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 [email protected]. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    Congress' provision of millions of dollars for vouchers for faith-based schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, and possibly Texas in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is a slap at the constitutions of all three states, which prohibit such aid.
    In 2004 the Baton Rouge Advocate found Louisianians opposed to vouchers 60% to 34%, and right after the Jan. 5 Florida Supreme Court ruling against vouchers in that state, the AOL poll registered opposition to vouchers nationwide at 57% to 37%. These figures are similar to the two-to-one average opposition to vouchers or their analogues in 25 statewide referendum elections from coast to coast from 1967 to 2004.
    It is wrong for government to tax citizens for the support of sectarian schools that commonly practice forms of discrimination and indoctrination that would be intolerable in public schools. Using Katrina to chip away at public education is reprehensible.
    Of course the young Katrina victims need all the help Congress can provide, but it should be only through the public schools of their home communities or wherever in the country the kids now attend school.

Dear Editor,
    I just read Kiloh Smith's ludicrous response [“Postmarks Online,” Jan. 5] to Margaret Moser's article about Roky Erickson [“Starry Eyes,” Music, Dec. 30] ... it made me laugh my head off. Kiloh is the "moderator" (although there's nothing moderate about him) of an online group, Texas Psych, and just considering the quality of his own listserv, I find it silly that he has the nerve to pick a bone with anyone. He sounds like all those other folks out there who are pissed off because they no longer have such easy access to Roky now that Sumner is looking out for him. Get a life, Kiloh!

Dear Editor,
    An earlier letter to the Chronicle incorrectly states that the recharge zone and contributing zone for Barton Springs are extensively developed and incorrectly suggests that runoff from the development would not discharge to Barton Springs [“Postmarks,” Jan. 6]. However, less than one-half of the recharge zone is fully developed and only a small percent of the contributing zone is developed.
    Even then, substantial water-quality degradation has been documented at Barton Springs (www.ci.austin.tx.us/watershed/oprslade.htm).
    Although some degradation has occurred, the water quality of Barton Springs is still well within swimming criteria. However, it is likely that uncontrolled urbanization in the watersheds feeding the springs will eventually cause Barton Springs to be degraded to the extent that it must be closed to swimming.

Dear Editor,
    Not long ago my son Jon, who is now 35 and in the Air Force, checked the Travis County Appraisal District and told me that the home where he lived in the late 60's with his little brother and my son, Craig Stewart (of SXSW and Emperor Jones Records), was worth quite a bit more than he had expected. I remember the home as quite small and it seemed a steep price to me at $185,000 for 1,100 square feet. I preface this comment to tell you that during the time I lived there, a certain Roky Erickson, of 13th Floor Elevators fame, lived right in the same area. I spent my days, however, as a mother to Craig, and Jon David Stewart, and being a teacher at nearby St. Elmo School. My music ran in the direction of Charlie Pride, or Jim Reeves, more or less, and the 1969 Texas Longhorns were much more exciting to me than “some rock band” called the Elevators.
    But the fact remains, from the area of Bluebonnet and South Lamar a legend was being created at this time. Right down the street from my house, Roky Erickson, a student at Travis High, was launching his career in the now defunct 13th Floor Elevators. Oh, the "cool" people knew who he was, for they would gather at the New Orleans Club or the Jade Room in the Sixties to hear him scream "You're Gonna Miss Me,” but not this mommy and teacher.
    Through Craig, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Roky at his 55th birthday party on Sixth Street in 2002, and I've enjoyed his company a few times since then at benefits and dinner at his favorite – Threadgill's on Barton Springs. Those of you who know him are aware of how calm and charismatic he is. He's a breath of fresh air in the complicated Austin of the 21st century. You look at him and marvel at the talent he displayed 35 years ago, cranking out songs like "Living on Monkey Island." Not long ago, my dream came true. I was able to relive what I missed during the late Sixties and watch Roky bravely, and without trepidation, step on the stage to once more, 35 years later, share his talent and genius with all who gathered there at Ruta Maya one hot night last summer.
    And now, though 61 years old, I can join my voices and scream and jump with the rest who love and adore Roky, no matter what their ages. Ask me to sing any of his songs – I can, you know, and I join with my friend, Lili Lytle [“Postmarks,” Jan. 6], in saying, “I love you, too, Roky”!

