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Letters from our
Readers - October 2004
Hitler Would Love Liberals
If you are one of those who "still" believe all innocent human life is sacred and that it is immoral to practice or support by any method, especially by your vote, immoral lifestyles or actions, then you "most likely" have a Christian view of these issues. You have an understanding that you will be held accountable before God if you do not stand up against these things.
Acts, such as abortion, when there is no threat to the mothers life, homosexual "acts", adultery and child porn, etc. have, alarmingly, become acceptable to a large segment of the American voters. It is a sad
statement about the spiritual deterioration of a substantial number of folks in our country. Their mantra is that "moral issues are irrelevant compared to one's "pocketbook" when they vote.
Those at the top who lead this chronically, cynical, unhappy, covetous, self centered, God hating, self righteous, mob, (that's right!-self righteous because you are a law unto yourselves) are just a symptom of the rot below. It's this rot that votes these kinds of leaders into positions of power to destroy and confiscate what is not theirs,--others lives and property. Adolf Hitler would love what is happening in America. Hitler would love these Liberal, Fascists mobs
rampant Anti Semitism, their fanatical support for Abortion on demand, Euthanasia, Fetal stem cell research and all things evil that spring from these practices.
There was time, when you voted, that you had only to choose between which candidates would bake, symbolically, the "best American Apple Pie". Now it's not so simple. Now you must decide which candidates policys will funnel moral confusion to our childrens minds through our?? Public Educational system, or, appoint judges who will "create" law to poison our Christian "American as apple pie culture". As the years speed by it is getting more difficult to find a candidate that will bravely support those Christian moral underpinnings that made us "The light to the world", that "Shining City on the hill". In short "if" you are a Christian, you now have to choose between good and evil when you vote. No
longer is the choice between "good" and "better"...We are losing the things that made America great...that's sad.
In the meantime we had best pay attention, because while we are busy
counting our money in this increasingly "bad, world neighborhood", we are about to be rolled again.-- Christ said "I set before you -- life and death-- choose life". "For what does it profit you to gain the world, then lose your soul". It is no small coincidence, at this advanced stage of our "moral" cowardness, that the Muslim terrorist have chosen this
time to attack us in our own home towns. Moral decay "always" draws flies. And then comes the fiery East wind-- again.
Paul Lebedzinski
Huntsville, Texas
If it was up to Kerry, Saddam would have Nucleeair Weapons
Less than a year after the first World Trade Center attack in 1993, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry offered an amendment in the Senate (No. 1452) that would have slashed an additional $4 billion from the national security appropriations bill, which had all ready been cut by $18 billion. His amendment would have reduced our defenses by $25 billion over 5 years, and would have sliced $1 billion from 1994 intelligence funding--which had previously been reduced by more than 13 percent since 1989. Fellow Democrat Dennis DeConcini, chairman of the Senate Select
Intelligence Committee observed that Kerryąs amendment would have further
reduced intelligence spending by $5 billion over 5 years. DeConcini was then quoted in the Washington Times, saying...”It makes no sense for us to close our eyes to developments around the world which could ultimately save US lives and resources.” How prophetic. Democrat Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee said that the Kerry amendment was simply “unsupportable.” The amendment was voted down by 70 percent of Democrats. Kerry apparently failed to appreciate the seriousness of terrorism, which was to take several hundred lives in the next 5 years. Incredibly, he now criticizes the Bush administration for neglecting the terror war, and not anticipating the 9/11/01 attacks. Even more incredibly, the signs at the Democratic convention touted “A Stronger More Secure America.” How can that be with the consistent Kerry record of weakening America?
When elected to the US Senate in 1984, Kerry championed the “nuclear freeze” that would have insured eventual Soviet nuclear dominance. He has also worked against the development of missile defense systems. His record includes a no vote on the Patriot short range anti-missile missile that has protected our troops from Saddam’s Scuds, as well as working to defund the intercontinental anti-missile defense system that would protect us from the Chinese and North Korean threats. Kerry also opposed funding for: the B-1 and B-2 bombers; the F-15, F-14A and F-14D fighters; the AH-64
Apache helicopter; the AV-8B Harrier short takeoff jet; the Aegis fleet air defense cruiser; and the Trident missile. He sought to reduce procurement of the M-1 Abrams Tank, the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the Tomahawk Cruise missile, the Trident D-5 submarine-launched missile, the Titan 4
missile (which launched our all-important communications satellites), and the F-16 fighter. There is hardly one modern weapons system in the US military that he has not opposed at some time. Kerry was one of the Senate’s strongest critics of policies supporting military resistance to communist aggression. He characterized the rescue of American students from the
communist government of Grenada, which was holding them hostage, as ..”a bully’s show of force.” He characterized our attempts to aid anti-communists in El Salvador as “haughtiness,” then demonstrated that he knew haughtiness by traveling to Managua to attempt his own deal with the Nicaraguan communists, thus undercutting US foreign policy. Kerry voted
against the first Gulf War--he would have resigned Kuwait to Saddam’s torturers--and given Saddam a choke hold on most of the known oil reserves in the Middle East. Kerry said he believed sanctions would work if given time, but did not specify at what point sanctions would be considered a failure. Regardless, black market oil sales by Saddam to our European “allies,” and allied loans in anticipation of large oil contracts, resulted in a UN stalemate. Then an offer to France by Saddam for exclusive oil
development rights was followed by the French veto of UN action against Saddam. After voting for a military solution to Saddam, Kerry voted against the funds to arm our troops to finish the effort. If all of Kerry’s votes were not reversed by the Congress, and Saddam had gotten the sanctions lifted, Saddam would not only still be in power, but could soon have intercontinental nuclear missiles--the defenses for which, Kerry opposed. During 19 years in the Senate, Kerry worked tirelessly for a weaker, less secure, America.
William Fielder
Peachtree City, GA
Typical Chicken Hawks
In response to the letter to the editor from Cotton (?) Ruthven, the researcher and attorney who dismissed all of Kerry's Viet Nam medals, I would guess that the "Ole Miss" fellow served not a day in our Armed Forces.
It is typical of chicken hawks like Limbaugh, Lott (Another former cheerleader like Bush from the enlightened state of Mississippi), O'Rielly, etc. to discredit the record of Democratic war heroes while they ran the other way when duty called on them.
One thing is for sure. Cotton and all other chicken hawks would cry like a baby if they were thrust into battle. He should thank God that he has others, like Kerry, to do battle for him. If this country had to depend on men (?) like him, we'd be marching to the tune of the Nazi goosestep!
Jim Farrell
Oak Ridge North
NYPD are the True Heroes
As the Montgomery County Delegate to the Republican National Convention, I would like to respond to your article on the protester to the Republican National Convention.
I will defend to the death this young man's right to protest. This freedom is what our young Men and Women in the Armed Forces are fighting for today in Iraq . I will not defend his right to spit on people, shout horrible obscenities in the presence of young children or throw tomatoes and eggs at people he thinks disagree with him.
Attending the Convention was and will be one of the highlights of my life. The people of New York were wonderful. If they disagreed with us they did not show it, but many and most, gave us a "thumbs up Bush".
The New York City Police were the most gracious, helpful, and caring people going. It was great fun trading buttons with them; their greatest prize was trading for one of the Texas straw hats.
The best protest against the Texas Delegation was a group of "ADULT" men and women singing "Stop the War" to the tune of the Star Spangle Banner in front of our Hotel. These protesters had tremendous talent. But when 40 or more of the Texas Delegates came out armed with songs about Texas singing at the top of their voices, some a little off key, the protesters shook their heads and left. "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS".
