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.
RECEIVED Wed., July 13, 2005
Dear Editor,
Thank you, Louis Black, for putting into cogent language the "feelings" I have had about our purpose on this earth [“Page Two,” July 8]. Sometimes, simplicity causes us to ask, as the the song went, "Is that all there is?" When we try to make it more complicated, we almost always lose touch with the truth. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" is the simple truth. Yes, that is "all there is"! The exceptions we all create to this truth are the sins of the world.
Mark Swope
RECEIVED Wed., July 13, 2005
Dear Editor,
What exactly was it that caused Darcie Stevens to write “99 Bands” [Music, July 8]? A few months ago, she made our music scene out to be almost dead in "31 Nights" [Music, Sept. 10, 2004]. Now, suddenly, it “has never been so rich.” Perplexingly, in the same article, she states that “oversaturation breeds commonality” only to write off the truly inventive Opposite Day while tooting the horns of highly derivative rockers the Addictions. This logic does not compute.
“99 Bands” reads like a Best and Worst Dressed of 2005 where bands are judged based upon the volume of their amps rather than the quality of their work. What happened to the value of musicianship? Stevens obviously does not want to hear anything out of the ordinary on Red River in spite of her “commonality” comment. She seems to believe an overabundance of Big Boys wannabes makes our scene “rich.” Only if we value homogeneity above all else.
There were hundreds of bands playing on Red River during the time frame covered by “99 Bands.” Stevens apparently only caught a few of them that were not pounding out the usual mezzo forte drones at 120 bpm (Oh, Beast!, Cue, My Education). I challenge the Chronicle to give more coverage to bands that are forging their own musical vocabulary in Austin.
Josh Robins
Guitarist for the Invincible Czars
RECEIVED Wed., July 13, 2005
Dear Editor,
I am so tired of hearing about the whiners from the SOS Alliance. In my opinion, they have lost all of their credibility because they are against everything: AMD bringing jobs to the west side of town, shopping malls in Bee Cave, highways, Lowe's on Brodie Lane, development along 71 West, etc. If they are so dead set against development, why didn't they ever oppose the HEB, Randalls, and the other massive amounts of retail development on William Cannon?
When I moved here nine years ago I met with two SOS board members in regards to the expansion of the Motorola plant (now Freescale) in Oak Hill, which had a sign right outside the Motorola property line that said, “Entering the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.” They did nothing about the toxic chemical-emitting plant expansion; instead, several years later they chose to fight a Motorola office building in the Circle C area complaining about the traffic impact.
Just to let you know I am an environmental activist that took the Lakeway MUD to contested case and stopped an experimental permit next to Lakeway Elementary School. I have traveled throughout the country regarding the sad state of the environmental policy in Texas.
So I am not a person who thinks that environmentalists are some sort of wackos. I value their efforts. But I do believe that SOS has gone too far. Being against everything is simply not credible. Engaging in fruitless litigation is negligent. Whenever I see or hear SOS I think same old stuff! Ho hum! Lastly: AMD, welcome to the west side of town with open arms.
Chris Wilson
Lakeway
RECEIVED Wed., July 13, 2005
Dear Editor:
In a letter entitled “Tried to Vote” [“Postmarks,” June 17], a voter expressed frustration and confusion that she was allowed to vote in the May election but not allowed to vote in the following June run-off election. In our audit following the May election, we discovered that a mistake was made, and the election worker should not have allowed this voter to participate in the May election. In response, the precinct election judge was provided additional training and all election workers were cautioned to follow procedures carefully to prevent a recurrence of this situation. When the voter returned for the run-off election, the election judge properly informed her that she did not live within the city boundaries and was not eligible to cast a ballot.
The voter astutely questions whether combined polling locations created the problem. However, what really made this a complicated issue for the election worker is that in all city elections, city-limit lines do not always follow precinct voting boundary lines, and create a situation called "split precincts." In a split precinct, some of the voters are within city of Austin boundaries and some are outside of the city and are ineligible to vote on city issues.
I offer my sincerest apology to this voter and hope her spirit of participation has not been dampened. In fact, her passion for fair and accurate elections makes me hope that she will consider serving as an election worker in future elections.
