Passionate Prose | Letters to the Editor

Backyard tales and other commentary

Four-legged animals ...

A couple of weeks ago I heard my neighbor’s dog making a fuss. Normally I ignore it because she barks at falling leaves with the same urgency as murderous villains. I opened the door to confront the intruder only to see an armadillo looking at me as if waiting for a polite introduction. Nixing that, I ran to get my camera. For in this diverse melting pot that is Riverside, armadillos are not one of the cultures normally represented.
A few nights later, a possum showed up. Possums, I have encountered before. The first meeting was not pleasant for either of us. I opened the garage door and I was greeted by a loud hiss and a foaming mouth. If you have ever been witness to the reaction of a 12-year-old girl who has just met her favorite music idol, you can relate to the scream I let out. A “braver than I” animal control officer came and removed the possum from my garage. Probably stopped it from stealing my car.
The other night was different. Unable to sleep, I looked out the window to watch an approaching storm. Instead, my eyes focused on the four-legged object walking on my lawn. At first, I thought it was the fattest dog I had ever seen. Looking again, I saw I was wrong.
It was a pig. Yes, a pig. Teats hanging to the ground, a snout instead of a nose, pig. When did my house become Green Acres? Was I about to find Eva Gabor making hotcakes in my kitchen?
I’m waiting on my next visitor to show up. I hope it’s a cow. I like cows.
— Bill Gentry, Fort Worth

... and the two-legged kind

A fox is caught in a henhouse with a chicken in its mouth. Just before the farmer shoots the fox he says, “I was just taking the chicken out for some exercise.” The farmer says, “Oh, OK,” and walks away while the fox gobbles down the chicken.
President Obama, who I feel is otherwise doing a great job, had the foxes in for a talk and they said, “Oh, we’ll try to cut costs by 1.5 percent per year (when the current increase is 6 percent a year) but please, don’t make us put it writing.” Farmer Obama promised us healthcare reform, not empty rhetoric from the insurance executives. We need options that will permit us to choose the kind of healthcare we will get, be it what we have now, Medicare+ Advantage, or the same coverage that Congress has and we need. What we don’t need are self-serving heads of insurance companies making empty promises.
— Beverly Kurtin, Hurst

Common history not enough

According to a May 10 article, Pope Benedict XVI says Muslims and Christians must strive to be seen as faithful worshippers of God “because of the burden of our common history.” (See: “Benedict visits mosque, meets with adviser to Jordan’s king”)
This conclusion trips over the stumbling block of logic. Two self-contradictory statements cannot both be true. Christians believe Christ is the Son of God, or God incarnate, and this is a central tenet of their faith. In fact, Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Muslims deny this. In fact, they believe it to be impossible.
Either one or the other, the Christians or the Muslims, are being “faithful worshippers of God” because they disagree as to who God really is.
I also am a little confused about the “burden of our common history” comment. Loads of people have common histories yet turn out to be diametrically opposed to each other. In the Revolutionary War founding our country, most supported the colonies, but some still favored British rule, even though they had a “common history.”
The pope’s comment fails all the way around. Muslims and Christians don’t worship the same God, and whatever “common history” they are supposed to have is irrelevant.
— Thomas F. Harkins Jr., Fort Worth

What’s the alternative?

Alma Perez’s May 7 letter (“Ban Taser use”) was confusing. She made the assertion that there is something inherently wrong with the use of Tasers in the apprehension of suspected criminals. Tasers offer law enforcement a nonlethal option to handguns in the apprehension of criminals.
What Perez did not address was her other options. Should we disallow the use of Tasers by our law enforcement in favor of them using their expert marksmanship by shooting suspected perpetrators in the knees to prevent them from running away from or advancing on officers? Is she aware of some extreme Super Soaker water gun technology we are not?
All joking aside — it’s hard to make an argument that Tasers aren’t a more humane method of apprehension over the potential alternatives. Support your police.
— Jack Lewis, Keller

Cut spending or do without

As I read an article outlining the desire to increase the gas tax in Texas by 10 cents a gallon, I was absolutely amazed that our elected state officials would be proposing such at this time, with a significant number of our residents unemployed and looking for ways to provide for their families.
 Our state representatives need to be focused on living within a budget, not increasing taxes. If this commuter rail system is so vital (and I believe it is), then reduce spending somewhere else in the budget.
Just as Americans are doing with our personal budgets, politicians must learn to remove the wasteful spending or do without. Please remember, this is “Texas,” not “Tax-us.”
Our state representatives need to remember that Texas is a right-to-work state. We’ve hired them to do a job, and we have the right to fire them at the next election.
— Cleatius Copeland, Roanoke

Historical inaccuracies

 Regarding the historical inaccuracies in the movie Angels and Demons, your article quotes one expert as saying, “The only thing accurate is the buildings.” (See: “ ‘Angels’ draws criticism for factual errors,” May 16)
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but as far as the book goes, even the buildings aren’t always right. In the book, the character played by Tom Hanks asserts that the Pantheon in Rome remained the largest freestanding dome in the world until the 1960s when the Superdome was built. Of course, in the real world — instead of Dan Brown’s imagination — the Superdome wasn’t built until the 1970s. By that time, several domes had been built larger than the Pantheon, including Casa Mañana in 1958.
— Tom Glenn, Fort Worth

Appraised value not reality

The article in the May 16 Star-Telegram regarding appraised values in Tarrant County did not reflect the reality of the recession in real estate values. For example, my property in Fort Worth is located on the southwest side, and real estate sales in our neighborhood have been very sluggish for more than a year now.
If you cannot sell your house for the asking price or close to it, and it is on the market for more than a year with no takers, then these appraised values have little meaning in the real world. The true value, or market value — the value you accept as a seller — is the only meaningful figure. I suggest the writer, Anthony Spangler, write another article listing the average actual closing sales values of residential (not commercial) properties in the same areas in Fort Worth, comparing figures with the appraised values. I believe he will discover the sales values are down at least 10 percent in most average-value-home neighborhoods in the the Fort Worth area.
— Cy Francis, Fort Worth

Leno sure, but nothing to laugh about

Healthcare heats up

The Star-Telegram should send Steve Jacob to Washington to help fix the healthcare mess. (See: “Crippling the system one needless prescription and procedure at a time,” May 10) I agree that delivery of care is lopsided: In the past six months I have had cameras in my heart, bladder and colon (where a growth was found and removed). I am grateful there is insurance to pay for all of this, but I sometimes think I am overtested because of my coverage. I would be happy if some of these funds could be used for others in greater need (I’ll even give up my place in line for the next Bladder Cam exam!).
 I’m pleased that all but one test proved negative for disease, but perhaps they were all not critical to my well-being.
Jacob has a great understanding of these complex issues, and I appreciate his insights.
— Bruce Rider, Grapevine

A majority of people are now calling, pleading for single-payer Canadian-style health insurance. It boils down to an old question: Who are the government’s real constituents — the people or the greed-head corporations? I think we have our answer.
— Grayson Harper, Fort Worth

Where did letter writer Erin Finn come up with the sick, commie idea that government should be involved in healthcare for U.S. citizens? (See: “Healthcare reform needed,” May 7) That is right up there with public roads and fire and police protection provided by government and paid for by taxes. Everyone knows for-profit corporations would do a better job. Don’t they? Yes? No?
— Don H. Baker, Alvarado

