Star-Telegram.com: Letters to the Editor

LETTERS/Oct. 13: Low voter turnout in Crowley far from 'message’

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

Contrary to letters in the Star-Telegram, Crowley school district taxpayers did not send a strong message by defeating a proposed tax increase.

Just a little over 4 percent of eligible voters showed. The only thing that is evident is the fact that not only did the residents of the school district not show up, the employees who live in the district didn’t bother either.

I have lived and paid taxes in Crowley for 25 years and put two kids through the schools. What the taxpayers owe the students is the right to learn in a school building, and not a portable; the right to benefit from an agricultural or career and technology education center; and the right to have quality staff teach in these facilities.

Since the proposed tax increase did not pass, it will be the students of the district who suffer.

— Randy Reaves, Crowley

Pay attention to recipes

As a nutritionist, I applaud your effort to encourage your readers to make homemade soups, especially now that the weather is turning cooler, and as an inexpensive meal option as we are trying to save on our grocery bills. However, the three recipes you offered in the Oct. 8 Your Life and Food section are no nutritional bargains.

With this country’s increasing concern about obesity, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, responsible nutrition guidelines stress increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans, and reducing fat and sodium.

Yet two of the three recipes, Butternut Squash and Potato Chowder, have 44 percent and 54 percent of calories from fat (30 percent is recommended) and the third recipe, Chipotle Chicken Soup, which is low-fat, has almost 1,000 mg. of sodium (2,300 mg. is recommended for a total daily intake). If your readers want high fat and high sodium, all they have to do is buy canned soup!

— Marsha Abeson, Fort Worth

Good job, Bob

After reading "Sitting on a pile of cash: Team owner Jerry Jones may rake in hundreds of millions of dollars from personal seat licenses, suite sales" (Sept. 28), I’m reminded again of what a great job Mayor Robert Cluck did negotiating the deal for Jones — uh, I mean Arlington.

— James Withaeger, Arlington

Speaking of Cowboys . . .

On Oct. 6, it was sad that out of a very slim paper, not only were two of the six sections sports coverage, but you had to take up more than a third of the front page with Cowboys coverage as well.

I have read more than one letter asking you to keep sports in the sports section. Maybe you could offer a cheaper, no-sports subscription at one-third less cost for those of us who remove the sports sections before we read the paper. If not, please keep the sports in the designated sections.

— Barbara Campbell, Arlington

When do I get mine?

According to Louise Appleman, president of the TCC board of trustees, the college and its board are now in the investment business. Apparently, nationally based developers are inquiring about the land that was to be used for the now defunct downtown project, which caused her to claim, "It is indicative of how valuable all that property is," and, "It gives me hope that we can sell it and return our investment to the coffers."

I would only be remiss if I didn’t remind Appleman that it isn’t her or the board’s money to invest, and to do so is unlawful. Also, the money came from us "coffers" who paid escalating property taxes for this "investment."

FOCUS ON/Oct. 13: Biodiesel needed in energy plans

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

There is more potential for a "junk fuel" engine than ever in using compressed natural gas to fuel vehicles.

The engine was presented at the 1900 World’s Fair and ran on peanut oil. It was the original "alternative fuel" engine and, still to this day, the most efficient.

I hope this will spark someone’s interest to look deeper into diesel and its future potential as a major component in getting us away from foreign energy dependence.

In the last eight to 10 years, there have been astounding advances in diesel engine technology. I believe this is largely because some companies are finally understanding how powerful and especially how efficient these engines are.

I would like to see provisions in any national energy plan to encourage companies, especially small businesses, to pursue research and development of biodiesel fuels. There already is research being done here to grow algae to produce biodiesel.

Brazil — the world’s leader in ethanol production and usage — is working on developing biodiesel out of the same sugar cane being used to produce ethanol — which, by the way, is far more efficient than corn-based ethanol.

Sugar cane produces more BTUs than corn and uses a fraction of the farmland to grow it.

If America adds the diesel engine to an energy plan, it could effectively lessen the amount of time we are dependent on foreign energy sources.

— Bill Thompson, North Richland Hills

CAMPAIGN LETTERS/Oct. 13: North Texas elections

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

Fickes is the best choice

Regardless of your party affiliation, when each of us goes to cast our votes Nov. 4, one of those votes will be to ensure that Northeast Tarrant County builds an economically sound future. That vote should be for Gary Fickes. While we live in different cities and towns with many of our own local priorities, we are part of the same dynamic county, a county blessed with transportation hubs that have put us on the map.

