Letters from our Readers - May 2006

The Nerve Of Some People
Last week a series of events happened that could only be described as "amazing".It was amazing to see hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets to voice their concerns regarding our government's policies. It was amazing that they would (or could) find the time from their busy lives to take advantage of an American's most basic civil right to protest. Even more amazing was the protester's organization and solidarity. And certainly most amazing was the fact that most of these people were'nt even citizens of this country. They were illegal aliens or supporters of illegal aliens boldly marching down our steets anouncing that they were "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore". It was amazing to see them proudly waving the flags of the countries that they left instead of the flag which flew over their heads. It was amazing to watch our elected officials and our police timidly stand by and allow this disgrace to happen. If Cindy Sheehan had been marching along with the invaders then maybe our boys in blue would have done their job and arrested somebody. It was amazing watching the politicians play their games with the situation. Half of the members of the "One party with two names" claim that they want to protect our borders (while they refuse to do so) and keep the trespassers out while the other half wants to coddle and give amnesty to nearly 12 MILLION criminals in exchange for their votes. If a foreign army one tenth the size merely attempted to near our borders our government would not hesitate to use its vast resources to stop them. Yet we have allowed TENS OF MILLIONS of foreigners to not only invade our country but to spit in our face and dare us to do something about it. 
Why? So lazy white people don't have to mow their own lawns, wash their own cars, clean up their own messes, cook their own food or raise their own spoiled, lazy brats. It would be amazing if these "protesters" would take their proudly puffed-up chests back to their country of origin and make the same demands of those governments. Of course the police and military would simply shoot them down or arrest them by the thousands so why take that risk when the good ole US of A is ready to roll over and die? It could be worse though- we could border China.
Richard Amburgey 
Spring, Texas

Reject Unconstitutional Immigration
The U.S. Congress is considering two important proposals that, if passed, will help to destroy our nation’s independence. They are:
1. An immigration bill that promises amnesty to millions of illegal aliens who have broken our laws. If this bill passes, millions more surely will enter our country illegally and further destroy our sovereignty.
2. A Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) that aims to merge the United States, Canada, and Mexico into one nation—with open borders between them—by the year 2010. If passed, we will be subjected to foreign intervention in our internal affairs. Details available at www.thenewamerican.com. (Search for SPP).
If we expect to remain a sovereign nation, we must demand that Congress reject both unconstitutional proposals. Congress is under constant pressure from internationalists and others who want to use these proposals, and others, to help merge us piecemeal into a world government. However, Congress will reject these proposals if enough citizens demand it with their phone calls, letters, e-mails, etc. This is an election year so Congress will pay more attention to voting citizens.
Robert W. Van de Walle
Granada Hills, CA

Illegal Aliens
I showed the subject as "aliens", not immigrants, on purpose. In my opinion, an "immigrant" is someone that has earned citizenship legally. An alien is strange! Anyone from a foreign country that comes over here by breaking our laws is strange! Oh, and then complaining about their treatment here makes them even more alien! 
Now to the point: It's funny and/or strange that many of our politicians and folks in high profile places want to help the cause of the illegal alien. They want them to have jobs, health care, education, driver's license, and, overall, more free stuff than our average legal immigrant or unnatural zed citizen gets! And everyone is running around with these strange looks on their faces wondering why. 
It's money! Plain and simple! Money! Ever wonder why all these so called rich and/or powerful "bleeding hearts" make sure, that these folks that are breaking our immigration laws, get all this free stuff, but never once mention minimum wage! I mean if you want these folks truly protected than why not fight for their minimum wage?
Money! They want 'em here! They want 'em healthy! They want their kids taken care of! But, they want 'em cheap! That's right cheap and healthy, so they can do all these jobs and the powerful can pay much less than minimum wage! Money!
If the employers would have to pay, at least, minimum wage, the problem would dry up! It's all uphill! South Americans come in to Mexico because Mexico knows they will work cheaper than Mexicans! We let Mexicans cross our border because they will work cheaper than our citizens! Money! 
Now all of this is strictly my opinion, but I think it might have a little weight. 
John L. Sulak 
Tyler, Texas