Moment of fame

What could be better for a board member than to have the organization you serve mentioned on national TV? As it turned out, there are many things that could be better than being part of Jay Leno’s “Headlines.”
The Multicultural Alliance was one of the featured headlines recently when Leno flashed Star-Telegram Click photos showing some of the attendees at our annual awards dinner on March 4. Leno’s comment: “Hey Kevin — I want you to notice ... look at how many shades of white people there are.” This brought laughs from the audience and some embarrassment for us and possible confusion among our friends and supporters.
We submitted six photos featuring honorees, program participants and several members of our board. While some of the photos reflected the diversity of our dinner attendees, the four photos selected by the paper to run in Click did not.
Our organization has worked diligently to be a voice for justice in our community for almost 60 years. Formerly known as The National Conference of Christians and Jews, we provide a voice of reason and collaboration in the events that have the potential to divide our community. The Multicultural Alliance works at the cutting edge of religious, racial and social issues, promoting the importance of diversity and understanding. We want all our friends in this wonderful community to know our values haven’t changed.
— Mattie Peterson Compton, presiding chair, The Multicultural Alliance, Fort Worth

At peace at last

Gasping for breath in prison for a crime you didn’t commit is a horrific way to die. For Timothy Cole, those last moments were a finale to the years of indifference and incompetence that kept him locked up because a conviction was more important than his constitutional rights.
 The justice denied him in life now comes in death as his was the first DNA-proven posthumous exoneration. Judge Jim Bob Darnell, who was Cole’s prosecutor in Lubbock, says he feels like he’s been punched in the stomach with this outcome. The truth resurrected by the Innocence Project of Texas clobbered him.
 New law has been exacted from this tragedy that will benefit everyone accused of a crime. Change has come at great sacrifice to Cole and his family. Hopefully, it brings peace to the soul of a man who would not acquiesce to a plea bargain because of his innocence.
 Lubbock sits firmly in the Bible Belt; maybe that’s why the unholy acts perpetuated by our legal system against Timothy Cole demanded retribution. Divine intervention has many forms, and DNA is obviously one of them.
— Mary Alice Altorfer, New Braunfels

Transportation issues

Apparently Fort Worth and Tarrant County bureaucrats have spent tens of thousands of dollars to hire the most expensive lobbyist in Austin to influence passage of the North Texas transportation bill. This bill, which passed the Senate (surprise) and is awaiting a vote in the House, will significantly increase our tax burden. So we have the unappetizing reality that our elected officials are using our tax money to pass laws that will increase our taxes. Complaints may be registered at City Hall and Tarrant County offices. Why do senators and representatives statewide have the right to decide what happens in our community?
 — William Wright, Fort Worth

What is holding up progress on the North Richland Hills light rail line to D/FW Airport and beyond? The track, the old Cotton Belt line, is already owned. The city has a plan for the stations. Everything is in place except financing, although several plans have been developed.
Most agree that light rail to and beyond D/FW would be a great thing. Businesses in and around the stations would be perfect for our city’s development. The convenience of parking at a rate far below what the airport charges would be great. And best of all, light rail would reduce pollution and tie in with high-speed rail.
What are we waiting for? State Rep. Kelly Hancock, can you please explain why you will not move forward with one of the greatest projects for this city’s future!
— Jerry P. Sorenson, North Richland Hills

Election afterthoughts

I want to thank all those who supported the merger of the Municipal Utility District 2 into the Town of Trophy Club. While it did not go the way we hoped, there will be two less layers of government. Our next goal is to work to secure a contract between the Towns of Trophy Club and Westlake for services to Solana. The contract will allow for the merger of the new MUD into our town and accomplish our ultimate goal of one government in Trophy Club.
— Greg Lamont, Trophy Club

One of the many writers reporting on the recent elections in Parker County indicated that some of the “former” incumbents felt that the voters were confused by recent occurrences.
I advise the “recent” incumbents and the writers that I was far from confused when I voted in this election. I, for one, would genuinely be interested in limiting all public offices to two terms and hired positions to one contract.
— R.E. Driscoll Sr., Weatherford

Sustaining liberty, not taxes

I appreciated much of Mike Norman’s May 8 column on “states’ rights.” He refers to a rising tide of concern about the overreaching influence and power of the federal government.
However, after identifying a broad set of examples to demonstrate these concerns, he then presumed to explain these instances on the sole motivation of a tax benefit for the rich.
U.S. citizens have knowledge about our Constitution and an understanding about how our form of government was designed to work. Many have sworn an allegiance to that document, swearing by honor and oath to protect it from all enemies, foreign and domestic. When in many separate places, citizens of our Union begin to enunciate concern, the goal of those citizens is not financial gain but the sustainment of liberty as designed by our Constitution.
We were not fans of King George, even though we were brothers and citizens of the same land. And we are not fans of the federal government when intrusive and overreaching power exceeds the written boundaries set forth in the guiding document upon which this Republic stands.
As for taxes, they are the breath by which the federal monster grows. Whatever tax reduction may come at the federal level, those same taxes may well be replaced by state and local governments as services shift from Washington to local control.
So, tax reduction is somewhat of a myth and, in the case of Norman’s column, no more than a straw-man argument used to discredit the fundamental concern of an ever-growing segment of patriotic Americans who believe not in the federal government, but in the Constitution of the United States.
— Kenneth Hawkins, mayor, Willow Park

Lots of things really bugging readers

The Nowitzki saga

I am extremely disappointed with the recent coverage regarding Dirk Nowitzki.
Dirk is an outstanding athlete, the “face” of the Mavericks and an excellent representative of the sports community in Dallas-Fort Worth. He has never done anything in his career to tarnish that image.
His personal life should not be dragged in public in a tabloid manner on the front page, his activities and relationships should not be speculated on, and he should be treated with the respect he has earned and deserves.
His personal life is not anyone’s business except his. Surely there is more important news that belongs on the front page.
— Jane Westfall, Mansfield

Can someone please tell me why this personal fiasco with some sports figure is worth anything more than a footnote in either the newspaper or the local TV newscast? Who cares?
Americans have elevated these arrogant, self-centered, self-indulgent athletes to the position of gods, and every time they mess up — which they do regularly — the media think it’s the most important event of the day, inundating us with every trivial detail for days on end.
Will someone please get a grip? There are important issues in the country, and they do not involve the antics of some sports figure (or other “celebrity”)!
— Beverley Swick, Granbury

Choosing to compete

In response to Brian Luenser’s May 8 letter, “Death of a boxer,” nothing is more hurtful than when an athlete dies in competition. But that’s the key word: competition.
It’s tragic when anyone dies doing what they love to do. Boxing is a contact sport just as your beloved Dallas Cowboys play a contact sport.
Do we want to stop playing football and charge the audience with a crime and claim that they have blood on their hands if someone gets hurt or dies? Of course not. But Luenser wants to call a boxing match “Violence Night.”
Should we call a football game the act of “head collision” instead of what it is — a football game that a person chooses to participate in and a crowd of people want to watch?
As a former amateur fighter of more than 300 fights and a Golden Gloves champion, I say all sports are dangerous to an extent. But so is life.
— Jim Strachan, Fort Worth

Flyover overblown

I’m not a fan of our duly-elected president, but I hate to see people accused of things for which they are not entirely responsible.
In the case of the Air Force One flyover of New York City, he can be said to be responsible for the terror imposed on people who remember what happened last time large planes got near their tall buildings.
But harping about the $384,000 cost is something else. How much would it have cost the government if all the people and machines involved in the flyover stayed home that day?
The people would still have been paid, wouldn’t they, or were they all hired just for that specific occasion? And the planes would still have depreciated whether flying or sitting on the ground.
It comes down to the cost of the jet fuel and whatever else the planes consumed getting there and back. Would that number be big enough to warrant all the newsprint and airtime devoted to it?
— N.A. Patton, Trophy Club