Even during these tough economic times, our current county leadership understands that the future of Northeast Tarrant County will be in our ability to move both people and goods quickly and efficiently. Our current commissioner has fought for state and regional money to improve our highways. He is a leader in our state’s efforts to bring light rail to our back yard.

Proven, tested, fiscally responsible leadership is something all of us can agree on. Please, for the county, vote to re-elect Gary Fickes.

— Laura K. Hill, Southlake

Through Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes’ leadership, he has lowered the county tax rate. He has experience with our transportation matters — and has seen from concept to completion both the FM 1709 and State Highway 114 projects. Because of his compassion for his constituents, he has served as the chairman of the board of trustees of Harris Methodist H.E.B. Hospital and as a board member from 1996 to the present and he championed a new JPS health care clinic, which opened in Watauga this past summer.

This is a true record of a man who fights for Tarrant County’s best interest. His opponent is using misinformation and scare tactics. Gary is a man of his word — a clear difference.

— Leigh Wambsganss, Southlake

Gary Fickes has long been one of the guiding lights in Northeast Tarrant County. The economic miracle that is Southlake owes much of its success to his time as mayor, when so much was done that underlies today’s Southlake. He and then Colleyville Mayor Ed Baker are responsible for the improved State Highway 114 that goes out to the race track. Without their work on this road, it would still be a country road.

Gary has always been one of our strongest leaders in the area. We are very lucky to have him on the commissioner’s court, and we urge you to return him there.

— Alice and Clif Holliday, Colleyville

Our family is proud to support Gary Fickes for Precinct 3, county commissioner. I am impressed and pleased with the tough positions Gary has taken when it comes to cutting wasteful spending and lowering taxes while still working to meet the incredible needs of Precinct 3.

Gary is known throughout the state for his energy and expertise in transportation, which have resulted in critically needed highway improvements on projects such as Airport Freeway, Loop 820 North, the Grapevine Funnel and FM 1938.

I have also seen first-hand his passion for affordable quality healthcare at JPS as he led the efforts to establish the new Gertrude Tarpley Health Clinic in Watauga and three new JPS school-based clinics.

Precinct 3 is fortunate to have the experience and dedication of a true fiscal conservative on the commissioner’s court who still understands the demands of our county, and, most importantly, who pays the bills.

— Trent and Mary Petty, Keller

Re-elect Cosby

I served on a jury in Judge Don Cosby’s court in August. It was my first experience as a juror. I found it very interesting, thanks to Cosby. He took the time to explain all of the procedures. He takes the extra steps to ensure that both sides of the case and the jury are well-informed. The thing that most impressed me was that Cosby was genuinely appreciative of each juror’s time. He recognized that jury duty is probably not on anyone’s wish list but that it is necessary for our government to work properly. It will be my privilege to vote for him.

— Carol Tiemann, Fort Worth

Pick Pierson

FOCUS ON/Oct. 12: Thieves are watching. You should be, too

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:50 CDT

On Aug. 16, my husband and I stopped at the Camp Bowie Mercantile Antique Store. I hid my purse under the front seat.

About an hour later, we found that our car window had been smashed and my purse taken. Another person at the same place had her car broken into also.

In my purse was my Visa card, driver’s license, gasoline credit cards, checkbook, my medication and other personal items. It took the police about 30 minutes to arrive. In the meantime, the thief or thieves had time to use the Visa card at CVS, Chicken Express and the list goes on. Besides the credit cards, they used my personal checks to write several to Valero, plus a 24-hour fitness place — 13 checks in all.

We kept track by calling the detective in charge and were eventually referred to the District Attorney’s office.

But without our being notified, a suspect — a young woman in her 20s — was taken to court and given 60 days, only. No community time, no counseling, nothing.

The prosecutor said the woman was poor and not working and it was her first offense, etc. They considered it not that important.

I am 71. We live on Social Security, and we certainly are not rich. We called the prosecutor’s office again and my husband was told that I should have not left my purse in the car. That is true, but it was locked, and what right did the thieves have to break a window and take it?

Other suspects were caught and are waiting trial. Will they get another slap on the wrist and start the cycle up again?

— Shirley Keyser, Fort Worth

LETTERS/Oct. 12: Outrage over latest AIG deal

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:50 CDT

After reading "Feds agree to more money for AIG" (Oct. 9), I thought I might not understand "why" they need the extra $37.8 billion on top of the $85 billion we gave them.

But I do understand the $440,000 that the executives spent on a meeting at a spa hotel one week after receiving the taxpayers’ hard-earned money. It is outrageous they had planned another meeting in Half Moon Bay, Calif.

To cancel and hold the meeting in their own facilities might cost a penalty but nowhere near what it will cost the taxpayer to hold it as planned!

