Letters from our Readers - November 2006

Getting Hope’s Appointment
The judicial appointment of Cara Wood to the 284th District Court last spring was considered by many to be controversial, but new information about Wood uncovered this week makes the move seem even more contentious.
According to the Governor's website, all judicial appointees must complete both an appointment application and a judicial questionnaire. We requested information pertaining to the appointment from the Governor's Office under the Public Information Act. According to the Governor's Office, Ms. Wood did not submit the required Judicial Appointment Questionnaire.
Our interest in the Judicial Appointment Questionnaire was primarily related to question 10 on the form, which requires the applicant to “state the approximate number of cases in courts of record you have tried to verdict and whether they were jury or non-jury” -- a question that wasn't answered on the form and has never been answered by Wood, despite the fact that she has been on the bench in the 284th for nearly five months.
While looking over the form, we found another disturbing discrepancy: Wood wrongly states that her State Representative is Rob Eissler of District 15 -- but her home address listed on her application is located in District 16, which is represented by Ruben Hope, Wood's opponent in last year's Republican runoff election for the judgeship in the 284th District Court.
Did Wood list another district's representative as her own to ease her through the appointment process? After debates with Hope in which she would never discuss job qualifications, was Wood worried that Representative Hope would not support her appointment? Or did Wood simply not know the name of her own Texas State Representative? And was her appointment quickly pushed through in order to have Wood appear as the incumbent before the November election?
Whether it is a serious unethical misrepresentation or simply a basic lack of knowledge of her local elected officials, Wood's actions do not bode well for a District Court Judge.
Such disregard for proper procedure by filing all the required documentation, and more importantly, truthfully and accurately completing all the required documentation and questionnaires, speaks volumes to the need to have a two party system in Montgomery County: a system of checks and balances. 
We need our officials, be they elected or appointed, to be held to certain high standards with no special treatment. This is the time for political ethics reform.
We call upon the voters of Montgomery County to hold this candidate responsible for her actions -- and the first step is to elect Nancy McCoy, the qualified Democratic candidate who meets the highest standards of qualifications and ethics to the Judgeship of the 284th District Court.
Wendy Melton,
Montgomery County Democratic Chair

A Good Judge
I am writing to express my support for Nancy McCoy, the Democratic Candidate for Judge in the 284th Judicial District Court in Montgomery County, Texas. I have known Nancy for almost six years now, since I moved to Texas. I was a young, struggling lawyer, looking for a job and trying to find the right career path. I emailed Nancy on the suggestion of a "friend of a friend." Without having met me in person, Nancy quickly became a mentor and a close friend. Now, when I have a legal question, I turn to Nancy for a thoughtful, well-reasoned, and practical response. Likewise, when I have a personal problem, I turn to Nancy because she is just as dependable in her role as friend as she is in the role of mentor. She is tough and straightforward, but always fair. These are the qualities that make great judges. 
Nicole Betters

A Great Judge
Nancy McCoy would be a great Judge and the voters in Montgomery County would be well served by electing her as Judge of the 284th Judicial District. I have known Nancy professionally and personally for over 10 years. Nancy is smart, fair and conducts herself professionally and she will conduct her court the same way. Nancy has real world trial experience which will allow her to run the court fairly and efficiently. In fact, I first met Nancy when she taught a trial advocacy course at the University of Houston Law School which she taught while she was general counsel for a large franchise company. Nancy taught me what trying a lawsuit was really like. I was so impressed with Nancy that after graduation I went to work with her as her associate general counsel. Nancy was a mentor to me and the lessons I learned from her were invaluable. I have experienced first hand Nancy's work ethic and professionalism. Her experience and temperament make her an ideal judge. The citizens of Montgomery County deserve a judge that is well qualified and will follow and administer the law fairly and expeditiously. Nancy McCoy is that person. 
Dana Desenberg, Partner 
Houston, Texas

The Traits Of A Good Judge
I write in behalf of the candidacy of Nancy McCoy for Montgomery County District Judge (284th Judicial District). I am the former General Counsel at the International Center for Entrepreneurial Development, Inc., in Cypress. In that position, I routinely employed Ms. McCoy as outside litigation counsel. I know her well both professionally and personally.
In my 30-year legal career, I have had the opportunity to manage or otherwise be significantly involved in several successful campaigns – and one unsuccessful campaign – for judgeships in Texas (all on the Republican side). I believe I have come to know well the qualities that make for a good judge (and the traits that make for a bad one).
Based on my knowledge of Ms. McCoy, I firmly believe that she exemplifies all the qualities we so desperately need (and don’t get often enough) when we elect trial judges. These are: an abhorrence of any abuse of power; proper judicial temperament; intelligence and knowledge of the law; judicial and personal integrity; quality experience as an actual litigator; applying the law rather than creating it; and humility. Again, Ms. McCoy possesses all these qualities.
Ms. McCoy is a lifelong Democrat and has chosen to run in this political campaign under that banner. It is one of the remaining sadnesses of political life in Texas that judges here are still elected on a partisan basis. The qualities mentioned above do not belong to Democrats or Republicans; they belong to good judges. I hope you will vote for Nancy McCoy for Montgomery County District Judge in the upcoming general election. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express my views.
Don Tomlinson
Houston, TX

A Vote For Fairness
Nancy McCoy, the Democratic candidate for the 284th Judicial District Court is an outstanding person of high ideals and superbly qualified for Montgomery County's diversified population. I have personally worked with Nancy in a copyright dispute, which she did, not as a laywer, just as a person wanting help out a small non-profit group. 
That effort helped bring the author in town (Houston) to verify the copyright had been violated and was the "springboard" to a successful theatrical experience. In this "fastest growing county" in Texas, it is important to be tough, but also fair! This is a diversified county by both economic and ethnic differences which will require a discipline that can step outside the box to see the truths. A vote for Nancy, The Real McCoy is a vote for fairness. 
Don Rashke 
Montgomery, TX