Can’t fix stupid

A few years ago, a couple of noontime entertainers on Fox News were discussing Angelina Jolie’s decision to deliver her and Brad Pitt’s next child in Africa.
They reported that the country she chose has an extremely high infant mortality rate. The female co-host queried as to whether Brad had any say in where his child would be delivered considering the risk associated with Jolie’s decision — as if the country’s death rate among infants there would affect their child.
Bless her heart. The statistics referred to the indigenous (look it up) population, not someone from another country that undoubtedly had excellent prenatal care. So much for public education.
Now some goofballs in the media are suggesting we avoid Mexican food restaurants that are obviously teeming with the swine flu virus.
The good news is that the medical community is working to contain the spread of the virus and develop a vaccine against it. The bad news is that we will never be able to fix stupid.
— Greg S. Pate, Fort Worth

Police need Tasers

This letter is in response to those who think Tasers should be outlawed.
If the Tasers go away, police will be forced to go back to having only their batons and guns to stop offenders who are out of control or a threat to the officers or anyone else.
Tasers are a useful tool for law enforcement and have saved the lives of many who might have been shot in a confrontation. The majority of those who have died have been high on drugs and, in reality, the drugs are what killed them, not the Tasers.
— Patty Bush, Arlington

Condemn radical Muslims

I agree that not all Muslims are terrorists.
However, I do believe that 26 percent of American Muslims under the age of 30 admitted they think it is sometimes OK to be a suicide bomber. [Pew Research Center’s report on American Muslims released May 22, 2007]
The problem is not peace- and freedom-loving Muslims; it is radicals. To deny those radicals exist shows ignorance or calculated lies.
If good Muslims condemned beheadings, slaughtering of innocents, stoning to death, denigration of women, Hamas, etc., they would receive more support and acceptance. Instead we simply hear complaints about people condemning radicals, but the condemnation is only if they are Islamic radicals.
Every American, including Muslims, should sign up for ActforAmerica.org e-mail. They are not anti-Muslim. They are anti-radical Muslims. Don’t stay uninformed and/or misinformed.
— Neill Wilkerson, Granbury

Lessons lacking

I was ashamed and embarrassed for our public school system last week.
I noticed as I walked by Green Valley Elementary School, in the Birdville school district, that the Texas flag was flying upside-down. I couldn’t let it go, so I went to the office and told the attendant. Her reply: “Oh, the kids hang those.”
I had just walked into a school of learning, which my tax dollars support, and that response made me wonder if something as simple as hanging a flag and the proper respect for those flags might be taught before sending the kids out to hang them.
I realize that the percentage of people born in Texas isn’t what it was when I was in school, but that kind of disrespect to a flag that once flew over a country appalled me. They teach every kind of history now, but maybe an extra day or two on American and Texas history would serve these kids through the rest of their lives!
— Kenneth Burch, North Richland Hills

Diversity, neutrality

I am shocked by the May 3 column by J.R. Labbe. She said that “a newspaper’s opinion pages should be a vibrant marketplace of ideas, attitudes and viewpoints.”
I agree, but what shocked me is that there has been mounting evidence to the contrary in the Star-Telegram. I dropped my subscription because of your endorsement of Obama.
You should have remained neutral, as your May 3 paper was.
There was an excellent piece by conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg and then the one by Labbe. This surprised and pleased me, having both a conservative and a liberal. I like diversity. A newspaper should be diverse.
Thanks for the enjoyment of reading good reporting on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
— Shirley Avery, Fort Worth

A word on CEOs, kindness and vocabulary

Healthcare reform needed

It is incomprehensible that the lives of U.S. citizens are in the hands of for-profit companies.
It is an embarrassment that a nation with resources such as ours is not providing healthcare for every person.
The American conscience demands action now! Please support H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act!
 — Erin Finn, Fort Worth

Don’t cry for Xerox

The May 2 article about CEO pay cited Xerox as an example of how boards are changing CEO compensation. (See: “Company boards must balance keeping CEOs against facing scrutiny”)
In Xerox’s case, we cannot feel sorry for Ann Mulcahy while she makes millions and at the same time terminates health benefits for post-65 retirees.
Thousands of Xerox retirees, most of whom spent 25-40 years building the company, will lose the medical, dental and vision coverage that was promised to them all the years they worked at Xerox. All this while Mulcahy and her executives pocket millions.
Xerox has broken its promises to us and cast us out without care as board members and executives continue to enjoy their “reduced” compensation.
Forgive me if I don’t feel sorry to them.
— Rick Weintraub, Arlington

Grateful for the support

I am a sergeant in the Texas State Guard, an all-volunteer force of Texans serving Texas.
Recently, I attended a Saturday drill at my unit location in Fort Worth. Every Saturday, my wife, daughters and I try to go out to eat at our favorite restaurant, Chili’s in North Richland Hills. That Saturday, I met them in my Army uniform.
It still amazes me when people come up to me to say, “Thank you for serving.” But when a couple sitting in the bar area saw us walking in and observed my uniform, they immediately told our waitress that our dinner tab was on them.
In these hard financial times, with a country divided for various reasons, many around here come together to say thank you to those who serve and buy them dinner as a token of their appreciation. I would like to tell them, especially that specific couple, thank you for being supportive. It makes every hour spent serving worth it.
— George Garriott, Keller

One does what one can

Isn’t it refreshing to have an intelligent president for a change? Also one who can speak the English language.
Where has letter writer Peggy Syrus been for the past eight years? (See: “Freedom to respond,” April 29) Hiding with Dick Cheney in an unknown bunker?
Peggy, you are right, one of the few things that George W. Bush is qualified to do is to throw a baseball at a Rangers game.
— Ross H. Longeway, Newark

Precise language

Shame on Leonard Pitts for trying to educate us ignorant people about the difference between celebrity and notoriety. There’s no difference. (See: “Celebrity vs. Notoriety: There used to be a difference,” April 28)
For the record, my old-fashioned thesaurus places notoriety near the top of the list of terms meaning reputable, while it cannot be found in the list of words denoting disrepute.
Celebrity and notoriety are nouns. Both words are applicable to those who are famous. I have known many people who have gained notoriety without coming into disgrace. Notoriety comes from the Latin word notus, meaning know.
Perhaps Pitts is thinking of the word notorious, meaning widely but unfavorably known .
Not that anybody cares but me. I simply can’t abide writers who stretch or omit the facts in order to craft a nonexistent story.
One other thing: Pitts can’t see a difference between Paris Hilton and Rod Blagojevich. Is he blind?
— Winston Barney, Fort Worth

Ban Taser use

Tasers kill and torture without trial. (See: “Mentally ill man dies after police use Taser,” April 19)
Where did constitutional rights go in Fort Worth? When were they canceled by the police department and self-serving politicians?
Tasers are cattle prods. America should not be using cattle prods on cattle or people.
Ban Tasers! Write your representatives to stop this tactic by police.
— Alma Perez, Fort Worth

Auto dealerships needed

I totally agree with Bill Wolters’ May 5 column. (See: “Shutting dealerships is the wrong answer”)
Car dealerships have been the backbone of small and middle-size towns as well as cities across our vast country through the years. They have provided employment for the workers and have kept many of these communities alive.
My husband was one of 65 who lost their jobs when Alan Young Buick-Pontiac-GMC closed the doors in North Richland Hills in December 2008. My husband and others still have not found jobs.
The closing of dealerships would hurt Main Street in America even more. There has to be a better solution to this problem. I know the minds in our country can find a much better solution to the issues that face America as well as the world at this time.
— Lois Campbell, Hurst

Creating new memories

Congratulations on Max Baker’s article regarding the face-lift for Twin Points on Eagle Mountain Lake. The photos by Darrell Byers illustrate the need for restoration, and the map by Jim Atherton gives us a glimpse into what the future holds.