We Are God’s Children First
Though I realize that the USA has a serious problem of illegal immigration, I can’t help but imagine that American Natives, deceased and alive, are rolling over in laughter at the irony involved. The American Natives at one time were also faced with the problems that illegal immigrants brought to their borders. They feared the loss of their lives, livelihoods, and lands; and, one can almost be sure that they too expressed negative and unkind words and feelings about the illegal, uninvited and trespassing palefaces who brought with them misfortune, violence, death and outbreaks of diseases and infections unheard of in the New World.
Almost as soon as they arrived, the illegal good Christian immigrants from Europe made it aggressively clear that "might makes right." Searching for justification to begin their Manifest Destiny, the European illegal immigrants determined that the American Natives were savages rather than humans. No further justification for conquest was required. They somehow reasoned that God had entitled them to do away with the American Natives and to take away their lands. 
Today, USA citizens may worry that the same may happen to them especially if they believe that "What goes around, comes around." However, the matter is serious enough that everyone should reflect carefully as to not exasperate the problem with racial slurs, unjust accusations and judgments. If indeed laws should be upheld, they should be upheld as much as possible by all sides involved. Everyone needs to remember that this nation was started by immigrants who did not go through any legal process of immigration. Unless descendants of the European illegal immigrants are willing to accept that their forefathers were criminals, they should not be so eager today to make criminals of those crossing our borders illegally searching for a better life and better opportunities just as our European forefathers did once before.
Outraged and emotional USA citizens should refrain from judging and condemning illegal aliens and instead should focus their efforts on holding responsible the federal government which has failed to protect our borders and to safeguard jobs for citizens. In the meantime, don’t forget or refuse to acknowledge that the three branches of government have been in control by Republicans. President Bush and Republicans in Congress have for some time now held out opened arms to foreign labor in the name of Free Enterprise. Furthermore, the Supreme Court is full of Republican justices who were appointed by Republican presidents. It is these justices who have ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny medical services and educational benefits to illegal aliens and their children. One can conclude that perhaps the greater crime to our country is being committed by our very own Republicans. This does not mean that Democrats have done much better; however, citizens will have to withhold passing judgment on them until and if they ever regain control of the government. 
Finally, if indeed the USA is truly a nation of Christian values and morals, we need to start working to solve the illegal immigrant dilemma by first agreeing that all people on Earth are the children of God. However, if faith is lacking, at least acknowledge what scientists have proven to be true; and, that is that humans come from one common ancestor. If we can begin to concentrate on these commonalities, then perhaps the solution will be one in which everybody wins. Hopefully, it will also endear us or bring us closer to God. In whatever we attempt to do, we must faithfully keep in mind and strongly believe that we are God’s children first, renting on God’s personal property, before we are citizens of any nation or members of any race. We must diligently recognize this fact with the uppermost reverence. Or, have we now decided to willingly, arrogantly and defiantly break the lease agreement known as the Ten Commandments?
Bob Montañez
Odessa, Texas

Trauma Funding
Ken Fawn's recent public comments seem to indicate that he is missing the point about upcoming trauma funding. The 2007 Texas Legislature may or may not approve what one University of Texas Medical School professor recently described as “the most comprehensive trauma bill being considered by any state in the country”. 
If we watch passively from the sidelines, as Fawn seems to indicate that we should do, Montgomery County will be left out in the cold if the legislation is approved. That would be a tragedy for a county that does not have a single major trauma hospital.
More and more legislators are beginning to cave in to the gruesome facts:
1) one in three traumatic deaths in Montgomery County (and the state) could have been prevented by better trauma care; 
2) trauma is the leading killer of individuals under 45; 
3) the Houston area (by national standards) should have four trauma centers instead of two; and, 
4) since the Houston area has trouble keeping up with it's daily load of trauma patients a terrorist act or hurricane could result in scenes reminiscent of the movie “Sum of All Fears” with bodies strewn throughout emergency departments and makeshift tents.
Montgomery County needs a hospital board member willing to work collaboratively with Harris County in dealing with this issue, which does not stop at the Montgomery County/Harris County line. We have nothing to lose by getting involved in an important medical issue and could end up with improved quality of life in Montgomery County.
Jim Becka
Splendora, TX

Penny Wise Pound Foolish
Montgomery County residents should not live with medical shortages.
Voters need to look at Montgomery County Hospital District Board candidates more closely in the May election. The last couple of elections have produced board members capable of handling money, but overlooking emergency hospital medical care. Major trauma care is not available from a single county hospital and residents, with or without insurance, are forced to go to Houston or Galveston for care.
MCHD candidate Jim Becka is willing to look for sources of funding without local tax increases. This should be a high priority for all future board members. This is a populous and affluent county that should not go along with the high death resulting from the shortage.
If the Texas Legislature approves long overdue funding for trauma care in Texas, the county should go after the funds. The money could be used to expand emergency care at an existing hospital, by hiring a county trauma surgeon, or construct a trauma center from scratch. Either way, something must be done.
Jamie Lofton
Splendora, TX.

The Needs of a Community
Karyl Paige, candidate for the Montgomery County Hospital Board, has 
personal experience of county medical services through accessing them for an eligible relative. She understands the needs of the wider community and how those can be met without raising taxes. 
She proposes making Montgomery County a model for quality health care 
and providing services for all residents, including a mental health crisis center, broader EMT service, and a high level trauma center.
She is NOT a politician, but a concerned, capable citizen who will act from knowledge of the issues, respecting differing 
ideas, to accomplish the best health services for our county.
Jeanne Edmonds
The Woodlands,Tx.

True Grit
United 93 is a wonderful portrait of courage. But in the context of America’s current foreign policy, it comes off as a familiar bit of wound-licking. Every nation has a tale of the day the world did them dirt, and United 93 is America’s. But what’s more remarkable is that, when people abroad see the Michael Moore movie Fahrenheit 9/11, viewers are surprised that a person is allowed to do that in America, allowed to be so critical of a sitting President. An unintended effect, because by being so harsh, the movie ends up giving every American something to be proud of, proving to the world that America is still somewhat free. 
This is why, the world being convinced that our President means to destroy Islam, no one’s come over here and blown us off the map. Face it. We’re an open society, they could do it any time they wanted. So really, it’s not the chest-thumping, “These colors don’t run,” that has kept us relatively safe since 9/11. It’s that this guy out of nowhere gets to film our President’s most embarrassing moments, make it into a movie, and inspire debate. That’s why angry fanatics stay their sarin gas and their bombs. Not because we "have the terrorists on the run.” Obviously we don’t. Bush gave up trying to capture Bin Laden years ago. We’re safe only because even angry people still admire something about this place.
Hope it stays that way, don’t you?
Jamie Esquire