Twisted Logic
Monte Lane says he uses logic to defend Governor Perry’s arbitrary appointment of Nancy McCoy’s opponent to temporarily fill the 284th District judgeship..
Lane's tortured reasoning tells him that the governor has the authority to pick someone from his own party whose politics pleases 75% of the county’s voters. Mr. Lane misses the point entirely. Except for the questionable judgment of the loyal 75%, there is no argument there. 
It is the pretense of temporarily appointing any actively campaigning candidate for an elective position, regardless of the candidate’s party affiliation that’s wrong. Nancy McCoy wouldn’t accept such a tainted appointment if it were handed to her on a silver platter because she knows it wouldn’t be fair to her opponent and it is simply wrong. Judges are supposed to be above that.
For the Republican pretender to be allowed to show off her talents (if any) on the 284th bench for 3 months before the election without giving her opponent, Democrat Nancy McCoy, equal opportunity is an indefensible outrage and an insult to the intelligence of thoughtful voters everywhere. 
Bill Barnes
Spring, TX

This Time I Have A Choice
I am a resident of Montgomery County, and have been paying attention to the education of Texas students. Today I read in an AP story printed in the that researchers say Texas grossly inflates its high school graduation rates. When we read statistics that make Texas look like it is doing great, of course it makes us feel good; when we find out the figures are incorrect, we feel betrayed. This feels worse when we realize that Texas ranks third wealthiest among all the states, and yet ranks 40th in its per-student expenditures on public education. (see http://www.bidc.state.tx.us , http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Ranking/2003/R13T040.htm  and http://www.bea.gov )
My state representative campaigned when he first ran for office that he would do everything he could to support public education in Texas. Now an incumbent, and on the Education Committee, he is pushing for vouchers to be used to fund private school choices for Texans. Instead of providing quality educational opportunities for all Texas children, vouchers will divert much needed money from our public schools.
I am so grateful we have a choice this November to elect someone who values all Texas children and teachers. Sammie Miller, who is running as State Representative in District 15, knows that our future is dim indeed if we don’t properly fund and support our public school system. 
She pledges to introduce and pursue legislation which limits the role of lobbyists in Austin and the accumulation of cash by candidates. On her website (www.electsammiemiller.net) she states she will support legislation to remedy The Woodlands’ inability to incorporate. You can read her positions on issues such as local governance, women’s issues, education and law enforcement at her site. Please read them and consider what you choose for your community, your state and your future. Sammie Miller is a great choice, and as she says, "there's still an "us" in Austin!"
Tomi G. Phillips
The Woodlands, TX

The FBI
I'm of the strong opinion that this year's FBI debacles will result in the Dems taking over control of the U.S. House and possibly the U.S. Senate come November 7th.. 
Now, I'm not talking about Bush's FBI, the federal agency that couldn't get themselves arrested prior to 9/11. There were so many leads for them prior to 9/11, yet they stayed in their collective offices throughout the U.S. and were content with harassing demonstrators who showed up at presidential candidate George W. Bush's "Republican guest only" speeches during the '00 election. 
I'm speaking of F (Congressman Mark Foley) B (George Dubya) and I (Iraq)! These three albatrosses will sink the GOP come November and I, for one, can't wait. We'll have Jack Murtha as the House Speaker and, hopefully, Senator Harry Reid as Majority Leader! Wow, won't that be something! 
Jim Farrell 
Oak Ridge North

Don’t Sell Your Vote
Gubernatorial candidates. Black and white, cut and dried. Republican Governor Rick Perry has had his turn at running our great State. His record does speak for itself. He has sold Texas land to foreign countries, that brave men and women gave their lives for. Have you received your $2,000 property tax break yet? He is also the proud father of Texas' largest tax increase. Enough on Mr. Perry. Democrat candidate Bell is simply unknown and has no real record, but, a million dollar defense attorney who is trying to buy the Governors' Mansion for the both of them. Independent candidate Friedman comes across as a racist and compares himself to Jesus Christ. Enough already. Bottom line is, Independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn, has the credentials, experience, and leadership to run Texas. The days of straight line party voting are over. To vote straight party line, is selling yourself, Texas, and the United States short. On November 7, vote for the best person for the office, that shares your views and not because of their party affiliation only. Thank you and may God bless you and yours.
Fred Gough
Kilgore, Texas

Misleading Political Ads 
Voters should be repulsed by all of the pap being served up on 30-second political TV commercials. One can learn nothing from the self-serving, inane, distorted (and most often erroneous) 'information' that is presented as 'fact'. Not wishing to offend some readers' sensibilities, instead of using the more familiar term used for those kinds of ads, I'll just call them 'male bovine excrement'. 
There's one thing that we all can do to become better-informed voters: tune out the political ads on TV, read your newspaper, and sort out the facts for yourself. 
Paul G. Jaehnert 
Vadnais Hts., MN

Straight Ticket
I just finished reading your very biased, hate-filled, editorial deriding eveything possible about the Republicans. Portraying President Bush as a cross between Satan and Hitler. This is just one more fine example of the left wing bias that most of our media seems to demonstrate. Congratulations on affirming my belief in the Republican Party. I will continue to vote a straight ticket. By the way, your publication makes a fine addition to the bottom of my bird cage....where it belongs. 
George Murray

(How many readers thinks he even owns a bird?)

