Former UT Regent shouldn't be credited for famous quote

Plagiarism may currently be rampant at colleges (according to Lynn Ashby's column in the Aug. 19 issue of The Leader), but it's evidently not a new feature at UT.

If Frank Erwin said, "I want a university the football team can be proud of" sometime during his tenure as a UT Regent (1963-75), then he ripped-off the more grammatically-correct quote of University of Oklahoma President George Cross, who said at least a decade or more earlier at a legislative budget meeting, "I would like to build a university of which the football team could be proud."

Mike Bratcher

I live in Woodland Heights and frequently walk both Stude and White Oak parks.

I am also a member of the White Oak Bayou Association. I learned, from a WOBA member, that construction for the Heritage West bike trail is scheduled to start in those parks next month. This is not the trail currently under construction that runs along the north side of White Oak Bayou. This is the trail that runs on the south side of the bayou, through Stude Park and White Oak Park, over Little White Oak Bayou, and on eastward. The trail has been "in the works" for a long while, but I was surprised to learn that construction is now scheduled for next month.

I have not seen a recent map of the proposed construction so cannot be sure what the city has planned. I do know it will be a 10-foot wide concrete trail that is scheduled to replace the existing trails in those parks. How it will be accessed I don't know without seeing the plans.

Bicyclists will be delighted, but as with all these projects, major disruption is assured. Will regular users of the existing trails be accommodated in some way with route detours? Will construction be done section-by-section or will it be "all at once?" Does construction impact the existing Recreational Center, playground and ball fields in Stude Park? Who is the contractor? What are staging plans for the equipment? What will be the impact on existing trees? We can't know any of this without information or confirmation from the city, seeing the most up-to-date map and knowing plans for construction.

Dan Raine, the Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator for the city, would be the source for more information about this project scheduled to begin next month, if my information is correct. It certainly seems like newsworthy project.

Margaret Dower

Excuse me! In response to the "We are not going away" article, I'd like to say that as a Heights resident, I for one can't wait for the new Wal-Mart to open. I know of many other Heights neighbors besides myself looking for jobs with no success. I don't see any "Help Wanted" signs on the cute artshops on 19th Street.

Concerns about traffic congestion, increased crime, noise and light pollution and a decrease in property values come from fear and are unfounded. Just look at the Sawyer Street experience just down the road. The Woodland Heights residents across I-10 don't seem to be suffering from the transformation of a dead warehouse district to the vitality of three megastores and several eateries all conveniently nearby.

I will love not wasting money on gas getting to a Wal-Mart miles away. That will add to the money saved by shopping at my neighborhood's Wal-Mart with its lower prices.

Why don't opponents concentrate on moving the Heights into the 21st century? Start by changing the archaic anti-liquor blue laws that forbid me from getting a six-pack of beer at the Kroger on 20th Street. Then, go back to saving the few cottages that survived the unsuccessful barking at developers putting up three-story mega homes in their place.

Or is it that people prefer what's currently on the proposed property now? Wow, when you drive by, ask yourself if what you see really contributes to our beautiful city.

Realize there's very little City Council or the mayor can do to legally to stop Wal-Mart. You may not like it, but that is reality.

Yes, this new store will benefit many neighborhoods outside the Heights, just like the remodeled mega-Kroger on 11th or the soon to-be new mega-Whole Foods on Waugh.

Both benefit the Heights.

Grow up Heights and don't panic. Your quaint small town effect will survive. Maybe cable cars can return down Heights Blvd. again to get me to my new Wal-Mart. Now, that would be a real "back to the future" experience, wouldn't it?

Forgive me if I protect myself from being hit with mobs of anti-Wal-Mart signs by not giving my full name. I feel I speak for the silent majority because I know I'm not alone. I also know there are rabid neighbors who will take their "morning-after regrets" as mentioned in the article, personally, by googling one out for revenge.

Richard E. in the Heights

The Leader has been diligently reporting on the phenomenal- opposition to the plan to build a Wal-Mart in the Heights area. These Wal-Mart fighters appear to be passionate and fierce in their opposition, citing concerns regarding traffic congestion, reduced quality of life, increased crime, decreased property values and effects on infrastructure and apparently have a very enviable membership of over 5,000 on Facebook.

Since the few but passionate Houstonians that have been fighting illegal immigration for over a decade are complaining for the same reasons, maybe a wealthy Houstonian could sponsor a contest whereby the two groups must submit their case and provide proofs of which of the two - illegal immigrants or Wal-Mart - deteriorate a community faster. The winner will garner money for their cause.

E. Theiss

Just read where students at some of HISD's under-performing schools will be offered a chance to win prizes just for coming to class! Wow. Seems that kids who attend class at one of the district's new Apollo 20 project schools will be eligible for drawings that offer prizes such as sports tickets, gift cards and MP3 players. Each time a student shows up for class, they get a chance to win. One can just imagine a carnival barker standing outside the class: "Step right this way, kids, go through this door and win a prize."

Even though taxpayers are not footing the bill for the prizes (they are being funded through HISD foundation funds and private donations), this concept simply floors me. What's next, paying kids $10 an hour just to attend school? I think HISD is sliding down a slippery path here.

Robert Anz

In glancing over Lynn Ashby's column on Commencement that ran in last week's issue, I found a line that I have to take exception: "You won't have to pay it back, just do as your parents are doing with the federal budget; pass the cost on to your children."

I seem to recall Mr. Ashby writing several months ago an article poking fun at "Birthers" questioning the legality of our current President being eligible to be President. The article essentially stated the absurdity of questioning this Presidency; the individual and his administration, along with leaders in Congress, that has spearheaded current economic policies that will pass debt onto not only our children but generations beyond.

It seems Mr. Ashby is a part of a growing, shameful majority in his profession that chooses to ignore parts of the U.S. Constitution whenever it suits their personal political mantra. And yet they gather the arrogance, not to mention hypocrisy, to criticize those who let administrations prevail with policies that they themselves helped to become reality.

As my older brother often says, "if we had today's media during WWII, there is no way the Allies would have won."