The protesters were not hero's. The hero's are, and always will be, the New York City Police who were given the task of keeping the delegates safe, even at their own peril. Also include the Texas Delegation who conducted themselves with laughter and pride. Most of all include the Men and Women in the Armed Forces who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan so that anyone can protest.
Judy Smith
Montgomery, Texas
Weeds in Lake Conroe
I have a waterfront home on Lake Conroe and just wanted to let you
know that their is a "Hydrilla" type "weed" showing up all over the lake. Over the Labor Day Weekend there were countless Jet
Ski's towed in because the weed got sucked up into the impellers and caused their motors to shut down. Other boats, both I/O as well as outboards, also had problems with this "weed" getting into their props and shutting the motors down.
People coming to Lake Conroe should be advised of this weed infestation
as in most cases you don't notice it until you're right in the middle of it. I have communicated this to SJRA and they promised to look into it later next week
( They didn't seem very concerned !).
I have attached some pictures of what the weed looks like, I'm hoping
I think it's important that the public is made aware of this hazard. This stuff is thick, stinks and is rooted in water as deep as 7'. My fear is that it could cause drownings because it's so thick swimmers who fall into it might not be able to get
out. My home is in the Clearwater Cove area (by the old Shiloe Marina) and the shoreline is covered with this stuff.
I have "raked" out quite a bit of this stuff from around my bulkhead and have encountered dead catfish and bass which got caught up in it and died. If you would like to see this stuff first hand you can drive to the Shell Station located on FM 1097 (go west on 1097 from 45 North - Willis Exit) and take a look.
The stuff is everywhere........
Armando Solar
Willis Texas
Dear Governor Perry:
Please call a moratorium for all capital cases, and please commute Andrew Flores' sentence to life.
Rick, what the Sam hell has gone wrong with the Houston Crime Lab? Two hundred and eighty unopened and mislabeled boxes of "missing" evidence were found in the janitor's closet! The "missing" evidence could possibly affect 8,000 cases tried in Harris County.
Sam Houston is rolling in his grave! The city named after him has the integrity, honesty, and competence of a Mexican whorehouse.
Santa Anna is laughing at the Lone Star State in ridicule.
Remember the Alamo Rick, and make Texas proud of you my boy! Don't forget, the Alamo was a Franciscan Chapel before it was ever a fort. There's a little history for you my son.
Matt Dunnigan
Roma, Italia
Robbed at Gunpoint in New Caney
On Sept.!,2004 I was held up at gunpoint in front of the Food Fair Grocery store in New Caney, Texas. It was ten o'clock at night and I had to stop by to pick up dog food before picking up my son from his job. To be "safe" I parked three cars from the front entrance of the store. As I opened my door and stepped out of my vehicle, I was approached by a white male in his 20's with a gun in his hand who demanded my money.
After he left I got back into my car and made a 911call to the Sheriff. When they too my statement they went inside to see if the Camera trained right at the robbers face had caught it on tape and they were told that the camera was broken! When I returned under the escort of my son the next morning to inquire about the camera I was told that it had always worked but that they were not responsible for parking lot security!
Really? Creeps with a gun who will rob a lone woman after dark are no better than any other form of terrorist and terror is the result for my whole family especially my 11 year old granddaughter who is now afraid I will never come back if I go to the grocery
store. In this age of security consciousness can your local grocery store show this much indifference and still claim to be there for their customers benefit?
L.Ratliff
New Caney
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
Montgomery County Democrats attended a pot luck fundraiser for the local
party at a home in the Lake Conroe area last Saturday, September 11. Over 80 people attended the event and contributed financially to local Democratic efforts. Those interested in participating in upcoming
Democratic events should contact Raymond McNeel, County Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party at 936 756-3367 or Nelson-Turnier, Montgomery County Kerry-Edwards Campaign Coordinator at
888 726-8443.
The picture is a cake brought to the party by Raymond McNeel. It was a
huge hit and you can obviously have fun with this photo!
Nancy Thornton
Montgomery, Texas
Just give us the facts
In the article "Lockdown in the Big Apple", the writer refers to, "the tens of thousands murdered through the horrors of unjustified war by the Bush Administration." Since I'm sure the Bulletin fact checks their articles, what reliable source does this statistic come from? And, if it is not correct, then why would the editors of the Bulletin allow it to be printed?
Also, what would the writer consider a "justified" war? Wasn't the unprovoked loss of 3000+ Americans during the fall of the WTC towers enough justification? Oh wait a minute (slapping hand on forehead), I forgot that some people don't believe killing innocent Americans is wrong.
Larry L. Melton
Montgomery, TX
Holy Crap!
Does it really cost $14.5 million dollars to build an elementary school?
Matt Dozier
Stop the Fighting and Talk
Tonight we attended the Seattle vigil
for our 1,000 war dead. Lives tragically
and senselessly sacrificed, a loss of
fleeting memories, intelligence, that special
consciousness, that sense of self.
With John Kerry in office my hope is we can step back from the abyss and talk. Call a cease fire all around and stop fighting and
talk.
Furnish the building materials, pay the Jordanians to truck supplies to the border, pay the Iraqis to truck it into Iraq, pay the Iraqis to rebuild their country. We owe it to them.
We must stop the killing and talk.
Dan Lavielle
Seattle, Washington
Bob Perry is about to buy Bush
Since the year 2000 Bob Perry owner of Perry Homes has reported spending over 5 million dollars on elections in Texas. Bob Perry of Perry Homes appears to have received a good return on his investments. Bob Perry has bought a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker Of The House, Majority of the State House Of Representatives, Congressional House Majority Leader and possibly one U.S. Senator.
This may seem like a masterful as well as a cheap price to pay for Politicians. This
Doesn’t even compare to the $200,000.00 he has spent financing The Swift Boat Veterans smear campaign against John Kerry’s Reputation. It appears Bob Perry may be about to buy himself a President of The United States. Not a bad deal for a home builder.
This could only happen in Texas because the people of Texas let it happen.
Calvin Speight,
Online Reader
Kerr Manipulated the System
I always love it when good citizens, such as Bea Rouse (the writer of "You Are So Right"), try to convince others about the "facts" of any issue, and use as a source for those "facts" either an unnamed person or one that can't come forth and be cross-examined because of the fear of retaliation.
As for the so called "proof" she proclaims, even such astute liberal publications as the New York Times and the Washington Post have cast doubts on the authenticity of recent documents concerning President Bush's alleged less than stellar service.
It is true that President Bush entered the National Guard during the Viet Nam era, and it might be construed that it was to avoid serving in a combat zone. However, let's not forget that John Kerry also asked for a deferment from serving in the armed forces, only it was denied. Being the consummate politician he is (and was), he saw an opportunity to use military service as a plus and "volunteered". Yet, there is much evidence to show that he asked to be placed in a swift boat detachment because at that time there was no plan to send them to a combat zone. And … after being transferred to Viet Nam, he manipulated the system to get out of there in the fastest possible time, possibly even self inflicting some of the wounds needed to leave after 4 months service. I constrast this with my own father's service in 'Nam with three tours of duty in combat zone with nary a complaint on his part. Oh yes, and he received the Purple Heart as well.
Finally, I will also point out that there are many, many Democrat millionaires who benefit from Republican plans, but it serves their selfish purpose to wage class warfare and divide the masses, even while they reap the benefits of the same.