It seems that over the years, some of us forgot the original purpose was for the area to be an emergency spillway. Those of us who grew up “on the lake” will enjoy returning to a beach we loved in the past, and where we can now make new memories.

— Paula Cabluck Day, Fort Worth

Favorite feature

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy Tuesday’s Isaac Asimov quiz feature in the Star-Telegram.

I am a teacher at Tolar High School, and every Tuesday it has become a steadfast tradition that I bring my newspaper with me to work so I can read the quiz out loud to all the teachers in the workroom at lunch. We have a spirited competition, and if I happen to be gone, the other teachers really miss it. It is funny how such a little thing can really become a part of our workplace atmosphere. I thought you might enjoy hearing a positive thing now and again. Thanks for the newspaper. I really enjoy it and would be lost without it.

— Margarite Anderson, Tolar

 

My review

After reading the Star-Telegram reviews of the last three Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra concerts, I must have been at another concert or sat in a different section than the reviewer.

Here’s my opinion of the Jan. 30 concert: The All Beethoven concert was a real treat. My cheeks hurt at the end of the Seventh Symphony from smiling so much.

I appreciate the talented soloists that the symphony presents both as featured performers and throughout the orchestra; however, it is the effort that this orchestra spends playing as an ensemble that I cherish the most. Ang Li’s performance on the G Major concerto was full of expression. It was also fun to hear the accompaniments by the strings as each section showed its love for precision.

The delicate double bass parts were executed as if one. One section featured the violas in rich harmony where they played as wonderfully tonight as they did on the last concert playing Brahms.

The Andante moderato provided an incredible musical conversation. It started with the strings, sounding like they wanted to paint a picture of granite blocks. Li answered on the piano with a delicate and contemplative response, like dandelions floating in a meadow. The strings responded again with the same broad sounds. They went back and forth until the piano won out and they se ttled together in peacefulness ... just long enough to rest for a bit and then leap together with joy into the exuberant Vivace to close the movement.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major is a masterpiece and the teamwork of the FWSO players shone. The very simple rhythmic motif of the second movement was repeated throughout, passed, morphed and played again and again by an ensemble working not to present solos, but to keep a thought moving forward. The third movement felt like Beethoven wanted the accompaniment done not in the bass section but with long sustained notes in the upper voices holding constant as the lower voices provided movement. This built, starting in the strings and carried through to the end when the trumpet presented an incredibly high, clear, and long pitch as if to say, “hang on to this, I can hold you all up!”

The orchestra dove into the last movement, the Allegro con brio and it was very much “brio.” It was played with energy throughout and capped with the horns singing out with joy.

 — Jim Summersgill, Colleyville

Let’s show Texas at our Super Bowl

This is an open letter to Jerry Jones, Roger Staubach, the mayors of Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington, and the rest of the 2011 Super Bowl Committee.

The Metroplex will be hosting the Super Bowl in two years, so there is plenty of time to pick the right performer(s) for the halftime extravaganza. Since this is the first time the Super Bowl will be in Texas, let’s have someone who represents the Lone Star State.

We don’t need Bruce Springsteen, the Jacksons, one of the rockers from England. We need a country/Western performer from Texas, or at least someone who knows what Texas is all about.

How about Willie Nelson, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks or George Jones? You have a world of people to choose from and I’m sure they can put on a halftime show that the whole nation can enjoy.

How about it? Let’s show some Texas pride and spirit.

— Jimmie Vaughan, Springtown

Channel changing issues

I’d like to thank Jay Barton of Saginaw for expressing his frustration with the DTV conversion and the plight of those of us who cannot pay for cable or satellite. I have been using my converter box since before Thanksgiving.

Although the channels I do get have beautiful and clear reception, I, too, have to do the same daily “rescan” to see what channels I can receive on a given day.

I also cannot, under any circumstance, receive Channel 8. Why is that? I’ve been told that I need an indoor antenna that is “amplified.” These cost anywhere from $20 to $40 at the local Wal-Mart — but will they really work better? It is frustrating.

— Patricia J. Crouse, North Richland Hills

Not-so-remote controls

 I wonder if it is possible to cancel or at least postpone the new change in TV transmission that is just around the corner. I subscribe to cable TV, but I also have some sets that are not on the cable (in the garage, etc). I have replaced these sets with the all new digital sets, and am not dependent on the converter box.

But almost every day, I have to “re-scan” each of these TVs to see what channels it will receive on that day.

 Trust me, they are never the same, and they are most definitely not anywhere close to the total number of channels received on the old analog sets. And this is using an antenna that is a few steps above regular rabbit ears.

I am somewhat knowledgeable on how to at least do the scanning, but there are lots of people who are older and have always used one control to change the channel, and with no major problems. What will they do? Just accept the fact that our technology has made us take several giant steps backward?

It seems that Congress, in making the requirement that we change technology in order to open up more frequencies for emergency transmissions, might have done something a few years prematurely, and definitely without thinking it through. Someone “in control” needs to do some re-thinking of this now, before it is too late.

— Jay Barton, Saginaw

Comfortable vs. boring

The recent Star-Telegram review of 24 suggested that this returning Fox series is still good but lacks any new dimensions in its storyline. (See: “A sneak peek at the seventh season of ‘24’ reveals a renewed sharpness,” Jan. 11)
 
I don’t disagree but I still love the show and its characters. It reminds me of public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion, in that both programs are always interesting but rarely innovative.

Predictability (at my age past 65) is more comforting than it is boring.

— Bruce Rider, Grapevine

Six Flags and liquor

Six Flags is a place where kids of many ages and adults attend to have plain fun without having to worry about any problems. Liquor is a drink that can taste good and make your day more interesting at the park, but by drinking a little too much, it can cause problems for everyone else around you.

If you are drunk while at the park, numerous things can happen. The liquor can make you loud and outrageous for no reason; you can get real sick and throw up on the ride; it can cause you to become involved in a fight; and you can end up getting kicked out of the park for having one too many drinks.

If a recent judicial decision to give Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor a license holds, the parks at least need to add more security and set a limit to the amount of liquor an individual can consume. (See: “Judge backs Six Flags liquor licenses,” Jan. 10)

— Anastasia Tucker, Arlington

* * * * *

Obviously some in Arlington no longer care about family values but are more interested in “adult” drink. Every mother — and grandmother, as I am — should take that into account when considering a trip to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor.

When drinking is allowed, children will no longer be safe. The parks are asking for trouble with this policy.

— Linda Reeves Mooney, Cresson

Missing Debi

Am I the only one who is going to express grief over radio station KLUV/ 98.7 releasing (if that’s the right word) Debi Diaz? I saw this in the Star-Telegram several weeks ago and was waiting for the backlash, which never came.  (See: “Radio daze,” Dec. 15)

I remember when she started and was the little darling of the airwaves. I contacted another DJ at the station but he said he could not comment. I met her in person a few years ago during a promotion and she was delightful and beautiful.

 Does anybody else miss her? My heart is crying. Has the station reformatted? It was an “oldies” format but I noticed the oldies got younger and younger since the days of Hub Cap Carter, God rest his soul.

— Richard Toth, Haltom City

Time for change

I wonder if it is time for the Star-Telegram to consider how useful the film reviews provided by Christopher Kelly are to the public. I frequently find myself disagreeing with him, but since I am not a professional critic, I usually take it that my opinions are simply not informed.