Dear Editor,
    Donna Howard has the shortest learning curve in preparing for the special session on education funding of the candidates running for the District 48 seat in the House of Representatives [“Special Election for Texas House of Representatives, District 48,” Jan. 6]. The Texas Supreme Court has ordered the Texas Legislature to come up with a public education funding plan by June 2006.
    Donna Howard has attended House/Senate Committee meetings since 2002. She heard the discussion of the committees, the testimony of school districts, taxpayers, PTAs, large and small businesses, and the concerns of Robin Hood districts and the Equity Center. Donna helped to bring these disparate interests together in discussion panels across the state.
    District 48 needs Donna Howard. She can immediately participate in the discussion. She will represent the school districts of District 48 and has the respect of those she will be working with.
    Vote Jan. 17.

Dear Editor,
    Douglas Watkins writes [“Postmarks,” Jan. 6] about the extensive development in the Barton Springs Watershed of the Edwards Aquifer, where rainfall runs off land or pavement, enters the aquifer, flows underground, and emerges at Barton Springs.
    There has been an awful lot of urban development over the Barton Springs Watershed. Watkins is wrong to conclude that Advanced Micro Devices should spur further urbanization by building a major campus in our most fragile watershed and setting off a growth boom Southwest.
    More urban development in the Barton Springs Watershed means more pollution of Barton Springs, drinking-water wells, water supply to the city of Austin, plus more flooding downstream.
    Mr. Watkins points out that Motorola (now Freescale) has an enormous operation in the watershed. The residential developments Watkins points out in the watershed were spurred in large part by Motorola's creation of a major employment center in Southwest Austin and the accompanying infrastructure. The result of that urban development is dirtier water in Barton Springs.
    Where rocks once glistened under clear water, they are now covered in sediment and algae. After heavy rains the water turns murky, pumping out pollutants washed into the aquifer.
    In dry weather, the water clears. Barton Springs is still a marvel of nature but one that's been damaged by man, by our urbanization over a karst limestone aquifer.
    If AMD moves to Stratus/Freeport's Southwest Parkway land, there will be more urbanization of thousands of acres, and more pollution of Barton Springs.
    If AMD backs off, we can protect forever thousands of acres of undeveloped land in the Barton Springs Watershed.
    AMD can choose another site. The aquifer and watershed cannot relocate.
    The horse of urbanization is halfway out of the barn. Will we let it run wild?

Dear Editor,
    I want to personally thank our resident midget granny for finally getting the hell out of the GOP. I feel terribly sorry for my good friend Kinky. Poor man is running as an Independent, now he has to deal with the association of having One Nuts Granny running as one as well. Before she runs for governor, someone might want to tell her that the governor has very little power in Texas; blaming the failure of school finance on him is like blaming Noah for not stopping the rain. But hey, if it makes political points among people as ignorant as [Carole Keeton] Strayhorn, so be it. Thank you for your time and consideration.

To Vince Young,
    From the moment you first took the field, we all knew your destiny. We all knew you were the one. Our Superman. You wowed us once and amazed us again. Yes, you are in-vince-able. But you are still young at heart. With a humble smile, you enjoyed the light. A brazen burnt orange, and a bright white. Your talents never overshadowed your leadership and your modesty was a charm. You took off and never looked back. And now not even the Horns can catch you this time. We'll miss you and good luck.

Dear Editor,
    Here's what's happened so far:
    1) Bush lied about WMD and Iraqi/al Qaeda ties, creating a bogus rationale for war.
    2) We went to war.
    3) Bush tortures prisoners, denies civil rights, and spies on American citizens, using as part of his justification the fact that we are at war.
    Nice little irony. Here's another: We're at war with “terror” (an emotion), not with al Qaeda, the organization that attacked us. You hardly even hear the name bin Laden anymore.
    I predict more irony to come. American citizens will be spied on for participating in legal protests, placed on enemies lists, and thrown in prison. Why? To protect freedom, of course!
    There's blood on Bush's hands. If you do nothing, it's on yours, too. Get active.