Bill Green

The Guest Commentary by Jean West in last week's issue of The Leader, recalling his camping adventures in the Shady Acres area of years past, was very interesting and informative of the everyday history of our area.

I also had enjoyed his past commentary about the White Oak Gun Club, which was located in the Mangum Manor area.

I hope Mr. West continues to offer his experiences of the area, as they bring back wonderful memories of growing up for us all.

Robbie Morin

Thank you for more thorough coverage of the Wal-Mart issue in your latest (Aug. 12) edition! Your article was unbiased and informative. Please keep up the front page coverage.

I think this will be quite the battle for our neighborhood.

Stefanie Silvano

I very much enjoy reading your newspaper, and compliment your editor on his excellent articles, the most recent one being "Oak Forest Woman Eyes Century Mark." What a remarkable lady! I hope that she will be around for many more years.

Alexander Gavrilis

Thank you for all you do to benefit and enhance our neighborhood. My family has lived here for 60 years and we appreciate you.

Keep up the good work.

Bonnie Hill

Publisher's note: And thank you, Bonnie, for the gratifying feedback. We've always considered our area more akin to a small town than a big city suburb. Just as yours has, families here have a greater tendency to put down roots over multiple generations. That builds a stronger sense of community, something we value and encourage.

After trying but not quite making it through another recent screed printed in Speaking Out (no need for names - we all know who you are), I have a question and a suggestion.

The question: Do you receive only one letter or so a week or is it that you prefer printing long, rambling rants?

The suggestion: Please consider reducing your generous 500-word limit to something like 200, which I think might have a shot at resulting in more thoughtful submissions. Even if it doesn't, it will at least limit the surliness.

Jerry Brutto

First things first. In November, all Washington INcumbents should be made into OUTcumbents. Why? Because they all have to share the blame for the mess America is in right now.

Cowboy Bubba wanted to start a war so he could be considered a war hero like Dada. Then when Obama appeared on the scene, a great many people voted him into office because he was black. It didn't matter that he had never run a business or met a payroll or authored any great legislation. He promised CHANGE and he definitely delivered on that promise. What other promises has he delivered on? Has he created jobs in America with all of the money that he has been giving away (that isn't his to give, by the way)?

For all of you who are on the receiving end of his giveaways, how long do you think that's going to last? The well is running dry. Anyone with just half a brain can figure out you can't keep taking out and not putting in. As for all of the jobs he says his bright ideas have created, where are they? They're in India, Africa, anywhere but America. If you notice, every time he's gone to Louisiana and other Gulf states, there were always cameras around. Every time he has taken time off (from what I don't know), whose money was he spending, yours or his? You get three guesses.

As for the illegal alien situation, true, some do come for a better life and work and do not just come and take the handouts. But how about the ones who are too lazy to bother learning to speak English? If they really want to be an American because it offers a chance for a better life, they should at least show some respect and learn English. Yes, it's hard but should be considered worthwhile if you want the benefits.

Why punish Congress for all of these stupid results? Because they have allowed it to happen. The Democrats lost power after 40 years, then the Republicans lost after 12 years and hopefully the Democrats are going to lose again after only a few years. It's irritating when any Congressman goes on TV and talks about what the "American people wantÉ" when they have no idea what the American people want. They don't listen to what they are being told and shown. Hopefully, they all will join the unemployment line that they have helped create.

Americans who want to go back to the idea that Americans can do for themselves (which is what made this country in the first place) need to sit up and take notice. This "Me First and I Want Mine" attitude has got to go before it's too late.

Who's for moving the federal government to Arizona? At least they have some guts and the willingness to solve their problems themselves.

Judy Livingston

As an Eagle Scout and currently an assistant Scoutmaster, I am appalled and outraged at President Obama's decision to not attend and address the Scouts gathered at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Boy Scouts of America at the National Boy Scout Jamboree held last weekend.

Regardless of political affiliation, it has been a tradition that sitting U.S. Presidents have addressed the assembled Boy Scouts at a national jamboree, recognizing that these young men represent the future leaders of our country and that they exemplify the highest ideals of service to others, duty to God and country, citizenship and patriotism that have defined our great nation. Instead, President Obama chose to be a guest on a daytime television talk show rather than address the Scouts assembled for this once in a lifetime celebration of 100 years of Scouting and the values that Scouting represents.

At a time in our nation's history when personal character and integrity are needed more than ever, it certainly sends a message to the young people of our nation that President Obama will not take the time to recognize the values these young men live on a daily basis. When a daytime television talk show is more important than the Boy Scouts, it is indeed a sad day for America.

Brian Bennette

It is imperative that homeowners oppose the City of Houston's measure to protect historic properties. The ordinance is being soft-peddled as an enhancement to the existing ordinance rather than the complete overhaul that it represents. If this ordinance is approved, all existing historic districts should have the right to re-determine whether they want to retain their historic classification.

The proposed ordinance effectively halts all demolition and new construction in neighborhoods classified as historic-. This goal is accomplished by requiring an obsessive- and costly amount of information before being considered for a certificate for demolition.

The list includes, but is not limited to, the following items: 1) the amount paid for the property; 2) the assessed value of the property; 3) all appraisals obtained by the owner; 4) all listings for the property, including offers received; 5) rehabilitation cost estimates and a comparison to the demolition and new construction costs; 6) the impact of the reuse of the existing building on the owner's finances; 7) complete architectural plans and drawings for the proposed new construction; 8) financial proof of the applicant's ability to complete the new project; and 9) a plan to salvage, recycle, or reuse building materials.

Buyers are not going to generate this information prior to purchasing a property for demolition and new construction because there is a high likelihood of being denied the certificate by a committee comprised primarily of mayoral appointees.

It appears that the City and the proponents of this ordinance have ignored the fact that new construction and reconstruction in the Heights has increased the quality of life via new shops and restaurants and decreased crime and urban decay. Moreover, property values have increased homeowner's personal equity along with tax revenues to the City. The proposed ordinance will severely curtail future appreciation of properties because the only buyers of dilapidated houses will be people willing to renovate an old house, which represents a small pool of buyers and capable contractors.

