a link to a few brochures on Lung Cancer. Do I think that these corporate politicians will ever stop their support of tobacco? No... not as long as you continue to vote for them. 
http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/press/pressroom.html 
Leonard Jensen
Fort Worth, Texas 

Trust 
Trust, according to Websters Dictionary, means to rely on the truth, confidence a person will not lie or deceive. Our society's most sacred value is trust. We trust everyone will do their job to the best of their ability, and also tell us the truth. We trust the store clerk will not steal our  ID when we purchase with a credit card. We trust the rubbish collector will pick up our rubbish as scheduled and dispose of  it properly. We trust the hospital personnel with our life, the doctors, nurses, maintenance workers, pharmacists, we trust them all when we're helpless having our heart surgery. Our court jury instructions, which are meant for all our citizens, state if a person lies or deceives once, you don't have to believe anything else they say.
If Bush and his minions are held to the standard of an ordinary citizen, he fails. He is wrong. 
From the beginning, the deception of tax cuts to stimulate the economy, Cheney's secret energy meetings, Democrats locked out of judiciary committee meetings, Orwellian double-speak about clear skies and healthy forests. Worst of all, the lies and deceptions about Iraq. And now the proof, the Downing Street Minutes.
All these are examples of betrayal of our trust at the expense of thousands of US lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Bush and his yes-men must be held accountable. No more lies, we must have a transparent government. 
Dan Lavielle
Seattle, Washington 

FM News Channel 97-5
I was disturbed by a mistake in a recent article about our station, FM News Channel 97-5.
During the eight county black-out that you mentioned in your article, we were not, in fact, only airing syndicated programming. We were airing our nightly program, "The Dream Dr.", but quickly broke in, and stayed with continuous coverage until power was restored to much of Montgomery County. Not only was venerable newsman Jim Carola on the mic, but our News Director Laurie Kendrick as well. We had a reporter in Woodville, letting us and everyone else know the situation far beyond our listening areas. We even helped a listener out who needed an ambulance...and none of the hospitals in the affected area were admitting. We gave her the only ambulance company running during the black-out, and she was on her way to a hospital in Tyler. And I myself drove over 250 miles, talking to the citizens of Montgomery County, and got plenty of local reaction. One listener called us..."a voice in the darkness." 
If you would like cuts from our live coverage, please let me know. I can email them to you in MP3 format, so it will be easy for you to download. 
Please make sure your facts are correct before you make sweeping statements.
Our news outlet is just starting out, but is by no means is second rate.
Robyn Geske
Assistant News Dir, FM News Channel 97-5