Vote
For the very first time, Montgomery County voters will be able to go to their county polling location on the May 13 election day and vote one ballot for any of the 21 contracted elections for which they are eligible to cast a vote. These include the Montgomery County Hospital District, cities schools, MUDs, ESDs, and Improvement Districts. Early voting ends Tuesday, May 9. 
This "one-stop voting" is available to voters because of the cooperation of the Montgomery County Hospital District, cities, schools, MUDs, and other special districts and their willingness to use county polling locations. The versatility of Montgomery County's new voting equipment and the long hours and dedication of the county's election staff also play a vital role in this joint undertaking. 
www.MontgomeryVotes.org contains information about the 21 elections we are conducting May 13. Also available on the website are polling locations for the College District and Woodlands MUD elections who are conducting their own elections. Every Montgomery County voter is eligible to vote in one to five elections depending on their address.
Carol Gaultney, CERA
Montgomery County Elections Administrator

Conroe Wins With Debbie Glenn
I want to express my excitement about the Debbie Glenn for City Council, Position 3 Campaign. Debbie is a civic leader we can all respect and be proud of. Her commitment to the City is evidenced by her long list of volunteer projects and chairmanships of successful charity events. Debbie shares a vision started by Mayor Tommy Metcalf and Council. As she says, "she wants to take her civic involvement to the next level", and we as a City will be better off when she does. 
What amazes me about Debbie Glenn is that she is a doer not a talker. I admire her ability to build things from the ground up. After a successful career with Wiesner Buick Pontiac GMC, she took her new insurance business and turned it into one of the most successful small businesses in Conroe. She took a run down old building and turned it into a focal point of downtown's architecture. She has proven to be an astute real estate developer, rehabbing buildings and reselling them. 
This amazing mother of four and her husband Mike have a wonderful family. 
The Debbie Glenn Campaign is gaining momentum and I urge everyone to visit with Debbie personally. She really lights up a room and one visit with Debbie and you'll see why Debbie is the right person for the job. She is winning new supporters and changing minds with her big smile, her bright creative ideas and her thoughtful vision. To know Debbie is to love her. Conroe definitely wins with Debbie Glenn. 
Marie Moore 
Conroe, Texas

Jim Becka, Quiet Hero
We long time residents of Montgomery County remember when we could work together to solve common problems. But the explosive growth and wealth caused by the construction of Lake Conroe, the northern creep of the Houston metroplex, and the development of The Woodlands seem to have doomed that ethos forever. Nothing exemplifies better the new spirit of Montgomery County than the current Montgomery County Hospital District election.
Jim Becka, a New Caney high school teacher who lives in rural Splendora, filed to run for the MCHD Board. Mr. Becka, who has a background in health care, quietly pointed out that the MCHD is not really providing appropriate health care services to county residents. He single-handedly brought the information about the lack of a Trauma Center to our attention and advocated seeking state and federal funding to create a Trauma Center that would benefit all families in the county.
For whatever reason, many Montgomery County citizens do not have easy access to health care services. Most of the families in our county who require MCHD services are hard working small businessmen, independent contractors, and employees / workers who are American citizens, taxpayers, and voters whose only sin is not having health insurance. But when Jim Becka has the courage to stand up and quietly say “Hey, we have a problem here,” and proposes solutions, he is attacked and smeared by his opponent.
I respectfully offer a suggestion for Mr. Becka's opponent and those elements for whom low property taxes take priority over health care when it relates to anyone but themselves and their families. Since the MCHD currently spends over half its budget for non health care assistance (9.59% for Administration and 41.79% for Emergency Medical Service), why don't you vote it out of existence and save us the entire 8.5 cent tax rate? Privatize the EMS, stop the hypocrisy of pretending you're providing effective service to citizens of the county, turn your $11 million surplus over to the county, and save us all a few bucks.
Either that, or give Jim Becka the chance to sit on the MCHD board to suggest ways to actually provide economical health care services without increasing taxes. It's about time we elect somebody to this board who represents the middle-income, working class taxpayer. 
Jim Becka will have my vote. 
Bill Traylor
Montgomery, Texas

Please Vote For Karyl Paige 
I read what I consider lies in the League of Women Voters Guide as well as a the newspaper that David Witt is claiming the hospital board has increased services and decreased taxes. I worked for the board and was the person who was in charge of the Mobile Medical Clinics that served County residents. We served numerous patients throughout the county including patients at the women’s center for battered women. We gave needed vaccinations to children throughout the county along with flu shots to the elderly. We served as disaster relief such as when a train crashed in the Western part of County. The Clinics would have been a Godsend if we had have access to them during the evacuation efforts in Hurricane Rita. There is no public transportation in Montgomery County and this was an essential service to citizens.
David Witt made a motion to get rid of the Clinics at a board meeting. The board voted yes and the next day without any notice what so ever to patients these Clinics were shut down. To this day, I still hear from patients about the hardships they endure because they no longer have access to health services because this sitting board has denied services to many needy people. I know some of these people have had their health deteriorate due to access problems to proper healthcare now that they Clinics are gone. The Mobile Clinics also helped relieve the congestion in the local Emergency Rooms.
Please vote for Karyl Paige and Jim Becka. Services have not expanded. They have definitely decreased tremendously. Ask any Healthcare Provider in the County and you will find out the truth. Political rhetoric does not help people, except for the people who want to be re-elected.
John Hodges, EMT-Paramedic
Conroe, TX.