A loophole in the ordinance allows demolition due to neglect. As a result, you can expect owners who want out of their homes to merely allow them to deteriorate, which then hurts the value of your home. The ordinance makes a lame attempt to prevent this event by stating that owners shall not let their protected property fall into a serious state of disrepair, but there are no consequences if they do. Moreover, the ordinance states that Òthe City should establish rules and procedures by which neighboring landowners and residents could initiate processes to remove landmarks in a serious state of disrepair from protected status." Should establish rules? Why aren't the rules in this ordinance?

Finally, it's pretty bold for the City to believe that it can tell property owners that they cannot demolish or destroy something that they own. The City does not own your house, you do, so do something about it by contacting your City council person to express your opposition to this ordinance and attend the next public hearing for the Heights scheduled for Aug. 10.

Randy Johnson

The recent ruling rendered by Judge Bolton in Arizona in favor of lawlessness can be addressed by each and every American. How?

Do your own housework, raise your own children, mow your own yard, develop your own roofing team, do your own remodeling, learn to sheetrock, trim your own trees, etc. Kick your teenager off the computer to help you. If not, your kids will not have a nation.

E. Theiss

Why do the Vietnam veterans of America still have to fight the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation and medical benefits for post traumatic stress syndrome and the effects of the herbicide, Agent Orange?

Whatever happened to the class action lawsuit, Agent Orange, M.F. Ryanm, et al., against Dow Chemical, et al., MDL #381, 79C 747, filed June 11, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York?

Not only were the U.S. soldiers affected by Agent Orange, so were their spouses and children. I am an ex-Mac-V, ex-U.S. Army reservist who won the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Bronze Star.

Robert Ogden

Editor's note: A 1985 out-of-court Agent Orange settlement made between the companies and some veterans created a $180 million fund that was financed by the chemical companies to pay those veterans that claimed disease and serious illnesses from Agent Orange exposure. For each year between 1971 and 1994 that the Agent Orange class members could demonstrate what was classified as "total disability," a small amount of compensation would be given. Under these rigid guidelines, a high number of the 2.4 million Vietnam veterans were not included in the Agent Orange settlement. Anyone suffering an illness following 1994, which was very likely considering the illnesses associated to Agent Orange could take 20 to 30 years to develop in some instances, did not qualify to receive payment under the settlement terms. The $180 million fund was depleted by 1994. Just 50,000 Agent Orange members received a small compensation.

I read with interest your lead story, "Wal-Mart's plan to build in Heights draws opposition." Each morning, I pass the site on my way to work and each morning, I wonder about its "highest and best use."

If you will go to Google Earth, you will see that the site is large and ready to be developed. We all know that somebody is going to build something, so we might as well be proactive and seek out a company we want for a neighbor.

A few years ago, H-E-B took over an old neighborhood grocery store on 11th Street and it gave some folks a bad taste because it was crowded and not as tidy as we would have liked. As you know, H-E-B owns Central Market, a shopping magnet for those seeking fresh and exotic products beyond what a neighborhood grocery can offer. They also own and operate many large, beautiful stores in the Houston area, central Texas and The Valley.

Even though we have Texas' largest Kroger in our midst, along with some Fiesta stores, we still do not have the choices we would like. Here are the alternatives: Wal-Mart or somebody else. I vote for H-E-B.

Peggy Lindow

Now that the City of Houston has demolished a blighted apartment complex in the southwest part of town, I can't wait until the same fate befalls the Candlelight Trails condominium complex on Desoto in the Antoine Corridor.

Like Candlelight Trails, the 43-unit complex located at 7410 Park Place Blvd. had been a magnet for crime and a real eyesore. It, too, had been cited numerous times for health and safety violations.

I just hope that the judge deciding the future of Candlelight Trails will decide that the best thing will be to bulldoze the property to the ground - and let someone start all over with a better plan.

Doug McCain

It was with great joy that I read in The Leader in March that Oak Forest would be receiving the rolling green recycling cans "in April." Somehow I naively thought that a can would appear on my doorstep April 1. I now realize that they are being delivered in sections, and that they appear to have started in locations west of the bayou with the intention of working their way back towards the solid waste facility on Judiway. But it seems to be taking an awfully long time. I drive by the facility regularly and see stacks of the cans. Do you have any idea of when delivery of the cans will reach Chippendale?

Nancy Reuter

Editor's note: The short answer is, budget constraints have delayed distribution of the new, 96-gallon recycling cans.A call to Marina Joseph, spokeswoman for the City of Houston Solid Waste Department, prompted the following response. "We are presently expanding our curbside recycling to meet the needs of our customers. Our ability to expand is based on finances available through the budget. Within the next five years, we expect to have city-wide curbside recycling servicing nearly 400,000 homes.Currently, we are servicing 125,000 dual stream curbside customers and 74,000 single stream automated customers. We also have (five) recycling drop-off sites and (four) neighborhood depository sites that receive recycling material which makes recycling more convenient for our citizens.

President Obama wants "immigration reform" to rectify our border problems. But to believe anything Obama proposes requires the suspension of reality. Like a loyal Saul Alinsky acolyte, Obama will say or do anything to pass his agenda.

Candidate Obama made "a firm pledge" hundreds of times that "95 percent of Americans would not see their taxes raised, NOT ONE DIME." America, brace yourself for a torrent of tax increases the likes of which we have never seen.

First, the Bush tax cuts are about to expire at year's end, impacting everyone. Capital gains taxes are going up, income tax rates - including the lowest at 10 percent - are going up. Dividend income taxes are more than doubling. Child tax credits are being cut in half. Dependent care and adoption tax credits will be cut. Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will be phased out. The death tax goes from 0 percent to 55 percent.

Second, Obamacare tax hikes are set to further slam average Americans. The 10 percent tanning booth tax has begun. Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts - the latter impacting "special needs kids" - will be eliminated. The AMT tax will impact 24 million more American families, forcing them to calculate their tax burden twice and pay the higher figure. Employer tax burdens are going up every which way, thus increasing the cost of doing business and making companies less competitive.