Supreme Court Makes Texans Vulnerable 
Acie Frizzell owns a couple of vacant lots in the City of Freeport. The city attorney has told her that if she won’t sell her lots as part of a planned economic development project, the city will condemn her land at the price of $100 per lot. The lots might then be turned over to a private developer.
On the other side of town, Wright Gore is the owner of Western Seafood Company. The city also wants to condemn part of his property — 330 feet along the old Brazos River — and turn it over to his next door neighbor to build a marina. Gore says the condemnation threatens the viability of his $40 million-a-year business.
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has issued its decision in the Kelo case, the city says it will move “aggressively” to condemn this and other property necessary for the development. 
“This is the last little piece of the puzzle to put the project together,” said Freeport Mayor Jim Phillips.
This “last little piece” is the ability of governments to ignore the U. S. Constitution’s plain language referring to “public use” and transfer the private property of one landowner to another for a “public purpose” using eminent domain.
The Kelo decision was rightly decried in dissent by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as hanging “the specter of condemnation … over all property.” The decision produced similar reaction and surprise across the country.
Yet the decision should not be so much a surprise as a wakeup call. Kelo is really the logical conclusion to recent jurisprudence on the Constitution’s Public Use Clause. 
The reaction could be a silver lining in the otherwise dark clouds. Just like the closeness of the 2000 presidential race led to a dramatic increase in voter turnout in the 2004 elections, Kelo could produce a resurgence of interest in the debate over private property rights.
The increased interest doesn’t come a minute too soon for property owners like Frizzell and Gore. Without the protection of the Public Use Clause, Texans are quite vulnerable to economic development takings of private property.
The Texas Constitution has a Public Use Clause very similar to its federal counterpart, and Chapter 21 of the Texas Government Code regulating eminent domain contains the same reference to public use as contained in both constitutions. However, other parts of Texas law appear to alter the definition of public use much like the Supreme Court has. 
The Development Corporation Act of 1979 allows cities like Freeport to create economic development corporations that can exercise eminent domain powers for public purposes, including “the promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprises.”
Likewise, the Texas Urban Renewal Law allows cities to seize land for “urban renewal activities” such as “slum clearance, redevelopment, rehabilitation, and conservation activities” and then be sold to private investors.
Fortunately, there are constitutional and legislative solutions to this problem at the federal and state level. U.S. Senator John Cornyn has proposed legislation to make clear that public use does not include economic development. State Rep. Frank Corte has proposed an amendment to the Texas Constitution that would prohibit the taking of private property for the primary purpose of economic development.
It is unfortunate that such effort must be expended toward restoring adherence by government to the bedrock constitutional principle that personal freedom is grounded in economic freedom, i.e., the ability to control one’s own property and labor.
The Michigan Supreme Court displayed an understanding of this last year when it unanimously overturned a 1981 case that had allowed Detroit’s Poletown neighborhood to be condemned and converted into a General Motors plant.
“We overrule Poletown,” wrote Justice Robert Young, “in order to vindicate our constitution, protect the people’s property rights and preserve the legitimacy of the judicial branch as the expositor, not creator, of fundamental law.” 
Economic freedom did not come easy for the American colonists, and it has not proven easy to maintain for American citizens. While we may feel burdened having to explain to politicians that ‘use’ means ‘use’ and not ‘purpose,’ ‘intent’ or ‘benefit,’ we should be grateful for this opportunity to participate in a revival of our most basic freedom.
Bill Peacock 
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Smooth Criminal 
I have just read your article about Michael Jackson and to answer the question, has justice been served? yes it has been served to the fullest extent of the law. You may not agree with a persons personal life style or you may not like that person. But in regards to the law that has no business in a court case. Jacksons legal team didnt go over the line, nor as you put his money influenced the outcome of this case. Yes Mr. Jackson is a very odd person and some of his antics is bizarre and extreme. But is that grounds for a conviction? I sure hope not because im sure to someone I may be bizarre and unusual. I hope we never get to the legal situation that personal feelings and not evidence rules what is guilty and what is not guilty. If we do not have reasonable doubt anyone at anytime can be charged and convicted of crimes they never did. The reasonable doubt is what keeps the legal system in check. 
This letter is not trying to establish Jackson's guilt or innocence. You say Jacksons money is what made this case go away, but some may argue Jackson's money is what caused this case to be filled in the first place. I listened to testimony and it was not just a greedy money grubbing mother, but also the cancer patient child was just as greedy and used his illiness to obtain gifts not just from Mr. Jackson but from many diffrent people. 
Now as to his assumption of guilt for setteling out of court previously, no one knows really what happened its all speculation. But we do know that a long drawn out case, and the following civil case most likely even if jackson won both cases would have costed far more in legal fees then what he settled for out of court. 
But dont fear there is most likely a civil case being filed as this is being written. in todays legal system you can charge someone with a crime in an attempt to get an out of court settlement and if that dont work, you go to trial and if you loose you dont really care (in some cases you try to loose) cause your main goal is to go to the next level of a civil suit where the real big money is. 
Please dont take this letter the wrong way, Im not a fan of Jackson nor do I support him in any way. This is just my view on how this court case went. 
Shawn Brockup 
Conroe, Texas 

Veteran Funding 
Again, the Republicans have sold our veterans short. Bush admitted today the Veterans Administration will be $1 billion, with a "B", short of money for veteran services.
Senator Patty Murray has been trying for years to increase funding for veteran services only to see every attempt defeated by the Republicans, the people that put your sons and daughters at risk of death or being severely injured in the Iraq quagmire.
The least these blood-thirsty Republican congressmen can do is take care of our vets. They privatized. Our veterans now are charged $250 to begin receiving care, and many times have to drive many miles to receive care. 
Not a single penney of the last $86 billion supplemental appropriations for this invasion has gone to our veterans. It all went to Bush's corporate pals.
This is terribly wrong and we must resolve this in the 2006 election. Doesn't matter if you are Independent, Democrat, Republican, or Green, we must right this wrong.
Dorothy Smith
Online Reader

Pay Increases Inappropriate
“I will not accept a pay increase authorized by the Texas Legislature and approved by Gov. Perry. Although Gov. Perry sanctioned pay increases for statewide elected officials when he approved the state budget, I do not believe it is appropriate for me to accept a penny more for the work I was elected to do.”
Carole Keeton Strayhorn
Texas Comptroller 

Libertarians Support Ban on Eminent Domain
The introduction of a bill in the special session of the Texas State legislature met with unanimous support by members of the Libertarian Party.
House Joint Resolution 19, submitted by Rep. Frank Corte, would amend the Texas state constitution to ban the use of eminent domain for the purposes of economic development. If passed by the legislature and the people, this amendment would halt condemnations to build a private marina in Freeport and a new football stadium in Arlington, among other projects.
"This is the ideal opportunity to defend the property rights of Texans," said Pat Dixon, Lago Vista city councilman and chairman of the Libertarian Party of Texas. "I only hope that the Legislature passes the bill swiftly and that Governor Perry allows it to go to the voters for ratification.”
Other Libertarians expressed their amusement that the Supreme Court ruling which triggered HJR 19's drafting may soon cause one of the justices who affirmed the ruling to lose his home.
According to freestarmedia.com/hotellostliberty2.html, Logan Clements seeks to have Supreme Court Justice David Souter's home in Weare, New Hampshire condemned for purposes of economic development- specifically, a theme hotel dedicated to principles of liberty. 
"While we defend the rights and property of all Americans, it is certainly appropriate for Justice Souter to suffer the consequences of his decision," added Dixon. "He joined in the ruling, and now he's hoist by his own petard.”
Patrick Dixon was elected to city council in Lago Vista, TX in May of 2005. Information on the Libertarian Party, the only political party which supports the preservation of property rights, may be found at www.lp.org . 