Oil Price Gouging and Republican Responsibility 
Most American consumers understand that the energy policies of the Republican Party simply stink of oil money. The ties between the Bush White House and oil interests are well understood. The policies pursued by the Bush Republicans in terms of energy, environmental regulations, monopolies, taxation and foreign policy are those of the largest oil companies instead of the American consumer.
Recently on MSNBC, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn attempted to blame high oil prices on liberals and environmentalists. The attempt was pathetic and a classical Blackburn tactic. Blackburn often goes into a standard speech mode attacking liberals, environmentalists and/or Democrats or repeating some standard Republican talking points when she has no logical response to politically uncomfortable facts. 
While visiting her office with a delegation of Tennessee auto workers, I saw her filibuster the members of the delegation. She quickly excused herself for a pressing meeting with a business lobby as soon as the auto workers started discussing policy issues of importance to working Americans. She refused to let these auto workers even state their concerns. Blackburn votes with the largest corporations on every importance piece of legislation and routinely against her largely middle class Congressional District.
Blackburn is a typical example of a Republican member of Congress. Her campaign coffers are stuffed with Corporate money. She always votes in the interest of the wealthiest of the wealthy. Her political story shows how Big Oil has been able to rape the American consumer with the active assistance of a Republican dominated federal government. 
The largest oil companies have used their huge cash reserves to buy up other competing oil companies without the government halting these anti-competitive, monopolistic acquisitions. These huge cash reserves were not used to expand refinery expansion or to expand other forms of renewable energy sources in significant ways. 
Some internal oil company documents and emails made public seem to indicate that supplies were deliberately tightened by oil industry actions in order to drive up prices and oil industry profits. The oil industry made scapegoats out of environmentalists, and Republican political allies picked-up this theme, in order to cover their apparent manipulation of markets. This market manipulation should have been illegal. Congress needs to investigate the oil industry at the highest levels. This investigation should be focused largely on refinery operations and the anti-competitive situation created by oil company consolidations.
In her MSNBC appearance, Congress woman Marsha Blackburn urged an investigation of individual gas stations. I believe Blackburn was trying to derail an investigation of Big Oil by misdirection of a Congressional investigation.
This writer believes that Democrats should push for the break-up of the largest oil companies. We need more competition in the energy sector. If criminal price-gouging can be proved, oil industry executive responsible should serve long jail terms. Excessive oil industry profits should be taxed. Blackburn publicly announced her opposition to this taxation policy. Her position is shared by almost all Republican members of Congress and the Bush White House.
Our government should stop creating foreign policy crises with major oil producing nations like Iran and Venezuela. The Bush Republican foreign policy seems to be designed to drive up international oil prices by creating crisis after crisis and constantly threatening war with oil producing nations. Greg Palast has a new book coming out soon that explores the possibility that the Bush White House pushed the United States into a war with Iraq to keep Iraqi oil off the international market. This interesting idea makes sense in that tight oil supplies permitted Bush’s friends in the oil industry to make billions and billions in excess profits. These oil industry people have funded Bush Republican politicians all over the nation.
The only defense American consumers have to fight back is their votes. Every Republican Senator and Congressperson should be voted out of office in 2006 and 2008. We need to enact laws to promote competition, peace, energy conservation and renewable energy. This cannot be done with the Bush Republicans in control of our federal government.
Stephen Crockett 

Gas is Cheap
Follow the barrel, for example, from miles below the sea bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. From the time an evil oil company pays the government for a lease, pays rentals on that lease, pays the 17% royalty on every barrel, pays their corporate income taxes, severance taxes, and excise taxes the US government gets 2-3 times what the oil company gets in profit. The Government received over two trillion dollars over the last 25 yrs from the oil industry. Now our brilliant pandering congressmen (R’s and D’s), for some bizarre reason, think that now that people are mad, if they can just put more taxes on oil the price will go down. Who is greedy or stupid or both?
The weenies, sorry, greenies are accusing the oil companies of purposefully succumbing to their years of legal harassment and persecution. Intentionally not building refineries, and not drilling in ANWR (clairvoyant weenies, oops, greenies know there is exactly 6 months of oil in ANWR) or the east coast, or the west coast, or offshore Florida and in quite a few places in the lower 48 so as to gouge the consumer. The chlorophyll must have addled their tiny brains.
Exploration is very risky. Most efforts fail, some, a very small fraction have very large payoffs. The prospect of high returns lures investors into high risk ventures. If large profits are removed then there will be fewer risk takers and less exploration. The Windfall Profit Tax of Jimmy Carter immediately reduced our domestic production 8%, which was then made up by imports.
It will be years at least before alternative-fuels will be developed enough to satisfy our energy needs. Additionally, oil is a critical component of plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, lubricants and construction materials. We will need oil well into this century.
The United States uses more oil than it can produce, making it dependent on supplies from politically unstable parts of the world. We will never have complete energy independence. Congress should stop scapegoating and grandstanding and remove obstacles to domestic production both to reduce energy prices and so that, in times of crisis, America’s prosperity is not held hostage to hostile foreign powers. Don’t hold your breath.
Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas

The Trials of Mason Martin
I am attempting to locate those persons who have previously written articles about Mason Martin in your newsletters. However, there are no phone numbers or addresses by which I may make any contact.
It is believed that there are literally hundreds of cases that have been heard before Mason Martin, an incredible number of those losing their children by reason of the "Good Ol' Boys Networking System." 
I am attempting to open meetings for these families who have "lost" children here in Montgomery County and who wish to make their claims of injustice against the
prior rulings of Mason Martin. 
One such claimant was Jennifer Coleman who offered an letter to The Bulletin in April of 2005, I believe.
If any of your readers would like more information regarding these and other issues pertinent to the references above, please send your email to: Ecsmce@yahoo.com  
Carley Thompson

