Letters from our Readers - July 2006

Thanks
I want to first thank you for doing an excellent job. Your paper has gotten a bad rap because of the other side of life you wish to publish. I think that it is a breath of fresh air. There was a lady by the name of Norma who talked so bad about your paper to all her friends and businesses she went 
into and where is that free "Super" paper now?
I am so glad that your paper is the only one in this county that actually lets us know what is going on HERE. I always turn to your paper first to see what is coming up. The calender is a great asset. The funny thing is I know a lot of people that work at another paper in the county and they couldn't tell you if the sun was going to shine tomorrow.
Thank you for being there for us here in Montgomery County and sharing a 
different point of view.
Jessie Broussard

If You Can’t Win Fair Cheat 
By all accounts, Nancy McCoy, the Democrat, is the more qualified candidate for Judge of the 284th District Court. She has broad experience (including trial experience) and taught law school for 13 years. 
And yet the Governor recently appointed McCoy's less qualified Republican opponent to the bench, even though the seat has been vacant for 8 months, in an obvious ploy to give McCoy's opponent an advantage and make her appear to be an experienced incumbent. 
The local lawyer who apparently spearheaded this effort admitted to the Courier that the Republican's qualification for the appointment was just that--that she was the Republican. In a bizarre twist, this lawyer even called Nancy McCoy--and not his candidate-- "incredibly qualified." He and a handful of colleagues apparently handicapped the race, decided who they thought would win, and then jumped sefl-servingly right onto the bandwagon. One is left to wonder what this lawyer, and the others who said "me too," hope to gain by way of a reward or pay back from this newly appointed judge. 
I would like for the lawyers to mind their own business and let the voters decide what is their right to decide. And I would like for them to stop trying to so shamelessly curry favor with this judge, who is, after all, now just another unelected political appointee. 
D. L. Hatcher 
Willis, Texas

The Newest Judge
I wonder who the Republican candidate for Judge of the 284th District Court, as well as Republican Chairman Wally Wilkerson,
are trying to kid when they say there is no advantage to them for her to be appointed by the Governor to the position while she still has an opponent. That opponent, Democrat Nancy McCoy, is obviously more qualified.
The Republicans disingenuously claim that, since their candidate will (supposedly) not be listed on the ballot as an incumbent, it makes no political difference. They say this with a straight face as she is photographed on the front page of the Courier in the black robe, with the headline, "The Newest Judge.”
Maybe more people would come out and vote if these sorts of dirty tricks that define the political process today would end. On the other hand, maybe it will finally become apparent that the unchecked power enjoyed by the Republican party has (predictably) corrupted them at every level, including in the Montgomery County Courthouse. Maybe 
people will respond to the shenanigans by demanding real change in November.
Vote for Nancy McCoy for the 284th District Court, the most qualified candidate!
Nick Kosmitis
The Woodlands, TX

Talk Tough; Then Cut & Run 
My letter is in response to Jim Alexander's letter to the Editor on June 22, 2006 where he tells us that we Americans should heed the words of portly old Teddy Roosevelt ( Jim says Teddy said, "Walk softly and carry a big stick". Actually, Teddy said "Talk softly and carry a big stick"), and, further, not allow the Democrats to play politics with the lives of our troops by advocating a "cut & run" philosophy in Iraq. In addition, Jim adds that there were probably Democrats like Kerry, Pelosi and Reid back before our entry into WWII who were against that war as well. 
I'll begin with Jim's latter point. Actually, Jim is partly right about Americans being against our entry into WWII even after the Japanese "sneak" attack on Pearl Harbor, but those Americans rallied around an "America First" campaign lead by Charles Lindbergh. His many supporters? REPUBLICANS who felt we needed to stay out of that fight altogether! 
Next, it was none other than the patron saint of the GOP party, President Ronnie Reagan, who actually "cut and ran" after the US Marine barracks in Lebanon in October, 1983 was bombed, resulting in the death of 241 Marines and a few Naval servicemen. To this very day, it remains the highest single-day loss of US Marines since Iwo Jima in 1943. 
Now, true to form, Reagan and his VP, Poppy Bush, practiced their version of Teddy Roosevelt's simple foreign policy in the early 1900s. There version was, "Talk tough; then cut and run". 
Reagan said immediately after the Lebanon bombing that the act was a despicable act but he would keep the troops in Lebanon. A few days later , Poppy actually toured the barracks in Lebanon and said, "We will not be cowed by terrorists". Well, guess what? Within days, our Marines were sent offshore and within six (6) months (February, 1984), all our troops were out of Lebanon! 
Reagan must have learned the "Talk tough; then cut & run" GOP philosophy from Dick Nixon for during the 1968 presidential campaign he told us that he had a secret plan to end the Vietnam war. Well, guess what? That secret plan turned out to be five (5) more years of war with the loss of an additional 25,000 plus troops and a peace treaty that wasn't worth the paper it was written on. Within two (2) years the Viet Cong overran our US Embassy in Saigon and we were run out of there in a most humiliating fashion. 
Unlike Reagan, Bush seems to be practicing Nixon's version of the GOP "Talk tough; then cut & run" strategy. He continues to tell us that, like Nixon, he will accept nothing short of victory and will remain in Iraq until the Iraqi troops stand up while his General, Casey, tells us that our troop strength will be down to under 100,000 by election day (Surprise!) and will continue to be drawn down shortly after that date. Eventually, like Nixon, Bush will declare victory in Iraq and leave that God forsaken place for the Iraqi factions to fight over. And fight they will. It will remain a total and unmitigated disaster. 
Judging from my above mentioned examples, there is no doubt in my mind that it is the Republican party that has played politics with the lives of our troops in the past and continues to play politics with their lives. And, as always, it is the likes of chicken hawks such as US Senator Frist, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity who wave the flag of patriotism and send our boys and girls to fight while they, themselves, "cut and ran" when it was there turn to serve our beloved country! How these characters sleep at night is beyond me! 
Jim Farrell 
Oak Ridge North