Dear Editor,
    With respect to the president, I mean Michael Ventura’s Impeachable Offense (“Letters @ 3AM,” Jan. 6), I suspect the debate surrounding the issue of NSA wiretapping will reveal that President Bush was, and thankfully still insists on, maximizing the constitutionally mandated powers of the executive branch to defend the citizens of this country. Michael doesn’t see it that way – fair enough. Keep in mind that in the wake of the ’04 election, our all too predictable American progressive reminded us that Bush devotees were foolish, desperate, and terrified; adding that we were “unequipped for the complexities and paradoxes of the 21st century.” “We’ve got to learn how to talk to these people,” he added. As for those who were suffering and in a state of “despairing fear” over Mr. Bush’s re-election, he struck a compassionate and soothing note with “Which is just where he wants you to be. That fear you feel inside – that’s Bush himself, inside you” (Letters @ 3AM, Nov. 12, 2004).
    Michael Ventura’s political offerings over the last few years have been littered with burning reichstags, “economic shitstorms,” and a dramatic 9/11 “grand response” conspiracy theory, one component of which was apparently not persuasive enough, requiring the infamous “hundred exclamation points” to bring it home. As for the Impeachable Offense, the ever reliable Jason Stout aptly portrays Ventura’s attitude toward the Bush administration with his lovingly rendered drawings of our president and vice-president – a portrait of treachery; two evil men with much to hide. I see a portrait of sensible adult supervision. Heads up, Michael – more red meat coming your way. I know you won’t disappoint.

Dear Editor,
    While the Chronicle lists the smoking ban as the No. 2 local story of 2005 [“Blue Lines to White Sheets,” News, Jan. 6], we continue to disagree with the way almost all media frame this story. It is not, for most of us involved in the resistance, about smokers' rights. For us is it about individual and business rights, private enterprises, personal responsibility, and free markets catering to legal products.
    While many people think of this issue in the context of health and the sacrifices that are necessary by others for improving public health, many of us think of this issue in the context of freedom and how disturbingly easy it is that a majority of voters can be cajoled into imposing their personal preference on others.
    The fact that almost every article about the issue features a close-up of a burning cigarette corroborates the intended or unintended bias of the press.
    By way of a progress report based on sales tax reports, most of the bars that formerly allowed smoking are down in sales approximately $2,000 per month. Two thousand dollars can be 10% of total sales or 100% of total earnings. Most of the bars that did not have smoking are up on average $2,000. There are many adjustments that have to be made related to patios, level of enforcement, types of entertainment, etc., but the trend is clear: The small business community of bar owners is hurt by this ban because new nonsmoking customers do not show up to offset the loss of smokers. Meanwhile, smokers merely relocate to bars with patios, and the overall impact to Austin public health is negligible.

Dear Editor,
    Re: Roky Erickson article [“Starry Eyes,” Music, Dec. 30]: I am displeased with the article's inaccuracies and failure to depict Roky as anything but an ice cream eatin', cartoon-watching buffoon. He deserved much better press; after all, he is a legend! I am also part of that so-called group on the Internet [Texas Psyche Group]. Ms. Moser should be ashamed, and she does know better. It is a journalist's honor to be as objective and as truthful as possible and always weigh the two sides. She sold out big time. We still maintain our loyalty to Roky and his music and do not profit from his name or music. As a matter of fact, even Sumner doesn't turn nearly as much of a profit from Roky's name and/or music as he should. I can only hope that Roky does stay well and continue to perform as long as he likes doing what he does, not because he has to.

Dear Editor,
    It's true medical marijuana didn't get out of committee in the Texas Lege [“The Chronic Goes On,” News, Jan. 6], but a bigger story, IMO, was that the same committee (House Criminal Jurisprudence) approved HB 254 unanimously, with Republicans Mary Denny, Terry Keel, and Debbie Riddle voting for it along with former drug task force commander Democrat Juan Escobar. That bill would have reduced the penalties for low-level marijuana possession from a class B to a class C misdemeanor – meaning a traffic ticket-like fine and a drug education class comparable to what's currently required in Austin for paraphernalia charges.
    Speaker Tom Craddick and the Calendars Committee didn't let the bill get a vote on the House floor, but it cleared committee mostly for financial reasons: with class B's, counties must pay incarceration and indigent defense costs, while class C's generate fines and revenue, with fewer associated expenses. With county jails like Travis' and most others completely full, that legislation should still have legs in future sessions.

