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,
    RE: "Texas to Execute Father Accused of Murdering Child Despite Innocence Argument," News, Sept. 27:
    This was a difficult piece to read; I appreciate Brant [Bingamon]'s effort in laying out [Robert] Roberson's innocence so compellingly. The Innocence Project (mentioned in the article) has given us a call to action (missing from the article): urge Greg Abbott to stop Roberson's execution [by calling] 361-320-8100.
    As of 2024, the Democratic party platform no longer includes the basic progressive commitment to abolishing the death penalty. This last week, five men were executed in what has been described as "the worst execution spree in decades," without any protest or response from the Biden administration.
    The group of men executed included Marcellus Williams, convicted of murder but widely understood to be innocent. Convicted based on paid eyewitness testimonies and without any supporting DNA evidence, his case was marred by prosecutorial errors, including the mishandling of evidence and racial bias in jury selection, which even the county prosecuting attorney acknowledged. The victim's family themselves were vocal in their opposition to Mr. Williams' execution, to no avail.
    Demand Abbott not execute an innocent man. Jill Stein and Butch Ware are the only candidates against the death penalty, they are the only candidates who used their platforms to rally opposition to Mr. Williams' execution. Rather than support a socially regressive campaign, let's use our voice to fight for what we deserve. Vote green with us in November.

Dear Editor,
    Bill Bentley's eulogy for Bill Campbell moved me as he captured the true essence of my friend and the music he lived for.
    I knew Bill through my husband, Mel, who had been a follower and friend since the early days. When I met Bill in his 50s, I saw through his gruff demeanor and found him to be a kind, witty, gentle giant using his unparalleled talent and soul to touch the hearts of devoted fans. He was an encourager who listened intently when I shared my songs; I took his advice to heart when he told me to keep writing and performing my truth through music.
    Bill's sage words of hard-learned wisdom stayed with me. My favorite was, "You can live it up, but you can never live it down." Bill did both.

Dear Editor,
    Bill Bentley's eulogy for Bill Campbell moved me as he captured the true essence of my friend and the music he lived for ["Bill Campbell: Blues Me or Lose Me," Music, Sept. 13].
    I knew Bill through my husband, Mel, who had been a follower and friend since the early days. When I met Bill in his 50s, I saw through his gruff demeanor and found him to be a kind, witty, gentle giant using his unparalleled talent and soul to touch the hearts of devoted fans. He was an encourager who listened intently when I shared my songs; I took his advice to heart when he told me to keep writing and performing my truth through music.
    Bill's sage words of hard-learned wisdom stayed with me. My favorite was, "You can live it up, but you can never live it down." Bill did both.

Dear Editor,
    Some years ago one of Austin's elementary schools changed its name from Robert E. Lee to Russell Lee, a long overdue and widely supported decision spearheaded by the community. [See "Lee Elementary Still Lee Elementary," Daily News, May 26, 2016.]
    Friends of Russell Lee will be interested to learn that some of Mr. Lee's historic photos are currently on exhibit at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Titled "Power and Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey," they document the horrific conditions under which fellow Americans were forced to work and live. They are an important visual record of the life of coal miners, their exploitation and poverty, and a testimony to American labor, the role of unions and the fight for more humane conditions in the not-too-distant past.
    A fitting tribute to Mr. Lee who died in Austin in 1986, and a wise choice by the Lee community.