Are We Stupid?
In your Friday November 3rd issue George Murray wrote a very critical 
letter of your paper. I am not surprised as I know Montgomery county, like Texas, is full of rednecks and bigots. People who say, "do not confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up." 
Your paper is so refreshing from the usual conservative media that I travel 20 miles from Houston each Friday to get a copy. it is so nice to know that in 
conservative Texas there is a paper that dares to print the truth and from the letters it shows there are some open minded thinking people in Montgomery county. 
I wonder how any true republican can support this administration. When I was 
a young man, I was a republican and was impressed with their promise of fiscal responsibility and "the least government is the best government." 
However they have changed and are more financially irresponsible than 
Democrats could have ever dreamed of as Reagan, and both Bushes have practiced voodoo economics that have set record deficits. They lower taxes on the super rich and let the debt rise to record highs. Don't people realize we or our grand kids will have to pay off this debt? The interest is eating us up as we borrow money from communist China. Can you republicans understand we are borrowing money from a communist country? Just to give our super rich tax breaks. 
To make corporate America rich we pass laws that favor them and hurt the middle class. There is a greater gap between the ceo's of corporate America and the working man than any time in our history and far above any other developed country. 
The union worker has betrayed his own union and his paycheck by voting republican and therefore the labor unions and workers have lost their clout. President Clinton even ignored them when he supported and got passed with the help of republicans the North American Free Trade Agreement. Therefore, today it takes a man and wife both working to make ends meet. The middle class is disappearing as the rich get richer and still people vote republican and let their quality of life continue to go down. 
The Iraq war is costing us $1.3 billion a WEEK and the generals there says it will take 12 years to defeat the enemy. Wow, can we afford that? We already have lost almost 3000 young people there and thousands more have returned maimed. There have been 650,000 iraqi deaths and no end is in sight. The polls are overwhelming in telling us the Iraqi people 
want us to leave as we are a part of the problem and not a a part of the solution. They say, peace can not be restored until we leave. That same Friday the Houston Chronicle published a article by Thomas Friedman where he wrote the Bush administration thinks the American Voter is stupid and will once again elect a 
republican congress. He writes that we Americans have a opportunity Tuesday to prove to them that we are not stupid. Tuesday November 7th we will find out if we are stupid or have wised up and turned the republicans out to pasture. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, Tx

Knock Knock Knock
The American People have finally spoken! While the people of Texas and Montgomery County festered like curdled milk. Hellooo! Is anybody there? 
Bill Barnes 
Conroe, TX

A Change For The Better
It only took the Democrats less than 24 hours to make a lasting change for the better in Iraq – the removal of Donald Rumsfeld. The future of thousands of our soldiers suddenly looks brighter.
Karen Moeck
The Woodlands, Tx.

Can’t We Just Get Along
Watching the 5 FOX pundits on election night was the funniest thing I have ever seen. They tried as hard as they could to keep a stiff upper lip. Finally settling on using the spin that the American voters were sending a message that they wanted all politicians to get along and work together. 
Strange when they win by a 1% margin it’s a national mandate for their principles. When we win by a landslide it’s a cry that we need to pay attention to their principles. 
Mark Smith
Conroe TX.

We Kill 113 Dogs A Week
Few of your readers have any idea of the terrible problem we have with our surplus cats and dogs but for the year gone by that ended 10-1-06 our Animal Control euthanized (killed) 5,889 canines and 3,719 felines. Numbers don't really convey the horrible truth, which boils down to more than one hundred forty TONS of animal protein, bones, teeth and skin, all of which was entirely wasted and cost we taxpayers over $1,152,000.00 Check my math; 5,889 dogs @40 #; 3719 cats @12 # and each of these poor unfortunate creatures had but one thing to give, and that was their life, but we took that one thing away from them, never to give any comfort, joy or pleasure to anyone ever again. They did not HAVE to die! There is plenty of room for all of us, TNR is the only humane answer (TrapNeuterReplace) AMEN (so-be-it) 
Bruce Dailey
Willis TX.

Veteran Refused By VA
The Republican Administration headed by President George Bush and his Republican Congress and Senate like to tell voters how much they support veterans like me but what they don't tell you is that in 2003 they passed legislation severely cutting back health benefits for veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospitals. 
Despite my Stage IV Cancer and my local Oncologist's "Terminal" prognosis, I was flat-out refused medical care for my cancer by the Veterans Administration Hospital despite enlisting my local Congressman to help me gain admission. The VA system is now in such a financial bind that I was refused medical care of any kind despite life-threatening cancer with my cancer's blood marker doubling monthly. 
This despite the fact that I was told when I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1962 that I would receive "free medical care for life" for having served honorably during a time of war. (Vietnam-era Veteran, Honorable Discharged after 4 years active duty, 2 years inactive reserve, 3 decorations, plus a letter of commendation from my Squadron Commander) 
When I approached the VA, I was desperate enough to disregard hoping for "free" lifetime medical benefits I was promised in 1962, but I was refused any medical appointment at all, despite life-threatening pulmonary embolisms in both lungs, blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis --- because benefits for all veterans were reduced by Congress in 2003, restricting future Veterans admissions and care. My wife's modest income as a Librarian, I was told, exceeded the threshold set by Congress' 2003 bill for me to receive any treatment at all---even if life threatening. 
I hope voters take this to heart when they hear Republicans telling voters how much they appreciate America's veterans! I am told that we will have a new Veterans Health Center here in Conroe, but I will not be allowed to go there with my cancer! 
Richard James 
Conroe Tx