Dear sirs,
    I want to congratulate the Kansas and Pennsylvania state boards of education for at least trying to allow their students to learn about both theories concerning the origin of life; that is, the theory of evolution and the theory of intelligent design.
    The fact is that neither of the theories can be proven scientifically. This is because the essence of the scientific method is based on observation and experimentation; and it is impossible to make observations or conduct experiments on the origin of the universe. Scientists may theorize about the past or the future, but they can only actually observe the present. And when one does carefully observe the universe around us with our naked eyes, a telescope, or a microscope, one must conclude that none of this could possibly have come into existence by chance.
    One of the first laws of science I learned in my high school physics class (along with the law of gravity, the law of inertia, and other laws) was the law of cause and effect. In essence, it states that every effect must have a cause. The very existence of a car testifies that someone designed it and made it. So, the very presence of this marvelous universe from the tiniest atom to the farthest star testifies that an intelligent designer made it.
    It seems to me that in order for one to really believe in the evolution theory, one must abandon all the proven laws of science and all of one's common sense. That takes a lot of faith in Darwin, who himself never claimed that evolution was anything other than a theory.
    The immense tragedy of the situation is the fact that students all over the world have been taught that the theory of evolution is a proven fact of science and have been refused the right to study both theories, so they can choose which one they wish to accept. They most certainly need to be allowed this academic freedom.

Dear Editor,
    The story is an inspiring tale of not only a comeback, but of a brother's devotion [“Starry Eyes,” Music, Dec. 30]. I visited Sumner [Erickson] during his Pittsburgh Symphony days (when he also was on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon Institute) and could not understand his decision to return to Austin for more pressing duties. His success is a glowing story beautifully described in The Austin Chronicle. I was wrong and he was right in making the decision to switch careers for a primary goal of participating in Roky [Erickson]'s long-awaited recovery as a legendary Austin contributor to the music scene.

Dear Editor,
    If Gov. Perry truly believes that the religious "theory" of intelligent design is worthy of being taught as science, he's an idiot. If he is only doing it to further pander to the religious right he's a member of the world's second oldest profession.

Dear Stephen Moser,
    I have read your sister's writing for many years and have experienced many different emotions when doing so, as well as learning a great deal more about a variety of subjects. Now, I find myself looking forward to reading your column every issue as well. You seem to be having a lot of fun being a social butterfly in this town then sharing it with the rest of us. The column you wrote about bringing your mom to Texas was really great because it reminded me of moving my father here after my mother passed away [“After a Fashion,” Arts, Dec. 30]. I decided to try and empower him to believe that he was able to have a new and different life here in Austin that he wouldn't have had with my mother (of course in the most respectable way possible toward my mother's memory). I know you'll do the same for your mom. My father did develop a new life here. I bought a duplex and lived in one side and he lived in the other because I never wanted to see him in a nursing home. I originally had plans to build a single-family home, but his arrival changed my plans in a positive way. He lived with me for five years and died from an inoperable tumor in his lung, although I had hoped he would be with me for 15 years or more. Sadly, that part didn't happen as I would have liked. The amazing thing was I had two memorial services for him (one here and one in Wisconsin). I was stunned when a couple hundred people showed up for the service here, and I found myself talking about my father in front of all of these people, many of whom I had never seen nor knew anything about. As it turned out, he had a whole social circle of friends and acquaintances I was unaware of even though I lived next door to him and saw him almost every day. Enjoy your mom every chance you get even though it may seem tedious at times, simply because an elderly family member can often have special needs and may be set in their ways, making it difficult for their children. I always considered it a privilege to be around and help my father, not to mention it was the right thing to do as his son. The column you wrote compelled me to respond to compliment you on how you welcomed her to Texas. I'll continue to read the writings of the Mosers. Keep up the good work Stephen. My only regret is that I don't have as much of an opportunity as you do to go to some of these parties and meet the kind of people you get to meet. I'm sure it's not always fun, but you write the column as though you're always having a good time and then entertaining the rest of us. Thanks again for the column and for being a thoughtful and loving son.

