NOW-The GOOD letters in my paper today...I am so proud of my editor

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/07/27/opinion/doc4c4eef3ba60a6898566173.txt

LETTER: ‘Responding to letter’
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:52 AM CDT
To the Editor,

No, I am not afraid. Nor am I scared yet. Nor shall I ever be in regards to my country’s strength, resiliency or existence. I have a few questions for the one who asked though.

It was suggested that we are losing our basic liberties and freedoms. We’re always losing those things! Where this time? Any particular freedom lost in say, the last two or three years? Any constitutionally guaranteed liberty evoked forcefully by the”Socialist New World Order” while we were so engrossed in our mundane daily activities? The calling was for that Mr. Whiteheads column, a view which represents a singular point of view, be “required reading,” as was,. hmmm ... maybe Mein Kampf in its day and its reverence to the society which it was forced on. The urging for all of us to understand our candidate’s philosophies and beliefs before they get our vote is correct. The saying that it is the “ only way to correct the present system except another revolution” is premising that any other method is ineffective and that, in my opinion, is restrictive of our freedom to disagree. (That first amendment thing, James.)

Now to the ridiculous, at best, statements about the Supreme Court justices being forcibly retired at 70 because of their “senility.” Why not 60? Maybe 50? Hey, let them party like they’re 99. Is a person unable to grasp the magnitude or see the application of the constitution to the case in front of them at 71? Do they have to be a conservative Republican of 55 that wears a flag pin, buys gold from Beck’s sponser and reads ShakesPalin while watching Fox News in order to understand and give the best ruling of constitutional law on any case? Any other requirement while we’re here? Cup of tea? And do they disregard any other dead weight of society as determined by some in a manner they also choose appropriate. My grandmother excelled in university level classes well into her late 80s. The late John Wooden coached championship basketball very late in his life. The observations and rationale presented by he who authored them on the subject is, well, beyond any reasonably accepted standard of credibility. Perhaps.

Mr Whitehead and his ilk use their intellects and opinions on present day subjects to place their ideas and slant of political affiliation into the minds of those who in blind obedience concur without exercising their own reasoning processes out of laziness or habit just sell their books and columns. Some buy what their harking. Some do not. However that is my opinion. No different in value or better of Mr. Whiteheads’ or any ones. Well, then again.

The point being that all opinions are of equal value and it is the consolidation of those opinions of varied content that maximizes the liberty we all share. Again some pay others for supplying those opinions. Others opinions are organic to themselves. All are needed.

Do some amongst us believe that those who founded this country were afraid? That those who fought the revolution, a very liberal idea of it’s time, and gave their lives so we can taste the sweet winds of freedom were scared of the idea of what they were doing?.Do our brave troops that protect our liberties daily, flinching in the stinging rains of doubt, see that remaining true to their country as their duty? Do we stand up for our country with whatever government freely elected by Americans that is incarnate, or whine as the adolescent in the backseat wanting to drive? Do we stand solidly in confidence against the ever changing winds of conflict and difficulty that we as a nation must endure as we move forward into a better future? Do we believe, unequivocally, that the dream that is America will stand forever, that truth deep in our hearts, or succumb to the falsehoods created for the purpose of domination by the imaginations of others? Do we put our efforts into promoting fear and false possibility that undermines the will of our great country? Or do we stregnthen her foundation with our depth of our character and bravery? Do we stand as tall as the times dictate, as we have in the past and will in the future? Or slink along the floor like some lower class invertebrate,hoping to drag everyone down to that level? What choice will you make?

America is proud of you. Return the favor.

Alan Fox,

Waxahachie

[w8liftinglady]

1. and this

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/07/27/opinion/doc4c4eef58ce34a432983633.txt

LETTER: ‘Responding to letter’
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:52 AM CDT
To the Editor,

Thanks to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM.org) for circulating the information in a Letter to the Editor (Midlothian Mirror July 7) regarding HR 4870 (The Healthy Schools Meals Act http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4870:). Thanks to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson for being one of many sponsors. This resolution deserves our support. In addition I think there should be a strong local effort to provide our schools with healthier alternatives. This means officials need to hear from MISD taxpayers. In addition, FFA needs to be vocal about the future of small farms in this country. I’m sure there are plenty of people willing to risk the perils of the small farm business to provide their local community with healthy food, especially if a large part of that market is MISD and our children. Healthy food is expensive and unhealthy food is not. Let the students figure out why before they consider it normal.