Eight-Liners 
Why is the lottery, and horse racing not a form of gambling? According to some people and politicians only the eight-liners are gambling. Either way you pay to take a chance. Do some lottery players not spend mounds of money each week buying lottery tickets? So whats the deal? The fees and taxes paid by the eight-liner business would surely enrich Texans by providing better education benefits, more jobs, and many other advantages not available now due to lack of revenue in the state. Paying to take a chance to win money, like horse betting, dog racing and the lottery is gambling just the same. Even the big bingo parlors are a form of gambling whether its charity or not. Money to take a chance on whatever, it's gambling no matter what you call it!! 
Gambling is defined as 'taking a chance'....What is the difference....you take a chance every time you pay for a bingo card, a race track ticket, a lottery ticket or any other form of chance. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE PEOPLE???? Wise up TEXANS. Keep our money in TEXAS and not Louisiana. A concerned TEXAN
Jake Favreau 

Let's Fix Our Government
Supporting gay rights in Texas is not about being a Democrat or a Republican; it's about standing up for human dignity. Regardless of one's political, religious, and even sexual orientation, Texas voters need to look beyond prejudice and fear and vote against banning same-sex marriage.
Texas stands out for its meddlesome government. The Texas House recently tried to ban loving gay couples from adopting. Many in our legislature want to ban gay couples from any sort of civil union or legal protections for their relationship. Worst, the Texas government made criminals of consenting adults for what they did in the privacy of their homes. The Supreme Court finally struck down this unconstitutional law in Lawrence v. Texas. Is this the traditional Texas Republicans' idea of small government?
Those who support banning gay marriage talk about family values. However, the irony of banning loving committed couples from legal protections is that it forces gays to live and love each other out of wedlock-with nothing legally binding them to stay together. And while "pro-family, anti-gay" advocates spend enormous resources stealing human rights from Texas gays, thousands of Texas children remain uninsured and without a decent education.
As a Catholic, I understand doctrinal differences. As a gay Texan, I love our state and just want to be included. This doesn't mean special rights--just equality. It doesn't mean abandoning religious doctrine, but rather separating Church and State.
The constitutional amendment that we will vote on this November 2005 will either hurt real people, like me, or stand for human dignity. It's up to the voters to decide.
Ken Seifert
Conroe, TX

Newsman Masquerade 
In response to the “Newsman Masquerade” letter, I would posit, when did, America-hating, NAMBLA loving, Amnesty International become highly respected. I must have missed something. The treatment of the mass murderering islamo-fascists at “Club Guantanamo” is far too respectful for those vermin. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are majority supported Americans, fighting for our safety and our way of life. They and other Americans like them, not the media, are capable of preserving our country in this insane world. 
Ted Pierce
The Woodlands, TX

Standing with the Cowboys
Thanks for the excellent and informative article on cowboy churches in the July 8 issue. ("God Must Be a Cowboy")
Before reading your piece, I really did not know much about the concept. And
although I'm not a part of the Western heritage culture (aside from my residence in a town called Cut-N-Shoot,) I share the cowboy churches' faith in Jesus Christ and for their method of showing His love through creative community.
The quote from Ron Nolen, the Baptist General Convention of Texas consultant and cowboy church pastor, that particularly struck me was: "Church is not a building, it's a people. Wherever they gather you can have church, and wherever they are hungry and needy is where you should be.”
This is a powerful sentiment we try to echo in my own church community and one I pray will take hold throughout our city. Whether it's "boots and chaps and cowboy hats" or relaxed fit jeans and sandals, God cares more about what we look like on the inside than outside.
I'm grateful for people like Nolen who are making an impact and using creative, and possibly better, ways of helping others like him to find the joy in a relationship with their Creator.
My hat is off to cowboy churches everywhere. 
Jason Bellini
theBridge Community Church
www.thebridge.cc 