But, when Kelly gave a new release, The Wrestler, a two-star rating, I recalled hearing some good pre-release discussions on the movie. When I consulted one of my favorite Web sites, Rotten Tomatoes, a compendium of film critics from around the nation, I found that an astounding 98 percent of the reviews of this movie were favorable.

If that isn’t out of touch, I don’t know how else to define the term. Kelly agrees with 2 percent of the professional critics in the nation on this movie. Time for a new critic?

— Danny McCook, Fort Worth

Perhaps Oprah was wrong in other ways

In 2006, Oprah Winfrey announced that A Million Little Pieces, by author James Frey, a nonfiction memoir of his years as an alcoholic, drug addict and criminal, was her latest selection for her book club.

On that Oct. 26 show, titled “The Man Who Kept Oprah Awake At Night,” Winfrey hailed Frey’s book as “like nothing you’ve ever read before.” When the camera returned to a damp-eyed Winfrey, she said, “I’m crying ’cause we all loved the book so much.” With her help, Frey’s book was No. 1 on the nonfiction paperback bestseller list for 15 weeks.

A Million Little Pieces later was proven to be a hoax.

Herman and Roma Rosenblat appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show more than a decade ago to tell their story of how he met his future wife as a girl when she threw apples to him over the barbed-wire fence of the concentration camp where he was being held. Winfrey called it “the single greatest love story we’ve ever told on air in 22 years of doing this show.”

Later, Rosenblat turned the story into a book: Angel at the Fence: The True Story of a Love That Survived. He appeared again on the Oprah show to promote it.

The book and the story have now been proven a hoax and the book publication has been canceled.

It seems Oprah’s judgment can be flawed.

Will there be another shoe dropping ... because of flawed judgment?

— Ruth Orren, Fort Worth

 

A voice silenced

With the passing of Eartha Kitt (See: “Actress was more than ‘sex kitten’”, Dec. 27), the nation has lost a true pioneer of the movement that subsequently granted equality for the black race and others in the fields of entertainment.

Kitt’s biracial lineage was a blessing and it strengthened her resolve as she navigated a 60-year career in show business.

She was multi-talented, from singer to actress to author, all of which will be remembered as her indelible legacy to the world.

She will be missed.

— Edna Maskell, Fort Worth

Accept responsibility

Carrie Fisher has a finely honed sense of denial. (See: “Princess Leia’s life has been a royal mess,” Dec. 25)

She blames everyone in her life for her problems while refusing to accept any responsibility for her substance abuse or mental illness.

Individuals with bipolar illness who accept their illness and are able to take responsibility for their treatment fare much better than those who don’t.

My suggestion for her is to look for her part in these issues, take responsibility and quit whining.

— Bruce Findlay, Fort Worth

I see, Truth!

This might as well be a Cheers to Punch Shaw, the editor and the Star-Telegram for a Shaw review that absolutely made my day. (See: “Medium’s sideshow proves spectacularly pathetic,” Dec. 18)

I am personally familiar with the tricks of such mediums; they have been used in carnivals for longer than I’ve been alive — and yet, mediums are featured on syndicated television!

Whether they believe they have the powers they claim to is irrelevant. Just as Shaw said, they are profiting off of the grief of people who are desperately wanting to believe.

This article was the most honest review I’ve ever seen in the news (of any form), and I deeply hope to see more of it.

I understand that this was a review, and most articles attempt to take a more balanced perspective — but to approach such a topic without a bit of healthy skepticism does the reader a disservice.

Thank you for saying it like it needs to be said!

— Andrew Roseborrough, Miami, Fla.

Explain the difference

Someone please explain to me the difference in “bingo halls,” “game rooms,” “scratch offs,” “horse betting,” “Texas Lottery” and “casinos.”

They all are gambling, but the state and city focus on shutting down the “illegal” ones (i.e. the game rooms — eight-liners as they are called).

The state refuses to bring “organized” gambling to Texas. Well, duh, we already have bingo, lottery and horse racing. What in the world is the difference? (See: “Bingo halls stay busy despite tough times,” Oct. 18)

I don’t know — call me crazy — but this seems lopsided and a double standard.

Oh, by the way, right across the street from these game rooms is a bingo hall. Go figure! A total of $493 million was won in Texas bingo halls in 2007, and 18.1 million people played that year alone.

— Judy Kelly, Fort Worth

On and off mark

Reviewer Punch Shaw, in my opinion, was right on in his glowing comments about Terry Fator’s performance. (See: “Ventriloquist’s act is breathtaking,” Nov. 26)

 However, his slamming the song Horses In Heaven as a maudlin downer was way off the mark.

I assure you the people in my section of the audience didn’t feel that way.

 — J. Morris Johnston, Mansfield

What a city

I just returned to Canada Tuesday after visiting Fort Worth for my vacation. Your city and people made my trip such a wonderful experience. I found the people of Fort Worth helpful and eager to please. All your tourist areas — Sundance Square, the Stockyards and many others — were a real pleasure to see and I will return again when I can stay much, much longer. Hats off to Fort Worth, the friendliest place in Texas!

— Jodi Radul, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Losing a friend

Children with serious medical needs lost a friend and champion with the death of Paul Newman.

Through his efforts, hundreds of thousands of children throughout the world have benefitted from attending camps established by Newman that allow children with cancer, leukemia and other serious medical conditions to experience the joys of the camp experience.

He leaves a legacy of outstanding “Hole in the Wall” camps in the United States (all of which are accredited by the American Camp Association), Europe, Africa, and Asia that let children escape from the challenges of their illnesses and have fun in the outdoors, gaining confidence and support from fellow campers.

The camp community salutes Paul Newman for his generosity, compassion, and commitment to children.

— Ann Sheets, Camp Fire USA First Texas Council, Fort Worth

Something missing in Cowtown

Christopher Kelly’s article on summer Indie films (See: “Indie picks still playing,” Sept. 5) made me think. Except for The Magnolia at The Modern, there aren’t any art houses in Fort Worth.

For a short time long ago, there was a small theater, The Heights, which had those types of films and some film festivals. Dallas has four art houses and the Inwood has midnight showings of different films. Fort Worth just has the long-running Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Ridgmar Movie Tavern.

Fort Worth doesn’t have an art house to see indie, foreign, classic, off-the-wall or limited-release films. With a growing population of more than 700,000 and business growth, such as more high-end restaurants, clubs, a trendy bowling house and even another regular six-screen theater along Seventh Street, it would seem there would be one art house.

We even have a film festival in its second year. I wonder if when they were closing the Sundance 12 Theater anyone thought of making it like The Angelika Film Center Dallas, showing those types of films along with some mainstream releases.

If Fort Worth is going to grow, then add at least one art house.

— Roy Conner, Fort Worth

FOCUS ON: Making fun of a serious disability

Paramount Pictures’ new movie Tropic Thunder, released Aug. 13, includes a character called “Simple Jack,” played by actor Ben Stiller. Simple Jack has an intellectual disability (formerly commonly referred to as “mental retardation”) and is an object of derision in the film. The movie contains frequent use of the word retard and other insulting terms used to describe this character.

As a parent of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a person who works with people with intellectual disabilities, I take the degrading depiction of people with intellectual disabilities to heart.

I recently spent three days at the state convention for Texas Advocates, a statewide organization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities where State Sens. Judith Zaffarini and Rodney Ellis exhorted the crowd of 500 to action. The clear message from the convention was that hate speech and derogatory language does not have a place in society and only leads to discrimination, abuse, negative stereotypes, and disenfranchisement.