In all, Obamacare will include about 20 new forms of tax hikes, including a 3.8 percent Medicare tax on the sale of a home/townhome/condo. So if you sell a $300,000 home, you owe $11,400 to Obamacare. The CBO has issued multiple re-evaluations of Obamacare and it will cost much more than projected - at least $113 billion more. As a result of Obamacare, companies like Caterpillar and Verizon have announced their profits will suffer. Obamacare acts as a deterrent to job creation and job retention. Doctors will be paid less for a growing list of Medicare patients and will respond with early retirement or reduced work hours, thus adding to longer lines, inferior care and more government mandates.

Obama is pushing for Cap and Trade, which by any objective standard is a massive tax on anyone who pays directly or indirectly for electricity. You know anyone who uses electricity? In 2011, Obama will no doubt propose the Value Added Tax, which is best described as taxing everything you do.

When Obama talks about immigration reform, do not believe him. He cannot tell the truth about his tax increases any more than his promise that passing the 2009 stimulus would keep unemployment below 8 percent. Or that you can keep your doctor if you choose to do so. Millions of Americans will most definitely lose their doctor/health plan as a result of Obamacare. Without even reading the Arizona law, Obama has demonstrated that he can demonize Arizona's desire to control its border - and he doesn't even have to travel to the border or visit with the Southwest governors to draw his conclusions. He is more concerned about capturing the illegal Democrat votes for the 2012 election. Obama will not let the border crisis go to waste.

Mike Crowe

Just a note of appreciation for the quality of your newspaper.

Having lived in your distribution area for many years, I recall when Greg Densmore became your Editor and the improvement that came in your paper at that time. Prior to that I sometimes read your paper, but generally I considered it an advertising rag.

Mr. Densmore brought change, that positive change has remained over the years and I have remained a reader.

Keep up the good work.

Ben Crabb

Publisher's comment: Ben, thanks so very much for taking the time to communicate your kind words. I will share them with our entire staff, especially Greg who I agree is a great asset to the Leader, and I might add, a joy to work with. A community newspaper is a uniquely synergistic enterprise, flowing from the neighborhood, through us, then back to our readers. We appreciate your loyalty and will strive to continue earning it. And please don't be too scornful of that advertising, after all it's what keeps our little ship afloat.

Isn't it nice to know that freedom still reigns in the USA? Yes, we have the freedom to do whatever we want in this fine country - for now. We can go to any job that we like, any church, restaurant, hotel, entertainment center and all we have to do is get into the car and go - for now.

We can go online and see any site that our Internet will take us to - for now. This is a freedom that other countries do not have because their government won't let them. We can go to concerts, meetings and movies with just a choice of getting into our autos - for now.

We also have a choice of what television stations that we care to see - for now. If you choose to watch TV that gives you their view of what is going on in America and you do not watch the other channels, Fox, conservative TV, conservative news, but choose to only believe what the mainstream TV tells you, then you are not getting the whole story. When you debate issues and you do not know the other side of the story, you argue it in a biased way.

They (and you know who I mean) feel threatened by the Tea Parties. Why else would they worry and call names? Aren't we a bit too old to call names? Are we still in elementary school?

Then why do they feel so threatened? Because the Tea Parties are letting people know what they need to know to make their own decisions. Tea Parties are getting the message out that our present government is wrong to try and set up a government-run medical plan and other things. They are wrong to spend money without stopping. We will all pay for this some day.

So let's get informed and make the right decisions in voting for those who will work for the people. If we elect them, they should work "for" us, right? We are conservative with our dollars, so why isn't the government conservative with our tax dollars?

Go to a Tea Party and hear what you need to hear, so that you can decide who to vote for and who will stop spending and save our tax dollars. Get informed about both sides, then choose which side is good for you. You might want to pray before you vote next time, too.

Kathy McMichael

I am extremely disappointed in the latest Op-Ed by Lynn Ashby printed in The Leader, and in The Leader in letting it be published as written. I understand that an editorial piece should not be confused with news, but it should at least be proofread for accuracy. What does "East Indian" have to do when referring to the UH president? Not only does it come across as demeaning and prejudicial, it is inaccurate. She is from India, not the East Indies as he seems to want to imply. Why is race or origin even in there? Can I expect further articles from Lynn Ashby to describe the ethnicity of all people he refers to?

Also, Nebraska went to the Big 10, not the PAC 10 as he wrote. Thirdly, UH does fill up more than half of its stadium. Granted, it's not where we want it to be, but if one wants to belittle our attendance, at least be accurate to have some credence.

Additionally, the $4 million alluded to as football revenues is completely misleading. This figure was lifted by Ashby in a Chronicle article that was also inaccurate. Here is an article(link) which shows total revenue as per the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education. Much more accurate than a hack reporter with one year of college, (UT of course) writing for a San Antonio newspaper.

The majority of the $30 million comes from football. All schools have different ways of accounting. If you want to believe that UH generated $26 million from sports other than football ...well .... let me tell you about this bridge I have....

I could continue by enumerating about our success in the SWC (football champs three out of the first four years, numerous basketball championships and NCAA appearances), but I prefer to dwell on the future. And it is bright.

In fact, looking at the recent surge of attacks by schools like Texas and their journalistic mouthpieces, I think we are well on the way of achieving the goals as outlined by our new administration and supported by our city government and members of the State Legislature.

I expect better from The Leader.

Tony Marolda

Poor Ann Munroe wants to throw up because of the "nincompoops" who watch Fox. That would be a good way for her to get rid of so much bile.

By the way, I enjoy Fox and Lynn Ashby.

Beth Gallagher

I had to laugh at the swipes taken at Fox News and Glenn Beck by two of your readers in the June 24 issue of The Leader.

First, Ms. Munroe apparently recognizes that she has no valid argument, because she simply goes straight to name-calling, describing Fox listeners as boorish, stupid, nincompoops, dum-dums and ignoramuses. I wonder where she gets her news ... from the "impartial" broadcasts of Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Chris (Obama sends a thrill up my leg) Matthews? Please.