What’s Happening to the Montgomery County Republican Party?
I was disappointed to read that Wally Wilkerson continues to lead the Montgomery County Republican Party (MCRP) away from supporting our own Republican Party Plat­form. (Letters to the editor, The Courier 7/6/05) Arguing that a new MCRP rule “has been a longstanding but unwritten policy”, 
Wilkerson advocated a change in County Republican Party bylaws which states, in part, that the County Republican Executive Committee (consisting of 85 Republican precinct chairmen) shall not “endorse or oppose any issue or issues appearing on any non­partisan ballot”. (The rule passed 32 to 16.) Since most political issues are decided at the ballot box, why then would the MCRP not take a strong collective position at a time when it really counts? Unless you are courting favor with liberals (who are always push­ing their political issues), this new rule makes absolutely no sense.
As history has shown, and common sense dictates, the very purpose of a political party has always been to advance those political issues which support the party’s prin­ciples. For Texans, Republican principles and issues are written in the Texas Republican Party Platform, a document approved by thousands of Republican del­egates representing millions of Republican voters. Republican Party success, then, has always been measured by how well the Party advances Republican principles, such as the sanctity of life, private property rights, limited government, the right to bear arms, traditional families, respect for law and authority. To underline this very important point, the Preamble of the Platform asserts that Republican officeholders “do not truly repre­sent their electorate unless this platform is the basis for their decision-making”.
The timing of Wilkerson’s bylaw change is such that the Party won’t collectively mobilize to get out the vote in the non-partisan November 8 election for Texas constitutional amendments. Surely, Wilkerson is aware that citizens will vote in November on both the marriage amendment, “providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman” and the eminent domain amendment, strengthening our private property rights after the recent Supreme Court decision. Unfortunately, at a time when fundamental Republican issues are being decided on, the “local GOP” won’t take sides”, as the heading to Wilkerson’s letter stated. It’s a good bet that sooner or later Republicans won’t send their money to or waste their time with a political party that won’t take sides.
Jim Jenkins, President
Republican Leadership Council, Inc.
Spring, TX 

Your story on Radio and 103.7 
BTW You missed another point....which I was a little surprised.. 
106.9 KHPT IS Conroe's original FM....it is still licensed to Conroe.......and its original callsign was KNRO...... 
Why you failed to mention that is escaping me....just because it has been involved in the Houston radio wars for years, doesn't mean you should fail to mention it NOW. 
It has gone through owners like Jimmy Swaggart then US Radio (as Jazz, Talk/Rock U106.9 and Z Rock) and now COX (who also owns 93Q and 107.5)
CBoone 

Military Investigations 
I write this letter today to express my concerns, Why do we allow the military to be in charge of investigating themself to see if they feel they violated any laws, human rights or regulations. The reports are in 99% of all there investigations are in favor of the military, nope they did nothing wrong... wow who never saw that one comming? 
There has been several executions of iraq's and for some reason there is this wierd idiology that if they are islamic, reside in or near iraq they must be an insurgent. 
But you ask what punishment? usually they loose a rank about a few hundred bucks per month or so, Some even recieved 1 year in prison... Wait did you say 1 year in prison for killing someone? yes sort of ironic they would do more time for drinking and driving then they would for killing someone. This is a very strong message we are sending to the world, that our goverment and military value life so little that we will not only allow the killings but we will also protect those that are involved and we will go one step further and disrespect the families pain and loss by releasing there formal investigation findings that no one did anything wrong. 
For those who have done these horrible things, thank your stars and stripes your in the military, cause if you was a normal citizen you would be looking at life if not being sent to death row for killing someone based on there race and relegion we call that a hate crime back here in the USA, remember where you come from and where you have to return too... 
I support our troops, I thank the men and women serving overseas, they have a very hard job, one I could not do or want to do, so they deserve our respect but like a good friend when they do a good job they should be patted on the back, but when they mess up they need to have someone to let them know and give them a good swift kick on the back side to snap them back to reality. 
I hope we all learn someday its not about Americans or Iraqians or the Bible or the Kuran, but its about humans. Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. There is the right way and the wrong way. Remember who you are representing... 
Shawn Brockup 
Conroe, Texas

Caney Creek Cowboy Church
I picked up a current issue of the bulletin (mainly because of the cover story ,God Must be a Cowboy). I was excited reading about all the cowboy churchs. The only thing that dissappointed me was our church - in Montgomery Co. was not listed. It did mention Mont. Co. having its very own cowboy church, Lone Star, but what about Caney Creek Cowboy Church. 
God is moving greatly in Montgomery County and I am so glad the Lone Star church is doing what they are doing, but just to let you know Montgomery County has "TWO" of it's very own cowboy churchs. 
We have bareback practice on Monday nights (7pm), We have Sunday service at 11am, we have Thursday night church at 7pm, we have a community singing the third Sarurday of every month at the Grangerland Community Center, and best of all our arena is in the making. When I say in the making I mean literally. The panels will be ready to pick up this weekend. We are going to have one big bang for Labor day weekend, with a mutenbusten for the kids!!! I am just sharing this with you so you know the other side od Montgomery co. is covered also!
God bless you for publishing an article about cowboy church, the western heritage is one that is now being reached in a way it have never been reached before "The Cowboy Way"
Thank you and God Bless you,
Dee Dee Johnston

Cowboy Churches
Yer website, in the ver-nac-u-lar was passed to me by a good friend in Houston. I was especially drawn to the article on the Cowboy churches around the state. 
She passed it on to me, because I'm a songwriter, albeit, as a hobby. I'm obsessed, as my wife puts it, with writin' songs. Most of 'em are country, includin' Gospel, Country Rock, Christian country. 
I'd like to git in touch with one o them thar cowboy pasters and see if'n they'd hanker after one o my tunes. 
OK, back to city slicker talkin'. 
I'm really quite interested in finding out if one or more of these churches would be interested in expanding the song book they use, with some of my material. I'm not interested in money. Let's get that real straight right now. This is simply to share what I have as a gift. 
If that seems fair to you, please pass on my email address to some of these good folks, and I'll take it from there, when I hear from them. 
Thanks for writing a really good article on what I think is way past time coming to 21st century America. 
Wayne Cook 
Duncanville, TX