Dead Beat Dads 
In this country dead beat dads are increasingly becoming more common and more of a problem. Men these days are off sleeping with anyone they can, making children and then refusing to take care of them. They spend their lives running away from what is their responsibility's and their children. Not all fathers. I personally know some who take great care of their children and are very much involved in every aspect of their children's lives. I thank you. Your children thank you. They government thanks you. Society thanks you. I personally know of repercussions of "dead beat dads". Chad White is my daughters father. After being physically and emotionally abusive I left him. Chad White has since moved to the Conroe area and has pursued in crime, drugs, spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Basically not being the type of citizen that I would hope you would want in your city. Chad White helps under age drinking and drug use. Probably has some more children on the way that he will not take care of. That you, as taxpayers, will have to. You will have to pay for the child to have medically services through the state, food stamps to feed them, housing so they aren't homeless. Do you think that this is alright? Shouldn't there be stronger laws against this? Wouldn't you want more punishment for making everyone else take care of their biological child. I believe there should be tougher laws, more enforcement. Society as a whole is being responsible for children they did not conceive or will ever see. The situation is only going to get worse as the years go on if no one ever stops this. Makes it harder for men like Chad White to get away with this. I'm sure you know someone who is like Chad White or know someone who is going through a situation that I am.
Police? They won't do anything, they don't get into civil situations. The court systems...well we all know how well our court systems are these days. I suggest you write your congressman. Ask for stronger laws and more enforcement. Because in the end you will be the ones paying for it. The children of these men will thank you. The mothers need the support and the help. We all know it takes two to tango... 
Sarah DeMaris 
Denver, IA

Disarming Citizens in Louisiana
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, certain federal agencies confiscated the firearms
of citizens of the State of Louisiana. This violated our Second Amendment, deprived
these citizens of the right to keep and bear arms, and rendered them helpless against
criminal activities. (See www.thenewamerican.com ; Homeland Security Leviathan)
The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 5013 in the U.S. House of Representatives and S. 2599 in the U.S. Senate) would prohibit such unlawful activities in the future. Federal agents could not seize any legal firearm nor disarm any person authorized to carry a firearm simply because they are operating in anemergency situation. 
Furthermore, this legislation would prevent would-be tyrants from opening a loophole in the Second Amendment by branding any situation an "emergency." Concerned citizens who value their freedom should immediately contact their U.S. Representative and both U.S. Senators to urge them to pass this Protection Act.
Alex Randis 

How Many More?
The recent deaths of the high school students from New Caney and Splendora are unfortunate. The community should keep the parents in their prayers.
But, they should also take steps to prevent many of these tragic events throughout Montgomery County. The 2007 Texas Legislature will consider providing funds for counties without major trauma care, such as Montgomery County. The University of Texas has found that one in three Montgomery county residents experiencing major trauma will die because of this problem. Downtown Houston is a long way to carry a young person bleeding to death or with a major head injury, even when they are transported by helicopter.
We should not continue allowing members of our community to die because of a shortage of major trauma care. We should contact our elected officials and ask them to support the proposed trauma legislation. 
Jim Becka
Splendora, Texas

This Administration
Here are some staggering figures. In the last year the global image of America has slipped further. President George Bush is a complete disaster in foreign affairs. The following countries approval rating of America have dropped sharply in the past year. 
Spain 23% down from 41%, India 56% down from 71%, Russia 43% down from 52%, Indonesia 30% down from 38%, Turkey 12% down from 23%. In 2002 Britain, before the war, had a 75% favorable rating of America but for the last 2 years it has been in the mid 50's. This was a poll taken in 15 nations by the Washington based Pew Research Center. 
It also found out that support for the fight against terrorism led by the United States 
is also down. All the good will generated by 9/11 has been eroded by this administration. 
Unlike the first gulf war, this administration took us to war without the approval of the 
United Nations, even though it used the excuse it was enforcing UN sanctions. 
It violated the UN charter by attacking another country without provocation. 
This administration has violated American virtues of the 20th century spelled out in the Geneva convention of which it signed. The world has ben appalled at America, which was once a shining light of decency, as it hears of torture centers, people being detained secretly, and the religious humiliation of it's detainees. All of America's proud standards of treating it's prisoners has been thrown out the window with the Geneva convention by this administration. 
This administration claims we are at war, yet does not give the prisoners of war the 
guarantees of the Geneva convention. It claims they are not soldiers but civilians, 
but keeps them out of the USA where they do not have to give them access to the 
courts. Can you imagine the families who are anguishing over a missing son, husband or father and the USA will not give them any information? 
We claim to be a Christian nation and President Bush claims Jesus Christ was his 
favorite philosopher but Jesus was called the Prince of Peace and taught love and 
forgiveness. This is the least Christian administration since the American Indian wars. 
This administration has not only brought shame on America but on Christianity. It is 
time for true Christians to stand up and say, "ENOUGH", and pressure this administration to begin acting decently as a Christian country should. Only then can we once again be a light of decency unto the world. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, Tx