I've got a degree, with honors, in political science, was President of the political science honors society at my university, and have a law degree from one of the top 20 law schools in the U.S. I'm quite capable of watching the newscasts and the opinion-oriented programming on Fox, CNN, MSNBC and discerning fact from hyperbole. Fox's newscasts are far less biased than the newscasts on the other networks. The hosts on Fox's opinion shows lean heavily to the right, but, have regular contributions and debate with folks on the left.

Then, Richard Carpenter rants about Glenn Beck, claiming that Beck turned Obama's "did you plug the hole yet, daddy" quote into a "disgusting sexual spoof." That is a flat-out lie. I've listened to the four-minute spoof, and it had nothing to do with "sex." It questioned Obama's children's educational level for asking such an absurd question, nothing more. And, within a few hours, Beck apologized for the bit.

I wonder whether Mr. Carpenter was so offended when David Letterman made an inappropriate joke about Sarah Palin's 14-year-old daughter having sex with Alex Rodriguez and Eliot Spitzer? How long did it take for Letterman to apologize? Here's a hint ... it was a LOT more than three hours.

I wonder whether Mr. Carpenter is so offended every time Obama, or Pelosi, or Reid, or every member of the left-wing media refers to Tea Party participants as "tea-baggers," which is clearly and unequivocally a "disgusting sexual reference?" Mr. Carpenter, I'm calling you out ... your premise is based on a lie. Would you care to retract it, or are you a liar? Are you offended by Letterman's "joke" and by the "tea-bagger" comments? Or, are you a hypocrite? If I was a betting man, I'd bet that you laughed at Letterman and thought, "It's just a joke. What's the big deal?" And, I'd bet that you use "tea-baggers" yourself.

I would also bet that neither Ms. Munroe, nor Mr. Carpenter, have ever spent a minute watching Fox programming. I suspect they simply lap up the swill being dished out by the folks at MSNBC, DailyKOS or Huffington Post.

Have a nice day, and enjoy your Kool-Aid.

Scott Franck

Does Mr. Ashby pay The Leader for his waste of ink? He seems to find it very easy to complain about people that actually hold jobs (ie: politicians, radio talk show hosts, cows). In the last issue of The Leader (Volume 56, June 17, Number 33), he lambasted Kay Hutchison, Rick Perry, Bill White, Glenn Beck, cows and coal plants. He complained that "Texas is going to be one big smoggy traffic jam," and saying he was all for states' rights but he likes to breathe, too.

As I was reading his diatribe, I could not help but notice that big nasty cigar hanging out of his mouth. I'm sure that stogie is contributing to our smog problem, right along with the cow flatulence. As for our politicians not doing as they promise, well...yes, that is our fault collectively. My question is, what is Mr. Ashby doing to address the problem? Sitting at a computer and hitting some keys while smoking a big nasty cigar is not helping the problem.

Will I see him this evening at the GOOOH meeting? (http://goooh.com/home.aspx) I bet not. Have I ever seen him at a tea party? No. Is he on a radio show espousing his views? I don't think so. Have I seen him on a Metro bus? Nope. The closest he comes to a cow is at Burger King, I'm sure. And I wonder how many of those stogies have made it into our Bay?

So I say to Mr. Ashby, enough of the complaining. Instead, use your finger power to find answers to our problems.We have enough complainers in our society.

Billy Rankin

America's day of reckoning has arrived. Gone are the days of mindless hiring of leaf-blowers and lawncutters without stopping to think of the side effects. Corruption and lawlessness abound and the stench is staggering. Now we have to make tough choices on who we want to relinquish our nation for posterity.

Do not think the problems of the border invasion occurred under the singular leadership of President Obama. Left-wing patrician Bush and company were busy letting those numbers pile up and boasting of growing economies and the "family-values" of those illegal immigrants who latched onto our open welfare system.

It always was a mathematical impossibility to have open borders operating in tandem with a welfare state, yet where were the Republicans speaking out on this? Now states are going bankrupt. The immigration issue will never favor taxpayers and the middle-class, as the illegal laborers are hugely subsidized, thus costing Americans through the back door.

The only way to break this illegal stranglehold is for citizens to take control of this issue and decide if they think cheap, untraceable labor is worth handing over the farm - or if they want to fight to bring back lawful rule and keep America for the American people and their progeny.

The days of America ignoring lawlessness have come home to roost.

E. Theiss

Count me among those who are pleased that City Council is considering strengthening our Historic Preservation Ordinance, and in the meantime has declared a temporary moratorium on demolitions.

While I agree with some of the sentiments Randy Johnson expressed in his letter to the editor last week, it would be unfortunate if Council took his advice to only ban new construction that is incompatible in style to historic neighborhoods like the Heights. That would do nothing to protect truly historic structures that contribute to the uniqueness of our area.

Yes, he is right that many of the structures being razed aren't historic while the replacement construction, if comparable, is a higher and better use of the property.

But if the city does nothing to change our current procedure, the only thing standing in the way of knocking down most of our remaining Victorian and early 20th- century residential jewels will be the cost of bulldozer rental and a briefly inconvenient 90-day moratorium.

There is middle ground, and if we had tackled this issue decades ago, structures like the Cooley Mansion would still grace the Boulevard. Our heritage shouldn't be completely at the mercy of economic development.

Majorie White

Lynn Ashby has been an entertaining columnist for many years, and when he wrote about Texas history, he was untouchable. But in his later (declining?) years, his 90-degree turn to the left has left me baffled. Lately, his columns have been way too political to be much fun to read, despite his clever phrase turning, of which he is the master.

Recently, he wrote, "We are constantly being told by HATE (sic) radio...." The only hate I detect in this radio (which he, along with millions of others obviously listen to) is directed to those who are determined to alter our way of life.

Sorry to tell you this, Lynn, but you and the mainstream media are thankfully in the minority. And if you would like to disprove this point, start up a talk show to compete with the conservatives. Better have deep pockets.

Kenneth C. Graham

Ashby's response:I didn't write "hate" in all caps. So why did Ken? When the radio host says one of his political opponents "stepped in his own excrement" and calls others "idiots," "morons," "traitors" and worse, what would you call that - intelligent discussion? To put it another way, what would William F. Buckley, Barry Goldwater and George H.W. Bush say?