The Bulletin 
As a new reader of The Bulletin I can say I like it very much. "God Must Have Been a Cowboy" is wonderful. Your writers really have an insight on what is going on in Washington and Austin. My son who lives in Austin will enjoy reading The Bulletin as well as his daughter who attends UT. 
We eat out a lot and your info on places to eat is good. 
I have made The Bulletin my home page. 
Sam Adair 
Montgomery, TX 

Re: "Newsman Masquerade"
In response to Ted Pierce's letter concerning Amnesty international (issue # 28) -where do I begin? 
It is obvious from the letter's content that Mr. Pierce gets his information from limited sources such as Fox News or The White House. Those are some of the entities where a prisoner of war camp is described as a "club". I know of no club where the hosts can torture and kill the guests or keep them against their will. Has Bush or any off his regime vacationed there? Perhaps Mr. Pierce should read about Senator John McCain and his stay at the "Hanoi HIlton". 
Many reports have shown that some of the "mass murdering islamo-facists" have been sent home while many others have been neither accused nor convicted of any crimes. Why does Mr. Pierce think such people are "vermin"? 
1% does not constitute a majority. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld were in charge when 911 happened. Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose. Nearly 1800 American soldiers are dead and thousands more are wounded. Billions of dollars that could have been used to help U.S. citizens has been squandered or "lost". Iraq is worse off than before the search for WMD's became a crusade for liberation. 
People like Mr. Pierce don't think that the media can help preserve our way of life- maybe if they relied upon more of a variety of sources for their information their views would change. Then again, maybe not.
Rick Amburgey
Spring, Texas 

Roy Head "Extravaganza!!”
Well, my friend, you absolutely outdid your self in the article you wrote about Roy Head!! You "rocked" this old woman's world when you included my reflections on "The Man!!" I have, always, loved Roy and was so proud to be a ever so small part of his story. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I went to Borski's on Saturday night to see him. It had been a while--but NOTHING and I mean NOTHING has changed with him. What a sight to behold! He has such a magnetic and magical appeal and aura that surround him--especially to me!
I did not know about your article until I saw a lady had one. There, on your front cover, was his shining face. I started reading and lo, and behold, there "I be--in print!" If I had had buttons on the front of my shirt, I know they would have just popped right off! Boy, would that have been a scary sight to see! No matter--I was ecstatic!
He came in early and I walked up to him. He wasn't sure who I was at first--but, I got a hug anyway. All I had to say was, "School Teacher--Wallis!! He smiled and gave me a bigger hug!! We talked for a while and he introduced me to all his friends and his son--Sundance. I showed him the autograph that I got from him in 1970 in Wallis. Broad smile! I, also, told him about your article in your paper and he said he had read it. Then, he said that was "you" that Mark wrote about in his article! He shared the story with the people at his table and again when he went on stage. He thanked you for the article that you wrote and brought me up to the stage to tell the crowd that I was in the article. All I can say is WOW!!! 
He signed the front of The Bulletin and it is framed and over my bed--along with his other autograph--35 years in the making! I'm sure you think I am the silliest, old woman you have ever heard from! Hope not!
I have saved the best for last!! I am sure you are hanging over the edge of your chair. I HAVE PICTURES of this most special encounter with "The Man!" One is with he and I just standing side by side. Then, all of a sudden, he reaches around and plants the "big one" on me!!! Well, needless to say, I went weak in the knees and am surprised that I did not have a coronary! That kiss is blown up and is the centerpiece of the collection over my bed!!!
Mr. Williams, I know you must be quite nauseated at all of this gush and mass of scribbles!
Just wanted you to know what a special time this was for me. I will never forget you, the article and Roy!
My deep heartfelt thanks and appreciation--always!
Carol Henderson
Houston, Texas
P.S. I'm sure you knew there was going to be a P.S. If you know of anyplaces that Roy might be playing or how I can find out where he is playing, I would, greatly, appreciate you letting me know. I would, also, like to know if you got this e-mail. I not real good with these "idiot boxes." And, this e-mail was very important to me! Smiles

Roy Head 
I just read your article on Roy Head. I must say that this article was probably one of the very best articles that I have ever read on Roy. 
I met Roy November of 1977 when I was entertainment chairman of the Moose Lodge in Connersville Indiana. I hired him to do a show with a local band playing backup. 
Needless to say that everyone was blown away by his performance. I continued to hire him several more times through the years. 
Also, during this time, Roy and I became the very best of friends. Our families have become close as well. Roy, as well as his wife Carolyn, have been to visit us through the years and we've made a few trips to Texas as well. 
Roy is a great performer and a great friend. I just wanted to say thank you for such a great article. 
Bill Scott 
Liberty In 