Rage Against the Machine
This big box store in Huntsville has everything, and we've defended their 
enterprising spirit and supported it with 95% of our purchases for food, clothes, sporting goods, small appliances etc. But on (7.3.06) we had an eye opening experience with this so-called "family friendly", down home, community oriented, "customer satisfaction guaranteed store.”
My wife Patty recently purchased two ceiling fans from them. When the installer arrived he noted a critical piece of the hanger assembly was missing and the second box had a sizable deep puncture in the box. My wife was at work so I returned the two fans for an "exchange only". Since the fans had this stores ID tag on them, and there was 'not' going to be a cash refund I saw no need to be further inconvenienced by going by her job and getting the receipts. That's where I was dead wrong.
After the transaction was complete the young lady told me since I had returned them without a receipt and it was the third such transaction in three months. (We buy almost every thing there) I was put on their banned "return" list for six months. So I asked her (to be sure I was hearing correctly) "if I come back in the future with the same circumstances, with a defective product, and with their ID tag for an even exchange (no receipt) would I be refused?" She said "yes". Now I'm getting steamed, not only at the inconvenience, but also the utter mindless arrogance of the management that made this exchange policy and this unapologetic crew. In fact they acted like they were the ones being put upon.
I called my wife at her job; she left work and brought down the receipts. Now-- my wife, and the fan installer, and me have burned gasoline, lost work time, only to be told "unapologetically" by the store manager that the exchange ban cannot be removed even with the presentation of this receipt for the fans. The store manager further affirmed that I would not be able to return even a defective product in the future months, even for an even exchange, without a receipt.. The store manager said it was for the store's protection.-I say "bullfeathers" I told him we accumulate this stores receipts by the sack full and I'm not making a career out of wading through them or making a special trip to get them unless I want cash back.. I could understand their thinking if I was asking for cash back, or the product wasn't theirs. Only a brain-damaged crook would steal something then bring 
it back and make an even exchange for the same item. Please don't insult our 
intelligence, (or at least my wife's).
I think their real motive is to publicly treat you like a crook in order to make it as intimidating, embarrassing, and inconvenient as possible to return defective merchandise. I have spoken to other customers who feel they have been treated the same way. I have great admiration for folks who build great companies with integrity and treat the customer with respect.. But not for those who abuse the power that comes with virtual market monopoly. I believe to encourage your patronage with a "satisfaction guarantee" then to intimidate you this way amounts to a deceptive company policy, that I would call "bait and switch".
It's seems to me they are, by design, fattening (engorging) their profit margin by publicly embarrassing, thus intimidating many of us, particularly us older folks, into not bringing back defective merchandise. There was never an apology by any of the staff or the manager even after I explained the loss of work time and gasoline of three people because they had sold me a defective product. To add insult to injury, in full view of this unresponsive duo, my wife stepped back and slipped in a "large" puddle of blood coming from packages of meat in a return basket, painfully wrenching her back, while (fortunately successfully) trying to regain her balance. Again--no apology. After the 4th, I call the main office to "Rage against The Machine"(my policy)-to be continued.
P.S. I have since this writing called their home office, spoken to a very nice lady, and am awaiting their response from some lofty throne above her.
Paul Lebedzinski
Huntzville TX.

Send Dan to Iraq!
I just read R.T."Dan" Hanchey's latest verbal flatulence and an epiphany hit me - why not send "Dan" to Iraq where he can "fight fire with fire" and end this war? After all, his ideas that "civilian casualties are not only necessary collateral damage in any war but much deserved..." and that if he were in charge he "would order that whole area leveled, destroying every man, woman, boy and girl..." are the same beliefs of the other R.T.'s (Radical Terrorists) of the world. Just look at how ruthless, overwhelming military power has insured Israel's peace against their enemies throughout the years!
I say we parachute "Dan" to a secret and very isolated area of Iraq armed with a sword of Christ, Joshua's Jehrico horn, a copy of the Holy Scriptures, some of Rambo's explosive-tipped arrows and a "nuculur bomb" -as "w" likes to call it -strapped to his back. 
Then "Dan" could single-handedly accomplish what hundreds of thousands of heavily armed troops have been trying to do for over 5 years but could not- find Osama Bin Laden! Oops, I forgot, we are no longer looking for him. How about capturing Saddam Hussein thus liberating the people of Iraq? Oops again! We did capture him didn't we? Bring good ole Christian values to the ignorant heathens of the Middle East? Ah hell, just have "Dan" "Kill them all and let God sort'em out". It's a win-win situation!
"Dan" regrets that "Americans no longer seem to have what it takes to defeat such a barbaric and evil enemy." You know the type of enemy I am talking about. Enemies: composed of soldiers who rape and then murder helpless civilians, who use bombs indiscriminately on cities, who torture and humiliate prisoners, whose citizens are represented and repressed by unelected governments composed of radical religious extremists who suppress the press and prevent the truth from reaching the people, and lastly, closed minded Neanderthals who think the only solution to a problem is utter devastation and terrorism. As a safety precaution I say we arm "Dan's" nukulur bomb AFTER he leaves our airspace. We don't want to confuse him, now do we? 
So I call on the readers of this newspaper to establish a fund to send "Dan" R.T. (Real Threat) Hanchey to Iraq in the name of all the values that this great country represents so he can kick some ass and take names in the name of freedom and liberty!
Richard Amburgey
Spring, Texas

Stop US-Oman Agreement
The John Birch Society at www.jbs.org  has issued a Legislative Alert warning citizens to demand that congress stop the U.S.-Oman so-called Free Trade Agreement (regional government) Treaty, between us and the country of Oman in the Mid-East, that recently passed the Senate and is now in congress. This is another phony “Free Trade Agreement” that analysts are saying will not only threaten our jobs, national security, independence, access to health supplements, and border security, but can facilitate the re-entry of a Dubai Ports World- type operation putting our port security under Arab control, and giving Communist China major tariff advantages among other charades. We should see.
Go to www.thenewamerican.com  for more information and contact our congressmen to stop it immediately as it is coming to a vote this month. - Wake up America, we shouldn't fall for this subterfuge.
Ed Nemechek
Landers, Ca.