People Will Do Anything to Win
Political candidates must maintain their sense of humor, especially when they face a challenger willing to do anything to win an election.
When my Montgomery County Hospital District opponent put together a list of unpopular political issues and claimed that I had endorsed them I was frustrated. He mailed the list to Republican voters across the county.
My son-in-law Andrei helped me deal with the frustration through humor. “Sure he accused you of endorsing free health care for illegal aliens,” he said. “But at least he did not accuse you of being an illegal alien or of hiding Osama.” But, the dirty trick took the focus of the election off health care. 
When I began the campaign I wanted to educate the public about the acute shortage of trauma care in Montgomery County; however, I began meeting individuals with other problems, like having to travel to Galveston for cancer treatments, or being unable to find care for an electrocution injury. 
Possibly the reason third-world medical care exists in Montgomery County is because we have a medical board consisting of non-medical people. My opponent in the election has only a few months of medical administration experience. The other MCHD incumbent who ran in the last election claims to be a medical administration consultant; though I have never seem him list any of his clients.
I do not doubt that my opponent would like to do positive things for the county. He recently said he wants to improve trauma care; however, with limited experience in the medical field, he may not have much chance of success. I fear that Montgomery County ambulances will continue to face high trauma mortality rates and residents will continue receiving care on a level with Bangladesh.
Jim Becka
Splendora, TX

Let the Voters Decide
As a Democrat and, more importantly, a voter in the recent March 7th Primary Election and April 11th Runoff Election, I am responding to a recent newspaper article (the Courier) where I learned Governor Rick Perry has been petitioned by some Montgomery County attorneys to now appoint the winning Republican candidate Cara Wood to the vacant 284th Judicial District Court judge seat, the position for which she was running along with Democrat candidate Nancy McCoy. This vacancy has existed for almost 7 months and only NOW appears to be an emergency? Why spend the money for a primary and runoff election and exercise my right to vote as well as work 13 hours in the polling place as I did in my precinct only to have a political ploy sabotage the whole process? Why should any of us, Republican or Democrat, show up to vote? For the first time in fourteen years a Democrat, Nancy McCoy, is running for judge. McCoy is, according to Larry Foerster a Conroe attorney who helped write the petition, "incredibly qualified." I believe her record shows she is the most qualified. A two party system offers the electorate the best chance to elect the most qualified people. This appointment gives an unfair advantage to Nancy McCoy's opponent who would now be running as an incumbent in November. More importantly, such an appointment usurps the role of all voters in Montgomery County. This seat on the 284th Judicial bench should remain empty until we the voters decide who is the best candidate to fill it. 
Jeanne Goff

Non Politician Or Pro Politician?
I have some real concerns about the attempt to petition the governor to appoint a person to the vacant judge's seat on the 284th District Court. 
It is obviously an attempt to put he weaker, less qualified candidate in a position to benefit from voters who vote a straight ticket. Her opponent Nancy McCoy is, in contrast, a well qualified, experienced attorney who would provide the residents of this county with an ethical and fair courtroom. 
The argument that such an appointment is "an emergency" has only arisen seven months into the vacancy. This emergency appears to be that a strong, capable opponent is now campaigning for the position in the Fall election, which is only six months away. 
In addition, the unfair advantage given to incumbents tends to negate a "level playing field" for the voters in Montgomery County. 
Thank you, 
Jack Quackenbush 
The Woodlands 

The People Have No Voice
The lynchpin of democracy is election, not appointment. The appointment of Cara Wood to the 284th by Governor Perry would doubtless lend credibility to her campaign. It would also give her the considerable advantage of an incumbent.
Notwithstanding the fact that this process has been a time-honored tradition practiced and enjoyed by both parties in past elections, it diminishes the value of the ordinary voter's participation in the selection of public officials. During a time in which undue influence is being accorded to lobbyists and large sums of money, this strategem of prematurely appointing candidates to elected positions represents
one more incursion into the rightful territory of the voter. It is in fact another example of our current elected officials' detachment from and lack of respect for the will and the voice of the people. 
Sammie Miller
The Woodlands, Texas

Are Thousands Dying To Protect The Right to Appoint?
It is perfectly legitimate that Democrats should question the appointment of Cara Wood to the 284th state district judge 
seat while she is a candidate for that position. This position has been vacant for approximately seven months, and now it
suddenly becomes a crisis? Could it be that the Republicans feel really threatened by the fact that some members of their
party are actually supporting the Democratic candidate Nancy McCoy? 
That would be blasphemy in this one party county.
How about leaving it to the voters, which is the American (and now the Iraqi) way of allowing the people to elect the candidates of their choice. Thousands of our troops have given their lives to ensure that Iraqi citizens could exercise their rights to pick the candidates of their choice at the polls, so let's maintain the same rights for the voters of Montgomery County.
Mary L. Kosmitis
The Woodlands, TX