Dear Editor,
    The truth about how things have changed in this country during the last 50 years. There was a time when most people had very little money, but they had something greater: true compassion for their fellow man and doing what was right. Doctors went into their practice because they wanted to help the sick and lived by an oath. A merchant would not think of overcharging for a product because of how it would affect the people he served. The people back then tried to live by the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” An honest day's work for an honest day's pay! But you don't find much of that today. Just look at the convictions of some executives in major companies and how they defrauded their employees. The government spends tax dollars in great amounts on foolish projects, useless grants, and pork-barrel items while there are some American families with babies that go to bed hungry and cold. I realize that a lot of this comes from laws that legislatures have passed and actions of certain judges and juries. But no one forced us to pay more than an item was worth, we did this ourselves and forced the price up for others. The government spends way too much money on committees investigating what the other party did.
    My dad used to tell a joke about a Mrs. Jones that had left her churn uncovered with the cream in it overnight, and a rat had fallen in and drowned. Well, she took the rat out and churned the butter. Back then the local grocery store would buy butter and eggs from local people. Well Mrs. Jones carried the butter to the local grocer, Mr. Smith, and told him what had happened, said she could not eat it herself but asked him to swap it for one of his, as what people didn't know would not hurt them. Mr. Smith took the pound of butter to the back room and slid it off on a different plate and brought it right back to Mrs. Jones. In about two weeks Mrs. Jones was back in the store and Mr. Smith asked her, “How was the butter I swapped you?” She replied, “Oh, it was great.” Mr. Smith said, "Well I guess you were right, what people don't know won't hurt them!" That kind of describes our country today.

Dear Editor,
    So you are Iran and you have signed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. You did renounce the pursuit of nuclear weapons, but you gained international recognition of your right to nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment. Also, the broader intentions of the treaty seemed very favorable. The treaty was to hold the world to five countries with nuclear weapons which were to agree among themselves before starting any wars in order to avoid nuclear war and were to progressively disarm over time. Now you find that the world has nine countries with nuclear weapons, the U.S. wages war disregarding the objections of the other nuclear powers; there is no realistic hope of progressive disarmament and you are threatened with military action if you enrich uranium, as is your right. What went wrong? Well, basically the very idea that weak nations would accept permanent weakness and that the strong would do less than take full advantage of their differential power.
    This is a very natural and historically familiar decline from the rule of law to the rule of the strong; a slide from civilization into barbarism. Notice that it is not being demanded that you (Iran) comply with any law when you are told to stop uranium enrichment. Instead it is being demanded that you obey the strong.
    Your (Iran's) plight is historically very familiar. You can submit to the strong and thereby affirm your status as a second-class nation with fewer rights than the strong. Fewer rights even than are provided for under a law, the nonproliferation treaty, which already grants you fewer rights than the strong. Or, you can assert your rights under that law and risk the physical wrath of the strong. Pick your poison.

Dear Editor,
    I spent the first 29 years of my life in New Orleans and moved here later for career reasons. In mid-October, I revisited my beloved hometown to inspect Hurricane Katrina's damages.
    It was amazing and sad to see that the levees had fallen apart, that my elementary school was ruined from the floods, and that signs of death (human and animal) plus property damage were everywhere.
    Congress is underfunding the reconstruction of New Orleans' levee system. Why not build stronger and better levees? If you construct them on the cheap, we'll all live to regret it. This is the time for Congress, through the Army Corps of Engineers, to do it right.
    As a national defense issue, proper levee construction does involve weapons of mass destruction. A hurricane is indeed a WMD.