Dead Beat Moms
In response to the letter written by Sarah DeMaris of Denver, IA published in the Bulletin's July 7-13 issue, one of the myths about fathers is that many of them are dead beats. Because of the little importance the mainstream media pay to such issues as the injustice that is being perpetrated by our family courts, the deadbeat dad continues to be a common misconception in this society. 
If one were to look at official statistics though, one will find that there is a greater percentage of noncustodial mothers who do not fulfill their financial obligations. 
There is a much higher number of noncustodial fathers because 85% of custody cases are decided in favor of the mother, often despite the fact the father is a good parent and willing to be a parent. 
In a 1998 Florida State Law Review article on gender bias in family court, editor in chief Cynthia McNeely wrote: "If the treatment fathers receive in family court occurred in the workplace, an affirmative action plan would likely be implemented to rectify the pervasive discrimination and barriers fathers encounter as they seek meaningful access to their children."
To learn more about what is being done to end this injustice, go to www.equal-custody.org  and www.PEPinTexas.org 
Mark Bitara 
Huntsville, TX

Hitler Would be Proud of the Jews
In March 1944, 335 Italian men and boys were killed by German soldiers as a reprisal for an attack by the Italian resistance that killed 33 German soldiers the day before. Of the 335 people killed, 75 were Jews. 
Now, according to news reports, the Israeli army is preparing to launch a large-scale military operation in order to free one single Israeli soldier who was reportedly captured by Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip. 
From my point of view, Jews are not against the Holocaust. Jews are only against a Holocaust that is directed at them. When they believe it is in their interest, they will use force in a manner that would make Hitler proud. 
Art Fine

Stop North Korea and Iran Now
It is very alarming that North Korea is engaged in a program to develop both nuclear weapons and long range missiles. According to Associate Press reposts:
". . . concerns grow over intelligence reports that the North has fueled a Taepodong-2 missile with a firing range experts estimate could be up to 9,300 miles - making it capable of reaching parts of the United States. (North Korea Hints at Talks Over Missile Test By BURT HERMAN, AP, June 21, 2006)
According to Han Song Ryol, deputy chief of North Korea's mission to the United Nations,it is the position of North Korea that, "North Korea as a sovereign state has the right to develop, deploy, test fire and export a missile." The problem for free and democratic nations in the world as it exist after 9/11 is that here again we have a case of developing weapons of mass destruction which could be exported to hostile states and/or end up in the hands of terrorists. In this case there are not just allegations of WOD, but admitted development programs by both North Korea and Iran.
In dealing with the growing threat of nuclear proliferation the threat is no longer just nation states, but terrorists and the clear intent of terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons. Trade between hostile nations bend upon destroying America and our allies, namely Israel, mandate that we think out of the box and consider as our enemies and the enemies of the free world all nations which harbor terrorists, which engage in arms trade with terrorists or which promote anti-American and anti-Sematic propaganda.
We are dealing in a world where it is possible to make a ballistic missile in North Korea, ship it to Iran and load it with a small nuclear device capable of reaching Israel, Europe and US Armed forces stationed in the area. In a sense history is repeating itself in that this scenario is much like the Cuban missile crisis when the Soviet Union tried to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba during President Kennedy's administration in the early 1960's. Only now the stakes are higher because our enemies have stolen our high technology and are turning it against us, distributing components from one terrorist state to another threatening all of the free world!
The United States together with its allies must make it perfectly clear to North Korea, Iran and other nations which harbor terrorists and supply them with everything from high tech armor perching IEDs to suitcase size nuclear arms, that such empowerment of terrorism will not be tolerated and will be met with preemptive strikes to prevent hostile nations from developing and deploying such technology which was originally researched and developed by the United States and our allies and cannot be legally used without our consent.
Our policy for dealing with nations and states which harbor, sanction, arm or support terrorism should be that said states have no justification for existence, by God or man's law, as they are basically barbaric, bullying dictatorships and/or theocracies bend upon world domination through the destruction of any and all free nations and people who stand in their way. To tolerate or permit such nations to develop and deploy through trade stolen US technologies which will be used to destroy us and our allies simply cannot be permitted.
I call upon President Bush and Congress of the United States to wake up to reality! Stop North Korean and Iran NOW from their assault upon America and theft of technology which will otherwise be turned against us and all the free world. Unless this is done with firm resolve the consequence will be nuclear holocaust with Washington DC and New York City as primary terrorist targets. This is obvious from 9/11 and we are but fools to listen to the babble of North Koreans, Iranians or other terrorist nations, while they use the time talking to proceed with the development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction!
Terry Lynch
Montgomery, AL

Independence Day or Interdependence Day?
As July 4, 2006, Independence Day, approaches, do you remember the travesty perpetrated on the US by the United Nations? Shockingly, Washington's home, Monticello, and Independence Hall in Philadelphia — a symbol of our national independence —have become UNESCO World Heritage sites as a token of globalist interdependence under the United Nations.
In addition, UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention and its similar Man and the Biosphere Program are centerpieces of the UN’s anti-human “Wilding” effort. Over 40 Biosphere Reserves and 20 World Heritage Sites have been declared in the U.S., covering more than 50 million acres. They include some of America’s most famous historical treasures and natural wonders. In addition to Yellowstone National Park, we’re supposed to consider ourselves honored to have other national parks, such as the Everglades, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite all registered as World Heritage Sites. 
As we light our firecrackers, barbecue meat and corn cobs outdoors, drink beer in the hot summer sun, and enjoy fireworks later in the evening to celebrate what our Founders gave us, we still don't realize what a sucker play the Globalist Elitists have perpetrated on us on Independence Day.
The only solution I can think of on Independence Day is to get the United States out of the United Nations by visiting http://www.getusout.org/artman/publish/article_58.shtml  and asking Congress to co-sponsor HR 1146, the American Sovereignty Restoration Act.
Pierre Llamas