Shame On You Kerry
I am a disabled Vietnam era veteran. I am MAD AS HELL at your irresponsible statement against our men and women fighting a just cause in Iraq! Angry does not even come close to the way I feel towards you, in regards to your "poor excuse of an apology"! You ought to feel shame but, it appears, that all you feel and show is misunderstanding and arrogance! The troops are uneducated? It seems that you, sir, are the one that needs some education! You need a courses in good manors, responsibility, and good ol' common sense! You brag about your military service and flaunt it like you were the only one out there! You were not! Oh, and I bet, the truth be known, you were a real "pistol" in the service! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! Your arrogance pretty much answers that question. 
Your poor attempt at apologizing, shows like the sun up above, that you have refused to take any responsibility! Misinterpretation? Give me a break! Let's, for arguments sake, believe that you made an honest mistake. Why did you not apologize immediately? No, you, in all your arrogance, stated you would not apologize for criticizing the President of our Nation. Then, when the "heat came, days later, you decide you better make a feeble attempt at saving your political behind! President Bush did not put words in your mouth! The Republican Party did not put words in your mouth! It's as if you blame them because you cannot state your case in a dignified manor! 
Know what I'd like to see? Probably not, but, for what it's worth, I'll tell you any way! A REAL HEARTFELT APOLOGY! THEN RESIGN! It's the only decent thing for you to do. 
This is the way this writer sees it. It's a shame you do not! Good day to you sir. 
John L. Sulak 
Tyler, Texas

I Hate You Liberal Scum
The World War that will last until the "End of Time" has begun. We had better 
get a spine and a stomach to do whatever is necessary to "eliminate" these cowardly Muslim Fascists butchers. So cowardly that they have to tie the hands of an outnumbered, unarmed civilian before they slowly murder him. Or push an invalid in a wheel chair off a ship--how honorable, how brave! But that is exactly who they are--cowards.!.. Oh! Their Reward?-reward in deed!! The jaws of hell open wide for 'them' every time they do one of their perverted, satanic, cowardly murders or mutilations.
To quote the words of Iman Zawahiri to that ultimate sadist, pervert, the 'late' Mr. "Zip" (he has a new zip code--muslim heaven) Zarqawi-" the (liberals) Media war is half the battle." And he is right. The Liberal Media hardly raises an eyebrow at these outrages, nor does the majority of the Democratic Party. I suspect the perverted; one act Mr.-Zarquari is currently shoveling coal in Fascist Muslim heaven along with his sidekick Adolph Hitler and like kinds of perverts.
What can "we" do about these Muslim perverts?.We can start getting our 
"Honor" and spine back by voting every Liberal Democrat and Liberal Republican out of office-Our sons and daughters who are paying an awful price to protect us deserve better than these 'two faced' Liberal politicians. If a member of my family or yours doesn't come home whole---is killed or maimed by a Fascists' Muslim, I want to know that these Fascist Muslims weren't encouraged to do it by our own Liberal Media and politicians. I want to know that our enemy wasn't. 'Emboldened' by these Liberals "IRRESPONSIBLE" "FREE SPEECH". .Our men and women going in harms way should also have the right to ask these "self serving scum" to "shut up" at least while they are "in" harms way..
A footnote for Katie Couric who claimed "EVERY" soldier she talked to, asked 
her to ask our President, "When can we come home?" I actually thought she 
talked to more than one soldier" . Apparently not-or it's an outright lie... She's off to a bad start if she is trying to follow in the footsteps of Dan Rather the disgraced TV Anchor.
My, and everyone else's family members who are in these 'active' war zones, and those elsewhere 'supporting' them are "volunteers". My son and his fellow troops worked hard to prepare themselves to defend us, He said he is "glad" to be able to "finally" do his job. And from his Email and troop generated newsletters, the same goes for the rest of his "high morale" group and their "very" able Commander .Perhaps Miss Rather was referring to the Iraqi troops wanting to come here? I do hope she clears that up for us..but-- I won't hold my breath.
As for 'my' voting, I'll settle my differences with Republicans at the next Republican Primary. Just the sight of the Liberal Media and the rest of you Liberal cowards licking your porcine chops and salivating at the thought of me staying home election day, has made me even more determined to vote-- even if I have to be carried in on a stretcher!!!
As for you Liberals and your wormy 'minions'-I haven't forgotten your support for, nine-month abortion/infanticide, and your 'loud' disdain for the American Military and Christian community. And by your undermining our military, you are the cause of the death of many of our sons and daughters in Iraq, just as you were in Viet Nam-Just try spitting on any soldier in front of me, my son or anyone else's son or daughter.. I ain't cutting and I ain't running from this war or 'my' President!!
Paul Lebedzinski
Huntsville TX

Don’t Ride The Elephants 
The Texas Renaissance Festival has seemingly endless entertainment choices, but there’s at least one that people might want to think twice about ("Welcome to The Renaissance"). The elephant rides pose risks to people and to the welfare of the animals. 
No elephant should be subjected to the techniques typically used to train elephants. Even if the abuse is not evident, behind the scenes elephants are often beaten, chained, and deprived of social contact with other elephants. There’s also no predicting when an elephant will respond aggressively. Imagine your child on an elephant’s back when the elephant runs away, as happened in Florida in 1992. Over the years, captive elephants have caused numerous injuries and deaths. 
The confined life of a captive elephant is in sharp contrast to elephants in the wild, where they walk miles every day and establish life-long bonds. Captive elephants often suffer from debilitating foot conditions, arthritis, and tuberculosis. 
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which sets standards for zoos, strongly encourages its members to discontinue public elephant rides in the interest of safety. This is good advice for the Renaissance Festival as well. 
People are naturally fascinated by elephants, but they are wild animals weighing thousands of pounds, not amusement park rides. The Humane Society of the United States urges festival organizers to end the rides, making a transition to a modern era in the true spirit of the Renaissance. 
Lou Guyton 
Director, Southwest Regional Office 
The Humane Society of the United States 
6815 Manhattan, Suite 102 
Fort Worth, Texas 76103

Thanks
I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful people of Montgomery County who have supported my family and me throughout my campaign for the 284th Judicial District Court. The difficulties and occasional unpleasantness of a hard fought political campaign were more than offset by the gain of so many new friends and the gratification of having truly bipartisanship support. To everyone, regardless of political viewpoint, who knocked on doors, made phone calls, sent or forwarded emails, stood at the polls, and did whatever was needed to advance the ball in this campaign, I appreciate you more than I can express.
I would like to especially thank those in the Montgomery County Democratic Party who embraced the notion that it is essential to the health and well-being of our county to restore a true two party system, and who worked so hard, at the grass roots level, to make that happen. For our local Democratic party, there will be many future opportunities.
I am proud of all of you and the mighty effort you put forth, and also just incredibly honored to have been the Democratic candidate for Judge in this election. 
Nancy McCoy
Willis, TX