Larry L. Melton
Conroe
We will quit when the work is done
Jim Furr, Managing Director of Gensler’s Houston office, stated that the architectural firm’s local office will not pursue any further work with Planned Parenthood once it has completed the work that it is contractually obliged to do. This initial ‘programming task’ of the architectural stage is expected to be completed on September 29, 2004.
“We’re encouraged that Gensler’s Houston office responded so quickly to the phone calls and e-mails of hundreds of local citizens,” said Helen Posvar, president of the Houston Coalition for Life. The calls began after the Coalition for Life sent out an e-mail Monday afternoon, September 13, which identified Gensler architectural firm as a participant in the Planned Parenthood abortion expansion project.
Gensler responded by 6:30 PM on the same day. Planned Parenthood of Houston's regional abortion expansion project calls for a new 45,000 ground square foot late-term abortion facility in downtown Houston, a new 4,500 square foot facility in Lufkin, Texas, and five additional 1,200 square foot suburban referral offices. According to the area Planned Parenthood affiliate's latest annual report, the organization terminated 6,876 children in the last year.
Posvar added, "Every firm who chooses to contract with Planned Parenthood will be held publicly accountable for its role in the expansion of the violence of abortion." The names of all firms that work on Planned Parenthood's new abortion expansion project will be posted on the website of the Houston Coalition for Life,
www.houstoncoalition.com , to empower concerned community members to contact the businesses and respectfully ask them to withdraw from the project.
Helen Posvar
Houston Coalition for Life
Please Help
Our local phone company Consolidated" formerly TXU Communication, is finally offering something to their customers a chance to be put on a waiting list for an Unlimited Long Distance.
But here is the problem, I have been asking them if and when they were going to get Unlimited for a very long time, and was told a couple months after Consolidated took over that it was something that was in discussion. I called them last month an made a payment over the phone with them, but did not ask them that time. Today when I called to make a payment, my phone bill was alot higher than normal so I ask them again, when/if they were going to get the Unlimited Long Distance. I was informed that they are putting peoples names of a waiting list to determine if enough people was interested in it. I told the lady I was never informed of this waiting list, and she replied that the customer service person is suppose to tell the customers if the customer ask able it. HOW WOULD A CUSTOMER KNOW ABOUT IT IF THEY DON"T SEND OUT A NOTICE! She stated that they have not sent out a notice in the bill about it, I ask her, How was a customer to know to ask if they don't know what they are doing or offering. Not all customers call the phone company
I know I am not alone when it comes to Consolidated Telephone company being way to high on their phone bills and not allowing other phone companies to offer us any kind of decent plan. This has been my pet peeve since moving to Conroe 4 years ago. I have tried SOOOOO many times to get other companies, but am told they have a contract with Consolidated and can only offer a certain plan to Consolidated's customers. Most of telephone companies can't come into this area. Of course, Consolidated always says it is the other long distance companies that choose not to offer us the plans.
PLEASE, PLEASE inform the public of the waiting list. Call Consolidated and confirm the information about the list. If we wait on the phone company to notify the public, so that public has a choice to be put on this list, it will never happen. I already know what they plan on doing, when they don't get enough people signed up for the Unlimited Calling plan, then they will just dismiss the ideal.
Laurie Allen
Conroe, Texas
Teachers kill Health Care Rip Off
A sharp response’ from thousands of TFT members spurs state leaders to kill health-care rip-off
Thousands of Texas Federation of Teachers members deluged state leaders with letters and phone calls for the past four months with one consistent message: “Kill the Health-Care Rip-Off.”
Teachers and public school employees were rewarded today after Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick directed the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to stop implementation of the costly Health Reimbursement Arrangement program and restore the direct pass-through of a $500 health-care supplement to each school employee.
When TRS follows through on this leadership directive and terminates the contract with Aetna for administration of HRAs, each school employee will save $30 to $42 a year in needless administrative fees. "The legislative leadership has done the right thing,” said TFT President John Cole. "This is a victory for the thousands of teachers and other school employees who have contacted legislative leaders to voice their outrage over the prospect of paying a part of their stipend for services of little or no value that they never asked for.”
Dewhurst noted in his statement that the HRAs drew “a sharp response from teachers last month.” TFT conducted a consistent campaign against the HRAs with ongoing press conferences, lobbying, and a Web-driven letter campaign that sent more than 14,000 letters to Aetna and state legislators. TFT actively called for cancellation of the contract with Aetna and pointed to the rationale for killing the deal
"We knew that there was a way to block this program if state leaders had the will to do it,” Cole said. “We thank them for getting it done today with the help of a supportive legislative interpretation from the attorney general.”
"We also appreciate the lieutenant governor's comment today that he views today's action as ‘a step in the right direction' that should be followed by more help for Texas teachers when the legislature tackles school finance. The next step in our view should be appropriation of the funds needed to restore the full $1,000 pass-through stipend for every school employee, as originally enacted in 2001 and as required, effective September 1, 2005, by an amendment passed last session to make the cut in the pass-through temporary."
According to a termination clause in the TRS-Aetna contract, secured by TFT through an open-records request, the deal with Aetna can be terminated "immediately" by TRS if the legislature fails to appropriate funding for the HRA program. The gist of the attorney general's interpretive letter is precisely that the legislature did fail to appropriate funding for the HRA program, because of conflicts between the HRA legislation, other bills passed later in the session, and the appropriations bill. Therefore, the attorney general' office says, Aetna doesn't have a program to administer
The Texas Federation of Teachers represents more than 51,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. TFT is affiliated with the 1.3-million-member American Federation of Teachers.
Rob D’Amico
Texas Federation of Teachers
Where was our righteous indignation then?
To any honest, objective, thinking person something is awfully awry in Iraq. Being neither Republican nor Democrat, partisan politics plays no part in my sympathies. Objective truth and the securing of the blessings of liberty at home are my major, patriotic concerns.
There certainly was no Constitutional justification for invading Iraq. There are those who would argue that we had to help those living under the despotism and bestial cruelty of Saddam Hussein. That is an emotional argument (to which I am very sympathetic) but that position is still not supported by the Constitution. However, that argument does beg the questions:
· Where was our righteous indignation when our national government gave “aid and trade” to, and diplomatically recognized, Marxist-Leninist, megalomaniac regimes around the world? Our government’s actions helped “legitimize” and cement into power the arch criminals and mass murderers of, relatively-speaking, modern times -- Lenin and Trotsky in Russia, Mao Tse Tung in China, and Fidel Castro in Cuba (our foreign policy helped put the bearded tin-pot dictator in Cuba; in spite of krypto attempts to neutralize him during the Bay of Pigs “crisis”.)
· Where was our (and the national media’s) sympathy when these butchers were murdering [37 million+ in Russia/USSR and 65 million+ in Red China] innocent civilians of their respective empires? Mr. Castro’s henchmen forcefully extracted mortally fatal amounts of blood from innocent “prisoners” to be sent to his terrorists operating in Africa. We criticize Adolph Hitler (and well we should) for committing systematic genocide; yet when compared to the sheer numbers of victims of the aforementioned, Hitler was a piker.
Take just a minute and think about it. Is it sensible to think we SERIOUSLY are fighting terrorism half-way around the world when elements within our own government put Castro in power just 90 miles off our shore, and through tacit approval, we continue to allow him to operate with impunity exporting major terrorism all over Latin America -- IN OUR BACK YARD?