Pass On the Pork, Please!
In 1787, Alexander Tyler allegedly wrote about the fall of the Athenian Republic: “A democracy…can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse [generous gifts] from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury.”
This prediction has come true over the last 40 years, as incumbent Congressmen and Senators have largely purchased voters with taxpayer funds. A U. S. Representative slips an item in the huge federal budget that pays for a bridge, a community center, or a research grant in a home district. The representative then runs for re-election and brags about all the federal funds “returned” to the district. Whether this practice is called “pork-barrel spending” or “earmarking,” it serves to protect incumbents by effectively bribing voters and allows the level of federal spending to spiral dangerously out of control.
Last week, Citizens Against Government Waste issued its annual “Congressional Pig Book,” highlighting some outlandish examples of wasteful federal spending. Leading the pack was the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere,” which would connect Alaska’s Gravina Island to the mainland. The bridge would serve only fifty residents of Gravina Island for a cost to the U. S. taxpayers of $223 million.
Other examples of taxpayer money being flushed down the drain included $1 million to develop water-free urinals, $1.1 million to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and $1.7 million to research shitake mushrooms. Perhaps most insulting was the $500,000 grant to the University of Akron to research how to control federal spending. In 2005, the total cost to the U. S. taxpayers for “pork-barrel” projects was $47.4 billion.
When the public expresses outrage over this practice, our elected representatives respond, as would any addict: “We just can’t stop! Someone please help us!” In 1996, Congress attempted to cure the addiction with a line-item veto. This budgetary authority granted to the President the power to remove specific parts of budget bills that he considered wasteful. The U. S. Supreme Court, however, found the Line-Item Veto Act unconstitutional because the Constitution grants spending power to Congress, not the President.
In his 2006 State of the Union Address, President Bush asked Congress to try again. This new plan would allow the President to “propose” to Congress that an objectionable spending item be eliminated from the budget. Congress would then vote on whether to keep that specific spending item. At the very least, this budgetary accountability plan would force each representative to go on record as to whether subsidizing waterless urinals is a valid use of the U. S. taxpayers’ money. 
Thus, the U. S. taxpayers would be more aware of which Congressmen are responsible for such wasteful spending. As Ronald Reagan astutely remarked, "The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much." “We the People” will be better able to judge whether our government is spending too much and to hold the pork abusers accountable under President Bush’s proposed budgetary accountability plan.
Gina Parker
Waco, TX

A Nation Gone Berserk 
In the classic children's tale Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Poppa Bear says to his wife and little son, "Who's been sleeping in my bed?" 
In today's political arena it's no secret that the oil industry has been "sleeping in many legislative beds". In addition, the Bush family has had decades of close business relations with nations e.g., Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Industry giants e.g., Exxon are smiling on their way to the bank. It's small wonder that oil prices are bursting through the roof at this point in time. 
Finally most U.S. families and voters are sick of Bush policies and economics. The President and his administration are in the 30-percentile of Americans who think they are doing a good job --- the lowest ever. 
Many voters already are leaning towards voting against GOP incumbents this coming November in favor of Democratic contenders. GOP leaders know that they may not keep control of the House and Senate at the national and state levels. Consequently, they have begun a domestic crash-course crusade to accumulate massive profits and wealth from now until the end of the year because this may be the last time to do so. Furthermore, the GOP leadership has nothing at all to lose because "the writing is on the wall". 
The "good Christians" at the helm have been rewording the Constitution, and are using modified biblical quotes in the quest for big bucks. The quote currently most often used is "Do unto others BEFORE they do it to you." 
From now until November look for the administration to run amok in accumulating more wealth and watch as the middle class goes the way of the dinosaur. More and more, the gap will widen between the very wealthy and the significantly poor. 
The true urgent issues will be pushed aside so that special interests continue to pocket huge profits. Hopefully, the irreverent process will hammer home to voters the knowledge that our nation has veered way off track and it needs to be reigned-in for the greater good. It will take decades for future generations to right the wrongs perpetrated by five years of Bush policies, special interest power-plays and economic travesties against the majority of Americans.
Peter Stern
Driftwood, TX

Moussaoui Debacle
Judge Brinkema has shown great skill in her handling of the Moussaoui debacle. 
Moussaoui as we all know was the one chosen by the powers that be to take the fall for 9/11. Those who actually perpetrated this evil event hoped that American jurors would show the collective anger of Americans and sentence him to death for his supposed foreknowledge of 9/11. 
Moussaoui is a mentally dull and repugnant person not capable of intricate thought processes and this entire trial has been an effort to turn him into a scapegoat to hide the well planned actions perpetrated by more calculating persons.
It did not work out that way, though. He was sentenced to life in prison in solitary confinement while those who orchestrated 9/11 continue to walk in our midst. 
This judge is a rare jewel in the very corrupt United States judicial system. She did not allow the trial to become a three ring circus as many had hoped but maintained the dignity of her courtroom and the 
Constitutional process. Judge Brinkema had now better watch her back as the powers that be eye her for having not performed as they wanted her to. Just think back to Judge Lefkow. This is commented on in a book entitled Age of the Son available at www.KarenGrossFoster.com 
K. Hayes
Conroe

The Plan For Iran
We are at WAR, what part of that don't you understand? Western Civilization has become so civilized that it can no longer deal effectively with barbarians. And if this inability continues, as it will, the West will inevitably fall to the barbarians as did the Roman Empire. Go see flight 93 and come back and wright this drivel! 
Tom Kelly, 
Montgomery, Texas 