Mocking people who we know have historically been oppressed (such as African-Americans) or have some type of physical disability (such as people with paraplegia) is, thankfully, generally not considered funny these days. For some reason, the same general enlightenment that protects and spares these groups from ridicule has not been attained regarding people with intellectual disabilities.

For example, the “N word” is firmly prohibited, but the “R word” is still widely accepted in our homes, schoolyards, and movie theatres.

Why is that? Could it be that people are simply unaware of the fundamental disregard for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities in most parts of the world? That intellectual disability is a condition usually developed in utero and not one for which people volunteer?

Perhaps they have not read about children with Down syndrome in underdeveloped countries tied to their beds for years on end in filthy institutions. Or about the estimated 80 percent of girls and women in this country with intellectual disabilities who are sexually abused. Or about the thousands who are victims of hate crimes whose testimony (in the rare instances of reporting and prosecution) is dismissed because of their disability. Or the thousands who serve indeterminate sentences confined in Texas institutions (called “state schools”).

Tropic Thunder is a blockbuster cheap thrill at the expense of human beings who are the most isolated, victimized and least able to defend themselves. Maybe if only more people knew, they would not find it funny.

— Richard Garnett, executive director, The Arc of Greater Tarrant County

Another option?

I think I’m about ready to endorse the stupid, ditzy fool Paris Hilton for president. She appears to have a lot more common sense than any of the astute, intelligent, for-the-people politicians who profess to save the world!

— Kenn Poole, Fort Worth

Listen to the words

I was sorry to hear of the untimely death of the cool soul singer Isaac Hayes. Mr. Hayes’ lyrics to the TV series Shaft exemplified integrity and bravery. Seldom these days do we hear a song asking: “Who is the man who would risk his neck for his brother man?”

In an age when people tend to be callous and uncaring, perhaps we all need to hear the theme from Shaft to remind us to jazz up our concern for our brother man.

— James A. Marples, Longview

FOCUS ON: An accidental review of bias?

While playing golf Sunday, a friend of mine who knew I had gone to see Dennis Miller Saturday night mentioned the Star-Telegram review saying that the temperature at Bass Hall fell 10 degrees when Miller said he had no objection to gay marriage. (See: “Miller scores with mix of political, classic humor,” Aug. 10)

I told him that I wasn’t aware of that having happened.

Miller reviewed his own political and social orientation, observing that he tends to be politically conservative but less so in social matters.

He then told the audience that he had gay friends and would be extremely uncomfortable telling them how they should govern their relationships.

There was little reaction from the audience because there was no reason to have a reaction.

I don’t equate the lack of a standing ovation to be equivalent to a drop in the audience’s temperature.
In the context of Miller’s musings, his statement wasn’t a punch line and consequently didn’t elicit audience approval (or disapproval).

Although it is true that much of Miller’s material can be political and his politics are conservative, it should be pointed out he said that although he was not a Barack Obama enthusiast, he would absolutely support him if he were elected because he supports the “home team.”

When your reviewer began his review by saying, “Comedian Dennis Miller made all the ‘right’ moves at Bass Hall on Saturday night ... ,” he might have inadvertently “left” his own bias out in the open.

— Michael F. Greene, Euless

Who’s in charge here?

With a projected budget deficit of $482 billion and ExxonMobil making the largest quarterly profits in history, I thought Britney Spears and Paris Hilton had been running the country for the last eight years!

— Meg Hillert, Dallas

Anyone there know babies?

I was horrified to read the excerpt from Crafty Mama Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects in the Star-Telegram earlier in July. The author, Abby Pecoriello, must not have raised a baby! (See: “Easy projects can stylize baby shoes quickly,” July 10)

Has anyone at the newspaper raised one? One of the first things a baby does is play with its feet. What would a tasty snack of rhinestones that came loose from the hot glue do for the intestines of a 6-month-old?

FOOLPROOF? I don’t think so.

Save the “bling” for teenage years.

Save the baby!

— Margaret Hamlin, Fort Worth

Priorities, priorities

I’d be happy to invest $50,000 in independent films (See: “So you wanna be in (independent) pictures?” July 19)  but I need the money to buy a seat license at the new Cowboys Stadium so I can then buy tickets for each game. I need another stimulus check!

— Bruce Rider, Grapevine

In search of heroes

After seeing the opening weekend results of the latest Batman movie, I am convinced Americans are still seeking a hero — you know, where good wins out over evil? How do we get the message to our politicians — local, state or federal — that we expect some heroes in their positions, too?

They campaign like heroes. Always promising truth, justice and the American way. But these promises seldom come to fruition. I wonder what hero will ride in to save America. Will he, or she, actually put America and our people before their personal aspirations? Will he, or she, tell us something, and actually do it?

In real life, truth, justice and the American way are the superheroes. What happened to them? Will they once again fly back into the minds, and hearts, of the political and judicial systems? Yes, America still needs heroes. But until we actually get some, we always have the movies.

— Sean C. Rafferty, Fort Worth

Focus On: Memories of a swimming hole

Not a happy time for me.

I grew up at Burger’s Lake; it’s like a person to me. My parents owned it for 40 years. Bought it in 1963 when they were barely older than the kids they employed. We are relatives of the original Hugo and Gladys Burger, a wonderfully funny, sharp couple who owned the place for 40 years.

People revered the way my rather gruff dad ran the place. He was respected and loved and feared by teenage regulars and teenage employees alike — including me! But really, it was the sight of my tiny, lovely mom that made all of us girls straighten up like Marines.

Did your grandparents swim there as teens? Were you there when the Blue Angels flattened us to the ground flying just above the trees and the pool as they prepared for their annual Memorial Day show at Carswell Air Force Base?

Was it you who woke me up at 4 in the morning outside the closed gates, partying and waiting to get the best spot on the Fourth of July? Did you splat off the 20-foot diving board, or kiss underwater?

It’s been such a blow for the place. My own teenagers got sick and had to be tested. (See: “Tests on water from Burger’s Lake still not complete,” July 20)

Burger’s Lake has a good reputation, built up over 80 years with my parents and Hugo and Gladys’ intense care and understanding of the place. Eighty years in which there was not a single case of any sort of parasitic outbreak. Yet I believe in my heart this will all be rectified and never happen again. I truly believe that.

There are too many wonderful things to tell about the place I call “God’s little piece of Eden on earth.”

I would like to hear from all you old guards, bath house and snack bar girls. You can reach me at the e-mail address below.

I will compile all our riotously fun times.

Then, we will agree together in belief that once again we’ll hear the dulcet tones of a wickedly Texas accent proclaiming to the heavens, “Time is up on tube 12, bring it to the gate please.”

— Bridget Black, Weatherford,  bbcrisco4@yahoo.com

Focus on ... Something about George

I am writing to tell people one thing about George Carlin. There was not, and is not, a sweeter person in the entertainment field. I have known George since around 1980.

Spanky, of the 1960s musical group Spanky and Our Gang, introduced me to him.

I went to see Carlin the next night at the Sahara in Las Vegas. After the show I went back stage and we talked. I started throwing a lot of his old bits at him.

He asked me how I knew them and I said that at one time I had all his records and had memorized them.

When he asked what I meant by had, I said a fire destroyed my house and my record collection. He said, “Well, we will have to take care of that.”

I thought “sure.”

Carlin waited until he left town before people from the Sahara called me (I was performing at the Silver Nugget) and said they had a package for me.

I went down and, wrapped in plain brown paper, were 12 autographed long-playing albums.

I was stunned.

Through the years, I found this to be typical George behavior. He called one time out of the blue because he heard I wasn’t feeling well. He just wanted to see how I was doing. Every time he was in town, if I contacted him, he would leave tickets for me to see him.