We are losing the war in Iraq despite what military generals tell us on TV. It’s not rocket science. Here is the problem. We changed our strategy after we removed Saddam Hussein from power; since having conducted a largely defensive military “operation”. To combat professional revolutionaries (and that is what these terrorists are) with semi-neophyte ground troops and inadequately trained officers is suicide even if it weren’t stupid. The terrorists are on the offensive and they have been devastatingly successful.
If we are serious about winning, Americans must demand from Congress that our military either get out of Iraq or go on the offensive AROUND THE CLOCK to exterminate the terrorist leadership. That requires an adequate intelligence network (some of which must come from Iraqis themselves) and properly trained counter-insurgency forces with help from Army Ranger and Navy Seal types. The young Iraqi government is not equipped to handle the growing terrorist threat. For goodness sake, we couldn’t handle it, in a mostly defensive posture, even when we were “in charge.” Once employing the offensive operation, we should move to get out of Iraq as soon as practical.
Until we get serious and go on the offensive to take out these butchers, you can “bank” on the following:
· Escalating numbers of terrorists and their leaders,
· Decreasing American popularity among the Iraqi people as we are seen as a “paper tiger” and an occupation force,
· Increased carnage of American and Iraqi soldiers, as well as innocent civilians, and
a vastly increased (of an already huge) world populace who hate the United States.
Joe Davenport
San Antonio, Texas
Love Bugs
Last week I drove I visited Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos and was
subjected to an assault of the 'lovebugs..' Do you have any information on these lovebugs? I still have some on my front license plate and grill of the car. Before I completely rid myself of them, I'd like to know something about them.
Rosemary Hofmayer
Round Rock TX
Who Should Get Fired?
So Dan Rather depended on forged documents in his report about Bush's guard service.
George Bush depended on forged documents, about uranium from Niger, to take us to thousands of deaths and total chaos in Iraq.
Now who should get fired???
Dorothy Smith
Seattle, Washington
Gay America
The year is 2010 and the gays have taken over as predicted. Go to http://www.gaymerica.org to see how bad it is.
Renee Anders
Online Reader
Did It Pass?
Did the bond pass? I was wondering what was going on. I all of a sudden
saw signs to vote for the bond, but didn't know what it was. I regret that
I didn't vote and voice my opinion.
R. Ritter
(Editors Note: Yes, both bond issues passed. Don't feel bad about not knowing. School Boards have been hiring political consultants for many years. If they plan the election on a day when no other people or issues are on the ballot, and to get out the vote they want, it's easy to win the election. Your taxes will now be going up.)
Will gas cost $3.00 a gallon?
Back in the early summer oil prices peaked in the $41 a barrel range and the average price of gasoline hit some where near $2 a gallon. Boy Howdy, consumers got concerned. Then, thankfully, the price of oil trended back down and we all took a breath.
That breather though only lasted a short time. The price of oil has been trending back up since August. In fact, oil, at over $54 a barrel, is now about 1/3rd higher than when gasoline prices peaked at around $2 a gallon.
If the ratio of gasoline to oil prices were the same today, the price of gasoline would be some where around $2.66 a gallon.
How is it that the ratio has changed? Why aren't American consumers paying that much?
Is it possible that Oil companies have been eating that increase in order to influence the election? Do you think that Oil Companies want George Bush to be reelected? Do you think they that might forgo a little extra profit in order to help reelect George Bush?
It isn't like they are losing money right now. Far from it. In fact Oil companies are making money hand over foot right now.
Conspiracy theory? Well… we'll see sooner than later. If, after the election, oil prices lunge forward there will be no need to even question it.
Angie Pratt
Do as I say not as I do
I have read letter after letter in both "The Woodlands Villiager "and "The Bulletin and though these papers have their own take on this Election (The Woodlands Villager: to the RIGHT) (The Bulletin to the LEFT) I must finally put my two cents in (It's back down to two cents because the Republicans are in office) that if you look at all the facts on these two candidates the decision should be clear.
John Kerry like my father served his country in the Armed Forces willingly while "BUSH" with help from his Father "W" senior made it very easy for his son to get a "cushy" assignment in the "National Guard". Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the "conservative party" that called Clinton a "Draft Dodger".
I tell you, the Republicans seem to have one motto that sticks in my mind and that is "Do as I say not as I do" well Mr.President although you may call people whom may not agree with you "UNAMERICAN" I'm hear to say that what your doing in IRAQ and to our nation is just that!!
Cheryl
Online Reader
Proud Montgomery County Democrat
In response to the letter to the editor on Sept. 17 by J. Reeves of Willis, Texas, I would like to clarify the following:
The "article" I responded to my letter to the editor on Sept. 3 was on page 2A of the August 27, 2004 Conroe Courier. The article was written by Courier staff reporter Burton Speakman and is entitled, "Wife speaks about hasbands activities in helping Iraq". The article includes a photograph with it and is located at the top of page 2A.
As to your other questions to me:
Yes, I am proud to be a Montgomery County Democrat, being part of its 150 year Democratic history in this county.
Yes, I know how many delegates there are to the political national conventions. One can go on the Internet to get a complete list of the number of delegates from each state. This year the Texas Democratic Party sent 231 delegates and 31 alternates to their national convention (information obtained from the Texas Democratic Party). This year the Texas Republican Party sent 138 delegates to their national convention (information found on the Internet) The two parties have two different accounting systems for getting their specific numbers. Check the party rules of each party if you would like to learn more about delegates and how those numbers are chosen.
Yes, there was a Democratic woman delegate from Montgomery County sent as a National Delegate to the 2000 convention in Los Angeles. And you can be especially proud, as that 2000 National Democratic Woman delegate is a resident of Willis!
I will be happy to answer any more of your political questions. The sharing of factual, sound information strengthens our democracy and enriches our citizenship.
Janis Allen
Spring, Tx
The Great Generation
My Uncle Jim lives in Spokane, Washington. His is an 81-year-old widower. There are six or seven guys he has lunch with who are about the same age and background.
I went to lunch with him and his friends. The conversation got around to politics. Spokane is a conservative bastion so I was shocked to hear these life-long Republicans disparaging Bush. It ran the gamut: the war, erosion or our civil liberties, medicare increases, the weakest economy in history. To a man, they are voting for Kerry and
Edwards. I think the Greatest Generation is coming through again.
Dottie Smith
Seattle, Washington
Thank A Democrat
This winter if you or someone you know gets the flu because they did not get a flu shot, make sure that you thank a trial lawyer for making us dependent on a French and British company for our vaccines. Their greed and avarice made it impossible for American companies to provide for American needs.
The U.S. death toll surged fourfold from 16,263 in 1976-77 to 64,684 in 1998-99, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Flu deaths now average about 36,000 a year, up from 20,000 in previous estimates, according to the CDC. That is 20 to 36 times the casualties in Iraq.
Next thank a Democrat for perpetuating the environment where the right to be compensated for vaccine interaction outweighs the lives saved. The old and the young are most at risk.
Keep that little piece of information in mind when you enter the voting booth this November.
Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas
John Kerry Clearly the better leader
I believe John Kerry showed that he will clearly be the better leader. Bush's knee jerk reactions are not what we need to bring stability to the world. Bush could only remember one theme throughout the debate, and Kerry addressed this perfectly. It was a mistake to attack Iraq so quickly, and unilaterally. He gave the President the authority with his vote, but the President squandered this American support with the rapid rush to attack Iraq.
Douglas Mair
Spring, Tx.