Roy Head
Wonderful write-up about Roy Head, one of the wildest singers I have ever heard.
Can you please put a bug in Roy's ear by telling him to get himself booked into a club in Kansas City sometime real soon? I have never seen Roy in person and I would really like to see his on stage show. The Grand Emporium or the Knucklehead Saloon would be ideal venues. Thanks!
Mark "Daddy-o Dilly" Dillman
Topeka, KS

Roy Head Story 
Thanks for a great story on the great Roy Head--a really nicely written and interesting story. 
My name is Jeff Wignall and I do a weekly show on a great non-commercial FM station in Bridgeport, CT--WPKN 89.5 FM (you can listen live: www.wpkn.org) . Your story has inspired me to gather up some of Roy's music and do an hour of his music on the air soon. 
I'm a huge Van Morrison fan and nothing could remind me more of Van's music than Roy's (and both have a lot in common with Bobby Blue Bland--love to get all three on stage together!). Or maybe it's Van that reminds me of Roy :)
Speaking of Van, I've forwarded the link to your story to John Platania who you might recognize as being one of Van's longtime sidemen and who tours now (a lot of the time in Texas) with Chip Taylor. I'm sure he's a big fan.
Thanks again, great story.
Jeff Wignall
Stratford, CT

Whistleblowers
The plight of whistleblowers – those employees who sound the alarm about anything from dangerous conditions in the workplace to missed or ignored intelligence regarding our nation's security – is a story that seems to grow stronger and with more frequency every day. My guess is that those stories have always been there; I suspect I am just paying closer attention to them now.
You see, I joined the "ranks" of whistleblowers on December 2, 2003, when a major newspaper printed a story in which I confirmed for them what many of us already knew – we, the members of the United States Park Police, could no longer provide the level of service that citizens and visitors had grown to expect in our parks and on our parkways in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco. The world changed for all of us on September 11, 2001, and the expectations of police agencies across the country grew exponentially overnight. As the Chief of the United States Park Police, an organization responsible for the safety and security of some of America's most valued and recognizable symbols of freedom – including such notable sites as the Washington Monument, the Statue of Liberty, and the Golden Gate Bridge area – I knew it was my duty, as chiefs of police across the country do every day, to inform the community of the realities of the situation.
For being candid – for being "honest" – while still being supportive of my superiors, I was, without warning, stripped of my law enforcement authority, badge, and firearm, and escorted from the Department of the Interior by armed special agents of another Federal law enforcement entity in December of 2003. Seven months later, the Department of the Interior terminated me.
Frighteningly, the issues I brought to light about our citizens' and visitors' safety and security and the future of these American icons have not been addressed – other than to silence me. In fact, there are fewer United States Park Police officers today than there were in 2003 when I was sent home for daring to say that we weren't able to properly meet our commitments with existing resources. Other security concerns I raised internally have also gone un-addressed.
Imagine the outcry if I had stayed silent and if one of those symbolic monuments or memorials had been destroyed or the loss of life had occurred to someone visiting one of those locations. I did not want to be standing with my superiors among the ruins of an American icon or in front of a Congressional committee trying to explain why we hadn't asked for help.
Despite the serious First Amendment and security implications of my case for each American, there has been no Congressional intervention, no Congressional hearing, no demand of accountability by elected officials for those who took action to silence me and who have ignored all warnings about the perils to which I alerted them. Through it all, it has become clear that Federal employees have little protection for simply telling the truth. Following my termination and the publicity that accompanied it, it is unlikely that any current Federal employee will be willing to speak up with straightforward, accurate information about the realities of any danger we face now or in the future.
My story is told on a website, www.honestchief.com , established by my husband in December 2003 so that the American people could "witness" the issues in this case. Through the webmaster’s regular updates, the website has provided transparency to my situation by including an audio library and making key documents available for viewing, including the transcripts of depositions of top officials and their testimony during a key administrative hearing.
Suppression of information is spreading – gag orders, nondisclosure agreements, and the government's refusal to turnover documents. In agencies that span Federal service, conscientious public servants are struggling to communicate vital concerns to their true employers – the American public. Is anyone listening?
Teresa Chambers
tcchambers@honestchief.com 

Judge Mason Martin 
I just read the letter to the editor about Judge Mason Martin (April 2005). I understand where the author of the letter, Jennifer Coleman is coming from. My boyfriends ex mother in law is a hairdresser who does Judge Mason Martin's mothers hair. So, because his ex wife knew the Judges mother, his divorce case was transferred to Mason Martins courtroom and he got royally screwed! Everything she wanted she got, no matter what it was! 
It is time for Montgomery County to see what kind of Judge Mason Martin really is! If you happen to have him as a Judge, you better hope you know someone close to him! If not, you might get screwed too!! It is time to get rid of the "good ole boy" system in Montgomery County! 
J. Kerr 
Willis, TX