Politicians Lie? Say it Ain't So!
"It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office." H. L. Mencken
Politicians would never try to mislead us would they? The American People deserve honesty from their government; but one would be hard-pressed to prove that, in practice, we receive anything but the opposite. To be clear, when I refer to our government, I don't mean the Party in power at the moment, but instead, I am referring to the institution of the federal government itself, which has cheated us, wasted our money, conquered nations, and lied to us, no matter which party has held the reins.
Lying may be the lifeblood of politics, but sometimes it gets so obvious and so absurd, that I just can't let it go. To some every-day famous promises ("I'll call you," "You'll have your money next week," and "I'll be there at seven!"), we can add a whole slew of false statements made by politicians over the past century. Here's just a few of them:
The income tax will never go above 6 percent. Saddam Hussein definitely has WMDs. The Democrats are the Anti-War Party. US Troops will be in Bosnia for just one year at the most. The Civil War was fought to end slavery. Bill Clinton was a man of peace. Social Security will always be our safety-net, and the tax will be only 2 percent. The Drug War will reduce drug usage and crime in America. Federal aid to education will never result in the federal control of education. FDR would never send our boys into any foreign wars. The PATRIOT Act will only be used against terrorists. Bombing Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, and the rest, will strike such a tremendous fear into the hearts of terrorists that they'll never bother us again. The War on Poverty will reduce poverty in America. 
War with Iraq will only come as a last resort. 
Iraqi oil will pay for an American invasion. 
Republicans will always try to reduce the size of government. Democracy is on the March. Coming Soon.
I hope that you'll keep this short-list of false government promises in mind when you hear politicians from both sides of the aisle tell you: The War on Terrorism will make America safe. A national sales tax will be equal and fair for everyone. A military draft will help prevent future wars. Campaign finance reform will end corruption in politics. Gun-control laws will keep guns away from criminals. NAFTA, CAFTA, the WTO and FTAA are free trade agreements. 
Showing your papers will protect you. Iran is the world's greatest threat. 
The politicians making these statements are no different than those who made the promises in the first list. A casual study of history should have proven to all of us by now, that even if we should ever develop some faith in politicians, we should never believe any of their promises on face value. So long as there are empires, there will always be even larger lies to cover their cruelties.
The real problem is power. Throughout the world, and throughout history, those who reach a level of power have often times abused it. Our politicians are no different. If we give them too much power, they'll abuse it. Period. Whether they're from one political party or the other, or if they're good people or not doesn't matter one bit. Power given to politicians will always be abused - if not today, then by someone in the future who will take advantage of the extra power we handed to them.
Drugs and drug crime will only cease to be huge problems once the Drug War is completely ended. 
Government waste will only end when the federal government can no longer tax us. 
Education will be proper for our children only when it's completely out of the hands of politicians. 
You will be safe from terrorism only when our politicians stop trying to run the affairs of other countries. 
Democracy will only be on the march when we tell the government what to do, instead of the other way around. 
We all have to realize that there can never be one person who will change the world for us. This is the first step in dealing with the behemoth state that is attacking our liberty daily. But, each one of us can do our part to make sure we don't make the situation worse.
All by its lonesome, the federal government extracts over Two Trillion Dollars from us every single year. Yet, with all this unthinkable wealth, it has been incapable of reducing poverty, improving our schools, preventing 9-11, catching those who perpetrated the attacks, making health care affordable, reducing crime, and so on. Going even further, each year, it passes new laws that make it legal to pry into your life even more.
With all that in mind, the key here is to refuse support for any proposal that would increase the extent, size, or power of the federal government (as virtually every proposal does). Any new power we give the feds today will most likely be abused at some point, and cause us all great harm - either today, or in the future.
The moral of the story is this. If you love the lie, stick to the state as your cover, your comfort, and your resource. But, if you love the truth, you have to find it outside the halls of power. Truth is Freedom, and therefore, truth is, unquestionably, the number one enemy of the State. 
It sure is an exciting time to be an enemy of the State; to be someone who says it with honesty. Ben Franklin was right; honesty is indeed the best policy after all. And I do hope that maybe, just maybe, we are moving into a time where the tide against us will finally turn, and that honesty will become a part of our political existence. If The People take the reins from the politicians, there are strong signs that America will move in that direction. 
Michael Boldin