The Election is the Big Game
I am a Democrat, but this years presidential election is like the big game.
And so far Dubya and the Republicans are playing better ball than the Democrats. The GOP has a better ground game, getting their message slowly and steadily across to the american people.
We (the Democrats) are just plainly getting out played (out maneuvered) by the GOP. We have a better message its just not getting heard. Maybe our chosen messenger is not screaming loud enough or maybe too loud. But one thing for sure, people can't say the GOP won because they had more money, the Democrats have raised enormous sums of money also. So if we Democrats lose on Nov.2, come Nov. 3 there can be no excuses like the swift boat veterans, voter tampering, or congressional redistricting.
The 2000 presidential election is a prime example that the game is politics, the stakes are big, and no matter how but whoever gets to 270 wins, period!!!
And thats the bottom line.
A. Westmoreland
Willis, Texas
Libertarians Let Freedom Roll
Bowling lanes are an unlikely location to find political activism- but Libertarians have to take their opportunities where they find
them.
Polk County Libertarians are organizing a bowling tournament, the 2004 Freedom Bowl Singles Handicap, at Polk County's sole bowling alley, Family Recreation between Livingston and Goodrich. The tournament will be held on October 16th with registration beginning at 1 PM, with games played from 2PM to 6 PM.
We have to try new and unusual things if we're going to make changes. Third parties don't do well holding fundraiser dinners, because nobody wants to buy influence with us. It especially doesn't work with Libertarians because we don't want to sell any influence we have.
The Libertarian Party is unlike every other political party, major or minor, in existence. Unlike other political movements, the Libertarians want to make government smaller, weaker, and less prone to abuse- and that includes stopping kickbacks, special favors and corporate welfare for large campaign donors.
Polk County Libertarians have attempted to lure potential voters with food before, even promising on one occasion free lunches to any who would come. These efforts have, without exception, proven failures. We learned that dinners don't bring recruits; dinners are for people who
are already committed, We have to find new venues, not imitate the large establishment parties who sell their favors to the highest bidder.
The tournament, open to the general public, costs $40 to enter and offers
cash prizes based on a share of a prize pool made up of 25% of all entry fees; the Libertarians guarantee a top prize of $100. Children 18 and under may choose to play in the adult tournament or bowl in an amateur competition for only a $30 entry fee.
Winners are determined by three games of scored bowling, with points added
for handicap to make the playing field level. Handicaps are set by two games bowled before the scored games. Even someone who's never bowled before in their life has a chance to win.
The fee covers bowling for five games, shoe and lane rental, trophy costs and use of facilities; any profits will go to support the Polk County Libertarian Party. Side games are also offered to support Libertarian
candidates Michael Badnarik (the Libertarian Presidential nominee) and Tina
Ann Carter (Libertarian candidate for Polk County Tax Assessor).
Bowling attracts ordinary, average people of all ages. It's not regimented by economic or political barriers. It's a great
opportunity to reach people who haven't heard of Libertarians and let them get to know us- to see that we're just like them.
And once people hear the Libertarian message- smaller government, lower
taxes and more freedom to be yourself- they're never satisfied with the old
two choices again. Two-thirds of Americans want a third party, but most of them don't know what kind of third party they want.
It's up to Libertarians to let them know that our message is their message.
"And if we can do that by knocking down a few pins, that makes it all the more fun!"
Kris Overstreet
The Bulletin Prints Both Sides
I have followed the Bulletin for the last couple of years and appreciate what they are doing. A few of my letters have been critical of the papers content and some have been supportive. But, that is life. We will never always agree with each other on issues, but, we should agree to disagree in a friendly way. The Bulletin has always done it's part by being willing to print both sides of issues. I appreciate their efforts to bring diverse opinions before the public.
Jim Becka
Splendora, TX
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
An Open Letter to Jim Jenkins and the Republican Leadership Council:
I am a citizen member of the Montgomery County Library Materials Reconsideration Committee, appointed to this position 2 years ago when your group rather vigorously insisted that citizens be added to the committee. (The contents of this letter are my own, and do not reflect the views of anyone connected with our Montgomery County Library System, the Reconsideration Committee, or the Commissioner who appointed me.)
I have spent almost all of my free time for the last 6 months reading numerous Young Adult and Children's books that have been submitted by your group for reconsideration. All but 2 books shared one thing in common; they either had a homosexual character, or were written by an openly gay author.
When the onslaught of reconsideration requests began, I thought it puzzling that so many different citizens (committee members receive the requests with all identifying information eliminated) had found only books with homosexual characters to submit for review. That's when a neighbor alerted me to a news story she had read about the RLC planning to flood the Reconsideration Committee with so many complaints about “homosexual books” that the we would be unable to handle the workload. Then you could return to Commissioners' Court and ask for a revision to the “obviously ineffective” review process. That sounded a little far-fetched, so I decided to check out this “story” for myself.
I attended the regular RLC meetings in September and October that are held in the South Branch of the Library. This is what I experienced. I was told repeatedly that the librarians in our county have loaded the shelves with pornographic literature, largely focused on homosexuality, and laced with profanity. I was told that there are no classics, mathematics or science books for Young Adults in our libraries. On the “Big Brother” front, I heard that you are constantly on the lookout for ethics violations by Commissioners Chance, Rinehart and Meador (who don't always vote “your way”) because you figure that if you keep it up long enough you can “get them.”
You have asked for, and received the expense records for Mrs. Jerilynn Williams, our highly regarded Library Director; because you are sure she is squandering county taxpayer dollars. Your ire was particularly directed towards her expenses for attending the American Library Association annual meeting, where she was invited to give an important speech on censorship. She was invited because of the national recognition and award she received for successfully defending our County Library from YOUR censorship attempts of 2 years ago. Burns, doesn't it?
Most of this sounded like your usual rhetoric. Your efforts to be Montgomery County's own “Big Brother” were new to me. What really pushed me to write this letter is the RLC-generated flyer that you gave me at both meetings. You announced plans to inundate the county with 100,000 copies to be distributed at polling places during early voting and on Election Day. The flyer is full of innuendo, exaggerations, homophobia, and lies. When I asked to discuss this flyer at the last meeting you, Mr. Jenkins, closed the meeting after my first challenge of your “facts”.
. Instead you asked me to email you if I had any corrections to make to the flyer. Since your flyer is proof that you can distort other people's words to your own interpretation, I have chosen to challenge you in a more public forum. This way if you still decide to distribute your flyer, at least some people will recognize its inaccuracies.
First: You write “our Montgomery County Library System is controlled by the ultra-liberal American Library Association (ALA).” Our system is under County control, and you know it. After all, your group picketed Commissioners Court, not ALA headquarters when you wanted to change library policy.
Second: You claim that a past ALA president, Ann Symons, “says that pornographic materials should be provided to a 13 year-old just as it would be to an adult.” What she says in “Libraries: An American Value” which she co-wrote is “We defend the constitutional rights of all individuals, including children and teenagers, to use the library's resources and services.” You interpreted her statement to mean pornography.
Third: You object to the library system having 62 titles in the Young Adult section that appear on a list from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table of the ALA, and say that the library purposely places these books in the Young Adult section because that is the age range “which homosexuals specifically target and primarily recruit.” These 62 titles represent less than two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) of the YA collection. They are neither lurid nor seductive. Our library system serves the needs of all Montgomery County citizens, even the ones whose lifestyle do not meet your approval. I was unable to substantiate your claim about homosexual recruitment. What is your source of information, Mr. Jenkins?
