Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    I was surprised and disappointed by Marjorie Baumgarten’s superficial review of Life of Pi in the Nov. 23 Film Listings section. It is hard to imagine that Ms. Baumgarten took the time to understand the book by Yann Martel on which the film is based, given that she seemed to completely miss the allegory which sits at the heart of this novel. Perhaps my 13-year-old son should explain it to her; last year he wrote an eighth grade English paper on the book. When Ms. Baumgarten has won the Man Booker Prize – the British equivalent of the National Book Award – she might be in more of a position to use phrases such as “fuzzy theological concerns” in regards to the story.
    Without these “fuzzy theological concerns”, the central tension of the story – expressed in everything from the lead characters name (Pi) to the interplay of the physicality of the natural world versus its wonder and magic – is totally lost. Perhaps Mr. Martel’s central thesis, that science and religion are important but different narrative traditions which can both be valuable in different ways in helping someone understand the world, is beneath her consideration. One is left wondering if perhaps Ms. Baumgarten is simply uncomfortable discussing or considering God or religion in any context that does not want to use it as a punch line.
    Ang Lee had a difficult task in taking this extraordinary novel and adapting it to film. There are decisions regarding the narrative flow of the film – the decision to concentrate more on Pi’s family than his religious instructors would be one example – with which one could take issue. However, Ms. Baumgarten does not seem up to that task. I can imagine her review of The Old Man and the Sea would criticize the 1958 movie for not simply concentrating on the excellent fishing yarn.

Dear Editor,
    So when is this Joe O'Connell going to write another article about UTSA football [“UTSA Looms As Texas State’s New Rival,” the Score Sports blog, Nov. 21]?
    I'm dying to know what he says now. Probably just more reasoning that makes no sense. A guy putting so much faith in a Texas State team that has – at least had – a team for how long? And only winning three games this season? Yeah, good logic, Joe! You should be fired. Apparently you never took the time to watch past footage of the Roadrunners.
    Also this line from the article: "the Bobcats are likely to bitch-slap them"? Not classy at all!

Dear Editor,
    Regarding last week’s, “Then There's This: Campaign Cash” [Nov. 23], the Chronicle wrote, “It bears repeating over and over again, though, that the city still faces a critical affordable housing problem (the homebuilders' political action committee and the Real Estate Council of Austin were curiously absent from the housing bond campaign's list of donors).” The Real Estate Council of Austin did indeed support Proposition 15.
    While RECA’s Business M/PAC did not contribute to the specific HousingWorks Action PAC, it did make a $15,000 contribution to Unity PAC (as noted in the article), which promoted passage of all of the bonds, including Proposition 15.
    In addition to the cash contribution, RECA staff and volunteers actively worked for the Unity PAC’s Love Austin campaign supporting all of the bonds, including those for affordable housing. While we may have been “curiously absent” from the HousingWorks Action PAC, we were never absent from actively campaigning for the passage of Proposition 15. Do count us in as disappointed that Proposition 15 did not pass on Election Day.

Dear Editor,
    I've gone through the “Best of Austin” [Nov. 9] issue twice now, and I've come away just wishing maybe you could put down the mustache curling wax and charcuterie paddle, and throw a bone to those of us who don't buy our jeans two sizes too small on purpose? For example, actual useful information for Joe F. Blow? You know, like “Best Burger"? “Best Pizza"? “Best Indian Buffet"? “Best Sushi"? That kinda thing? When my friends and I are arguing viciously about where to eat, do you think I'm inclined to nasally announce that, thanks to the Chronicle, I know of this divine trailer that serves Senegalese peanut butter soup between 11 and 11:15am on Tuesdays and Thursdays? By all means, keep the hipsters happy with a gazillion categories about where to get the best $9 cup of Momotaro Artisan Tea or double-decker bicycle handle-tassles, but there are people over the age of 24 who occasionally venture outside their own assholes in this town, and sometimes they just wanna know where to get a good steak.

   ['Best of Austin” Editor Kate X Messer replies: For the record, despite Mr. Blow's … I mean Mr. Ford's thorough two go-throughs of our "Best of Austin" issue, there are no categories for "$9 cup of Momotaro Artisan Tea" nor "double-decker bicycle handle-tassles." And in addition to a slew of Readers Poll and Critics Picks winners that we believe Mr. Ford might actually enjoy, there is also an annual Restaurant Poll published by the paper each spring to cover the essentials he feels are missing from the “BOA” ranks (i.e., Best Burger and Best Sushi).]