For millions of years, Earth has flourished with the necessary condition's for hundreds of thousands of individual species to evolve, including our own human species. This intricate web of life is entirely and forever dependent and interdependent on Earth's resources. We know that throughout Earth's history, species and ecosystems have appeared and disappeared. The difference is now they are disappearing at a far faster rate than in the past.

As stark evidence of the scarcity of natural resources, entire nations are without enough food or water, and wars are waged over these shrinking resources, even as we consume and obliterate them.

I write this as the British Petroleum oil disaster spreads throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Already there has been, and will continue to be, untold and irreparable destruction of livelihoods and natural resources far beyond the Gulf region. The current environmental disaster is the worst in our history, but it is not an isolated incident. Nation Magazine, in its June issue said the "BP spill is merely an extreme version of the norm."

This disaster is a symptom of the reckless and devastating practices of man's current assault on Earth. There is no more time for talk. Right now is the time for culture change. I only hope that this catastrophe will be seen in light of the bigger picture and that it will send out an alarm heard around the world. It is the preservation of our HOME that is at stake.

Anna Fisher

I am writing to respond to the recent Lynn Ashby column that led a few people to write some obnoxious letters to the editor.

Mr. Ashby's column was about the Fox network and how it is full of hot air. Well, he is exactly right. However, it takes an intelligent mind to understand what he was saying. Unfortunately, it seems that much of The Leader readership is so lacking in that area. Some of the letters that appear are boorish and just plain stupid. It appears that most of them have nothing going on in their lives so they're sitting home, sucking up all the putrid garbage from the air-bags on AM radio and Fox-land.

It's the huge masses of ignoramuses that cause the rest of the world to laugh at us. Rupert Murdoch, the gazillionaire, probably laughs his behind off when he considers that his network has suckered in millions of nincompoops. This has been their intent from the beginning - to tell the dum-dums lots of ridiculous things and have them swallow it up and barf it out everywhere they go. He's using these people for his own purposes - and laughing at them all the way to the bank.

That's the "right wing" leaders, right? Makes me want to throw up.

Ann Munroe

You've really got to love Glenn Beck. After all, Mr. Beck provides America with top-quality reporting that the mainstream media doesn't. This is proved by Glenn's latest spoof of the BP oil spill. Malia Obama, the president's 11-year-old daughter who - like other Americans - is greatly concerned about the impact the BP oil spill will have on the environment and economy, innocently asked her father, President Obama, when he will be able to plug the hole. Mr. Beck, of course, turned that quote "plug the hole" into a disgusting sexual spoof. Yep, that's what you call top-quality reporting and you can only hear that kind of trash on Fox TV and the Glenn Beck Show.

Perhaps after the BP hole is plugged, we can find a way to plug the mouth of Mr. Glen Beck. I hope I didn't just offend some regular readers' God-like worship of Mr. Beck and Fox TV. Then again, maybe I hope I did.

Richard Carpenter

I think that the ordinance passed by the city council on June 8, 2010, that temporarily bans demolition or new construction in the Heights Historic area is ill-conceived and I urge that it be repealed immediately.

It appears that the ordinance is an over-reaction aimed to appease some justifiably-disgruntled homeowners who live near the corner of West 15th Street and Rutland Street. I understand and sympathize with their dissatisfaction with the builder who plans to cram four homes onto two 50-foot lots. However, the solution being implemented is not fit for the purpose.

Three years ago, I signed the petition making the area between Yale and North Shephard a historic district. I did so reluctantly, but finally agreed to sign it because it merely created a 90-day holding period. Within this time-out period, peer pressure could be applied to builders who proposed incompatible structures, and/or the property could be rescued by an investor willing to rehabilitate a home scheduled to be demolished. However, I now feel that I have been duped by those who circulated the petition and are trying to enact a permanent ban on demolition and new construction. That petition barely received enough signatures to pass, and would not have passed if it had proposed a permanent ban on demolition and construction.

I am not a builder or a property developer. I built a new home on Rutland Street four years ago. It is a Craftsman-style home on a 50-foot lot that is compatible with the style but not necessarily the size of some of the current homes in the area. In fact, I received the 2006 Houston Heights Association Community Improvement Award for residential construction. My home was built where a "historic" home had been torn down, and the City has benefited from an increase in the tax base from my home. Demolition, coupled with compatible construction, is good for the Heights. The problem is that anything old in the Heights is deemed by some zealots to be historic even if it has no historic value (i.e.,architectural significance or interest).

Some of the people opposing new construction may be doing so because it is driving up the value of their property, and therefore their taxes are rising. Although I sympathize with the fact that taxes are rising, they are using the excuse of "preserving history" to avoid paying higher taxes, rather than merely protesting high property tax rates. If the City wants to change the ordinace, then it should only ensure that new construction is compatible in style (i.e., Craftsman, Creole or Victorian) to homes in the neighborhood. Apartment buildings, condos and duplexes should also be banned for the same reason. I look forward to the next time this issue is considered by City Council so that I can represent the views of the silent majority who live in the Heights.

Randy Johnson

In response to Lynn Ashby's June 3 column mocking talk radio hosts, I wonder if he knows why there is not a shortage of cows in America. Mr. Ashby thinks that all it takes to be a big hit in talk radio and make big bucks is to be opinionated on current events and let the facts be damned. He mocks Glenn Beck's income as if it's not earned, as if it comes easy. Well, a small business owner might say to the new employee, "Your pay raise becomes effective when you are." Beck and others have earned their audience because they are doing the job the media fail to do.

While Mr. Ashby may view the right-left tug-of-war as merely a business, the success of conservative talk radio illustrates the failure of major newspapers and TV news networks. Name one major newspaper that is not left of center and not losing readership and revenue. Further, do you not find the association of NBC News and General Electric to be a conflict of interest in covering the global warming claims? GE has billions to gain!

Mr. Ashby cannot deny the absolute love affair the media had with Obama's '08 campaign. He cannot deny its dereliction of duty in properly vetting his curiously thin background in Chicago, his associates and their troubling histories. Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezcoe, William Ayers, self-described communist Van Jones, Gov. Blagojevich and the list goes on. Of the last eight Illinois governors, our of them left office early due to corruption charges. Obama endorsed Blago for re-election in 2006 over other reform-minded Democrats. Pay-back, you know. So much for change in the one-party system in Illinois.