Keep in mind we were not running buddies. He didn’t have time for that. But if you made an effort to stay in touch, he did too.

I use to kid him that I would ruin his bad reputation by telling people what a really sweet person he was.

George, wherever you may be, the secret is out, my friend. You are one good man.

Let me add one thing. I wrote a song that was inspired by, and dedicated to, George. He got a kick out of it.

The title? I’d Like to Thank my Grandma’s Milkman (I Think HeLeft Me His Genes).

Love you, George.

— Joe Hardin Brown, Dallas

Hard on the eyes

Just a note to say that I don’t like the new TV listings. The print is so small that I need a magnifying glass to read them.

Why not go back to three-quarters of a page for the listings so that we can see them without getting eyestrain?

— Vicky Mangum, Benbrook

Online Extra: Film promotes lust, desire, self

On Monday morning, almost every TV network did a segment on the release of a new movie, Sex and the City, and commentators gave it glowing reviews.

But the movie doesn’t teach about real love. Instead, it promotes lust and desire with self at the center. What does this say to our daughters and granddaughters?

Some women who had seen the film offered such comments as: “I really relate to them in the movie, how they stick together and look after one another.”

People usually relate to one another when they have things in common. It seems to be easier to run with the herd instead of standing on principle as the individual you were created to be.

It’s terrible when even the commentators fail to voice an opinion that would help guide our young women in what’s right instead of wrong.

— Daniel Younger, Itasca

Easy to read

I truly like the new format of the TV Star. The way you’ve listed the morning and afternoon programs is easy to read and understand, and now I have no need to channel-surf.

— Dorothy Winters, Kennedale

Online Extra: TV Star criticism

The Sunday TV guide that you’ve “invented” is unforgivable.

In addition to being incorrect — i.e., Monday-Friday daytime TV is not the same every day! — it’s hard to read and is laid out miserably.

Also, where are the TV movie synopses? Please bring those back, or you may as well leave them out of my Sunday paper.

— Jackie Van Brocklin, Fort Worth

I want you to know that many readers aren’t happy with the new look of the TV Star.

The newspaper has undergone many changes in the last year — some of which I like, but a lot that I don’t care for.

My first thought when the big changes occurred was: Where’s the news?

There’s not a lot of news in this paper, so the TV section is one thing that I do look at — and now I need a magnifying glass. And I’m not an old person.

— Mary Mock, Aledo

EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re working to make some fixes to TV Star based on feedback from our readers. Look for those in coming weeks.

Youth choir slighted

I looked forward to the coverage of the 10th anniversary of Bass Performance Hall. After reading it, I was angry and then just disappointed. (See April 27 news story “City’s jewel is still gleaming” and related stories.)

An accompanying story (“The first 10 years of a great hall — from transporting arias to errant autos”) listed all the premier Fort Worth arts organizations that appeared in the opening gala — except one: the Texas Boys Choir.

The boys sang the first notes ever heard by the public in the new hall! As their beautiful voices drifted down from high in the hall, feathers floated down and called our attention to the beauty of the ceiling and the amazing acoustics. After they sang, Van Cliburn stepped onto the stage and started the show. They also sang at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Many of the young men of the Texas Boys Choir go on to study and pursue careers in the arts across the country and the world. Others choose careers that allow them to be patrons of the arts.

My son is only 24 and is a doctoral student in music theory and composition at Ohio State University. He was in the Texas Boys Choir for seven years before receiving two degrees in music composition at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J.

Other boys who were in the choir during the past 15 years have toured with Broadway shows, worked in arts management in New York and Washington, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and studied medicine. Fort Worth’s own Danny Wright is a well-known pianist and was a choirboy in the 1960s.

I’m disappointed in the Star-Telegram for overlooking the Texas Boys Choir. My seven albums of memorabilia of my son’s time in the choir can attest to their involvement in the Fort Worth arts scene during the 1990s.

Your paper owes them a huge apology.

— Laura J. Henson, Fort Worth

Sport of kings or exploitation?

Gary West, the Star-Telegram’s horse racing writer, wrote: “Yes, Eight Belles’ death was tragic. But don’t blame horse racing.” (See Tuesday column “Moralists’ reaction to Eight Belles’ death is rush to judgment.”)

What should we blame? Eight Belles’ death after the May 3 Kentucky Derby was another reminder that these horses are raced when they’re so young that their bones have not properly formed.

Eight Belles’ jockey whipped her mercilessly as she came down the final stretch. This was no great surprise — trainers, owners and jockeys are driven by the desire to make money, leaving the horses to suffer terribly.

Horse racing is another way for humans to exploit animals. It’s barbaric, and many of these magnificent animals that are no longer “useful” endure the most shocking, cruel slaughter and then end up on someone’s plate!

What a shame that we’re still so uncivilized and continue to amuse ourselves at the expense of animals. Will humans ever find ways to amuse themselves without exploiting the nonhuman species?

— Don and Melanie Blake, Houston

I read West’s column with amusement — the trashing of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the support of horse racing, the glorious benevolence in the industry.

He concluded by saying that we shouldn’t “blame horse racing.” Say what? Horse racing is exactly what killed Eight Belles. And it has killed many other horses this year, not all in the limelight.

West’s rationalization was that these horses wouldn’t have been born if not to race. Oh, to be so lucky! I wonder if pigs in crates waiting for the hammer to fall feel the same way, or cows born only to be slaughtered for man’s taste buds. And West failed to mention racehorses that end up in slaughterhouses.

The “armchair moralists” are all that the horses have. They’re used for man’s entertainment, financial gain and folly. Thank God for PETA, which at least researches the facts of the industry.

The least that West could have done was mention that the industry could possibly make some changes instead of giving it carte blanche.

Of course, there are horse lovers in this world, and many horses live well. But that doesn’t excuse the blatant abuse of thoroughbred racing.

All cruelty needs some investigation — whether it’s children or animals.

— Jennifer Sellers, Richardson

Thank God for moral people! Never mind how much the industry “gives” to charity, race horses are racing to their deaths with every race.

I always attended the Ascot races when I lived in England many years ago and had entrance to the royal enclosure. But, thankfully, I became a better person with a higher spiritual conscience and realized how cruel racing was.

— Alexandra Wolf, Fort Worth

The “sport of kings” is a ruthless business that puts the well-being of these beautiful animals dead last. If human athletes were to regularly suffer broken limbs by simply running a race, you can bet there would be investigations.

— Tracy Sterling Bristol, Colleyville

Online Extra: A disservice to the Stockyards

My wife and I visited the Fort Worth Stockyards April 25 and attended the rodeo that rocker Tommy Lee and rapper Ludicras interrupted with at least five calf and mutton scrambles, some childish name-calling and a bastardized Pledge of Allegiance. (See May 2 news story “Rocker Tommy Lee and rapper Ludacris lassoed a lot of attention in Cowtown.”)

It was a complete and utter fiasco. The only thing “green” about them is their inability to act or say anything intelligible. It looked like a rerun of something Nicole Riche and Paris Hilton did some years ago.

If hot air and BS are eco-friendly, they should receive a Nobel Prize.

If anyone from your paper attended the event, they apparently didn’t notice the line of customers applying for refunds and the remainder of the crowd shouting “ro-de-o, ro-de-o.”

It was a tremendous disservice to the historic Stockyards, which could use something new for the kids, like a petting zoo, instead of these two clowning around annoying visitors worldwide for cheap publicity at the expense of others.

I’d encourage you and your staff to promote development of new attractions to make the Stockyards a more rewarding family experience. Seems like they could invest in encouraging riders to bring their horses. Perhaps a covered area to “park” them with watering troughs, fountains and visitor seating in addition to the petting zoo mentioned above.