Let’s make lunch period a mandatory class and give grades. It should be a “for credit” course in nutrition. Perhaps some background on the influence of corporate America and politics that invade our perception of food. What’s natural? What’s GMO? What does organic mean? Why is vegetarian and vegan so popular? What role does the media play in our food choices? Why does meat get such a bad rap? What exactly happens between a calf and a cheeseburger? Let them learn the origins of milk and how that differs from today. Teach them the chemicals that have invaded our food, where they came from and why we should EAT them. They may not choose to alter their diet based on what they have learned, much the same with the adult population, but at least they’ll see the forces at work. A very handy skill in today’s’ world.

How well you enjoy life is very connected to how your physical body is handling the world you, and many many others, choose for it. Good health is important, and it starts in childhood.

As a start, perhaps MISD would post, on their web site, the ingredients list for foods served to our kids every school day, the source, and whether it is GMO or not. If they don’t know or have trouble finding out, all the more important.

Explain to the generations coming up where our farms went and why we have to settle for the kind of food we get. When they know the facts, our world will change for the better. It will be one of the best investments we can ever make in the health of our children.

If you support this idea and this bill, tell your school board, your city council, and your county representative that this is a good direction to head. Let your Representative know that you support HR4870 (http://support.pcrm.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hsl_find_us_representatives).

This will take everybody. But, it can be really, really big.

John McClean,

Midlothian

[w8liftinglady]

2. and this

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/07/27/opinion/doc4c4eef934811a702495445.txt

LETTER: ‘Vote out Gov. Perry’
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:52 AM CDT
To the Editor,

It is NOT the People of Texas who want Perry reelected. Only 39 percent of Texans voted for Perry in the last election, which may be viewed that 61 percent of voters did NOT want Perry. In addition, the millions in Gov. Rick Perry’s reelection campaign “war chest” were contributed by a handful of select investors. It is the same small elite crowd that has provided Perry consistently with support and funds for almost one decade. The millions in hand should speak volumes to Texas voters!

Last year Gov. Perry notified publicly that he had raised 4.2 million in the last nine days of June for his reelection bid. However, the reports filed showed that $3.4 million of that money were from 75 contributors.

Mica McCutchen Mosbacher of Houston gave $225,000. Interesting note: Ms. Mosbacher was appointed to the University of Houston System Board of Regents in 2008 by Gov. Rick Perry and will serve through Aug.31, 2013. Her husband Robert Mosbacher is the former Secretary of Commerce.

The $100,000 contributors highlight a “who’s who” of well-known wealthy political lobbyists and long-time Perry supporters. To name a few, Red McCombs of San Antonio; investor Gary Petersen, homebuilder Bob Perry and the Gallagher Law firm, all of Houston; tax consultant George Ryan and businessman Harold Simmons of Dallas. The AT&T Texas Political Action Committee was the largest corporate PAC, with a donation of $50,000.

While it was a lot of money for Perry to raise, most of it came from the usual lobbyist suspects, which leaves open the question of how much they are willing to invest to ensure Perry gets back into office. Many of these supporters have a long history of being “heavy hitters” when it comes to contributing to the campaigns of politicians who will support their profiteering efforts.

Political Action Committees (PACs) rule the Texas political arena and the lives of Texas taxpayers. During the past decade the interests of Texas residents have been overshadowed by those of wealthy special interest PACs who make it very clear that they are lobbying with big dollars to ensure that whichever candidates become Texas leaders, they will ensure increased profiteering and special perks and consideration for the companies promoted by the PACs. Texas voters remain “in the bellies of the beasts.”

It is time for Texans to fully recognize that Gov. Rick Perry is NOT the candidate for mainstream citizens. He continues to govern in the best interests of wealthy special interests. As long as Perry remains chief executive of the state of Texas, he will continue to provide these wealthy campaign contributors with anything and everything they need to make increasing profits while ignoring the needs of the people.

Consequently, if Perry wins reelection he will continue the path of his nine-year reign, to the detriment of hardworking and hardly-working Texans:

• Perry chastises the federal government for controlling people’s lives, but in truth, Perry tries to control the lives of Texans

• Texans will continue to pay the highest property taxes and home insurance premiums in the nation

• Under Rick Perry health insurance in Texas will remain unaffordable for most

• Under Perry homeowners pay more for their home insurance than anywhere else in the nation and double the premiums than they paid five years ago

• For the past several of his terms Rick Perry has protected TxDOT as the agency provided Texans with a run-amok and wasteful transportation department

• Perry actively lobbied for deregulation of various industries that caused the escalation of consumer costs while increasing costs of goods and services, e.g., electricity, higher education, communications, etc.