The anger Mr. Ashby attributes to "mind-numbing talk shows" is also the result of a lazy, leftist media, completely comfortable with the expansion of government power, the $13 trillion debt, the 100-mph spending, the takeover of 17 percent of our economy in health care, the takeover of financial institutions and auto companies, 100 percent of student loans, the federalization of millions of acres of land out west, the backroom deals, the pay-offs and job offers, the exploding empowerment of the EPA and SEIU.

Private property rights are under assault, Mr. Ashby. The reason we don't have a shortage of cows is that a farmer who owns them has a vested interest in caring for them and growing the herd.The cows represent a farmer's livelihood and probably so for generations. I trust a farmer to ensure an adequate supply of cows in America. But I suppose Mr. Ashby would just mock Glenn Beck for expressing outrage when Obama decides to take ownership of another industry.

Mike Crowe

I read with disbelief a story in our local daily newspaper outlining how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (better known as ICE) was preparing to roll out a series of changes at some of its immigration detention centers - including our very own Houston Contract Detention Center near Bush Intercontinental Airport - that include offering art classes, bingo and continental breakfast on the weekends.

Whoa! While the changes affect only low-risk detainees, I find it hard to justify giving these illegal immigrants things like e-mail access and Internet-based free phone services (unmonitored no less), allowing them to wear their own clothing or other non-penal garb and eliminating lockdowns and lights-out rules. Won't eliminating lockdowns compromise the safety of both occupants and employees at these centers?

The changes will also provide for movie nights, arts and crafts, tutoring, dance and cooking classes, tutoring and computer classes. All of this on the taxpayers' dime.

All things considered, it sounds like we're rewarding them for coming over here illegally, doesn't it? How is that going to help the situation?

Doug McCain

Proposition 1070, which has been introduced as law in the state of Arizona, is being bad-rapped, torn apart and denounced as racist by political big-wigs from President Obama to the mayors of Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin and all points in between. The sad thing is, none of these self-appointed do-gooders have even read the law in its entirety.

The folks based in Washington, D.C., along with America's liberal, evangelical social world churches and those who support secular multiculturalism, are more interested in socialized medicine, a socialized educational system and socialized redistribution of wealth than anything else.

None of the so-called Christian churches have come forward to denounce the millions of illegals, be they from Mexico, Central America, Africa or the Middle East, some being terrorists, who are now in America. Instead, the churches are lobbying the government to give illegals sanctuary and absolution. Why? They want to reap the financial harvest that comes from them. The Joel Osteens, John Hagees, Ed Youngs, Rick Warrens and their ilk will have to answer for their giveaway of our Christian freedom and neglect of the gospel in order to line their own pockets.

Does my letter strike a chord or make you angry? Good. Did it make you angry enough to take your church back from those who choose the ways of man over the will of God? Are you angry enough to take back your country from the hands of those who have betrayed you and the cause of this Constitutional Republic? Are you angry enough to tell the Potentates in Washington, D.C., that they no longer have the authority to send your sons and daughters into foreign lands to die for their New World Order? Are you ready to replace the melting pot with the cell block for all illegals?

If not, your goose is already cooked, so kick back and enjoy your captive status.

Rick Giesenschlag

I just sent this letter to the Mayor and City Council of Jersey Village and wanted to share it with the readers of this newspaper.

"As you are aware, all incumbents were voted out at the last Jersey Village city election. You should look for this trend to continue.

"We citizens of Jersey Village are outraged that you seem to only represent a very vocal 'few' critics in making your recent decisions such as the RV parking rule and the garbage bag rule. You repeatedly ignore the desires of the majority of homeowners in Jersey Village.

"We elected you to represent ALL OF US. We all want to continue living in a community of families who choose to live in Jersey Village because of its safe, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. You obviously do not get it! So you will have to be replaced.

Good bye in advance!"

Sheila Harrison

Many exchange students are still seeking host families in the Houston area. These students arrive in August and will be enrolled in local high schools once they are placed with local host families. The students come with their own spending money and their own insurance. They must be able to speak minimal English and must completely integrate with their American host families. Their purpose for being an exchange student is to improve their English skills and learn about the American way of life by observing first-hand an American high school.

Academic Year in America carefully selects these students from Europe, Asia and South America and hopes to find local families interesting in hosting some of these students and sharing Houston with them.

I am the local coordinator for Academic Year in America and interested parties are asked to contact me at 713-681-6875 or visit www.academicyear.org.

Gerri Manlove

Having served over 25 years in the Army Chaplaincy, I find the "individual liberty" argument for dismantling the law against open homosexual conduct in the military and replacing it with special protections for such behavior to be remarkably deceptive. Politicizing the military this way will actually harm liberty for chaplains who remain true to their faith and for service members who look to them.

Teaching on sexual morality would be endangered. Counseling biblically could generate charges of "discrimination." Declining to perform same-sex "marriage" ceremonies could bring the ire of activists. And these scenarios can easily bring about career-ending Officer Efficiency Reports for chaplains who obey God rather than man. While chaplains are willing to minister to everyone, including people they disagree with, they cannot allow the government to censor parts of their faith.

Not only would chaplains lose religious freedom, but so would service members who won't have the benefit of the full counsel of God if chaplains are muzzled.

General George Marshall, Army chief of staff during World War II, said, "I look upon the spiritual life of the soldier as even more important than his physical equipment. The soldier's spirit, the soldier's soul are everything. Unless the soldier's soul sustains him, he cannot be relied upon and will fail himself and his country in the end."

General Marshall understood the importance of ministering to the heart of soldiers - something at risk if homosexual behavior is normalized in the military.

Richard R. Young
Chaplain (Col.), U.S. Army, Retired

My fellow Americans, let us unite on damage control for the tragedy of the oil spill in the Gulf. We have to start at the top.

President Obama, the time for federal action is now. There are several things that we know will work now.