Raked Through The System 
Deferred Adjudication a non-conviction right? WRONG!
You signed the contract; you where told it would NOT show on your record, in other word a piece of cake. You have gone above and beyond to prove you have learned from your mistake and deserve the second chance you were promised.
Unfortunately your deferred adjudication records have been sold to every background check agency out there. You are being denied employment, apartment housing, car insurance, state license’s you are required to have for your profession. 
What happens if you are falsely accused of a crime? You can’t afford a highly qualified attorney and a much needed private investigator, so now you are forced to go with a court appointed attorney. Think about this; what crimes could you be falsely accused of? Domestic violence, child abuse, and rape (any sex crime in general such as statutory rape, which is now assault of a child), (you could be falsely accused of molesting your own child!). It does not take a rocket scientist to tell us that there are evil, vicious criminals out there. Nobody should suffer at the hands of these monsters, but what on earth can you do if you are falsely accused or strictly misidentified? Not a darn thing! You will end up settling for a plea bargain because of the possible imprisonment of up to 20 years. The way our laws are written now, just an accusation alone will nail you to the wall forever! No sign of physical evidence has to be present for you to be arrested. The accusation alone is enough by law to arrest you.
What happens now? What happens if you have no evidence to prove you did not commit this crime? You will need subpoenaed phone logs, credit card statements, dated and signed receipts, and witnesses. What happens when you have none of this? You are forced into plea bargaining! The Violence Against Women Act that was signed and reinforced back in January of this year is mind boggling to say the least. Take for instance; you are going through a divorce. Did you know all your spouse has to do is say you caused the bruise on her leg, or that you raped her and you WILL be arrested? Let’s put this very bluntly: For example, it is a shocker to discover that acts don't have to be violent to be punished under the definition of domestic violence. Name-calling, put-downs, shouting, negative looks or gestures, ignoring opinions, or constant criticizing can all be legally labeled domestic violence. VAWA advocates assert that domestic violence is a crime, yet family courts often adjudicate domestic violence as a civil (not a criminal) matter. This enables courts to deny the accused all Bill of Rights and due process protections which are granted to the most heinous of criminals.
How scary is that?! When an innocent person, a person of false accusations no longer stands a prayer in our courts, there has to be some major changes. Deferred Adjudication is the only plea bargain out there if you are accused of one these heinous crimes. This law is a non-conviction. Yes you will be put on probation and once you complete the probation period that was given to you, your case is dismissed, no finding of guilt. There is NO expunction law for deferred adjudication. In 2003 a non-disclosure law was passed, along with the forming of what is now known as the “EXCLUSION LIST”. If you are ever accused of domestic violence, child abuse, or any sex crime (which includes streaking, popping a bra strap, touching some one outside their clothing, urinating on the side of a road) you will fall lock stock and barrel under this list. Reminder: Any incidents under a sex crime that I listed above can and most likely will get you registered as a sex offender. This is no joke! What is happening to our due process of law, (our right to a fair trial)? Are our civil rights being stripped right out from under us? You better believe they are, and it is my only hope to reach out to our public in general warning anyone and everyone of what you will be faced with in our criminal court system if you are arrested for anything! 
How many high school and college students have taken this plea, for making one mistake? How many of these students are learning or will be learning in the near future that years of hard work, years of hard earned money could be and are being washed down the drain due to background checks? Yes the non-disclosure can help many to an extent, many agencies are exempted from this non-disclosure law such as all state and government agencies, school districts, hospitals, licensing agencies, and the list goes on.
Remember we all make mistakes, unfortunately our tough on crime laws, and zero tolerance policies are nailing many innocent, and many first time offenders to the wall. We all deserve a second chance; the deferred adjudication law was supposed to do that. Single crime incidences are coming back to haunt many since background checks have become mandatory. I am talking people losing a job they have held for years, and top that off with never have another brush with the law since there first incident. The only way to fix this problem is to have an expunction law enacted. Our very own President gave a speech back in 2004 and clearly stated, “We are the land of second chances.” 
Closing thoughts, or thoughts to ponder on: Are we believers in second chances?
Beverly Blaha Lanfear

King Mason Martin
I've been searching your newspaper and came across a number of articles on the Kingdom of Judge Mason Martin. My son has been before this Judge 5 times against his ex-in-laws and the Judge gave the ex-in-laws everything they wanted every time. 
My son's case was like Jennifer Colemans when his attorney spoke the first few words ,she was in contemp of court, he threatened to throw her in jail, he over ruled every legitimate objection, whatever she put before him the rejected. The ex mother-in-law was caught lying on the stand a number of times by( my daughter-in-law at the time) attorney, told Judge Mason Martin she was lying and he let her get away with this due to the Good Ol' Boy system. We don't have the money or the connections my son's ex-in-laws have( they are a very close relative to multi-millionaire that ran for governor) and who's hurting the most my 6 year old granddaughter.
How many lives have been destroyed and are going to be destroyed because of the who knows who system? 
Our whole case sounds strange to me because cps was also called in and they have talked to us several times then transferred the case to Harris County because that's where my son lives. I found out that the cps officer had it for 3 weeks, never called my son. We left number of messages finally he called, talked to both my son and me left us with tons of hope but we haven't heard from him again. I did some research on my own and found out the wealthy relative has a 20 year friend that just so happens to be heavily involved with, you got it CPS. Again sounds strange to me. 
How can Judge Mason Martin sleep at night knowing his Good Ol'Boy system has hurt so many families that love their children and grand children? When is this going to stop and don't tell me to believe in the system we've done that 5 times and it's whatever the in-laws wanted they got. Why are we always the ones lying and they're the ones telling the truth? I'll tell you, its because of the Good Ol'Boys. 
He's leaving office soon but not soon enough and till he does we'll pay the price, AGAIN! 
Cynthia Russell

In Answer To The Conflict
I have always believed in a peace loving world. I am a Democrat! However, 
with that said. 
There are none righteous in this. Indeed, moderate Arab governments have 
already condemned Hamas and Hezbollah for their OWN over-reactions.
If George Bush could read some of the email we have received this morning, 
he would rub his hands with glee. The only thing that can save him in this next election is the start of World War III. And if the blind hatred expressed by some of our participants is any indicator, we are perhaps weeks away from that. People are not thinking. Take a look at history before 
things get to far.
The U.N. resolution which WE vetoed called for BOTH sides to cease hostilities against civilians, despite whatever propaganda some choose to believe.
We have no legal right to say anything! This Bush administration does not 
respect International and they expect others too. Get real, facts are in the record.
Two atrocities do not make a right, only a right wing. In our view, absolutely nothing can justify targeting the Beirut International airport.
What I want to know who is behind this. And who is funding it. Then we have answers and someone in jail. Only responsible voters can get that after 
November. Change congress! And the cover ups.
Some people don't think. Has America been brainwashed? Ranting helps no one.
James "Jim" Wright, 
Candidate for Congress District 8, Texas