Dana DeBeauvoir
Travis County clerk
RECEIVED Wed., July 13, 2005
Dear Editor,
I am amused at Mr. Bunch's byline stating “Bill Bunch Sets the Record Straight” regarding AMD's move to Oak Hill [“Postmarks,” July 1]. Once again, Mr. Bunch and the Save Our Springs Alliance are parsing words and twisting facts.
Mr. Bunch accuses AMD of bad faith in ignoring their own pledge to cooperate with local stakeholders on major decisions. In fact, AMD has been talking to the folks who live and work in Oak Hill and Southwest Austin for months; asking questions and listening to answers. Over 100,000 people living in Oak Hill have needs, wants, and opinions. These residents have a significant stake in the community and protecting the environment too. I don't know how much more “local” and “stakeholder” that can be.
Surely Mr. Bunch is not arguing that SOSA are the only ones that care about the environment.
Mr. Bunch accuses AMD of false claims in stating compliance with the SOS ordinance. They have not said that. AMD has simply stated that it will meet the SOS water quality standards and in the process, improve water quality in areas that are not currently treated.
Mr. Bunch laments that their “broad coalition” in opposition is narrowed to SOSA. Could it be that the writer and the editors at the Chronicle realize (as most do) that the organizations mentioned are but extensions of SOSA?
Mr. Bunch claims Mayor Wynn kept the proposed move a secret and failed to enlist community support in finding AMD a better place. Secrets? SOS had information related to the AMD move on their Web site at least a month before the community at large knew about it. The Oak Hill community has been enlisted, and does support the move. The real beneficiaries of this move are the community in Oak Hill.
Mr. Bunch correctly states that this is a turning point during which the community must lead and others will follow. Oak Hill and Southwest Austin are leading, Mr. Bunch. Maybe it is time for you to work with them and not against.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Moynahan
RECEIVED Tue., July 12, 2005
Dear Editor,
I just received my bill for vehicle registration and I wasn't surprised that the cost is up. What did surprise me is the taxpayer-funded flier that was included. It solicited me to buy a God Bless America or a God Bless Texas license plate. Since Texas taxpayers are a varied lot and we all pay taxes, let's also promote Buddha Bless Texas plates, or maybe Wicca Bless America. This is only fair since Hindus, atheists, Buddhists, Christians, etc. are all paying taxes equally. When are our elected officials going to realize that they represent all Texans and not just the Christian contingent, especially when they are spending our money? Or heaven forbid, maybe they could keep their religion separate from government solicitations. I won't hold my breath.
Carl Jensen
RECEIVED Tue., July 12, 2005
Dear Editor:
To expound on Michael King's assessment [“Point Austin,” News, July 1] that APD reports on the Daniel Rocha shooting “thus far ring hollow”: The coroner's report and witnesses cite Rocha was face down when shot as he had cuts and scrapes on his face and upper chest – evidence you'd have to dismiss if you were to believe APD's assertion that Schroeder shot Rocha while “leaning over” Officer Doyle. What prevented Doyle from using his Taser if only his leg was hurt (bruised, not broken, as APD stated at first)? How did the other Taser, a $1,000 piece of high-grade plastic, get smashed to pieces? Hopefully the grand jury ruling next week and open records requests that the ACLU-Central Texas chapter put in recently will reveal more.
The coroner's report also said that Rocha had no trace of drugs or alcohol in his system. This fact is largely being ignored by media which serves to back APD (and racist bloggers) in insinuations that Rocha deserved his fate.
Yes, “resisting arrest” is an offense (albeit a subjective one that apparently doesn't require any physical resistance), but we don't know if Rocha actually did resist. Would a person cry out in fear, “I'm unarmed!” several times while also simultaneously aggressively attacking two officers? As for the third person who ran away – well, if I were a young male of color who had no faith in the system which seemingly seeks to condemn me, I might see this option (which surely has harsh consequences) as preferable to facing what Rocha did. We don't know the whole story, and because of APD incompetence or outright lying, we never will.
I hope we will see actual justice for Rocha, as well as for Jesse Owens, Sophia King, and the many other victims of APD's unchecked profiling and brutality. But justice should include a complete rehauling of APD procedures regarding use of force, profiling, accountability (including the police monitor's office), and especially should include the resignation of Chief Stan Knee, who long ago lost the public's trust on these matters.
No unarmed person should be met with lethal force – no matter what the circumstances – and the Tasers that were supposed to prevent these tragedies are being used by APD when they shouldn't (abusively), but not when they actually can save a life!