Education in Texas
We’ve got every state lawmaker and the Governor in Austin right now in special session, working under a court order to fix school finance, and all they can talk about are tax swap schemes. I’m a homeowner, so I won’t turn down a property tax cut, but as a dad with two boys in public school, I think Rick Perry is missing an historic opportunity to focus on reforming what we teach in schools and not merely on how we pay for them.
Texans don’t need a pollster to tell them that education is the best economic development program ever created. Our state government needs to make a commitment that if parents do their part, then we’ll do ours; we’ll make sure that teachers have the freedom and the resources they need to teach our kids something more than how to take yet another standardized test. 
Increasingly, that’s all we are doing in schools. The absurdity of “teaching to the test” is alarming, to say the least. Taking time out of science or music classes to brush up on an upcoming TAKS test has become commonplace in Texas. Rice University professor Dr. Linda McNeil found schools that hired test-prep consultants that taught kids how to pass reading comprehension tests – without even reading the passage. We’ve replaced a solid curriculum and real knowledge with how to best go about filling in little ovals with #2 pencils.
Dr. McNeil calls this “Enron-style accountability” because, like the notorious energy company that used its stock price as the sole measuring stick, our state government judges our kids based on one single number – their TAKS score. Whether Johnny reads books doesn’t matter; it’s all about whether he passed the TAKS test. 
Using the TAKS test as the only measure of success is nothing less than one-size-fits-all education, and as a dad with two boys, I can tell you from experience that no two kids are alike. But the financial pressure on schools to get their students to pass the TAKS test is so great that administrators are treating some kids like Enron treated debt. Enron shipped its debt to dummy offshore corporations, but Dr. McNeil says that administrators are systematically holding back students with lesser chances of passing the test knowing good and well that many if not most of those students will drop out.
The result is that the dropout rate is around 40 percent in this state – the worst in the country. It is time to stand up and say these are our children. We cannot stand idly by and watch almost half of each generation drop out of school.
Enron-style accountability has corrupted the curriculum and increased the dropout rate, and it’s left our kids needing more remedial help when they are fortunate enough to get to college. But the powers that be in Austin want you to believe that we are on the right track to solving our education problems. Don’t be fooled. The so-called “Texas Miracle” is nothing more than a politically expedient mirage.
We can no longer simply accept test-driven curriculums that are driving away our children in droves. We know how to improve our schools. We need to put principals and teachers back in control of schools and classrooms, give them textbooks that aren’t censored by cynical word police, the materials they need to teach, the technology needed for kids to learn – and then we might really witness a miracle. 
Testing isn’t the answer; it’s just another way to ask the question. The folks running schools by remote control from Austin think they can use tests to make our kids smarter. Tests don’t make our kids smarter any more than a ruler will make you taller, but Rick Perry and the lobbyists for the testing companies either don’t get it or hope you won’t figure it out.
Chris Bell
www.chrisbell.com

My campaign for governorship 
The opportunities that exist in the state of Texas at present need to be addressed. On top of the list are health care, education, security /immigration, and high taxes. These challenges affect the average Texan, and need a solution. As an average Texan I would like to offer my ideas for resolving some of these issues.
I am announcing my plans to run for the governor of Texas in 2006. With these goals in mind, I believe the office of the governor has the ability to initiate and implement policies that can improve the situation. We need a strong, visionary leadership where these issues are concerned, and a determination to follow through.
I am on the receiving end of the existing challenges facing the average Texan. I am dealing with health care issues, and my kids are going through the rigors of public school system. I feel the deteriorating law and order situation and safety matters. Also, I am paying dearly through the sales tax – code. 
The state needs the input of the common man more than ever when it comes to decision making, and determining the future of its residents. I want to be a governor who is in tune with these challenges and foresees a resolution in a reasonable time frame. I want to be a governor who is not afraid to try new ways to resolve these issues. I want to be a governor who is totally free of any special interests. My goals are: 
1 - In the next four years Texas should have one of the best and affordable health care systems in the country.
2 - In the next four years Texas should climb from being 45th to the top ten states where education is concerned.
3 - In the next four years Texas should be a model in the safety and security of its citizens.
4 - By 2010, to reduce sales tax rate from 6.25 % to 5.25 %.
I would like to appeal to the readers who identify with these issues to come forward and join me in my campaign. It is an effort to gain grass root support for a campaign that envisions a new direction for Texas with new partners for reform. Anybody with valuable ideas is welcome. I need public support in the cause of finding solutions through non – political individuals. Anyone interested can visit: www.rashadforgovernor.com . I am looking forward to talking with like-minded people. 
Rashad Jafer

Congratulation to 'Scientology & the Madness of Mr. Cruise' 
Thank you for an article that tells it how it is! 
Most articles are like 'people want to know more about Scientology so we copy the Scientology PR scam and people should find out for themselves' - like you have to try out heroine to know it's bad for you or 'maybe Mr Cruise has got a point there' - like rat poison with 1 % good food added would not still be essentially rat poison. 
TN

More on Scientology
Just skimming your article on Scientology reveals your lack of cross-checking your sources and professional expertise as a journalist, editor, or whatever you may be. You come across as a bigoted, bitter ogre with a pitch and lots to hide. 
Jason Brand

