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,
    Has anyone noticed Sen. John Cornyn's name came up on the Anonymous-released KKK member list? And why am I not at all shocked? This is a man who addresses all constituents' correspondence to "Mr." and apparently believes the little women of his district don't write or complain. He has been instrumental in shutting down Planned Parenthood, robbing Texas women of affordable health care. Now, we have the distinction of being the state with the most HPV cases and repeat teen pregnancies. Yet he stands firm and violates our rights to get a safe, accessible abortion in the Austin area. Or an IUD. Or birth control pills.
    But apparently black fetuses don't matter to him as he parades around with his KKK pals. Get rid of this crazy old man!

Dear Editor,
    I am disappointed to write about my experience with Texas' oldest theatre, our own Zach Scott. I am a trained, professional actor, and I recently auditioned for and was cast in the upcoming production of Tribes which is a six-person play. The rehearsal period involved a month of 36-40 hours a week availability and a month of six shows a week. When I received the offer along with the stipend of $200/week, I was startled and worked out these numbers to less than minimum wage. I asked instead for a minimum of $300/week, and was politely turned down. In order to maintain my artistic integrity, I turned down the role.
    Three years ago, the Zach opened its $22 million building and has since increased its yearly budget to $7 million. Zach continues to collect money for the "Dave Steakley Dream Fund" and among the uses of this money is listed: "To provide stipends for visiting actors, directors, or designers from throughout the country whose presence will enhance Zach’s mainstage programming." While one of Zach's core values is listed as being "Uniquely Austin," nowhere in their efforts is the fiscal support of local, professional talent. Zach Scott Theatre is perpetuating the illusion that Austin artists are supported while raising money for out-of-state actors to come grace our stages. Austin actors are accepting pennies in order to be allowed to be a part of such organizations. We are exploiting our talent and requiring full-time “day jobs” for our professional actors unless they have expendable funds. This is shameful. [For more, see "Actors' Inequity," Arts & Culture, Jan. 23.]
    What will it take for Austin to connect the value of artistry and entertainment with the value of time and money for its own hard-working artist citizens?

Dear Editor,
    Though it may seem far away, may I and a few hundred old-time Austinites request that you consider two great Austin bands for the upcoming Hall of Fame: Balcones Fault and the Lotions. Both are legendary for contributions to Austin music in the Seventies and Eighties: Balcones Fault for their high-energy shows of wide musical styles, innovative comedy and staging – notably, the famous Full Moon series – Armadillo Headquarters' most frequent headliner, and largest-ever audience. They appeared on Austin City Limits' inaugural season and were the only local band invited. Balcones was one of a kind and there has never been another.
    The Lotions were the band that brought reggae to Austin and put Liberty Lunch on the map. The Lotions packed every house with sweaty dancers, every show, without fail. The Lotions were the go-to band for opening shows like Pointer Sisters, Neville Bros., Joe Cocker, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh, and others, all over Texas and in Austin, one of the few bands who could play at Soap Creek on Friday and Steamboat on Saturday and fill both clubs by themselves, no opener. Both these groups are solid legends of local music in that period. We should do them the honor they deserve. Thanks everyone, please visit our FB page "Balcones Fault for Texas Music Hall of Fame."