Rest in peace Daniel,
Debbie Russell
RECEIVED Tue., July 12, 2005
Dear Editor,
Recently a TSU police officer arrested Dave Newman for “interfering with public duties” after he had just saved a man from drowning in the San Marcos River. His accomplice in the “crime,” upon seeing Mr. Newman's arrest, took off running. This man is considered to be unarmed and potentially dangerous as a do-gooder. San Marcos citizens are called upon to help bring this accomplice in.
Mr. Newman's trial is coming up and this not only requires the attendance of the arresting officer, but also Mr. Newman and all the personnel of the court: bailiff, judge, court reporter, etc. The rescued man will also attend the trial to give moral and financial support to Mr. Newman who criminally saved his life. How much will the court costs be? This is a great use of our judicial system, which is usually backed-up with cases, not to mention a wonderful use of the city's financial resources and manpower.
TSU's and the city of San Marcos' image has been negatively portrayed by state and national news. When a university policeman arrests a man for saving another man's life, there is something terribly wrong.
Next time, and there will be a next time, people may not be so apt to offer assistance to someone in trouble for fear of being arrested. What happened to the good Samaritan law?
I thought some of the duties of policemen were to “serve and protect.” This is a case of simple common sense and human decency, which seem to have been forgotten that Sunday afternoon. The type of attitude exemplified by the arresting officer could have resulted in the death of Mr. Abed Duamni. Mr. Newman was being a good citizen and doing his public duty as a good citizen. There are good Samaritan laws that are designed to encourage people to help a stranger who needs assistance by reducing the fear that if they do help, there will be legal repercussions.
Parents send their sons and daughters to TSU thinking they will be in a safe environment. Who will protect us (students, staff, and citizens) from the police?
Doug Yancey
San Marcos
[Editor's note: The charges against Mr. Newman have been dropped.]
RECEIVED Tue., July 12, 2005
Dear Editor,
I would be interested in reading any research on the process of grinding up old rubber tires to put on roads. This is a project becoming more and more prevalent in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. I don't know if it is just an experiment and they'll be waiting to see the longevity of the rubber, but I've got to tell you that the road noise difference is amazing! Driving on this surface is substantially quieter than on standard asphalt or concrete.
I subscribe to Utne magazine through my nonprofit Bali Peace Pole Project and love reading every single page. Please add more stories of innovative practices like this [“Study: Parking Lots Pollute,” News, July 1], even if it's an experiment. And provide information (like in this article) of the environmental impact of new technologies.
Margaret A. Driscoll
Phoenix, Ariz.
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
As Louis Black points out [“Page Two,” July 1], it's not economically healthy when some folks are very rich, some very poor, and there is no one in the middle. The same is true in the realm of transportation.
There are three classes in our transportation system. The much-too-powerful class of motorists has the power not only to move about, but also to kill whoever gets in the way. We spend vast sums of money on the powerful class, covering our city with toxic parking lots and highways.
The lowest class is the class without mobility. The class depends on being driven in a car by other people. Most children under 16, most people over 85, and many others fall into this unfortunate class.
The middle class consists of those with the power to move about, but not the power to kill. This is the class of people who move about on foot, by bicycle, and by public transportation.
In a healthy system, the middle class would be the largest class. But the middle trasportation class is shrinking, not growing. Forty years ago, most school children belonged to this class. This is no longer true. Children are now kept powerless till age 16, and then given the power to kill. Does anyone think this is wise?
Air pollution is by no means the only problem caused by cars. Any large, two-ton, personal vehicle will devour space, terrify people, and destroy both society and the plants and animals that live here. The middle class needs to grow. The too-powerful and powerless classes need to shrink. Please help us. Your personal decisions matter.
Yours truly,
Amy Babich
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
I am one of the sources of the quotes that Liam Scheff uses [“Postmarks Online,” July 8].
It is true that many of the quotes are from the 1980s. The reason there are not very many more recent studies in the scientific literature is because it was erroneously accepted about 10 years ago that HIV tests were highly accurate, despite all this evidence to the contrary.
One of the reasons this belief can be maintained is that nobody bothers to try to validate the tests against a meaningful yardstick, and the only one that makes sense would be purification of HIV, verified by electron microscopy, and analysis of the proteins and RNA in the pure particles.