Fourth: You write: “We have literally hundreds of library books targeting adolescents and children (some as young as four), introducing vulgarity, drugs, pornography, oral sex…in addition to homosexuality.” I checked those sections of the library system and couldn't find the things that you named. My guess is that you are attempting to point out that young people are allowed to check out materials from all sections of the library. That is one reason that library policy states that parents should supervise their children at all times. It is a parent's right and responsibility to guide their children's materials choices, especially if they are as concerned as you are, but materials are chosen to reflect the needs and interests of all of its patrons. In other words, you do not have the right to determine my children's' choices of materials, nor anyone else's children but your own.
Fifth: You state: “Tragically there is no classical literature in the Young Adult (adolescent) section of our county libraries. In one brief check of one YA section I saw Tom Sawyer and Anne of Green Gables. I'm sure there are quite a few more. Classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Macbeth were originally written for adults, but are now part of local school curriculums and, as mentioned above, are readily available to YA patrons in the Adult section.
Sixth: You direct people to a locally produced website that has reproduced selected words and phrases from selected books that are taken entirely out of context, and against copyright laws, and you pronounced them vulgar and pornographic. You specifically refer to a sex education book written for 7-10 year olds that the committee returned to the shelves, but you claim it “targeted” 4 year olds.
Finally: You once again use a book titled Erotic Innocence: The Culture of Child-Molesting as an example of literature in our library system that encourages and attracts pedophiles and has led the county to install surveillance cameras in the libraries. This book that you mention constantly in your attacks on the library system is a scholarly work published by Duke University Press. The author's thesis is that our society has an ongoing fascination with glamorizing young people, dressing them in revealing, attention-getting fashions and making them the focus of media scrutiny. He feels it is unhealthy and affects our attitudes towards young people by making them the focus of sexual attention. Think Shirley Temple, Elizabeth Taylor, Jon Benet Ramsey and some recent Mouseketeer graduates and you'll get the picture. Cameras are in the libraries because the county is being pro-active in maintaining the security of its citizens. There have been no reports of pedophiles in our libraries.
Mr. Jenkins and members of the RLC: You will never gain the respect that you seem to so desperately want if you continue your ongoing “Big Brother” campaign towards our beloved library system and our county leaders. Montgomery County citizens are intelligent and thoughtful. Over the last few years we have learned to take your outrageous claims and exaggerated untruths with a healthy dose of skepticism. Take the higher road and treat others as you would like to be treated, to paraphrase the Golden Rule. And, oh yes, as good citizens I'm sure you will take along recycling containers as you distribute your 100,000 flyers; people like to have a handy receptacle for trash.
Teresa Domino
The Woodlands, TX
Tilting At Windmills
Thank you for producing such a great & refreshing Newspaper. God knows you are a voice in the wilderness but don't lose heart, tilting at windmills may not seem like much of a profession but just imagine what they would get up to if papers like yours were not around to call them to task every now and then.
You're probably too busy to listen but if you ever get that feeling of being all alone, tune into Air America Radio or Sirius Left and discover that there are others out there trying to be heard and make a difference.
Derek Barnes
Houston, TX
The Two Major Parties Rig Elections
I want to thank the more than 82,000 Texans that signed our petition this year to have Libertarian Party candidates on the Nov 2 ballot. Many more registered voters wanted to sign our petition, but due to unfair state laws were prohibited from signing.
Only Libertarians, Democrats, and Republicans will be on the ballot in Texas this year. I think it is unfortunate that Texas has the most difficult ballot access laws in the USA, and that independent candidates such as Ralph Nader are excluded.
The Libertarian Party thinks voters should choose their representatives; the major parties think they can rig elections by choosing the voters. Voters should be empowered, not political party bosses.
I hope you appreciate having another Texan, Michael Badnarik, on the presidential ballot and appreciate the choice of Libertarian candidates for federal, state, and county offices on Nov 2.
Patrick J. Dixon
Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas
America Is Freedom Of Beliefs
Mr. Lebedzinski must understand that just because people don't agree with him and all his rules doesn't mean they are all the names he calls them: "God-haters, immoral, etc.etc.etc."
America is not all peaches and cream and apple pie, as he seems to think. America is people of all beliefs--religions, ethnic groups and races, and sexual lifestyles, and lifestyles in other areas. Where has he been?--in a narrow little cube of his own kind sealed up so nobody can get in or out? His arrogant, hateful attitude is not what I have learned is "Godlike." I guess it depends on your God, but I think an arrogant, judgmental God is despicable. The God I know loves and accepts all its creation because everyone is a spark of God's energy.
We all have a God-chip within us, no matter whether it shows or not. I was taught that arrogant, judgmental ways of thinking and acting keep a person's God-chip (light) from shining through to the outside.
Mr. Lebedzinski would be surprised if he broke out of his cube and sampled the real world and the real America. He should try it sometime--read, travel, learn! Each person is responsible for his own soul. Almost all major religions say that there are natural consequences built into the universe for each person's actions (you reap what you sow).
Nobody is the judge and jury or can make the rules for anybody else, even they try to. Live by your own rules and leave everyone else alone. If Mr. Lebedzinski is a Christian, I certainly wouldn't recognize it by his hateful comments. He needs to know there are a lot of different brands of Christian besides his brand, which gives it a bad name. Anyone can blatantly state their rules and then say they are "Christian." I wonder if he lives what he preaches to others. Remember the saying "what you do speaks so loudly that I can't hear what you are saying!”
Betty Killbuck
Jenkin's Jihad
Kudos on your article "Jenkins' Jihad" in the October 8 issue. As a librarian, I truly believe no one person or organization should be able to limit another's choice of reading materials. I also believe all the public, including children and teens, should be given a wide and varied collection of materials from which to choose.
It is a parent's right and responsibility to supervise their children's reading choices, to guide them in selecting appropriate materials. But that parent does not have the right to restrict the reading materials of children other than their own. Evidently, the RLC believes that their leadership has that right.
The RLC claims that there are no classics in the library suitable for children and young adults. What about Anne of Green Gables? Little House on the Prairie? Blue Willow? Little Women? There are scores of other classics available from the library. Those who claim otherwise must not visit the very library system they criticize.
The citizens of Montgomery County need to discover for themselves what is really available in their library and not depend on the misleading and untruthful information distributed by Jim Jenkins and others in the RLC.
Twillia J. Liles
Conroe, TX
A False Sense Of Security
The major news media of the U.S are so focused on defeating George Bush and installing their communist darling John Kerry as President that they are endangering the American people.
While major news media relentlessly report on every minor negative thing they can find about the current administration, they neglect to report the fact that terrorists are intent on detonating nuclear weapons in
Americas largest cities.
The threat is real. It is known by American intelligence that Al Qaeida is in possession of suitcase nuclear weapons with yields of 100 kilotons and more. And these murderers swear by allah they will
destroy America with these weapons. Why are the media not reporting these facts? Americans need to know the truth about the nature of the threat facing our nation. Our government alone cannot protect the nation from this threat. Every citizen of this country must be involved in our own protection. But without news media reporting the truth
about this threat it doesn't seem as urgent as it truly is. Therefore, most Americans are complacent and believe that the government has everything under control. A false sense of security, indeed.
Tony Collins
Gilmer, TX
Keep Your Freedom... Vote!
Many people could care less about voting and try to avoid it. The most common response is, "They will put into office who they want anyway". My question is who is they?