Dear Editor,
    First, pardon me for getting involved in the affairs of Austin, since I live in Kansas. My family and I lived in Austin from ’91-’98, and it's still my favorite city on earth. And, we spent many beautiful days on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, which is what this letter is about ... oh, and also AMD [“Pont Austin,” News, Dec. 30].
    What does AMD make? Oh, yeah, computer processors. And those processors go into computers from different manufacturers. Why would you continue to buy computers from manufacturers that use AMD's processors? I certainly never will again. Get the word out to the environmental community across the United States. Stop buying AMD products. Hit them where it hurts.

Dear Mr. Black,
    As the writer of the letter you excerpted in your Dec. 30 “Page Two” commentary "Beyond Belief," I am outraged and disgusted by your misleading contention that my letter is a criticism of your beliefs “offered from strongly religious points of view.” Moreover, your lead-up and follow-up are equally deceptive. You have blatantly and cynically used my letter completely out of context.
    To recap, I wrote a scathing response [“Postmarks,” Nov. 11] to your ignorant and morally vapid Nov. 4 article "Scooting Toward McCarthyism" [“Page Two”]. In my letter I outlined your article's odor of virulent neoleftist utopian moral relativism and hypocrisy. At no point did I mention my religion or Christianity in any manner – explicit or implicit. Additionally, you state that my letter included “implied, or even overt, threats.” What planet are you on? There is no way that a rational person could infer such a thing from my letter.
    Your "Beyond Belief" article reveals that your moral hypocrisy is outdone only by your corrosive arrogance. What makes you think you even know what my religion is or if I even have a religion? Was it because I used the word "moral"? Don't you believe that non-Christians can advocate morality, too? You obviously put no value on objective truth or professional decency in your writing. In short, you have shown yourself to be a small-minded specimen who can hardly be called a civilized man. You are truly shameful!
    As a moral rationalist and classical liberal, I am more than prepared to accept your heartfelt apology and commitment to never violate this crucial level of trust again. But that would take a man of character and integrity. Given your current unethical behavior I seriously doubt that you can even imagine what I am talking about. Character and integrity to you and your ilk mean little more than being popular. You are, in essence, morally immature. I am sincerely sorry for you.

   [Louis Black responds: I'm sorry, I've never considered the kind of blatant negative stereotyping and blanket dismissing of ideas by name-calling – both currently so prevalent from self-identified right-wing, conservative, and/or religious right thinkers – as being tools of "moral rationalist and classical liberal" thought. But hell, as a "morally immature," "truly shameful," "small-minded specimen who can hardly be called a civilized man," what do you expect? I genuinely apologize that I jumped to the erroneous conclusion that saying "moral commitment to objective truth seeking" indicated Christian religious beliefs. Since I often rant against this very kind of knee-jerk stereotyping I am quite sad that I participated in it. But saying "He and his fellow travelers must be resisted totally. Rest assured, they will be" is clearly at least an implicit if not explicit threat. I didn't say "violent" or "aggressive" or even "unreasonable" but simply that this is a statement loaded with menace. Finally, I acknowledge all that you accuse me of and probably more, though I must suggest there is no need for you to be "sincerely sorry" for me.]

Dear Editor,
    I need to clarify something for Carl Swanson ("Postmarks,” Jan. 6). The proliferation of butts on Austin streets and sidewalks, and presumably in Austin watersheds, is not because of the smoking ban. It's because the vast majority of Austin smokers are pigs. They throw their butts out of their cars. (Did carmakers suddenly quit making ashtrays?) They smoke a cigarette outside their office (on their boss' dime) and then throw the butt on the sidewalk. They wait for a table at a restaurant and, when they get one, throw their butts on the ground. People who'd never think of throwing trash or garbage into the street think nothing of flicking their butts there.
    I don't know the solution of correcting behavior of people who are acting like barnyard animals, but nonsmokers aren't causing the problem.

Dear Editor,
    I could not be any more proud of Vince Young! It was radical to see that historic game on TV and then drive downtown to hear the celebration.
    Just thought of the worst joke: USC is all wet (sorry).
    Seriously, [Reggie] Bush made the most incredibly beautiful touchdown, and we were all worried a little bit for a while. I said to my friend, no, there is time to pull a rabbit out of the hat! And "In-Vince-ible" Young is the magician.