On the Spot
Your article on Scientology/Tom Cruise was devastatingly spot on! All this is very well documented information, and your reporter assembled it very stylishly. You'll undoubtedly get reams of "Scientology helped me, Scientology saved my life" pap from indoctrinated True Believers who can't see the truth due to the wool pulled over their eyes.
Still, in light of the two bombing incidents in London, I would have liked to have seen the "Scientology Volunteer Minister" scam addressed as well. This yellow clad menace swarms in wherever tragedy strikes, grinning their insane Hubbard grins and poking people with magical "touch assists," as well as selling little booklets of homilies by their dead conman god, L. Ron Hubbard.
A week after the first round of bombs went off in the London subways, an official looking van was spotted at one of the sites. The legend on the side of the vehicle said "Scientology Volunteer Ministers Emergency Van," or similar wording. This is the most egregious and disgusting aspect of Scientology.
The "Volunteer Ministers" pay for a two week course, in which they're taught the Scientology version of laying on of hands, where they will poke you relentlessly until you say you feel better to make them quit. This validates their belief that they are "helping," and it's a noxious, cynical way to get good PR and recruit vulnerable victims.
This branch off the Scientology tree has been forcibly ejected from many disasters, yet they keep coming. They think that scuttling into a disaster site and handing out water or supplies collected by others demonstrates their good intentions. Meanwhile, they're trying to flog their books in London for 3 pounds apiece.
A recent account of a London reporter writing for the Daily Mirror on 21 July,, who actually went into the Scientology facility there, was sent out into the streets with a pack of VMs with the following instructions, "We are encouraged to offer people assists. Once we get them listening, our aim is to take a name, address and phone number.
We are given booklets to offer for a "suggested donation" of £3. We are not to say they are for sale. We provide assists to about 10 people and hand out several hundred leaflets.”
By this and other accounts, they are clearly present to sell Hubbard material and prey on the troubled and vulnerable. I think this is the most repulsive aspect of Scientology, worthy of the same contempt we feel for ambulance chasing lawyers. The VMs have been forcibly removed from quite a few disaster areas, including New York City, Jerusalem and Beslan. This despicable behavior needs to be exposed and reviled for the revolting, cynical act that it is. They offer nothing but Hubbard dreck. 
Handing out free air would be less disgusting and possibly less damaging to victims of disaster.
Barbara Graham
San Diego, CA

Tom Cruise & Scientology 
Here's a deal for you, a deal based on honor: whenever in the future you realize that Scientology is exactly as it said it is -- meaning your depicting of it is all wrong -- you will do the following:
1) Publish a statement in a major newspaper that you had never the guts to study first hand what you were talking about, thus making you a liar and a coward;
2) Send to any charitable organization, a check of the amount of all your revenues of the past 5 years;
3) Promess to give society 1000 hours of voluntary help, per year for 5 years, where you will not be allowed to talk.
You see, your flaw is that you haven't the courage to really look by yourself at what you're ranting about. That's simply cowardness. You'd be perfect as a nazi in the '30s with Tom Cruise as a Jew. No difference whatsoever.
So just sign the contract above and publish it on your web site.
Denis Côté
(Editors Note to Reader: What do we get if we are proved right? 
Reply: Hey, just the satisfaction of having been right. But now, just sign the contract and post it proeminently on your web site. Just like that, nothing added. You see? Don't rant about it, don't twist it, don't joke about it. Just sign and post it. End of story.)

Even More on Scientology
Thank you for your article exposing the "church" of $cientology. I would appreciate your getting the word out to the public regularly about this switch and bait "church" con that has ruined many lives. Thank you for your responsible reporting. You may have saved a life with your article.
Amy Wells

Re: "Tomfoolery." 
Thank you for your truthful article.
As a former scientologist, and after spending twelve extremely successful years (post scientology) helping families retrieve their loved ones from the cult, I concur; scientology has to be stopped if for no reason other than the truly immense harm it does to naïve youngsters. 
It will take a ton more exposure, big bucks, and people with integrity. This group has honed its manipulative, black techniques to where even some judges “turn the other cheek.” And the IRS succumbed.
Please continue to talk out. More power to you!
Hana (Eltringham) Whitfield
(PS: Some of the black smear propaganda the group used to try to get my husband, Jerry, and me to stop our exit work, is still around. Any search engine will pull it up if you input our names. Scientology did not succeed in stopping us, but at great emotional and financial cost to us.)

Embarrasing oneself 
The only truth in this article is: "Few things are a embarrasing to witness as an uneducated person arguing passionately about something he knows absolutey nothing about." 
How right and how ignorant (at the same time) you are! 
Caralyn

Your Tom Cruise Story 
Thanks, that was one of the best written, most cogent pieces on Scientology I have ever read. I don't know what "The Bulletin" is...but you could be writing for the NY Times. 
Peter Alexander 
Former Scientologist

dumb *ss 
you sound like you know what your talking about, a lot of people might be fooled by big talk and self imposed importance. 
But I think YOUR AN IDIOT !!!! 
Scott May

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