The Bush Administration's Last Frontier: Privatizing The VA 
The handwriting is on the wall! The Bush administration doesn’t want to maintain the Veterans Administration (VA) as a government agency and is pushing to dismantle it. 
It is interesting to note that the VA works so very well it’s been used frequently as the example to institute a national healthcare program, which is an issue sidestepped and hated by most Republicans. 
One of the problems inherent in the VA system is under-funding of taxpayer dollars to do the job adequately and also the governmental and bureaucratic politics that appear to dictate every cornerstone of the system. 
The VA has many individual and group success stories. According to Larry Scott’s Sept. 29, 2005, commentary printed on Military.com entitled Dismantling VA: 
"In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina we learned that VA was the ONLY healthcare organization that managed to save ALL patient records. This is because VA uses a computerized system that was backed-up on a regional level and put back online in a matter of hours. Now that system is under attack by Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs . Rep. Buyer wants to eliminate regional control of the system under the guise of saving money." 
However, the VA is a part of big government. While the Bush administration sees no problem in its ongoing invasion into the every day lives and activities of the American people, it wants to cut-down dramatically the tax dollars paid into various social and economic programs that benefit the masses who need them. The VA now is one such target for eradication as it continues under government auspices.
Ideally, the Bush administration looks at the VA as a private sector function — and why not? It is another ripe plum for an administration whose wealthy special interests rule and whose major insatiable objective is to acquire an endless stream of profits. Millions, perhaps billions, may be made by privatizing the VA. 
Rightly so, Veterans groups are concerned and outraged by this overt and very possible hostile takeover by the current administration and its corporate special interests.
In September of 2005 a move occurred towards privatization when the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved S. 1182 (Sec. 10), which takes tax money from VA’s healthcare budget to study outsourcing jobs of VA healthcare workers. The study, with VA healthcare funds going to private consultants, could cost well over $160 million and lead to the loss of up to 40,000 VA jobs. Most Democrats voted against it, but it was approved and is a current study. 
Dismantling and privatizing VA is a major effort, but the administration and the corporate sector continue to sell the idea to the public. 
The VA is an integral lifeline for all Veterans of past and current wars and service eras. The Bush administration, with no problem providing "Corporate Welfare" to its own special interests, abhors the function and status of the VA by viewing it as another form of mass social welfare. The attacks by the administration on the VA and veterans’ benefits will continue. Many service organizations know it, yet all they do is go before a committee and testify that veterans are good people who deserve their benefits. In actuality, their dues-paying members may wait months for treatment at a VA facility or are getting no treatment at all due to the ongoing cutbacks of tax funding, personnel, equipment and pharmaceuticals, and special interest power-plays.
In addition, there's been a dramatic move to close various VA Clinics and Hospitals under the concern of saving the government money. Working along these guidelines, the administration is eyeballing the elimination of the current VA in favor of privatization and has placed this issue at the front burner as a major priority of the Bush administration, right along with the privatization of Social Security. It appears the administration and its special interests will stop at nothing to pursue ever-greater profiteering.
Once again it hinges upon our nation’s self-respect to our Veterans, who are heroes being cast aside by a greedy government and corporate regime. American citizens with a conscious for doing the right thing, along with those millions of Veterans needing the system, must pound-down the doors of the Bush administration and demand that the VA remain under the rubric of government. To enable privatization of the VA will ensure that to most Veterans needing the system it will become unaffordable, much as the current healthcare insurance system is unaffordable for most Americans. It may be an endless battle to keep the VA free of the pending hostile corporate takeover.
Peter Stern,
Driftwood, TX 

Sudan's Dirty Little Secret
You may not have noticed that there is a worldwide religious war raging today. In their quest for religious and racial purity, Radical Islamic-fascists are slaughtering non-believers around the globe. The popular media, however, remains curiously silent on these persecutions when the targets of the violence are Christians.
For example, take the current situation in the northeastern African nation of Sudan. Sudan has a religiously and racially polarized society of African Christians in the south, African Muslims in the west, and Arab Muslims in the northeast. The Arabs, who conquered much of the country during the 7th century, still dominate the capital city of Khartoum and the national government.
From 1983 through 2005, the Sudanese government conducted a systematic campaign of violence against the Christian minority in the south. Dr. Walid Phares, an expert on terrorism and conflicts, estimates that over a million southern Sudanese, mostly Christian, died in the ethnic cleansing campaign. What were the crimes of the dead? Simply being Christian in a Muslim nation. 
Now, the government has enlisted hardcore Muslim tribes – the Janjaweed – to eradicate the African Muslim population in the western region of Darfur. These native Africans, having rejected portions of the Muslim culture, have been executed for not being Muslim enough and for being Black Africans instead of Arabs. Even worse, the Sudanese government is responding to diplomatic efforts to stop this killing with threats of reopening the conflict to the south. The bloodthirsty Khartoum government is using Christians as hostages to prevent any interference with their genocide.
Thanks to the efforts of faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organizations, the current conflict in Darfur, unlike the southern campaigns, has reached the attention of the media. Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, a strong advocate for human rights in Darfur, has urged world action, stating, "Every day in Darfur, women are raped, men are killed and children are orphaned. For those who believe in liberty and freedom the horrors taking place in Darfur are unconscionable."
Commissioner Williams is right; these horrors are unconscionable. The United Nations, however, does not think so. Not only did the august world body name Sudan to its now defunct Commission on Human Rights, but also it elected Sudan to lead the Commission! The dirty little secret of Sudan is one that is always ignored by the mainstream liberal press and the United Nations: Islamic Shari'a law, which treats Christians, non-Muslims, and non-Arabs as second-class citizens, rules Sudan. Until the world has the courage to confront and defeat the Arabic radicals who enforce the Islamic Shari'a ideology with the intention of ethnic cleansing and religious purity, the streets of Sudan will continue to flow with the blood of Christians and African Moslems.
Gina Parker
Waco, TX