Horse Slaughterhouses: Say Nay!
Beltex of Fort Worth; Dallas Crown of Kaufman, Texas, and Cavel International of Dekalb, Ill. are the only horse slaughterhouses inside the U.S. Because of basic economics and special interest contributions, most legislators have opted NOT voting to close the horse slaughterhouses. Let's face it, horse slaughterhouses are good business. Horsemeat is sent overseas for human consumption to France, Belgium and other countries, where they are willing to pay top dollar for their horse flesh. 
Slaughterhouse owners tell Americans that they are providing a needed and humane service of eliminating unwanted, old and sickly horses. The truth is far from that point. There is little distinction made of these categories and of healthy horses. Furthermore, the slaughtering of horse is NOT a humane process. We've lost our horse-sense when we let these creature die such horrific deaths.
Before shipping American horses to slaughterhouses in Texas, Illinois and as far away as Canada, the horses are placed into over-crowded holding pens often standing in disease-infested muck. Often sick, the horses are crammed into double-decked cattle trucks. Without sufficient room to hold their heads upright, they travel for 36 hours through summer heat or brutal winter cold without stopping for rest, food or water. 
At the slaughterhouse, the horse is electrically prodded into the "kill box"to be repeatedly bludgeoned in the skull by a dead-bolt gun with a four-inch nail. Alive, and often conscious, the horse is then shackled by a rear leg, hoisted into the air, its throat slit and body dismembered. 
No horse is spared this ordeal. These hungry, dehydrated, fatigued and terrified horses include not only the old, sick, blind and crippled, but the young and healthy, our children's pets, mares with helpless foals standing at their side, and our wild mustangs. 
Horse slaughterhouses are vile and contemptible options for destroying the horse population by inhumane methods. The pro-lobby for horse slaughterhouses has bought the support of many legislators. Only the voice of the American people can put an end to the torture and murder of these noble creatures. 
Say "Nay" loudly and clearly to elected officials. Horse slaughterhouses must go the way of the dinosaurs and so should killing horses in the U.S. for human consumption abroad. It is interesting that two of the three horse slaughterhouses are based here in Texas, where historically cowboys only ride and work their horse partners --- NOT eat them.
Peter Stern,
Driftwood, TX

Voters of Montgomery County!
We are an important part of the Democratic process. We do not want to be ignored or by-passed. We have just completed a March 7 Primary and an April 11 Runoff election. We are looking forward to a fair campaign prior to a November 7 election. During the primary and runoff elections, two qualified individuals have been elected, a Democrat Nancy McCoy and a Republican, to vie for the 284th Judicial District Court judge seat. We voters expected to have two candidates running campaigns which would educate us about their qualifications and the 284th judge’s responsibilities and to find a good match between responsibilities and qualifications. We expected to elect the most qualified person in a fair campaign.
However, in a recent Courier article, we voters learn that Governor Rick Perry has been petitioned by some Montgomery County attorneys to appoint the Republican candidate to the vacant judge seat. This position was vacated in September, 2005, when Judge Olen Underwood retired. If it is so urgent to fill this position now, why wasn’t it seven months ago when it became vacant? Why are local lawyers petitioning the Governor to fill this position now with the Republican candidate? Where were all the lawyers during these past seven months? Why weren’t they complaining? This position is not one which can legally be appointed by the Governor. Under the Texas Constitution, judges are elected and positions should be filled with the most qualified person. If the governor wanted to act in the best interests of county residents, why didn’t he appoint a qualified individual in September or October of 2005? Acting now to fill the vacancy is nothing more than an attempt to place a Republican incumbent in the judge position as a political expedient to gain greater name recognition and votes at the polls in November. 
This whole episode smacks of political corruption and interference in the political process, and our right as citizens to select the most qualified candidate. The sad thing is that a judge in Texas has to campaign as a Democrat or Republican. Once in office, a judge is expected to perform in an unbiased manner. We voters expect judges to be elected and to perform in the best interests of all citizens, but first we get to elect them.
Governor Rick Perry and Montgomery County lawyers should keep their hands out of our election!
Betty Abedor
Montgomery, Texas

Banana Republicans
The Courier headline of Friday, April 28, 2006 exclaims “Democrats question judge appointment”. I believe Voters question judge appointment would have been more accurate. 
It is not only Democrats who are questioning this power play. Many Republicans are questioning it, too. As well they might.
The vacancy for a seat on the 284th District Court has existed for over 6 months and, awaiting the decision of the voters in the November election, there has been no hurry to fill it. Until now. Now there seems to be an urgency to appoint the Republican nominee to the post, anointing her with the position of ‘incumbent’.
The ballot won’t be marked incumbent, but I’m sure yard signs, promotional literature, electioneering speeches, every avenue of information except the ballot, will be touting the fact that a Republican is the incumbent. 
If this banana republic ploy is successful the real loser will be the integrity of Montgomery County elections
Am I to believe that a Republican nominee, merely for being part of the majority party in this county, would be a fairer judge than any Democrat, even an incredibly qualified candidate like Nancy McCoy?
Let the voters decide in a fair election.
Margaret Moorehead
The Woodlands, TX

