Letters

Lord of the Semicolon
I was delighted to read the well-researched story by Brian Wallstin ["Lords of Illusion," April 4], a writer who has meticulously covered the tale of Michael and Patrick Graham, and, most appreciatively, has wisely moderated the use of the semicolon throughout his story. Recently, a commentary by state Senator Rodney Ellis in the Houston Chronicle contained a 120-word paragraph that exhibited one period and 12 semicolons. But ... ahh ... umm, that's another story.

C.M. Pearson
Nassau Bay

Applauding Ana's Angel
As one of the concerned citizens who stepped forward to assist Ana Prieto Canela, I must say that she is fortunate to have had Jay Hamburger as part of her team. ["Ana's Angel," by Steve McVicker, April 4]. I witnessed firsthand Mr. Hamburger's dedication to Ms. Prieto's physical and mental well-being, as well as the preservation of her dignity.

Had Jay not volunteered for this job, another of us would have; however, I hardly believe anyone -- myself included -- could have handled matters any more appropriately.

Why did almost everyone who spoke out in this piece refuse to be named? While I have great respect for HPD's Family Violence Unit, police spokesman Jack Cato certainly has a lot to say for an individual I never saw at any public affair held on Ana's behalf.

As for the anonymous police volunteer who stated that Hamburger is "trying to make some big name for himself E," perhaps Mr. Hamburger enjoys the community's recognition for the tenacity with which he tackled this arduous task, but is it a crime to enjoy receiving credit for excellence and devotion in a tedious line of work?

Jay Hamburger deserves to be applauded for all the attention he has called to the often ignored, heinous crime of domestic violence.

Shaune Bagwell
Houston

Parent-Child Dynamic?
Any parent who has fought with a child over increasing an allowance can appreciate the current conflict between Ana Prieto Canela and her trustee Jay Hamburger over the use of her trust fund. For Steve McVicker, through Jack Cato and other unnamed sources, to use that dynamic to raise unsubstantiated questions concerning Jay's personal life and to call into question the bona fides of his public service is beyond the bounds of fair journalism. Jay has a fiduciary duty to preserve the principal of the trust fund, which he helped raise, for Ana's future benefit. The crux of the sniping in the article seems to be that Jay wants some credit for his good works. So what? Shall we strip the names off the Wortham Center, Jones Hall, the Brown Convention Center, etc.?

H. Clay Moore
Houston

Swinging Doors
Tim Fleck is correct: "The doors to some Houston grand juries haven't swung wide for minorities" ["Pale Justice," March 14].

In politics it has long been felt that you "dance with them that brung you." Of the 1,478,497 registered voters in Harris County, only 85,198, or 5.76 percent, participated in the March 12 Democratic primary. Appalling.

If we want to be involved in the grand jury system or any other offshoot of the electoral process, we must get involved. I advise that the next million man and woman march be in November and culminate at the polling place. If that were to happen, many doors would open, not just the ones at the Harris County grand jury system.

Volly C. Bastine Jr.
Houston