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,
    On the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, all people of conscience should be concerned about our government's increasing use of drones, which are an evil, remote way to kill and terrorize people, including innocent civilians. U.S. drones have been used to target and murder people chosen from a "kill list" compiled by the CIA and approved by the president. There is no evidence or trial required, making the president and the CIA the judge, jury, and executioner. And, for every person on the "kill list" who is murdered, many non-combatants, including children, die. Families in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere are afraid to gather in groups for fear they will be attacked and killed by a drone. Is this what we want our government to be doing? Are we okay with funding the remote control killing of innocent people without any accountability?

Dear Editor,
    I really appreciate the mention of my candidacy in today’s Austin Chronicle story about endorsements in the Pct. 2 Commissioner's race [“Commissioner Race Kicks Into Gear,” Newsdesk blog, Sept. 11] . However, it does not tell the whole story of my own endorsements.
    Like my friendly competitors, I, too, have current and former elected officials’ endorsements – Constable Sally Hernandez, former County Commissioner Karen Huber, former County Tax Assessor-Collector Nelda Wells Spears, and former Judge Charlie Baird.
    Yes, I am lucky to have earned the support of many Democratic Club leaders as mentioned in the story, but I also enjoy the support of many precinct chairs in Pct. 2 and across the county, local Democratic leaders working on the state party level, two former executive directors of the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP), and a former TCDP chair. Still, this is not the whole story.
    As Democrats, we know that grassroots support is vital in small races, such as this one for Travis County Pct. 2 Commissioner. The missing piece of this story is about my advantage in grassroots support. In total, I have 72 endorsements from local grassroots Democratic leaders who have raised their voice in support of me and my message of new ideas, new leadership, and new politics in moving Travis County forward. They are all part of the almost 500 supporters listed on my website, which is more than the published combined lists of my friendly competitors.
    Thanks, Chronicle, for paying attention to this race and for allowing me to fully explain my own endorsements.

Dear Editor:
    The article “City Council: Here's Your Budget!” [News, Sept. 13] covered the fiscal but not much of the human component of the expenditures. With the arrival of more and more corporations and newcomers, Austin is becoming less and less affordable and livable for longtime residents. For a century the city has been pushing Mexicans from the Downtown area to the Eastside, where we had to fight for many years for the Mexican American Cultural Center. The City Council missed an opportunity to compensate for this wrongful past by refusing to provide additional funds for youth programs at the MACC.

Dear Editor,
    OK, we get it. You don't like AISD or the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders [“In the Name of Ann Richards,” News, Aug. 30]. We've heard this story before. I'm sorry someone lost her job. I'm sorry someone's feelings are hurt; but guess what? This happens in the corporate world. My employer did not get excited when I announced my pregnancy, and I was let go after airing my thoughts in what, at the time, I thought was a reasonable and intelligent manner. Guess what, it doesn't matter. An employee that expresses their unhappiness is marked as an at-risk employee. Every company has a list of unhappy employees. This is not news.
    As a new parent at ARS, I have yet to experience the things you're accusing the school of. My daughter went through the same rigorous process to apply to the magnet schools just like all the other kids. She worked her heart out. My college applications were much easier. I watched as equally, if not more deserving kids did not make the lottery. It was difficult to see the disappointment.
    Remember this is a voluntary process. We all are aware of this process and are willing to take the chance so our kids can excel. If it's the fact that you feel all kids in the AISD district should have the same chance, then find a solution. But keep in mind, not all students want to make the effort, not all want to go to college. If you feel that the lottery process is rigged, show us. If you feel the lottery process is unfair, find a better way. If you think the attrition rate is unacceptable, keep in mind that everyone has their own reasons for leaving. If you just don't like single-sex schools, then that is your opinion. I have mine, and I like the idea. We are both entitled to our opinions.
    But understand this: My daughter is so much happier right now. I can't describe the change in her. She loved her elementary school, but as a smart kid, she was ostracized by her peers. Now she's in an environment that she feels comfortable in. So, for every person with their own unhappy tale, there is one with a happy tale. Interview us. Better yet, give me a few years and check back then. I promise, I'll be honest.

Dear Editor,
    It is totally inappropriate to choose Stand With Texas Women as a grassroots movement [“Best Grassroots Movement: Stand With Texas Women,” Sept. 13]. It was not. It was the Democratic Party, if you paid attention. They orchestrated a lot of what happened at the Capitol, but they only organized to get Democratic support to come out.
    Rise Up Texas is a grassroots movement that garnered national attention about reproductive rights in Texas. In fact, Wendy Davis let us know she appreciated our efforts, but we were not a part of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party tried to co-opt us from the very beginning. And whenever we planned actions they disapproved of, they tried to squelch us. They wanted all the attention on them, but they weren't able to draw as much attention nationwide as we did.
    Perhaps you need to revise your definition of grassroots. Rise Up Texas is still in existence and not going away. What is Stand With Texas Women doing these days besides supporting the Democratic Party and a Wendy Davis candidacy?
    I really resent the Democratic Party being considered a grassroots movement when it's not.