No scientist has ever purified HIV. Consequently, no HIV tests have been properly validated. The question is not really whether HIV tests are 99.9% accurate or 99% accurate or 90% accurate ... but whether they do detect the virus we call HIV at all. Without validation we simply don't know.
If a request to validate HIV tests against a meaningful standard is denialism, then I plead guilty as charged.
David Crowe
president
Alberta Reappraising AIDS Society
Alberta, Canada
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
It's almost incomprehensible that I'd agree with the Yuppie Pricks on any music-related topic [“Postmarks,” July 1], but it seems I must: Darcie Stevens does not know what she's talking about.
Not only that, but she seems to like ripping off others. Example: the previous issue's cover story, "99 Bands" [Music, July 8] covering the so-called Red River scene. In it, she features listings of seemingly noteworthy shows in the past month, with full lineups, and short descriptions. This is all well and good, except it is exactly what I have been doing in my own magazine, stage_scene, every single month since March, though without the convenience of hindsight. Granted, we have nowhere near the funds nor distribution of the Chronicle, so perhaps a writer such as Ms. Stevens had never seen an issue?
Except a few weeks ago, not knowing her position with the Chronicle, I asked her to write for us. Luckily (now), she refused, stating a conflict of interest, which only shows itself in its true form this week.
I hope you got a nice check for that, Ms. Stevens, while we struggle to dig up the money to print our measly 1,500 or so copies each month. I hope you enjoyed the bands that we probably brought to your attention. I'll keep doing all the hard work, you just keep taking the credit, because we all know this is how things work in Austin.
Sincerely,
Anna Spysz
editor-in-chief, stage_scene
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
I realize that Darcie-bashing is a regular fixture of your letters page, but this time she has really excelled herself. Can she please make up her mind if Red River is "dried up ... as empty as George W.'s promises" ["One Night on Red River," Music, Nov. 5, 2004] or if it is "rich [and] alive" ["99 Bands," Music, July 8]?
Not only were her "reviews" slapdash and cliché, many of the bands she listed had simultaneous sets. From this I am forced to conclude, her weird use of doublespeak notwithstanding, she either posseses the power of teleportation or didn't really take the time to watch more than 30 seconds of each band.
We have come to expect this level of hackery from national publications, but from a paper that prides itself on being part of the solution this kind of fluff not only fails to give credit to the bands in Austin that deserve it most, her article ends up looking like an archived gig list, albeit without the venue addresses. Once again, Darcie Stevens proves that the Austin music scene thrives in spite of the Chronicle and not because of it.
Mary Malton
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
Please thank Michael Ventura for sharing his practice with us ["Letters@3am," July 8]. Perhaps it will encourage others to adopt a daily practice; that would be a good thing. Please tell him also that there are three prayers, not one: "Help me, help me, help me," "Thank you, thank you, thank you," and "What can I do for you?"
Best regards,
Bill Meacham
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
As I sit in record 104-degree heat, wondering if it's gong to be another ozone action day, listening to TV news about a never-ending stream of casualties from our latest oil war in Iraq, I agree with Chip Pumphrey's letter ["Postmarks," July 8] that it would be nice to be able to avoid Amy Babich's letters. If I could, I wouldn't be reminded about how doggedly our country is creating an environmental quagmire. If any readers feel "quagmire" is overblown rhetoric, I urge them to read the current best seller Collapse by Jared Diamond. That book points out that while environmental folly does not necessarily doom a nation, the failure to respond appropriately to such folly does.
Philip Russell
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Chronicle,
I retain a lot of nostalgic respect for your paper and still enjoy reading Louis Black, his last "Page Two" [July 8] article was excellent, over a good pint at Lovejoys; however, in general I read the Chronicle to find out what's going on in town and during summer, when it's 100-plus degrees outside, catching an afternoon movie becomes a far more appealing distraction than riding the greenbelt, therefore I have found myself naively considering the Chronicle's movie reviews before taking in a flick. Three-and-a-half stars for War of the Worlds [Film Listings, July 1] and two stars for Cinderella Man [Film Listings, June 3]? Is this a joke? Have you even seen War of the Worlds? How can anyone actually watch that movie and then rate it above average when it has to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen; it was unbelievably bad. The only possible explanation is that you Americans really are as dumb as the rest of the world believes you are or your movie reviewers are from another planet entirely. I know Americans are not dumb, I've lived here long enough to wade through your jingoism and discover there are some people with real smarts living here, so I implore you to find some movie reviewers that have at least some minimal connection with reality or just please drop your rating system, list the times and locations and stop wasting paper.