• Despite what Perry states publicly, he will continue to push for the cost-ineffective and eminent domain problematic Trans-Texas Corridor and other toll road plans, forcing Texans to pay ongoing and ever-increasing toll taxes and taking land away from ranchers, farmers and homeowners

• Home foreclosures remain the highest in Texas history

• Perry unsuccessfully attempted to force all Texas girls entering 6th grade to be vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). A conservative Texas pro-family group says Governor Rick Perry’s executive order mandating HPV shots for schoolgirls entering sixth-grade not only usurps the authority of the State Legislature, but also the rights of parents. In addition, the American College of Pediatricians recommended against the vaccine for young girls.

• Instead of accepting President Obama’s stimulus package, Perry has forced the state to borrow billions from the Federal Government, which places taxpayers into more long-term debt, while making it look as though Washington leaders are the culprits of our state issues rather than being the fault of a renegade and special interest Texas governor.

In reality, Gov. Rick Perry is “An Enemy of the People” and the sooner Texans recognize this fact the quicker voters will elect a better candidate for governor. Perry has had three terms to resolve the urgent issues. His poor leadership and special interest pandering have ensured that the urgent issues remain and have helped create additional issues.

In November Perry will face former Houston Mayor Bill White at the polls. While White may not be the perfect candidate, Perry has been governor for nine years and Texans are NOT better off than they were before Perry replaced G.W. Bush. At least White provides a viable alternative to the poor management of a three-term Governor Perry who has shown that his allegiances are only to his wealthy supporters.

In summary, during the past nine years Texans have had a myriad of urgent issues that have not been addressed by the governor and legislature. Gov. Perry is NOT a governor of the people, rather, he remains the cornerstone of special interest motivation and profiteering. After years of Perry’s reign as “King of Texas” the people need a change for the better. Texans have a chance to initiate that positive change in the November election by voting for Bill White.

Peter Stern,

Driftwood, Texas

[w8liftinglady]

3. and this.

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/07/27/opinion/doc4c4eef1981a88418665215.txt

LETTER: ‘Peace needed’
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:52 AM CDT
To the Editor,

As I was coming out of Waxahachie Walmart I noticed a young man with a bike and chalk in his hand. With further watching I noticed him write someting on the ground of Walmart near the entrance, “Be the change you want to see.”

I quickly stopped him and asked, “What do you mean by this.”

He looked me in the eyes and told me sqaurly, “If you see a need for change in this world, don’t look to other people for it, be it.” I replied, “That’s amazing,” as he got on his bike. As he started to ride off I noticed a Walmart security guard come out and start to question people. I said nothing. I felt that of all the graffiti in this world this is one that could be considered permissible. As I walk to the other side to see what he wrote it said, “We all have the potential for peace or hate ... choose.”

I felt that this was an inspiration and as Walmart tried to clean it up I asked why? The lady stated, “no hoodlum is going to write this crap, these lies on our property.” I thought to myself, is america really so ignorant to ignore this message of love and truth, or to recognize it as a act of horrible graffiti. As I walked away I told this lady, “Maybe people need to see this. Maybe people need to know that they have the potential, however small, to change the world.”

I hope this article is posted in an act of influence to others everywhere. That peace is something we need, not hate.

Dillon Buik,

Waxahachie

[Bluzmann57]

6. The Wal Mart people considered those messages were crap, lies?

That should tell people everything they need to know about Wal Mart. While I don't condone defacing property, the letter writer had a point, this may be the one permissible graffitti. What a positive message that guy wrote and what a screwed up world we live in when people cannot accept messages of hope and peace.

[ceile]

7. +1

thanks for posting these!

[w8liftinglady]

13. Thank you...these guys have done a great job..

[rurallib]

4. Thanks for posting those w8.

[w8liftinglady]

5. as a result-they are all being "down-rated" by the right-wing in my area..

[Spazito]

8. Great OP and additions, w8liftinglady!

It is good to see positive letters being published, it offers a real balance which is sorely needed.

Recommended.

[w8liftinglady]

9. my editor is a conservative,but a true journalist-he has always been

[Spazito]

10. Real journalists are becoming very rare, sadly...

Journalists who put aside their biases to cover all sides of the issue, real reporting instead of resorting to punditry masquerading as news reporting. From what you have posted previously and today, it certainly appears you have every reason to applaud him.

[w8liftinglady]

11. kick..

[w8liftinglady]

12. kicking for the evening crew-my county is 72% Republican-these took courage.