Dear Editor,
    Thank you for your article about the proposed urine testing [“Point Austin: We Want Your Urine,” News, Nov. 23]. I really appreciated the background on how other states have fared – or not – when they implemented similar policies. I was so angry when I read about this – but now feel I have some facts to back me up! I did wonder how he was going to drug test the 85% of "welfare" recipients who are children! Do you know if there are any protests/actions planned?

Dear Editor,
    The move is under way to rip apart our scenic Hill Country in order to provide large profits for developers and road companies who may toss some back to elected officials via perks and campaign contributions.
    The new road proposals essentially carve up much of our open lands and break up our private properties to new and unsustainable growth patterns. The corrupt process of appointing designated associates by county commissioners – comprising persons with already voiced interests in either building roads or being involved in development – who then sit down and decide for the rest of the citizens (and landowners) of this county what should happen to their lives is undemocratic, blatantly contemptible, and should not be tolerated.
    Most people know little or nothing about these new proposed roads, and there has been no public interest in building more roads. Instead, it is a top-down bogus process of handing over public tax money to private entities in the form of road contracts and eventual housing and commercial development.
    Our lands and our lifestyle must not be for sale, nor open to controlled special interest decisions about where increased vehicular traffic, overpopulation, and additional air and noise pollution should be directed and how.
    Local news media, along with community residents, must rise up together as a giant tsunami of protest. We recognize that the county is growing and that we must make improvements to our roads, but not this way.

Dear Editor,
    Thing one: What?! Austin Water needs more money to complete Water Treatment Plant No. 4 [Headlines, News, Nov. 23]? Who would ever have thunk that?
    Thing two: Re: “Point Austin: We Want Your Urine” [News, Nov. 23]: Rick Perry has been on the public dole a good bit of his adult life. So when does he get drug tested as a condition of continuing to receive his public assistance?

Dear Editor,
    My husband and I have just returned to England from a two-week trip to Austin. Our love of music has often tempted us to come over for the South by Southwest Festival in March but the even bigger love of Formula One motor racing was the clincher to finally visit Texas for the first time. The brand-new track is beautiful and the most perfect one from a viewer's point (and probably from a driver's point). There were problems with parking facilities and lack of sufficient food choices/outlets, but all these are easily solvable for the next event ["Fans Declare F1 a Success," News, Nov. 23].
    We have been to many tracks around the world and all provide free parking within walking distance to the track in addition to free shuttle services from parking areas if they're a little too far to walk. Please rethink the parking costs.
    One area of disappointment in a country known for its fairness in most things was the disproportionate increase in hotel accommodation costs for the Grand Prix weekend. This may be a deterrent to some people for future visits.
    Nonetheless, our praise goes out to the city and people of Austin, who we found to be the most genuinely friendly, welcoming, and accommodating to such a huge crowd of visitors. You handled it well and all those doubters should now be convinced that you do indeed have something to be proud of and something to tempt first-time visitors to return to see more. We’ll certainly be back for the music next time, more motor racing in the future, and more exploration of the fantastic state of Texas.
    Once again, a very big thank you, Austin.

Dear Editor,
    I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the “Best of Austin” Best Way To Lay a Loved One to Rest [Nov. 9]. We won't let you, our families, or the community down, at least until you tell us.
    I have great news! Solace has found its own home in which to serve the community. We will be located at 1508 W. Koenig, and our phone number remains the same (517-0937). Our doors have not opened, but we are working hard to be up and running by the week of Dec. 3.
    Our vision is to bring funeral service into the 21st century, keeping it sacred and community supported by partnering with other local small businesses – that is, local churches, event centers, limo services, etc. By keeping our overhead low, we can pass the savings on to grieving families as well as offer sustainable alternatives to traditional funeral services (should the family choose). As you know, as a community we are uniquely Austin.
    We are a full-service funeral home and community resource center for approaching end-of-life issues – and we offer affordable caskets from "Green Casket King" with free local delivery.