Kiss Your Secret Ballot Goodbye
I voted tonight: early voting at the South County Community Center. Like every one who votes now, with the exception of absentee voters I am not given the optional 
security of a paper ballot. Computer voting has been chosen form, Democratically, no doubt. There are three stations or checkpoints when you vote. 
It works like this. You present your valid ID, TDL or voter registration to a volunteer. 
That is station ONE. My volunteer swiped my TDL through a reader and asked me if I 
still live at the address she could now view on her PC monitor. I was given the output from a label printer. One label was peeled of and stuck on a signature page for me to sign. Both sections of the label have precinct, time & date information on them. Only one side has a signature line, the other side of the two-part label has my name.
Then I moved to station TWO where the next lady took my name label and stuck is on a preprinted form in the next sequential open space on the page. She pressed buttons on her console and produced my ACCESS CODE,Yes Virginia, you now need an access code to vote. The ACCESS CODE was 8665 Date: 10-30-2006 TIME: 17:48:15 PLACE: South County Commun (sic) Pct:49-49A. If you read carefully you will see how through matching the paper documents with the access code printouts and the computer record one can easily 
produce a list of voters and their choices. 
All one needs is access to the voting machine records. Now, if we can recall those ancient days long ago when we had paper ballots. (Last election for example) You will recall that once you pencilled in your choices on your plain paper ballot, you just stuffed it in a slot in the locked metal ballot box. The only way one could know how you voted under normal circumstances was to arrange for a genius with incredible memory and counting skills to count your sequence into the ballot box and then count it back out. 
The manual system was clumsy and decentralized. Ballot corruption when it occurred was limited physically & geographically. Ballot corruption points or failure points were many and required multiple players in collusion. Now all is required is for the few trusted officials at 
state or federal level to be compromised. 
Only one or two need be seduced into giving unauthorized access to whomever in order to rob the ballot of its fundamental and traditional principle of secrecy. Of course, all our custodians and officials tell us that federal law mandates computer ballots. They will swear up and down about how safe and secure they are. No way can they be hacked or compromised. 
Really? Tell it to the top companies and banks of the Fortune 500, tell it to Congress, 
several branches of the Federal government or the military, the Federal Reserve itself. 
All have been hacked. So much for secret ballots.
Adrian Heath
Montgomery County, TX

If the Brown Shirt Fits 
Mr.Safire in his October 1st syndicated column in the Houston Chronicle entitled "War of Words" wants something to call our terrorist enemies. He feels that "the ear-catching Islamofascism" satisfies his desire to describe Al Qaida and its ideology. He asks the question, "What is a fascist?" He begins with a brief historical analysis of fascism beginning with Benito Mussolini the founder of modern fascism, but Mr Safire fails to mention Mussolini's definition of fascism. Mussolini defined it with a single word "corporatism" meaning that the government and corporations worked closely together to rule a nation. Mr. Safire says that today fascism is remembered less as an ideology than as a dictatorship employing violent repression at home and military aggression abroad. 
Mr. Safire adroitly says "the compound (Islamofascism) defines those terrorists who profess a religious mission while embracing totalitarian methods and helps separate them from devout Muslims who want no part of terrorist means." 
But I disagree with Mr Safire because the word Islam as part of this compound word does not automatically limit or separate the devout Muslims from the terrorists. Not anymore for example than the term Christianofascists, or Israelofascist would separate peace-loving American Christians and Israeli Jews from their country's religious extremists. It is the first part of the compound word that most people will dwell upon. 
There was a real need by the powers that be to keep the people steeped in fear after World War 2 and the word Communist or "Commie" along with atom bomb worked nicely during the Cold War. Now that the Communism has failed, a new "boogey" man is needed to justify vast spending on military hardware. The word Islamofascist has been created to breed fear in the minds of people, especially here in America. The word Islamofascist has been substituted for the word Communist in order to terrify people into approving large military expenditures and anything else their leaders want. 
The German Nazi fascist state spent the major part of its revenue for the military; they would send out their Brown Shirt bullies to silent any opposition; the German church wrapped itself around the German flag andencouraged their leader's military adventures; German theologians, like Dietrich Bonhoffer and other religious opposition leaders who protested what Hitler was doing were whisked off to the concentration camps. 
We must be honest! What nation today more closely fits the description of corporatism, militarism, social elitism and fierce nationalism. What nation's corporate lobbyists are openly buying legislators to vote for their political agenda and thus denying the peoples will. What nation's corporations dominate the electoral process by their political donations to political parties. What country's corporations own the electronic media and make sure people hear what they want them to hear. What nation's present government is administered by former CEO's all of whom were connected with the oil and gas business. What nation's budget is predominantly spent for the military and economically benefits major
corporations.? What nation provides the biggest tax breaks for the rich? What nation tells its critics you are unpatriotic, irreligious, and immoral if you disagree with them?
Mary LL Kosmitis
The Woodlands, TX

Corrupt Iraqis? 
In the President’s Dec. 18, 2005 speech on Iraq, he alluded to corruption in Iraq as one of the problems that needs to be dealt with. Very insightful! 
Why then does he not use the bully pulpit to encourage Congressional investigation of corruption within his own Administration, the Republican-dominated Congress and the power brokers of corporate America? I hear nothing from the President regarding Republican efforts to stifle investigations or silence debate. 
Oh, silly me! It’s got to be because Karl Rove, Ralph Reed, Bill Frist, Ken Lay, Scooter Libby, Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, Bob Ney, Duke Cunningham, Bernie Ebers et al. are among those under suspicion, indictment and/or incarceration for corruption. In Bush's case, any investigations would likely hit pretty close to home. 
In any case, there will be no congressional investigations of corruption so long as the Republicans retain a majority in Congress. Alas, birds of a feather still flock together. 
Paul G. Jaehnert 
Vadnais Hts., MN 