Disenchanted Citizenry
Since the fall of the Soviet Union both political parties had been seeking Direction as it related to our domestic and our foreign policies. The Balkans, And the Middle East were issues where little headway was being made. On the domestic front little was being accomplished except the growing animosity towards each other. In one tragic moment that all changed, 9-11.
For one brief moment the American people, Democrat and Republican had Found our focus only to have a poorly informed citizenry, a bumbling Congress and a HOLIER THAN THOUGH administration take us down the path we are on today. It is this scenario that demands that this folly must be Corrected and it MUST BE NOW!
The first and most important step would be have both parties recognize the American public is totally disenchanted with the manner our system of governing is being conducted. There is enough blame to go around; may it be our foreign policy, security, emergency readiness, border control, alien issues, trade, social security and health care to mention but a few. It is with this in mind that the Democratic Party come to realize we as a nation governs Best from the middle of the road philosophy, on some issues right of center and on some issues left of center. The Republican Party, one would think, has learned not to only covet the right wing and the southern vote and realize They are supposed to be a national party not a regional one.
What we are seeing taking place is on the left the one with the largest war chest being the dominant candidate and on the right the search is on to select A candidate who will pander to the right wing and the southern voter. Again, Leaving the Majority of the voting public, us centrist, disenchanted in a divided country.
Both parties better stop hearing only there own voices and start selecting Candidates that can best unify not divide this nation. Yes he or she must be electable but that should also include someone with a degree of intellect and Vision. T.V. and charisma should only go so far there are other qualities That the Office of the PRESIDENCY requires.
Richard Solo
Irvine, California

What is Conservative?
When I was a teenager in the 1960’s, dabbling in politics, my mom and dad left the Democratic party. They’d had enough of street protests and flag burnings, and made for the shores of the party of Eisenhower and Nixon. They’d seen Democrats try to solve all problems by throwing away money, but government, they reasoned, should conserve. They were conservatives. They didn’t like the idea of government being in debt, and were aghast at this new thing called a “trade deficit.” The 1994 “Republican Revolution” would’ve especially thrilled them. Small government and Welfare limits would’ve been right up their alley. 
But they were true conservatives. Yes, keep government out of your pocketbook, but also out of unnecessary wars, your bedroom, and your telephone records. If they were alive today, they’d be appalled at the number of Republican congress members under investigation for corruption. They’d have just called it stealing. They would have found the Republican’s trillion-dollar boondoggle in Iraq just as offensive as the useless Democrat-led government agencies of their own day. And the idea that a Republican President would move America from a surplus to this yawning, endless deficit would’ve made them furious. After all, isn’t that what “tax and spend” Democrats did? But Democratic spending was drop in the bucket compared to current Republican pilfering. No wonder commentators like George Will and have long claimed that Bush and the current Republican crop, with their mounting legal bills, are not Conservatives at all.
Me, I’m a flaming liberal, a bit homeless in the current climate, but if my parents were alive, they’d feel just as adrift in today’s “Party of Abe Lincoln.”
Lawrence Ming.

Stop the Madness
It’s time to stop the madness. We need to do away with the NSA, the TSA, the CIA, the FDA, the NRA, the NSA, and bring all our soldiers home to the USA. We need to stop using the term USA, it is offensive to those who are non-citizens. 
We need to outlaw profit in American business, anything over the cost of doing business will be forwarded to the government each day and distributed to businesses that came up short. 
We need to provide free healthcare to the world so they will love us. It is our obligation because we are wealthy and decadent and became so on the backs of the poor. We can do this if we just stop using gasoline and strip the profits from the oil and pharmaceutical companies. 
Once this has been accomplished global warming will cease, peace will descend over the middle-east as the smoke clears from what used to be Israel. When the ruins of Washington D.C. have been declared radiation free we can build a new America like our forefathers envisioned. Perhaps this time with real people representing us, not the empty dresses that we currently have.
Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas 

Uninsured in Cleveland
I am a 38 year old female with two sons, earning $300.00 per week, living in Cleveland, Tx. My kids were, until recent, covered by CHIPS for their health care of which I am greatly appreciative. I have never worried about my own health care coverage until recently. I have never had health insurance coverage because I simply could not afford it for myself. Well, about a month ago, I went to a doctor in Cleveland and found out that I have a hernia and need to have an operation to fix it. 
I knew something was wrong with me but knew that I couldn't afford to fix the problem so as most others without health coverage do, I put it off until it got much worse. I told the doctor when she diagnosed me that I did not have health coverage and asked if there were any other way that I could have the surgery. She said it is not life threatening at this point, so it wouldn't do any good to go to the hospital because I would have to pay for the surgery. However, she did say if I was in intense pain that I should go to the Emergency Room. She said that she could send a referral to UTMB, Galveston as they get funding to help with a situation like this.
A couple of weeks later I received a phone call from the doctors office where they informed me I was denied the surgery. Shortly thereafter I received a letter from UTMB stating the same. Apparently, UTMB ran out of funding for such cases so the answer was just "NO". 
So, here I am in need of an operation that will eventually, if left untreated, cause me major physical harm or in a worst case scenerio, death. All because of money. Who was it that said "It's hell to be poor"? Well it's the truth. Hopefully, the rich (insured), politicians will do something about affordable health care before me and countless others become just another statistic. 
Thanks for your article. 
Tammy
Cleveland TX

Looking for a Relative
I am looking for some help in finding my daughters stepsister, they lost their dad 12 years ago and grandpa 4 years ago and that is the last time they have seen each other or talked. Her name is Nicole R Dietz born January 23 I believe she is 29 now. She has a son named Kolin and was last in the Conroe area the only family names I know are her Aunt Venus and her brothers Brad and Travis different last names. If anyone knows her or her family it would be appreciated greatly if you told them we were looking for her and we miss her and think of her often and tell them to contact us. 
Sandra 
slmiller@astound.net  
320-230-2831

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