I say "They" are the citizens who are to lazy to vote. The ones who have deliberately chosen to throw away his or her right to have a voice in our government. "They" are the ones that have decided to let a few people decide almost every aspect of their lives. "They" are the ones with who have no expectations, no dreams, and no ambitions.
"Their indifference to vote could permit dishonest people to gain control of government offices whether it is city, county, state, or federal. "They" create a district controlled by a dishonest political machine.
We as citizens must vote! We must be attentive and keep our eyes on the look out for dishonest party workers who try and buy the vote. We, as citizens, must eliminate the "indifference to vote attitude "They" have.
Although we live in modern times, dishonesty is still an issue and is more real today then ever before. Whether you are rich or poor, we all get one vote at the polls. Cast yours in the next election, don't become a "They".
Benjamin Franklin was once asked, "What kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin? A Republic or a Monarchy? "A Republic", he answered, "If you keep can keep it."
Let's keep our Republic, VOTE... It counts and your freedom depends on it.
Tommy Burrow
Conroe, TX.
Hitler Hated The Liberals
In response to Paul Lebedzinski Hitler Would Love Liberals"
Mr. Paul Lebedzinski : Here are a few Facts about Adolf Hitler:
1. Hitler was a fervent Christian ( This information has been removed from most high school history books) He belived in no separation of church and state and used religion to support his political ambitions
2. Hitler first campaigned against the liberals, then the communists and finally the Jews.
3. Hitler had all protester removed from his politcal rallys at first, later on they were shot
4. Hitler had a program to eliminate all the homosexuals
5. Hitler was an isolationist and removed Germany from the league of Nations claiming conspiracies against the Mother Country.
6. Hitler was strong proponent of family values as he defined them.
I believe sharing core values is a poor thing to base your decision for a leader on. I can name many horrible leaders in history who you share values with but you would not chose to be governed by them. Take Joseph Stalin he installed a law against Abortion--- would you vote for him?
David Hanks
You Have To See It To Believe It
You were brilliant to publish the actual letter that Jim Doyle wrote!
Dear God, did that homophobic idiot manage to graduate from high school? He
was definitely a child left behind!
Keep up the good work!
Bidwell Drake,
Conroe, TX
Outstanding Work
Mark, Outstanding. I'm forwarding it to many friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Kyle Harding
Who Is The Incumbent?
A complaint was filed today with the State Ethics Committee due to the fact
Kevin Brady mailed out a pamphlet as he was the incumbent in these counties.
He is Not! He is a candidate as James Wright is. This is another example of how we can trust him again breaking the rules. Consider these things when you vote!
Money first you second.
Neva Owens
Can We Come With You?
I found your site as I tried to find how to get a Kerry-Edwards yard sign. Mine was taken from my yard after less than one week of being put up. I suppose I should be happy that it stayed up almost a week. It was more than 25 feet from the street, about 12 feet from my front porch. As a single female who moved to this state on August 4, 2004 I am concerned to know that someone has been that close to my front window. one that can be stepped in if it is broken.
Not one of my friends in North Carolina encouraged me to move to Texas. In fact, I was actively discouraged from doing so. I decided that having great grandparents, and a grandfather born in Texas, and, although Mother was born across the border in Louisiana, she was reared in Houston--and taught me that I was privileged to be born in Texas--I would come back to the state to live after having left it as a toddler. Either Mother was brainwashed by the propaganda of her schooling and early life in Houston--or things have changed, mightily, for the worse. After nearly three months in Texas I am ashamed to tell my friends that they were correct and I made a gigantic error. I've a beautiful house on Lake Conroe that I am willing to sell for exactly what I have invested--not a penny more.
By the way, I sent an e-mail to the Conroe Democrat site to ask where I can pick up a yard sign. There's not time enough to wait for the mail.
Your site is interesting. I will return.
Gwendoline Y. Fortune, Ed. D.
Montgomery, TX.
How many smart bombs would one stupid person have to use to blow up ammunition?
The Bush invasion of Iraq has been dreadful. The only facilities they protected were the oil fields and oil ministry. So they thought of the aftermath, they just didn't care for anything but Iraqi oil.
Bush fired the entire country: Police,
army, civil servants. Bush did not provide security. He did not protect hospitals, mosques, schools, government buildings, museums, the electric grid, water and sewage facilities, nothing but Iraqi oil.
Now we find out that 380 tons of high
explosives are missing. Bush didn't guard
the ammunition dumps. What was he thinking? And worst of all, he has kept this fact a secret. He has known for two weeks and didn't tell us. What else is he hiding? No matter your political bent, you must realize what a bungler Bush is, a bungler on all counts.
I hope John Kerry is elected November 2, at least we will have a person that will put
thought before action, prudence before arrogance.
Dan Lavielle
Seattle, Washington
Hood-Winked By The Right
I picked up the Bulletin the other day at McKenzies Bar-b-q in Conroe. I am impressed with your bravery to print the truth in this county/community.
I am 48 years old and was born and raised here. I'm constantly trying to inform people of how they've been hood-winked by the Right-Wing Republican Conservative machine.
Richard M. IV
Oh where, oh where has Osama bin Laden gone
Oh where, oh where can he be? It seems to me that that is a pretty straightforward question. How come it isn't being asked? How come it isn't a big deal in this election? How come America's number 1 enemy is still on the lose and still advocating and facilitating terrorist attacks all over this world? How is it Osama bin Laden is still operating?
Let's take this a step at a time.
Where is Osama bin Laden? There are 2 basic thoughts on this. He is either somewhere on or near the Afghanistan-Pakistani border or he is being held by the Bush Administration in order to bang the buck. They're waiting on a good time (a week before the election?) to make a formal announcement that they have succeeded in bring this criminal to justice.
It is the latter possibility that answer's the next question. How come it isn't being asked? How come it isn't a big deal in this election? In other words, Democrats are not screaming at the top of their lungs about this failure because they honestly believe that Osama bin Laden is already in US custody.
Now isn't this a sad commentary on the state of politics in America? Half of the population believes that the Republicans in power are so corrupt as to be willing to lie to the American public. They are in fact so afraid that this is true that they are not willing to clobber the Bush administration over the head with this failure. They are afraid that the Republicans will pull the Osama bin Laden rabbit out of the hat and clobber them with it instead.
Well…. I believe that if there is no risk there is no glory. The Democrats need to swallow their fears and step up to the microphone. The Bush administration's politics of fear cannot be allowed to succeed.
Now … if the Bush administration doesn't have Osama bin Laden held in secret custody, why don't they? The answer is that the Bush administration has not met its obligations with respect to fighting the true sources of terror. They have been sidetracked by the Iraqi war quagmire.
For the Bush administration to say that the world is safer now is ludicrous. More people around the world hate Americans than ever before. Since the American Indian wars, America has killed the most innocent sons, fathers, daughters, mothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins in the invasion of Iraq. A rule of thumb is for every civilian the army kills you piss off about 10. 1 or 2 of those 10 are mad enough to seek revenge.
The military isn't the weapon of choice against terrorism. Terrorism comes from a state of mind and has to be fought on the local level. It is a job for the police and intelligence operatives.
The problem now of course is that Bush's Iraq war can't be simply walked away from. It's about time that this fact is recognized. And… that means we will have to spend many more precious resources – American blood and American dollars. But let's not reward Bush for his mistakes. Let's not send the wrong message.
In the mean time…. Osama bin Laden is maybe free and then… maybe not.