The War on Drugs
Paul Harvey announced last week on his radio newscast that " marijuana has been proven to stop the progress of alzheimers disease in a person." My mother has severe alzheimers disease and until you have a close loved one whose mind slowly slips away while still living and breathing, you can not possibly know the heartbreak. It has been said it is the long goodbye and, believe me, it is. My mother has to be fed like a baby and can not recognize anyone but her 3 kids. She does not recognize the grandchildren she adores anymore. I realize that soon she will no longer recognize me. It is impossible to have a conversation with her so you tell her you love her and she smiles and sometimes will say I love you too. That is all I can expect from her when I visit her. 
Now there is a hope that marijuana can stop the progress so how can we keep laws that keep us from taking advantage of this way to keep our loved one's minds and who knows, perhaps our own? I do not drink, smoke or do illegal drugs but if I were diagnosed with alzeimers I would sure want to learn how to smoke pot and keep my mind. I certainly would not want the law to say NO to me. It has already been proven to ease the pain of cancer patients and so several west coast states have passed laws that make it legal to use marijuana for medicinal purposes when prescribed by a doctor. That makes so much sense but not to the Bush administration who has done everything in their power to overthrow these laws that help so many people. When are the American people going to say enough is enough!! 
I remember growing up in the 40's and 50's and looking at movies of all the drive by shootings, and gang warfares of the 20's due to prohibition of alcohol. To us the 20's seemed like ancient history and not in our wildest imaginations could we ever imagine that those days would return, but they have. 
We did not learn our lesson with the prohibition of alcohol, so we prohibited all sorts of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. Today, we can not build enough jails and prisons to house all the drug addicts. 
Once again, the underworld and so called respectable citizens such as Joseph Kennedy in the 20's are making fortunes preying on these addicts. Prohibition makes illegal drugs prohibitively expensive so these addicts are forced to become criminals to support their habits. Therefore all kinds of crimes increased after prohibition of drugs just as it did after prohibition of alcohol. All that I read about and saw in movies as a kid have returned such as drive by shootings and gang killings. 
Our so called religious leaders continue to pressure our politicians to continue this so called war on drugs just as they did in the 20's about alcohol. Rather than treat these addicts we just throw them in prison and when they get out the first thing they do is go looking for their drug dealer for more dope. Never in my memory have we been less safe on our streets and even in our homes even after years of the war on drugs. 
Why can't we be reasonable and let anyone do whatever they like in the privacy of their own home as long as it does not harm others and no children are involved? We do that with the drugs called alcohol and nicotine. We do tell the alcoholic NOT to drink and drive and we could do the same with the drug addict. 
All of us are committing suicide one way or another. Most, like me , choose slow 
suicide but it is suicide anyway by the foods we eat, the beverages we drink, and the poor way we take care of our physical bodies. Just look at the fat bodies all around 
you showing people who overeat, eat and drink the wrong things and fail to exercise. 
What is the difference of a person committing suicide slowly or fast? It is still suicide. 
Our preachers preach against every sin except gluttony. That is either because they 
are fat due to gluttony or know they would lose half of their congregations. One woman 
told me of a big fat preacher preaching against women cutting their hair and wearing makeup. She was furious as she was sitting there with makeup on and short hair but all she could think was, "how dare you condemn me when you are so guilty of gluttony?" Yes, it is easier to condemn others than to help them. 
When an animal is suffering we do the "humane thing" and put the animal out of misery. However, we are NOT humane to our fellow human beings. We allow them to suffer days, weeks, months and sometimes years without relief. When a medical doctor helps them commit suicide we put him in prison. 
This from a society that teaches that there is a much better place we go to when we die. Why do we fear death then? I don't, I do fear suffering and do not want to be kept artificially alive as a vegetable when my Lord calls me home. I want to be free to go and be with him, not hooked up to a machine. 
However, I believe God has given us the plants to use for nourishment, medicines and pain killers and everyone that needs these plants should be able to get them legally. If a person wants to commit suicide by abusing these plants that is his choice and the Bible I read says God created us with free choice. Laws should be passed to keep people from harming others but when we try to keep people from misusing drugs all our history (including recently) tells us it does not work. Make drugs legal and like alcohol and nicotine keep it away from kids. Those who want it will get it anyway, just ask any high school student or street person. The best way to control it is to legalize it and take the profits from the gangs and they will get out of the business just as they stopped bootlegging alcohol when it became legal again. 
Treat addicts as having a disease medically instead of making them criminals. 
Stop the war on drugs, it is too expensive and does NOT work. Give the suffering 
medical patients the right to whatever drug will ease their pain and help them. 
Gee folks, lets be humane to one another. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, TX