Dear Editor,
    I must say that I was a bit skeptical of how Austin's First Night would turn out [“The Last Shall Be First,” Arts, Dec. 30]. The results not only surprised me, they reaffirmed everything that I have loved about Austin. Sure, there were no giant corporate floats with inflated logos and bright flashing lights. But then ... there were no giant corporate floats with inflated logos and bright flashing lights! Instead, the parade consisted of community groups, dancing ants, and creative DIY mobile artwork built by Austinites. Better yet, even the crowd that gathered along the street was the eclectic mix of friendly, down-to-earth Austin people that convinced me to move here in the first place. For all of the gentrification and clone-store takeover of our city, the core of the community I love is alive and well, and First Night brought everyone back out to play. This is still a lively, unique city that I am proud to have chosen as my home base. Well done, Austin. Keep it weird in the New Year, y'all!

Dear Editor,
    Lewis Carroll might be the only person who could possibly make sense of present-day America seen “through the looking glass.” I have long stated that I will vote for neither the Republicans nor the Democrats because each party has now had more than 100 years to obliterate freedom in the United States, in the pursuit of power. When business as usual was no longer able to help them acquire and maintain power for the sake of power, they simply did a little role reversal. Presently, we have the so-called Right often seeking to steal power from the individual and cede it to the state, while the so-called Left is often pictured fighting for the rights of the individual, such as in the battle over the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito. There are many more topsy-turvy examples that can be briefly described. The point is that now is the time to start voting for anyone other than the above political parties if we want to save our freedoms, our environment, and the future we leave to the children. It's way past time to wake up, stop listening to demagogues, and vote for real people rather than political machines. Failure to vote due to disgust only feeds the monster.

Dear Editor,
    The University of Southern California did not win a national championship in the 2003 season as is being implied by the sports media. The BCS [Bowl Championship Series] system was the agreed-upon method for assigning a sole national champion in 2003, so Louisiana State University is the sole national champion. If the same purported snubbing had happened to a team like Nebraska or Tennessee, a separate fake AP national championship would not have been awarded, but since the alleged snubbing happened to a team from Southern California, the West Coast-dominated press finagled history.
    The AP poll made up one-third of the BCS ranking that year, so the press had its say; to vote for their own separate national champion is wrong because they cannot vote twice just because they do not like the outcome.
    Writers and reporters seem to have no ethical dilemma in manufacturing a national championship for their home team and no moral quandary with taking away from the hard-fought and legitimately earned national championship of the LSU Tigers. The AP's 11th-hour creation of a separate national championship does take away from the accomplishments of LSU's student-athletes; those who believe otherwise are living in a communist fantasyland. Those who have a disagreement with the BCS system may have a point, but protest should be carried out between seasons to avoid impact on innocent players.
    All references to USC as having a share of the 2003 national championship should no longer be made. The LSU Tigers are the sole 2003 national champions of Division I-A college football; do let history reflect that; do not let unethical self-seeking people detract from that.

Dear Editor,
    Silicon Labs may have helped save the aquifer, but, after the Labs' move downtown, the total fuel burned each day by its workforce is likely to increase, and congestion on MoPac will increase by about 500 cars per day [“Silicon Labs to Move Downtown, Out of Watershed,” News, Dec. 9]. Long story short: The workers' environment will take a hit while SOS claims a victory.

Dear Editor,
    I just read Virginia Wood's article on my dad's restaurant, the GM Steakhouse [“Food-o-File,” Food, Dec. 30]. It's true that my father, Gus, has decided to hang up his spatula and turn west toward his sunset, but it doesn't mean the GM is gone forever. I have decided to keep the spot going and negotiated a lease with the owner of the property to reopen the classic diner that many "true" Austinites have grown accustomed to. There will be some remodeling for the next few weeks to regain that old GM charm and, unfortunately for Gus, no smoking. I look forward to serving up good food to all the "regulars" and newbies in the coming years.