Christopher Palmer
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
It seems that MTV producers have helped the Austin Police Department catch the assailant of one of its cast members ["Televised Assault, Real Arrest," News, July 8]. Love the collaboration.
Now, how about some collaboration to bust the underage cast members at all the 21-and-over places on Sixth Street? Or is that too much consistency to ask for?
Jerry Suva
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Editor,
Public services we have previously expected the government to provide for all citizens alike are not starved for funds to meet even the most basic expectations. Chief among these services are roads and schools. We are about to try and create a new income stream to finance roads by tolling some of these roads. The toll roads need to be superior to the free roads in order to attract motorists, and surely they will be. Obviously, some motorists will not be able to afford the tolls, but they will still have use of the slower free roads.
Why not solve our financial problems with schools the same way? Those who can pay a toll can send their children to the first-rate toll schools, and those who can't pay will still have the no-frills free schools.
If you think this is unlikely, just watch.
Beki Halpin
RECEIVED Mon., July 11, 2005
Dear Austin Chronicle,
Gee. I just tried to e-mail our president and Mrs. Bush about how disappointed I am they just couldn't sign on with the environmental reality that everyone but really rich Republicans seem to grok. Mr. Bush's state is currently reflecting the Sahara and yet he won't take FDR measures to rescue our beautiful continent.
This also reminds me, given that Laura is on a “veil” trip in her way. I think suicide bombers, et al, are like those Taliban drag queens New Yorker published in photos a few years ago: Young “warriors” in Kohl make-up, all fighting for Osama and his wives, who're probably dressed up in bustiers, garters, and silky, silky black stockings. All religion is S&M, oh lord help us.
So, all the Texas fundamentalists, get really ready for the thirsts of 2005. I hope all the strip malls shrivel and the gas does indeed go to $400 a gallon and we all learn to plant herbs. Native herbs. And pray we haven't already fucked up the water due to stupid, shortsighted developers and “nouveau riches.”
All power to Mr. L. Black and all yer crew.
Luisa Inez Newton
San Antonio
RECEIVED Fri., July 8, 2005
Editor,
Rachel Proctor May's June 24 “Y Not?” [News] article about AMD and Oak Hill is professional and balanced, recognizing the new urbanism YIMBY (Yes! In My Back Yard) trend. Congratulations to Southwest neighborhoods, businesses, and their alliances like OHNA and OHBPA. They grasp reality and the future, deal with issues sensibly and rationally, lead the way to take back their areas, collaborating with all stakeholders for real solutions that create a better Oak Hill community and provide for growth including environmental protection.
Skip Cameron, president
Bull Creek Foundation
RECEIVED Fri., July 8, 2005
Hello,
Seconding the Yuppie Pricks' questioning of what qualifies Darcie Stevens to review music [“Postmarks,” July 1], her top 10 of the 99 bands completely suck giraffes' intestines [“99 Bands,” Music, July 8]. I guess the bland and mediocre have finally conquered all. Very glad to see Assnipple didn't make that list, we would have been insulted.
With love,
Jason “Spicey Nipple” Christain
RECEIVED Fri., July 8, 2005
Dear Editor,
I read with concern Sandy Bartlett's summary dismissals of my work, and the work of anyone saying anything critical about HIV tests, AIDS drugs, or the state of AIDS research [“About AIDS,” April 22].
Bartlett has stated that anyone having a contrary view – and this includes physicians in the field – is simply a “denialist.”
For the record, that's not a term I use to describe myself. I am a journalist who digs into the medical literature in order to bring to light what the medical industry is not comfortable telling us plainly. I'm not here to make the industry feel good about cutting corners, taking advantage of public ignorance, or putting dangerous products on the market.
I'm here to try to keep the public discussion open, lively, and honest. And contrary to your assertions, I welcome nonpartisan critical thinking into the discussion.
Speaking of critical thinking, I am absolutely amazed, perplexed, and disheartened by the near-total lack of it on the part of many AIDS activists and much of the liberal media when it comes to the pills, tests, and research coming down from various pharmaceutical-run government institutions.