These people must be taught an economic lesson that middle-class Americans already know or are learning the hard way: "You can’t spend it, if you don’t have it!

— Pat Connolly, Arlington

They pass a bailout because this country is in big trouble and then both the parties attach pork-barrel items to it so we can spend more money that we don’t have. The government bails out AIG and what do they do? They spit in the face of the taxpayer and throw a nice expensive "get away" to celebrate.

When this becomes public knowledge what does Washington do? Give them more money.

I retired two years ago and now I’m wondering if I’m going to have to go back to work or if I could even find a job. I hold everyone in Washington from the president right on down responsible. They’ve all been too busy being Democrats or Republicans to worry about being Americans.

If I had my way, on Nov. 4 everyone would be voted out and we’d start new. People are slamming Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Barack Obama for not having experience. Well, look what all the people with experience have done to us. Maybe on-the-job training isn’t such a bad thing.

— Marti Heath, Fort Worth

The boards also are at fault

I am a CEO. That is not too popular a job in today’s economic climate. Like many others, I am appalled at the behavior and greed of CEOs who put themselves before the entity they lead.

Wise CEOs learn to pass the praise on to the staff and take the bullets themselves.

However, a CEO is still an employee, subject to the ultimate authority, the board of directors. Certainly blame should be laid at the feet of greedy CEOs, but blame is more rightly targeted at the boards that would allow such.

From the local school board to the nonprofit board to the corporate board, wisdom lies in the practice of a diverse group of individuals governing policy and programs, which include CEO compensation.

I yearn for the day when all boards operate with such integrity.

— Glenn Newberry, president/CEO, Foster’s Home for Children, Stephenville

TCC west side campus

Has it not occurred to the Tarrant County College board in the midst of the new downtown campus controversy that the only area not served is west Fort Worth? There are campuses in far south, far northeast and far northwest Tarrant County, but nothing for the west side where one is actually needed.

— Marcelle Houston Borgers, Fort Worth

Earn it

LETTERS/Oct. 11: A billion here, a billion there ...

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

Read in the Oct. 8 Star-Telegram about NASA spending $1.5 billion for the Mars Science Laboratory (maybe added on to the $400 million for the cost of the last mission and to add a new SUV-size rover to the mix). Oh and if we delay the mission to 2010 or 2011, it might add $300 million.

Everett Dirksen, the late Illinois senator, once supposedly said, "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking real money."

Could someone please explain to me why, in these financially strapped times, we are spending big money to go to Mars to look at rocks to determine if there was once life there? I understand the jobs that the space program provides to a select few, and cordless drills, Teflon and maybe digital photos being offshoots are a good thing, but still.

I have lost my Fannie — Mae — in my retirement fund in the last few weeks, so I am not crazy about looking at rocks on Mars or a new fighter plane (we already have the best in the world). And why are we still sending money all around the world in foreign aid to a lot of people who hate us? I think our congressmen and the executive branch should lose their fannies in their own cushy retirement funds like we have for them to become responsible spenders like I am.

— Ron Criswell, Grapevine

The start of the crisis

There’s no argument that we are in a severe economic bind — the worst in more than 75 years. The administration is getting a great deal of the blame for the problem — most of it is well-deserved, but not all.

The roots go back to 1981 and the advent of supply-side economics — a nice way of saying "trickle-down." President George H. W. Bush called it "voodoo economics," and the architect of the policy, David Stockman, later renounced it.

Nevertheless, the Reagan administration implemented it with giant tax cuts for business and the rich (a massive upward transfer of wealth) and the goal of deregulating the economy and weakening unionism.

The national debt was less than $2 trillion. After 28 years of supply-side, the debt has passed $10 trillion. Were it not for the eight Clinton years, it would be much higher.

We had the best chance of averting the current disaster in 2001 by continuing the successful Clinton plan that was producing large surpluses. Instead, the George W. Bush administration returned to the flawed supply-side policies.

Any top-heavy structure, including an economy, is prone to failure — the pyramids with their wide bases have endured for thousands of years.

The Bush administration’s initial proposal of a top-down approach in this crisis — "feed the foxes so they can devour more chickens" — was solidly rejected by both Republicans and Democrats.

Thankfully, they all came together on a saner plan. Hope it wasn’t too late.

— Carl V. Flores, Grandview

Look at the history

Our current financial crisis may not be so current. Let’s go back past 1929 when banks made investments with customers’ monies. Banks were not regulated as now, so failure of banks and the stock market were inevitable. Next came the election of Franklin Roosevelt and the signing of a bill regulating banks, insuring depositors’ monies and prohibiting banks from operating as investment bankers.