Dear Editor,
    In an otherwise excellent article on vanishing prairies [“Dreaming of Buffalo,” News, Dec. 23] you say, “the Edwards Aquifer, which feeds Barton Springs ... contributes about 1% of the city's drinking water.” Developers' allies propagated this erroneous claim many years ago. Unfortunately, this myth sometimes gets repeated as "fact."
    The Tom Green Water Treatment Plant on Town Lake actually supplies 15 to 20% of the city's drinking water. And for much of the year, Barton Springs' flow is the major contributor to Green's water intake.
    From mid-October to mid-March, essentially the only flow into Town Lake comes from Barton Creek (see www.lcra.org/water/river_report.html). In fact, Barton Creek, due to the Springs, right now is the largest measured tributary to the Colorado River below the Llano River (see http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/current?type=flow).
    Later on in the year, more water in Town Lake does come from the Highland Lakes. Even then, Green may draw more from the aquifer because the mouth of Barton Creek is very close by upriver. Also, water of different temperatures doesn't evenly mix – cold water sinks to the bottom of Town Lake on warm summer days. Colder aquifer water could disproportionately supply the Green intake 8 feet below the lake's surface.
    An implied subtext to this debate is an unstated idea that the aquifer is expendable. However, a growing city that faces periodic droughts shouldn't throw away any high-quality water resource.
    Some real estate interests want to replace the Green WTP with a new water plant on Lake Travis. Even though it could cost utility rate payers more to build a new water plant than to expand the old one, these interests covet the downtown land that Green sits on. Other developers would love to further undermine the case for protecting Barton Springs. These are the original sources for the 1% myth.

   [Rachel Proctor May responds: According to the Austin Water Utility, the figure is roughly 1%.]

Dear Editor,
    Hi, Austin, my name is Kiloh, and I manage the Texas Psych Google group: www.groups.google.com/group/Texas-P. I read with bemusement your article, by Margaret Moser, on Sumner Erickson [“Starry Eyes,” Music, Dec. 30].
    The first inaccuracy in the Sumner article is that we are doing something "illegal" by trading CDs among ourselves for free. This activity is protected under federal law, specifically the Federal Audio Home Recording Act (3).
    The second inaccuracy in the Sumner article is that the Roky Trust has always been against this activity. Ms. Moser knows that this trading was set up as far back as 1999 with the help of the Roky Trust. This was when Rick Triplett was running things and Roky was living in abject poverty. We arranged to collect a "donation" for each disc traded and forward it to Mr. Triplett for distribution to Roky in the form of pocket money. People that now sit on the current Roky "Trust" were engaged in a lawsuit with the (then) Roky Trust, and all monies were being tied up in escrow. We had to call it a "donation" to get the money to Roky. That certain people now sit on the Roky Trust in positions of "Trust" galls us and we maintain that the Trust relinquished the right to legitimacy by putting these people on it.
    The third inaccuracy presented by Ms. Moser in the Sumner article was that Sumner Erickson "tried" to mend fences with us. This event just happened and the "story" presented by Ms. Moser is wholly untrue as she well knows. It was our group who tried to mend fences with Sumner. We contacted Sumner and opened a dialogue with him. Alas, after a series of increasingly obtuse and bizarre e-mails from him we decided to cut him loose.

   [Margaret Moser replies: 1) Sumner used the word "illegal." I did not. 2) Kiloh, who frequently calls himself "Satan" online, is correct in saying the Trust in its early days did not disapprove of the trading. However, when they were educated about it, their support was withdrawn. 3) The phrase "mend fences" doesn't suggest the action as much as participation. Sumner participated in an attempt to smooth over the rift with Kiloh, and Kiloh chose to end the effort.]

Dear Editor,
    The baby on the cover has six fingers [Dec. 30]. Is this a graphics issue, or does the child really have extra digits?

Dear Editor,
    There would be a huge power loss if the Feds/DEA could not control farmers who want to grow hemp. The Feds/DEA also control the medical field by not allowing research on cannabis for multiple medical problems.
    The Feds/DEA are an example of big brother abusing citizen rights. Should I expect a knock on the door for my right to question government motives and propaganda?
    I wish Ben Franklin were alive because leadership is severely lacking in this USA.