For example, here's an AIDS story that was ignored for more than a year in the liberal U.S. media. In early 2004, I broke the story of Incarnation Children's Center, a New York City orphanage for HIV-positive children of drug abusers, who were being used in government and pharmaceutical clinical trials without consent. (“Orphans on Trial,” NY Press, 2004, www.nypress.com/print.cfm?content_id=10614.)
I have been attacked in print by hardened AIDS activists for bringing the story to light – despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections voted that these trials were conducted unethically.
Kids in ICC were and are being pumped daily through surgically inserted tubes with a regimen of drugs that would peel paint off a car; drugs like AZT and Nevirapine; drugs which, by law, state at the top of their labels that they may very well cause the death of the person taking them due to blood cell death, skin death, or liver failure.
Many activists defend the use of these particular drugs, despite their toxicity, because some studies claim that they prevent transmission of HIV slightly better than no drugs at all – and I mean slightly. But how can you claim to be an AIDS activist while turning a blind eye to the use of orphans in AZT trials? Trials in which raw drugs are pumped into the open abdomens of children who have no one to speak for them?
From my point of view, AIDS activism has lost its way. Instead of demanding transparency in research, they too often act like mindless cheerleaders, allowing big pharma to keep dangerous drugs in the market, while it actively ignores or suppresses research into viable alternatives, like micronutrient studies, which show similar or better results in clinical trials than AZT and Nevirapine, without the threat of fatal anemia or muscle wasting.
For the record, I would never take AZT or Nevirapine out of somebody's mouth if they thought it was helping them. But I have spoken with and interviewed dozens upon dozens of gay men, pregnant women, and growing children who test HIV positive and who desperately want alternatives.
They are not afraid of letting some competition into medicine. They are not afraid to debate the science of HIV.
By the way, this is precisely what Bartlett calls “denialism” – debate. Open, unrestricted debate.
I invite the public to read, investigate, and weigh-in on the questions that I am interested in: Can we be doing better for pregnant women who test HIV positive than old failed cancer drugs like AZT? Can big pharma handle a little competition? And can we afford to turn researchers with good ideas away because they threaten to put the manufacturers of profitable drugs out of business?
Back to you,
Liam Scheff
RECEIVED Fri., July 8, 2005
Dear Editor,
Marjorie Baumgarten's review of Mysterious Skin was insightful [Film Listings, July 1]. As difficult as this film is to watch – even the most casual, blasé viewer will be squirming through parts of it – it tackles the too-often unvoiced subject of the long-term effects of sexual abuse head-on. It's something that changes a person for the rest of their life, no matter how much help they get, no matter how much courage they demonstrate in dealing with it.
This is one of those films that typically plays only for a week or two – I encourage people to check it out, decide if it's something they can deal with, and see it. It's not often that a film addressing this issue with such intelligence and sensitivity comes along.
Another film that's currently being shown in selected cities (and being ignored in others, particularly in Toledo, where it was made) is Twist of Faith. For those who have access, it'll be on HBO this month.
Larry Looney
RECEIVED Thu., July 7, 2005
Dear Nick and Louis,
What a wonderful paper you have created! With the great coverage and service to the advertisers and the rest of the community, it is really one to be held up to the best in the business. However, to those fans of yours that do not normally have a distribution location "next door" it would be nice if you could include all of the paper on the Web site. I am speaking principally of the deletion of the public notices, which are very important to the community and now very unavailable to those of us in the cyber community that not only used them but help educate the uniformed about how the government pushes through its agenda by publishing an ad with the knowledge that very few people actually read these very informative and important bits of information. Please put them back in! For those of us who live in, oh no, Williamson County, and are far away from a drop point, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Walt Peters
Georgetown
RECEIVED Thu., July 7, 2005
Dear Editor,
In his letter, Marcos Andres Flores wrote that we would all do well to remember that although Daniel Rocha had made some bad decisions in his life, "he still had the rest of it to correct them" ["Postmarks,” July 8].
Unfortunately, Rocha's last bad decision forced Officer Schroeder to choose between her own and another officer's safety and that of a person who had just disobeyed her and ran, knocking her down in the process.
Daniel Rocha's death was tragic. That he didn't get the chance to learn from and correct his mistakes was tragic. But ignoring the concept of personal responsibility for the choices we make is wrong. We would all do well to remember that, instead of focusing blame on the cops for Daniel Rocha's last bad decision.
Erin Dempsey