1. I do not know Kevin Costner, but his proposal to slurp up the oil and water mix on the surface and put it through a centrifuge to separate the oil from the water will absolutely work and with no bad environmental consequences.

Study should continue, but the time for action is long past due.

It is your obligation as President to cut the red tape and allow this to go forward immediately with the full cooperation and assistance of the federal government.

I think this is also the best way to put the huge under-water plume of oil and water through a centrifuge and transfer the oil to tankers.

Please get this going immediately by executive order. This is what the American people want you to do for your country.

2. Blowing chopped straw on the surface of oil slicks to absorb the oil is also a very successful way to trap the oil as proved by Mr. Otis Goodson.

There are manufacturers of large straw blowers, which can blow chopped straw 100 feet in any direction at a rate of half a ton per minute. They are now on stand-by to have them placed on the stern of ships so they can pass through oil slicks and leave a swatch of chopped straw 200 feet wide to absorb the oil.

This method should also be allowed to go forward immediately with the full cooperation and assistance from federal authorities. I do not have any financial interests in any of the companies involved.

Mr. President, I was born in Missouri, so please show us NOW.

I am an 85-year-old engineer with a broad range of experience and I am confident that I can propose methods which would capture the oil leaks at the sea floor. I would like to be put in touch with the manufacturers of underwater oil equipment and oil companies. My work is all pro bono as a WW2 combat engineer from a different generation who still loves his country.

Bill Horne

The 'old' IHOP restaurant on Mangum is (as of last Saturday) now Jackie's Kitchen. As customers, last year we discovered that the franchise owner could not afford the amount needed to renew, so she decided to go it on her own and name it Jackie's Kitchen. The restaurant will still have the same great service and similar menu - but all the IHOP indicators will be gone.

This place is sort of a neighborhood icon. It has been here for many, many years. We usually stop there for brunch after church. We stopped by yesterday and talked with Jackie, who is very excited, although very busy and a little stressed, waiting for new dishes, menus, signage, etc. IHOP was coming to remove all of its inventory - and Jackie will be replacing most everything inside!

My husband and I would like to invite our neighbors to visit and support her in her new adventure.

Terry and John Gallemore

Walgreen Pharmacy will soon introduce a Home DNA Test that gives citizens the opportunity to see what kinds of diseases they might be prone to.

In these kits, a person leaves a sample of his/her saliva on some kind of testing device and then they can mail it to some DNA testing company. The company then puts the saliva example through a series of tests to gauge whether the person is pre-disposed to ailments such as cancer, Alzheimer's, etc.

Sounds all well and good, doesn't it? To find out if you are prone to suffer from some wretched malady and then take action to combat it? Wow! Science at its best - well, maybe not. There are some tricky issues at work here.

What are the chances of the government getting a hold of the results and placing people in some kind of secret DNA database? Will the insurance industry get the results and use them to charge higher rates to those who have higher chances of getting a certain disease? Will some other entity or business try and harvest the DNA?

I don't like the fact that samples of our DNA could be getting passed around to be used for who knows what purpose. This is a really bad idea and one that I hope someone with some power will quash.

Jimmy Briscoe

Editor's note: Walgreen announced last week it will hold off selling what was poised to be the first over-the-counter genetic test, after the Food and Drug Administration said the kit has not been proven effective.

As you drive through Oak Forest on the second or forth Tuesday morning of the month, you will notice vast amounts of green recycle bins on the curb sides placed there by neighbors trying to do their part to cut trash waste. And for those that frequent the recycle center on Judiway for recyclable glass, you will notice that our once small recycle bins are soon to be replaced by large receptacles. However, the question continues to remain - when?

I live on Gardenia and my block has not received the new recycling bins. And yet there are hundreds of large green recycle bins sitting idle at the recycle center on Judiway waiting to be delivered. After repeated calls and e-mails to the city, they still have failed to have an answer for pending delivery.

Catherine de Blieux

Editor's note: According to a spokeswoman for the Solid Waste Department, the reader's neighborhood should have already received the new, 96-gallon recycling bins. She was going to check and see what was causing the delay.

I am a concerned citizen who wants real change in Washington, but first I have a suggestion for making Texas the most affluent and happiest place in the world. There is a movement here to address the problem of too many undocumented immigrants leaving the third world for our greener pastures. The Lone Star State may soon take steps to address the same situation which has caused such drastic reaction as the passing of the Arizona law directing police officers to recognize border violators and enforce Federal statutes.

The condemnation of the political correctness crowd is a reaction to the fact that over 60 percent of those identified as Hispanic oppose Arizona's actions. Texas conservatives should use that fact to build a compromise coalition that could keep political power away from liberals for generations.

Those who desire restraint of the welfare state should offer an open border policy in exchange for the complete dismantling of government wealth redistribution programs. Houston has many rich church congregations and fine private charities that could easily support such projects as public hospitals. If we were no longer taxed to pay for charity both Christians and Jews would be free to use money that would have bought votes for tax-and-spend politicians to win souls through their gifts. The Lone Star card could be privately funded by Texas' Muslims to allow them to win more American hearts. Boy Scouts could take turns providing school lunches to earn community service merit badges. School children would actually have someone to thank for their free lunch.

If public assistance programs were all privatized, the 60 percent of us non-Hispanics who support Arizona would no longer have the same motivation that caused them to pass such a controversial provision. Without the resentment caused by taxpayer funding of government handout programs, how many of us would see the men standing along Westpark in the afternoon sun with new found respect knowing that their only motivation was to receive an honest day's pay for an honest day's work? Isn't that the real foundation of the American Dream?

Glen Risley

In reference to last week's article about Quality Feed on North Main, I am saddened to learn it is being closed and the owners moving to another location. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, our family would shop there frequently and became very friendly with the owner, Alton. When I became pregnant and Alton learned the baby was due on July 11, he kept telling me, "Oh no! She was going to be born on July 31," which was his birthday.

So...you guessed it! Jennifer was born on July 31. Alton gave me 10 Susan B. Anthony dollars to save for her when she grew up. She is 30 now and he is missed. Thanks for refreshing my memories.

Jeanette Black