What Bush Hath Wrought 
Here are some staggering figures. In the last year the global image of America has slipped further. President George Bush is a complete disaster in foreign affairs. The following countries approval rating of America have dropped sharply in the past year. 
Spain 23% down from 41%, India 56% down from 71%, Russia 43% down from 52%, Indonesia 30% down from 38%, Turkey 12% down from 23%. In 2002 Britain, before the war, had a 75% favorable rating of America but for the last 2 years it has been in the mid 50's. This was a poll taken in 15 nations by the Washington based Pew Research Center. 
It also found out that support for the fight against terrorism led by the United States 
is also down. All the good will generated by 9/11 has been eroded by this administration. 
Unlike the first gulf war, this administration took us to war without the approval of the 
United Nations, even though it used the excuse it was enforcing UN sanctions. 
It violated the UN charter by attacking another country without provocation. 
This administration has violated American virtues of the 20th century spelled out in the Geneva convention of which it signed. The world has ben appalled at America, which was once a shining light of decency, as it hears of torture centers, people being detained secretly, and the religious humiliation of it's detainees. All of America's proud standards of treating it's prisoners has been thrown out the window with the Geneva convention by this administration. 
This administration claims we are at war, yet does not give the prisoners of war the 
guarantees of the Geneva convention. It claims they are not soldiers but civilians, 
but keeps them out of the USA where they do not have to give them access to the 
courts. Can you imagine the families who are anguishing over a missing son, husband or father and the USA will not give them any information? 
We claim to be a Christian nation and President Bush claims Jesus Christ was his 
favorite philosopher but Jesus was called the Prince of Peace and taught love and 
forgiveness. This is the least Christian administration since the American Indian wars. 
This administration has not only brought shame on America but on Christianity. It is 
time for true Christens to stand up and say, "ENOUGH", and pressure this administration to begin acting decently as a Christian country should. Only then can we once again be a light of decency unto the world. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, TX

"There But For Oil Go I"
I'm in NY. pumping fuel at almost $3.00 a gallon when a Liberal (Media trained) parrot on the opposite pump starts squawking to me, "WE SHOULD'NT BE OVER THERE" (he's seen my Air Force & GW stickers and yeah! I still got em --and I'm keeping them). I reply-- there is no longer an "over there" 
sir, thanks to porous borders, ICBM's, jets, and, worst of all, the compact technology of asst W.M.D's. Added to that toxic mix is a seemingly bottomless cesspool supplying the world with jihadists' terrorist spreading 
their lethal cowardly sewer ethics in the form of their "jihadists" Muslim beliefs. The jihadists believe in "situational ethics" For example: 'their' god rewards them with heaven and 72 female "slaves" for committing 'suicide' while 'murdering' "non-Muslim" defenseless men, women and children. And they are doing all that while hiding behind the walls of their churches, and the skirts of their women and children. Unfortunately for us, technology wise, 
the whole world, especially the Middle East is virtually on our borders and 
in our midst..
There is only one thing significantly 'slowing' the potential flood of these 
jihadists cowards to America, losers, whose only goal is to destroy and enslave and to burn our literal and figurative houses down. That 'thing', is that they are 'very' 'very' busy using their money and thugs, desperately 
trying to keep us from burning down their own houses in their own back yards. This was something the "jihadists" were very confidant our Pres/CiC George Bush wouldn't do, given the very public pressure put on him by their powerful friends. It's a long list but the main actors were our Liberal 
politicians, Liberal Media and their covert anti-Semitic supporters in Russia, China, France, and Germany-- This latter quartet of hypocrites 'also' cravenly, covets the Mid East oil- and wisely so.
The Parrot continues squawking while still pumping the liquid gold. WE ARE 
ONLY THERE FOR THE OIL" But sir (dummy) we pay them dearly for it and 
receive bombs and bullets as thanks.. "Parrot"," NO BLOOD FOR OIL". OK 
that's it, Try this parrot (moron), will you fight for food to feed your children.-- No oil, no trucks to markets, no food, no car, no job no 
electricity, no AC-- nooo, not even your MTV. Now nature boy, have it your way and this could be your chance to experience the 'great outdoors' and make your home where the coyotes roam. Kinda like, everyday will be like a sweltering post Katrina hurricane day. Or--how about 20 below and no heat.-- 
Look at the Third world Country's and I believe your eyes will be opened and 
you'll understand that "THERE BUT FOR OIL GO I" Even a 'moron' parrot can 
figure out the rest of that scene.
Paul Lebedzinki
Huntsville, TX.

Middle East
It appears that in response to Iran’s Grand Imperial Islamofascist ‘Mymoodsup Ibeeninabong’, Syria’s Royal Majesticness ‘Bashher Isaid’, and Lebanon’s Premierial Kahuna ‘Conceal Dahood’, Israel is ruthlessly, insisting on existing. Perhaps we could learn something from Israel regarding how to negotiate with the 7th century mentality of our adversaries in the Terror War.
Theodore Pierce
Woodlands, Texas

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 JUNE 2006

LETTERS FROM MAY 2006

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2006

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2006

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2006

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2006

LETTERS FROM DECEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2005

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2005

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2005

LETTERS FROM JULY 2005

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2005

LETTERS FROM MAY 2005

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2005

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2005

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2005

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2005

LETTERS FROM DECEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM NOVEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 2004

LETTERS FROM SEPTEMBER 2004

LETTERS FROM AUGUST 2004

LETTERS FROM JULY 2004

LETTERS FROM JUNE 2004

LETTERS FROM MAY 2004

LETTERS FROM APRIL 2004

LETTERS FROM MARCH 2004

LETTERS FROM FEBRUARY 2004

LETTERS FROM JANUARY 2004