Angie Pratt
Flush The Johns
I celebrated my 18th birthday by joining the United States Army. I wanted to go to
Viet Nam to fight the communists. I got my wish; from October of 1969 to October of 1970 I was in the central highlands of the Republic of South Viet Nam. Unlike JF Kerry I found the Vietnamese to be an honorable, industrious people worthy of the fight to protect them from communism. I did not see a lot of action there, but my life was in danger to varying degrees, every day for my one year tour.
Now I mention this not to wear it as a badge. Not to go into my boss’s office and demand his job because he did not go. I don’t crow about it, brag or call people cowards for getting deferments. I only wish to put my following statements in context.
I returned from Viet Nam with the normal commendations for doing a soldier’s job. I received no purple heart, nor did I want one. I had no political aspirations. I wanted to be on the giving side. I wanted to provide “Charlie” with as many as possible.
My tour of duty is imprinted into my memory. It rests within me and gives me strength in hard times. Friends made, friends lost; a teenager became a man in a far off alien country. A lot of my memories have now become hazy; over thirty-four years can do that.
What has not become hazy is the treatment I got on my return home. I received what I call my “hardened hearts”.
The first was handed to me in the Seattle Airport where, in uniform; I was waved over by a beautiful young woman. After a year away from home my heart was fluttering, until she called me a “baby killer”. I was hurt but I shrugged it off. My next award occurred when I was outside walking down a street trying to hail a taxi. An “Easy Rider” Peter Fonda look-alike on a Harley made a corner. I looked at him with an admiration of the free spirit he appeared to exemplify. He flipped me off and spewed expletives in my direction (from a safe distance). At this point I felt a jolt of anger, and my heart began to ossify.
My last hardened heart, one of cold steel, came in April of 1971 when John “turncoat” Kerry testified that my fellow soldiers and I were war criminals committing atrocities on a daily basis. His fallacious testimony gave aid and comfort to our enemy while we had soldiers in the field and prisoners in the Hanoi Hilton. He played a major role in the portrayal of brave men as “baby killers”. He established himself as the “New Soldier” as his book states, just like the new patriots who turn their back on the flag during the national anthem.
The typical democrat peaceniks that despised me because of my uniform I would expect to have a disdain for the military, but now we have Senator JF Kerry wanting me to forget what he did after he left Viet Nam. Now over the years my hardened hearts have been softened by marriage, children and working hard on my own American dream. But now this patrician collaborator wants to be my president. The man who created an environment where returning soldiers were spit at and castigated as “baby Killers” wants to be Commander –in-Chief.
My heart is not as hard as it was, but my mind is still sharp enough to see a lying manipulative, opportunistic, hero of the Vietnamese resistance when he reports for duty. Flush the John’s.
Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas
Y'all
After reading the letters in your paper I've concluded you have a lot of liberal kooks, in Texas too. And we can send you a bunch more to go along with'em, If you wouldn't mind. We got a slug of those suckers. No pun intended!
Loyal Griggs
Bend, Oregon
Can We Avoid The Draft?
Rumor has it the Bush Administration
is preparing to reinstate the draft
after the election. He's confident
he'll be re-elected.
How can we avoid a draft if we continue
Bush's policies?
Helen Terry
Who made the big mistake?
I have been watching “60 Minutes” since I was a young man at the age of fourteen. While most of my friends were playing touch football in the streets on Sunday evenings I was glued to the television set for one hour. This television news magazine has been a prime source of information for me over the years and in my opinion they offer the best investigative reporting in the United States. I could write pages of stories reported on this program but I would like to mention one to the American people as a reminder to let them decide just how well this program has served them.
It wasn’t too many years ago when “60 Minutes” discovered that the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company was deceiving the American public on the harm that cigarette smoking caused. Their guest that night was Dr. Jeffrey Wigand[1] (Former Vice President of Research and Development) for Brown & Williamson. It was disclosed that his company was placing a known carcinogen in its tobacco products that enhanced the intake of nicotine within the human body. This disclosure was made after all the major tobacco companies had testified before Congress that they believed tobacco was non-addictive.
Prior to airing this story “60 Minutes” was threatened with a lawsuit if it pursued this story any further. With the vast financial resources of the tobacco industry there was a real threat that Brown & Williamson could literally end up owning CBS. CBS aired the story anyway because they strongly felt the American public needed to know the danger these tobacco products posed.
I am writing this letter because I feel a need to defend Dan Rather and “60 Minutes.” It was a disappointment for me when Dan Rather left “60 Minutes” (The Sunday evening program) to anchor the CBS Evening News. They have continued to report stories of high caliber and are very keen in choosing “TOP NOTCH” reporters for their program.
Dan Rather made a serious mistake because he didn’t do his homework before airing a story. Now Republicans want him out.
George W. Bush made a serious mistake because he didn’t do his homework before going to war. Now Democrats want him out.
Which mistake has cost American lives?
Dan Adams
Weapons of Mass Destruction
The weapons you are looking for are currently unavailable. The country might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your weapons inspectors mandate.
Please try the following: Click the Regime change button, or try again later.
If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make
sure that it is spelled correctly. (IRAQ).
To check your weapons inspector settings, click the UN menu, and then click
Weapons Inspector Options. On the Security Council tab, click Consensus. The
settings should match those provided by your government or NATO.
If the Security Council has enabled it, The United States of America can examine your country and automatically discover he Weapons of Mass Destruction.
If you would like to use the CIA to try and discover them, click Detect weapons
Some countries require 128 thousand troops to liberate them. Click the Panic
menu then click About US foreign policy to determine what regime they will install.
If you are an Old European Country trying to protect your interests, make sure
your options are left wide open as long as possible. Click the Tools menu, and then e click on League of Nations. On the Advanced tab, scroll to the Head in the Sand section and check settings for your exports to Iraq.
Click the Bomb button if you are Donald Rumsfeld.
Sung
'Jon Carie Is The Stupider One
Our' President George Bush represents the "salt of the earth folks".Honest, straightforward, plain spoken, and God fearing (and often low income), When these Spineless, phoney, Elitists, Liberal, Democrat snobs call our President "stupid" because of the way he speaks (and
particularly because of his "Christian" faith) they are also clearly calling us Christian low income folks stupid. I am one of those stupid, low income (Ret. on S.S.), plain spoken, Christian (Catholic) people. So
I feel I'm qualified to tell these Democrat snobs what is really stupid.
Really stupid is 'still' calling Pres. Bush stupid even after he's beaten them from the great State of Texas Governorship, to the White House, being elected our 'Commander in Chief'--now that's really stupid! (ask former Texas, Democratic, Gov Ann "Silver Foot" Richards if "GW" is
stupid)
So...My question to Jon Carie and the Democrats is " if GW. and us plain spoken folks like him are as stupid as they say we are, and our "GW". keeps beating these Elitist's Democratic snobs against all odds, then where does that leave these Liberal Elitists Democrat's on the Intellectual curve??"
And stupider yet, they are even making fun of us folks who have been the 'backbone' (that's fast becoming past tense) of the Democratic Party, us low income folks. For example; using Liberal Demo-rat "James "Woodpecker brains" Carvel, of ; (I quote him) "Drag a hunnert dollar bill through a trailer park and see what you get" fame, to demean us and try to make us
look like a bunch of low life moron's.
We may not be as smoothly spoken as these Liberal, Intellectual, Democrat
snobs, but a lot of us simple, plain spoken folks have damn good memories--and the common sense to vote for a President who has "common sense".
Paul Lebedzinski
Huntsville, TX
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