Suddenly we have banks acting as investment bankers once again, this time dealing in questionable real estate mortgage loans, and the deals have gone south. Have banks violated a law? Is this the result of President Bush and his administration or current Congress?

Before you pass judgment, consider that during the presidency of Bill Clinton, he signed a bill, proffered by Congress, which effectively reverted back to the pre-1929 banking rules regarding investment banking using depositors’ monies. A rather large number of new banks sprang up overnight as a result, only now to fail.

There was only slight mention of this in the mainstream media, then it was buried — too close to election time, I suppose. This really isn’t about the best or worst of presidents, but about qualifications of all leaders in Washington. Take pause this election year and choose wisely.

FOCUS ON/Oct. 11: A moment that changed a life

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

To the family and friends of Texas Army National Guard Sgt. Anthony Luke Mason:

I was a member of the contingent of Patriot Guard Riders present in Springtown during Sgt. Mason’s visitation on Oct. 2.

While we were standing on the flag line, several family members shook our hands and thanked us for being there.

Many other people thanked us and several times we were asked if we needed food or drink.

You lost a friend and loved one during service to this country and you were thanking me? (See: "Crash of helicopter took lives of 4 Texans," Sept. 21)

With all due respect, you have it backward. It is I who should be thanking you.

Thank you for raising, nurturing and supporting an individual like Sgt. Mason, who was willing to serve his country so selflessly.

Thank you for your sacrifices during the course of his service as well, as I know families of military members serve, too.

Thank you for showing graciousness to strangers during such a difficult time.

Thank you for displaying grace and dignity as to be an example for all to emulate.

Thank you for allowing me to honor Sgt. Mason, and you, in some small way.

I do not possess the skill to explain how profoundly your actions have affected me, but I will never be the same and for that, I thank you.

— Carl Mason, Fort Worth

FOCUS ON/Oct. 10: Sex ed in schools hasn’t worked

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:39 CDT

According to Allison Marks, the promotion of contraception in schools’ sex education would eliminate unwanted babies, and thus end child abuse. (See: "Abstinence-only sex ed not the answer," Sept. 27)

As I recall, that was one of the arguments for legalizing abortion.

Thirty-plus years later, we’re still troubled by such horror.

So that wasn’t a solution. And, it increased the murder of children, in and out of the womb.

For the sake of argument, let’s say contraception is taught, along with abstinence.

Who will force teens to go that route?

I know of several young girls who have given birth in their teens.

Surely they’d heard of condoms. Maybe they wanted to have babies, not fully realizing the challenges of motherhood.

I do agree that the teens need parenting education. They need to understand the difficulties involved in caring for a totally dependent infant or toddler. It’s 24/7!

As to "people who have no business with even one child," to whom would Allison give that authority to decide which people are qualified — the government?

Sounds rather Third Reich-ish.

No, the real answer lies in moral teaching, which abstinence education recognizes.

Why is it wrong — and answerable to God — to have sex outside of marriage?

Because in His wisdom He knows the best way for a child to be born and raised is in a loving family.

If only that could be taught in our public schools!

— Carolyn Allen, Benbrook

LETTERS/Oct. 10: If you really want change in Washington, limit their terms

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:39 CDT

It is time to limit the terms of Congress. I do not believe that there are any valid reasons not to. The excuses — that bureaucrats, staff and lobbyists would run Washington and that seniority is a good thing — are no longer valid.

Does anyone really believe that Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., knows what is going on? Has anyone seen him making a speech in the Senate lately? How about Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska? Would he be in trouble if term limits had been in place?

Wake up and take a big dose of reality: bureaucrats, staff and lobbyists run Washington.

Senators should be limited to one eight-year term, representatives to four two-year terms and presidents to one six-year term. We would not have had this financial meltdown if term limits had been in place. Feeding at the public trough at the taxpayers’ expense should not be a person’s right. It ought to be a crime.

— B. L. "Larry" Moss III, Fort Worth

Keep Pierson

For my entire life I have been under-represented in government. Less than 20 percent of our representatives in the Texas House are female, yet females make up at least 50 percent of the population. Women need equal representation.

Paula Pierson is a mother and a grandmother, and she knows what families and women need, and she will represent us in Austin.

I went to the League of Women Voters Forum recently and saw Paula Pierson and Bill Burch answer questions from the audience of constituents. I was embarrassed for Burch. He was so immature, rude and inattentive to the audience that people actually booed him. We need someone who can handle leadership in Austin as our state representative, and from what I saw at that event, I can’t trust Burch to do that.