Something really needs to be done now to promote the Stockyards so that it doesn’t reach the same conclusion as the West End in Dallas.

— Doug Krause, Missouri City

Name that tune

J.R. Labbe’s April 27 column (“Singing with right hand over heart”) on respect for the flag and the national anthem was most informative. But she left out a very important point regarding the anthem.

Many listeners, me included, don’t know what to do when the anthem is sung by some pop performers. We don’t recognize the tune.

— Nicholas F. Morano, Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Online Extra: Not quite like the Old West

My wife and I love dressing up in our western wear on a Friday or Saturday night and heading to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.

It's like stepping back into the Old West ... or at least it used to be. Now it's more like going to a motorcycle rally.

Bikes line the streets as bikers congregate in front of establishments. And if the bikers aren't parked, they're revving their motors as they drive down Exchange Street, making it nearly impossible to hear anything else.

People come from all over the world to visit our historic city and to experience a taste of the "Old West," but these bikes just dampen the spirit.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the bikers. But for the sake of the visitors and merchants, let's park the bikes elsewhere so people can truly experience what the west was like.

-- Michael Gorman, Fort Worth

Actually covering news

I’m amazed. During the past month, the Star-Telegram has had more coverage of the United Methodist Church convention and the pope’s visit to America than of Madonna’s turning 50.

I’m not sure what to make of a newspaper actually covering news, but keep up the good work.

— Mark Metroka, Fort Worth

Online Extra: Return to modesty

Considering the new words coined and added to our vocabulary these days, I’d like to suggest reintroducing the word modesty. Have you heard it uttered recently? It certainly isn’t practiced!

Boobs are in now, or should I say out? One is confronted daily with no-bra, rarely covered women’s breasts flopping in your face: on the street, in the museum lecture hall, outside the elementary school and even in church.

Stores prominently display the flimsy, next-to-nothing tops, the so-called stars promote immodesty, and many follow the trend. Sexy? If you say so. Attractive? No.

Recently I saw in a store window a box containing colorful material labeled  “Hooter Hiders.” I felt like buying the entire stock and handing them out to passers-by.

There can be a happy medium between high-collared, long-sleeved prudishness and next to nudity. It’s called modesty. Let’s return it to our society.

— Carolyn Allen, Benbrook

A low-rated show

As a longtime reader, I want you to know that I find the DaFoWo Show on the Star-Telegram’s Web site very upsetting.

It doesn’t adhere to the paper’s reputation and makes many stupid, naive comments about real news.

I hope that this new show doesn’t continue for very long.

— Stephanie Barrera, Arlington

Online Extra: Comics as life -- or vice versa

Several articles and letters in the Tuesday, March 18, edition were worthy of some comment or retort but it was the comic strip “Curtis” that really caught my attention. As an educator, a trainer and sometimes author, I have extolled the virtues of reading the comics daily to students, clients and readers.

This was a fresh and timely example of the wit and wisdom one often finds in the funny papers! It was set in the barbershop where the barber often shares his wisdom with Curtis. He is telling Curtis he has followed the political coverage closely and soon we will have a new president. Soon we will have a new administration leading us in a new direction.

He closes with, “I’ve never been so giddy an’ scared-to-death in ALL MY LIFE!”

Aren’t we all? Well said Mr. Billingsley!

S. Eric Jackson, Fort Worth

Still reading

I remember reading the April 11 issue of the weekly entertainment guide Go!, which a reader complained about in a Saturday letter (“Amon is flipping”).

I didn’t notice that the cover photo was offensive or lewd in any way. I’m a 70-year-old man who has read your “rag” for a very long time and will continue to do so.

— Stan Cook, Fort Worth

Online Extra: Willie biography filled with errors

I’m writing about the excerpt from the new biography of Willie Nelson (Willie Nelson: An Epic Life) by Joe Nick Patoski that appeared in the April 13 Star-Telegram.

The word epic in the title suggests great historical significance. What a misnomer! If the excerpt is any indication, this isn’t even passable history.

Just a couple of sentences at the very beginning set the tone: “... the same year a military presence was established on a bluff above the Trinity River, in 1849, Fort Worth’s first Hell’s Half Acre, a strip of brothels, bars and gambling joints that serviced the troops, sprang up adjacent to the camp, attracting the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Eighty years later, another Hell's Half Acre attracted the likes of Bonnie and Clyde.”

Huh? Those two sentences contain no less than five historical errors. Fort Worth began life as a lonely frontier outpost; there was never a “strip” nearby under any name. There was nothing nearby except a humble trading post. The only girls in the area except for Maj. Ripley Arnold’s family, were farm girls, and they did not “service” any troops.

The references to Butch and Sundance and Bonnie and Clyde are the worst sort of name-dropping. The former weren’t even born when Fort Worth was an active post; they passed through Fort Worth once, in 1901. There was just one Hell’s Half Acre, ca. 1876-1919, not two, and Bonnie and Clyde were never seen around the Acre. The chronology is all wrong; the name-dropping is laughable, and the attempt to place Willie in the tradition of notorious outlaws Butch and Sundance, Bonnie and Clyde, is a long reach.

The author sadly didn’t do his homework for this biography. Or else he got all his local history from Nelson while Willie was toking a little “wacky weed.”

Where were the readers and editors at Little, Brown (the publisher) when this project was in the pipeline? The author or some New York editor could have picked up any history of Fort Worth and gotten the facts straight in a single sitting. This stuff doesn’t commit the sin of perpetuating old myths; it creates all-new myths that will be swallowed hook, line and sinker by the poor reading public.

Did the Star-Telegram editors who approved the excerpt check out what they were printing? At least the folks at Little, Brown in New York have an excuse (being Yankees). Not so the editors of our hometown newspaper. One of those editors wrote an introduction to the excerpt, which says, “We learn how Cowtown helped him absorb a lifetime’s worth of cultural influence.” Only if Cowtown culture includes blarney, baloney and B.S.

The fact that Willie hasn’t lived in Cowtown for about 50 years — and even that was long after Hell’s Half Acre — makes it hard to argue that he was greatly influenced by “Cowtown culture,” much less Hell’s Half-Acre. Any connection between the Acre and Willie Nelson — in spirit or life experience — is all in the author’s mind

My last criticism is that if the history in the book is indicative of the biographical accuracy, I think I’ll save my $27.99 and wait until an authoritative biography of Willie comes along. When any author makes such glaring, unnecessary mistakes, you have to suspect the whole work.

Mr. Patoski, I know history, and this is not history!

— Richard Selcer, author and historian, Fort Worth

What goofballs?

Sunday’s Parade magazine, in its annual report on what people earn, listed Dr. Phil McGraw’s income last year at $90 million. Who on earth are the goofballs paying this guy’s salary?

— Greg S. Pate, Fort Worth

Magnifico!

Your eight-page Sunday commemorative section, “Cliburn’s triumph,” provided me with the most enjoyable time I’ve experienced in my 20 years of reading the Star-Telegram. Magnifico! What a trip down memory lane!

My wife and I remember well hearing in the spring of 1958 of Van Cliburn’s wonderful achievement in Moscow. Recently married and in our last few months as students at Baylor University, we made our first purchase of an LP record: Cliburn’s recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1.

We were so proud at that time of our fellow East Texan, and we’ve continued to be appreciative of his continuing leadership in the fine arts in Fort Worth and throughout the world. He has truly been one of our country’s most effective diplomats. We join you in your commemoration of Cliburn’s triumph.

— Earl Alexander, Fort Worth