"The Idiots Guide to Gerrymandering" or "How to Win an Election Without Really Trying"
Step One: Set your platform in such a manner as to ensure you get funding from the appropriate mix of special interests.
Step Two: Get elected.
Step Three: Take advantage of the fact that you are now an elected official to redistrict your region in order to increase the odds that you, or a fellow party member will be reelected. Maximize the breadth of your reach and influence to significantly influence the next election and virtually guarantee that incumbents of your party will win again.
That's it, a very simple process. 
Note: The new redistricting software version 4.3 now comes with a two and six year term warranties (optional). These "special interest" warranties are available to all interested "parties".
The software can pack and crack a district with surgical precision. The warranty is void however in the event congress begins to make sense; or a centrist party gains power.
A gerrymandered region can not achieve proportional or descriptive representation of the public. Gerrymandering raises the costs of elections and manipulates the system in favor of the incumbent.
It has been reported that in the 2004 California election this method proved completely effective. Out of 53 congressional, 20 state senate, and 80 state assembly seats potentially at risk no State or Federal legislative office changed party. 2006 is threatened by the same risk.
Allowing sitting politicians to redistrict their own regions is sort of like storing all the cookies in your kids room and saying "don't eat any, because they are very, very tasty", closing the door and then going out to dinner for, say, two to six years. . .
We need to get a handle on this. The public is not served when the electoral process is manipulated by legal means that deteriorate the very purpose and intention of the electoral process.
We need a neutral electoral redistricting process that balances representation across the spectrum of caste, culture, and class demographics (aka "the people") in order to give the overall electorate a fair chance at electing representatives that actually represent the interests of the people. It just makes sense.
John P. Reisman
Founder, The Centrist Party

Trick Or Treat
Get ready folks for the October Surprise - and I don't mean Halloween! One political party is in deep trouble with an election around the bend and guess what? to save their fat they will stop at nothing to distract voters from the pathetic mess they have made here in the good ole USA! That means the tricks and/or treats are coming soon. We have already had a treat -those fine compassionate conservative businessmen in the petroleum industry have lowered gas prices for no apparent reason (perhaps to make it easier for voters to drive to the polls?) So it is anyone's guess what is next on the political agenda. Another treat? Universal healthcare for all? A hike in the minimum wage to go along with Congress' own pay increase? Maybe protecting our borders for a change? A partial withdrawal of troops from the Iraq fiasco? 
Or is it time for a trick? A war in Iran or Syria comes to mind (forget North Korea- they are too tough and they have a "nukulur deevise"). Another World Trade Center Insurance scam disguised as a terrorists attack?- this time with the Sears Tower in the crosshairs? One more timely placed video from Osama threatening to finish off the country once Congress is through with it?
Whatever the surprise you can bet the farm that far too many of your fellow citizens will fall for it in a heartbeat and run terrified to the slaughterhouse known as the voting booth and blindly surrender their free will and press GOP one more time! Of course with Diebold supplying the very hackable voting machines maybe the October surprise is a treat only for the republicans cause they won't even have to take the trouble to vote because the machines will do that for them - and the democrats and independents too! 
Richard Amburgey
Spring,Texas

Prison: The Choice Of New Criminals
Who would voluntarily choose to go to prison? It turns out quite a few people. 
On October 11, a Columbus, Ohio, man robbed a bank for the sole purpose of going to prison. The Associated Press reported that Timothy Bowers entered the bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash in an envelope. The teller gave him four $20 bills and pushed a silent alarm. Bowers then handed the money to a security guard standing in the lobby and told him it was his day to be a hero.
Bowers asked Judge Angela White for a three-year prison sentence and she obliged. Bowers, who is 63, reasoned that prison was easier than working, claiming, “At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs.” 
Bowers isn’t alone. The Houston Chronicle reported in September that 43 percent of the city’s drunk drivers are choosing prison over probation. These offenders attribute their decision to probation terms that are up to 10 years (the longest in the country), onerous probation conditions and fees, and the prospect of being revoked to prison for 2.5 years simply for technical violations of probation, such as missing a meeting.
While drunk drivers and bank robbers may prefer prison, it is a raw deal for taxpayers. Probation costs about $2 a day, half of which is paid with offender fees. Meanwhile, prison in Texas costs $40 a day. Moreover, legislators will be asked to appropriate more than $400 million for three new prisons when they meet in January. Prisoners are the only Americans with a constitutional right to health care and square meals.
There are several solutions to this quandary. Prison can be toughened, but the Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment has been broadly interpreted to preclude painful punishments. Intense manual labor programs are constitutional and could make prison more of a deterrent, but with Texas short 2,000 to 3,000 prison guards, supervision resources needed to run work programs are scarce.
Given that Bowers is 63, his case also raises the issue of geriatric prisoners. Inmates over 60 cost Texas more than three times other prisoners for health care, but have a recidivism rate that is less than a third of younger inmates. Prisoners are not eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, so state taxpayers bear the full cost of their health care. However, parolees can qualify for such benefits, even if they must live in a residential facility as a condition of parole.
Texas has a special needs program intended to release prisoners who are so old or frail that they pose little danger, but the program’s requirements are so strict that less than six percent of eligible offenders – 167 out of 2,821 – are actually released. The Comptroller’s office has recommended changing the requirement that inmates must be within six months of death to twelve months. More than 100 inmates die every year during the lengthy special needs application process. There are about 200 physically handicapped prisoners alone, mostly paraplegics and multiple-limb amputees. 
We must also bolster programs such as probation that provide an alternative to prison for the least serious offenders.
Probation should be reformed so that it is a path to success, not a trap that leads offenders to select prison. House Corrections Chairman Jerry Madden (R-Plano) will reintroduce probation reform legislation next session that would reduce maximum probation terms to five years for most offenders, and increase the use of progressive sanctions. Progressive sanctions minimize prison revocations through measured responses to each technical violation, such as increased reporting, a curfew, drug treatment, or even a night in county jail. 
Probation officers should also be empowered to impose these sanctions without going to the judge. Too often, judges are overriding officers’ recommendation for a change in conditions, such as treatment for a failed drug test, and simply revoking the probationer to prison.
It is time to reexamine the effectiveness of prison as a deterrent and make better use of alternatives such as probation and parole for nonviolent and infirm offenders. Then we can stop criminals like Bowers from breaking the bank. 
Marc A. Levin, Esq. 
Director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
mlevin@texaspolicy.com 