— Erin Baltensperger, Arlington

Brimer signs

I was surprised to notice that Kim Brimer’s signs don’t include the word "Republican." If Brimer believes that his chances of winning in historically Republican Tarrant County are not helped by proclaiming his party affiliation, then maybe it is true that "the times they are a-changin’."

— Rick Disney, Fort Worth

If three sitting senators and one sitting governor can run for president and vice-president, what is wrong with Wendy Davis, a former Fort Worth City Council member, running for state Senate?

— Don Cutler, Arlington

Re-elect Truitt

Vicki Truitt is very deserving of re-election in District 98, a position she has held for the last 10 years. In the last legislative session, Vicki passed more bills than any other House member — close to three times the House average. Through her hard work and diligence, she has established herself as a very responsible leader and gained much respect from her fellow legislators.

Vicki is also very responsive to the needs of individuals. As a personal example, she helped to resolve a conflict with the gas company to get the gas turned back on at my mother’s house just prior to the temperature plummeting to below freezing.

Since my mother is bedridden and relies on gas heaters for warmth, an immediate resolution to the problem was needed and only made possible with Vicki’s help.

— Elizabeth Sheppard, Richland Hills

LETTERS/Oct. 10: Readers comment on the presidential race

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:39 CDT

Take third choice

The recent Wall Street bailout has made one thing perfectly clear: the United States is no longer a constitutional republic where our elected officials act as representatives of the people. I am not sure when we lost this principle, but I know that as long as we retain our two-party system of Democrats and Republicans, the people will not regain control of government.

Special interest groups finance both. In turn, the parties choose the candidates. How is this different from a communist country where you can vote for any candidate as long as that candidate is a party member?

If we truly want change in Washington, we must inject a new party into the political mix. I have chosen Libertarian because many of the ideals represent what our country was founded on and because it is one of the few independent parties to have garnered strong support. Whatever party you choose, please consider that the only way we as citizens can make a difference is through our vote.

— Irene Kjornes, Fort Worth

McCain for 2nd Amendment

If you like owning guns for hunting, target shooting, collecting or self protection, you should familiarize yourself with Sen. Barack Obama’s stated positions. He would like to ban all semiautomatic firearms. This does not just mean a paramilitary looking AK-47 replica or AR-15 match rifle. It usually means your pistol, if you own one. It means your granddaddy’s Remington Sportsman or any humpback Browning shotgun. It means your Ruger 10-22, or the Luger that great-granddad brought back from WWI. In some countries double-barrel shotguns and double-action revolvers are also considered semiautomatic because they fire repeatedly with only a pull of the trigger each time.

If you believe the U.S. Constitution is obsolete or don’t like guns and don’t hunt or care to protect yourself, then vote for Obama. If you enjoy hunting, target shooting or gun shows or simply believe in the Bill of Rights, you should vote for Sen. John McCain.

— Griffin T. Murphey, Fort Worth

Tone it down

At a rally in Florida, Sarah Palin spoke derisively of her interview with Katie Couric, saying she was a victim of "gotcha" journalism. The crowd promptly began booing the television journalists there, spurring one man to shout at an African-American camera operator, "Get down, boy!" The Washington Post reported that after a remark about Barack Obama, someone in the audience proposed "Kill him!" John McCain rhetorically asked at a New Mexico rally, "Just who is Barack Obama?" One man screamed, "A terrorist!" It is legitimate and necessary to question and debate positions and policies. It appears, however, that non-issues now dominate and that one cannot support a candidate without vilifying the other. How sad.

— Keith Pettit, Arlington

McCain for life

This election is shaping up to be very bitter and divisive. If both of the candidates and their campaigns would focus only on their own views, opinions and hopes, we might be better able to make an informed decision based on facts, not hype or slander. That being said, my mind is already made up, not a qualm in my heart. John McCain supports the sanctity of life. He has consistently voted for the rights of the unborn, and his running mate Sarah Palin supports them as well. How can we take care of our country and ourselves if we do not value human life? There can be no other choice for me. McCain has my vote.

— Kathy O’Neil, Fort Worth

Return to the cave

John McCain insists that Gov. Sarah Palin is exactly the kind of running mate he sought. She shares McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe vs. Wade. As a parent, I am truly disturbed to hear a mother say such a thing. In America, we have certain rights and freedoms that make this great country the democracy that it has grown to become.

The overturning of Roe vs. Wade constitutes a "caveman" mentality that women should do as they are told. This type of thinking is a definite step toward dictatorship. It’s that a woman’s body and life and her choice to terminate a pregnancy is also hers to decide. As a society it’s not our place to play God, nor should it be left up to any courtroom.

— Corey Johnson, Arlington

Troubling signs