The New Drug
Beware of a drug called a payday loan. They are addictive. Payday loan businesses are predators who prey on the ones who are down on their luck and strapped for cash. Former Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards is trying to start a drive to clean up the so called predatory loans who charge interest as high as 200% on loans, and the state of California is trying to pass some legislature against payday loans. Army bases are also trying to do something about these businesses. They flock around Army bases to make their money of of soldiers who are in financial trouble. 
These loans are a welcomed sight for the people living from paycheck to paycheck especially who gets paid only once a month. They know most of their customers get paid once a month but they set the contract for repay in 2 weeks because they know you can't pay so you have to roll over the loan for another 2 weeks and the 200% interest. For example (at one well known payday place in Conroe), If you borrow $600.00 you owe $720.00 in 2 weeks. If you don’t have 
$720.00 you can pay $120.00 interest and still owe $720.00 to them 2 weeks later. And then it just begins a cycle of $120.00 every 2 weeks with a never ending balance of $720.00. 
I will admit this helps a person out a lot 
when cash is needed right now. But consumers please try your best and budget try to stay out of this as much as you can.
Kyle Palmer
Willis, Texas 

Throw the Bums Out
I would just like to ask the question for you to think about before voting. "Have you had enough?" Enough of losing our young in a country that DID NOT ATTACK us? Enough of selling our country out ? Enough of having to go bankrupt when a serious illness hits? Enough of an economy only for the richest? 
This Administration has stripped the funding from every organization that was created to help and protect American citizens. Our schools are falling behind other countries. Ask a teacher how many hours they spend teaching children to take the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND test. I am talking about ALL schools, so you in the Woodlands do not think "no it isn't happening here."
This Administration speaks grandly of how much they will spend for health, education, anti pollution, BUT THE MONEY NEVER GETS TO THE ORGANIZATION ! 
Until a month ago, Seniors buying American made prescriptions from Canada had their prescriptions taken and were harrassed by our FBI for purchasing cheaper drugs. 
A month ago people had to decide between food or gas to go to work on. 
Suddenly a bone was thrown and the FBI let the prescriptions go through and gas prices dropped. How stupid does this Administration think we are? 
Congress has given themselves five raises while refusing to raise minimum wage in nine years. Have any of you been able to give yourself a raise ? 
It is past time to send a loud message to ALL OUR representatives that we are watching and if they continue this selling out of our rights and thinking we don't know what is happening, WE CAN REPLACE THEM, Republican OR Democrat. 
Everyone, these people work for us, and they all are doing a lousy job. Check the record of those seeking re election and if they have not produced vote the bums out ! Send the message, produce or start working for a living like the rest of us. 
Linda Woode 
Montgomery, TX

Insurance Reforms Successful
It wasn't that long ago that the homeowners insurance market in Texas was in crisis. Consumers faced ever sky-rocketing premiums; insurance companies were threatening to abandon Texas; and a mere three companies controlled two-thirds of the market.
While more needs to be done, over the past three years the insurance market has improved dramatically, and Texas homeowners are clearly benefiting: Statewide, homeowners in nine of the top ten insurance companies have seen rates cut by more than 15 percent, or about a billion dollars in three years. And ongoing regulatory action promises to reduce rates even further. (The lone hold out, State Farm, continues to defy state law and deny its policyholders the 12 percent rate cut ordered by the Texas insurance commissioner, by dragging appeals of the rate orders through lengthy court challenges.) 
What's led to this turn-around in three years? The answer is simple: homeowners insurance reforms and strong action by state regulators. Prompted by policyholders' vocal complaints and Gov. Rick Perry's declaration of insurance reforms as emergency legislation in 2003, the Texas Legislature passed landmark insurance reforms with Senate Bill 14. 
This law has made insurance practices more transparent, regulated and reasonable. It gives consumers more choices by allowing insurers to offer multiple policy options. For the first time ever, rate standards apply to all homeowners and auto insurance companies with no exceptions and no loopholes. The law mandates that insurance rates must be fair, reasonable and justified. Filings are constantly being challenged, and when the insurance commissioner determines rates are unfair, he has the authority to reject those excessive rates out of hand and force insurance companies to offer lower rates. To date, Commissioner Mike Geeslin has not been afraid to wield that authority.
And it also requires companies to disclose all their rating criteria including credit scoring models so that policyholders and the Texas Department of Insurance can evaluate these methodologies and determine whether those methodologies are fair and non-discriminatory. 
Texans do face higher average premiums than consumers in other states because we have more damaging weather events hail storms, high winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires that often lead to insurance losses. And those weather phenomena aren't going to change. But these reforms and continued actions have gone a long way toward stabilizing the insurance market in Texas, making the system more transparent and fairer, and reducing the cost to consumers.
With continued vigilance, these reforms will continue to provide Texas homeowners a responsive, stable, fair and competitive insurance market.
Rod Bordelon
Executive Director of the Office of Public Insurance Counsel

A Letter to WalMart
I am writing to you with a bit of anger and frustration as I sit in front a television with CNN reporting on the current OJ Simpson book. They have just reported that Walmart will be placing the book on shelves. 
Being a first time published author of a new book "Thankful" that was placed on your website in late October. Thankful was published via Authorhouse, and has a book return policy in place. (I have had corrections made to the book that needed to be corrected.) I received a letter from the Anderson group on November 15, 2006, stating that this book is not something that would work for your company at this time. 
My book was created to help people going through times of loss. From a soldier of the Iraq war to relatives to friends to love. Only because I went through similar situations two years ago. I finished the book just hours before the massive tsunami hit South Asia. With all of this being said and done, I have vowed to donate a portion of my royalties to help a nonprofit organization by the name of Room to Read. (Which helps to build schools in third world countries for children that do not have the option of public education.) So in essence my book was created to help people around the world. 
I would like to know how it has come to be that a book of murder by a man that physically abused his wife for years, is going to end up on your shelves? While a book of truth and help only ends up on your website. 
Earnest Diaz
Houston, Texas

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