Letters

Theories Abound
Has anyone but me thought that the husband of Paul Beauchamp's mistress (!?) may have done something -- or had something done -- himself ["An Open But Shut Case," by Steve McVicker, July 30]? Perhaps Paul was almost drowned from liquor consumption and thrown into the pond to drift. He could have been knocked out with a tire iron (concussion?), and at 43 feet or more from some object in the water, I could mistake a drowned human head for a turtle!

The dog -- did she know Bryan? How well?
B.J. Thomas
Houston

Take It to the Feds
I have a suggestion for the father of the deceased Paul Beauchamp. It seems that organized crime is involved, and that may be the reason the state is reluctant to bring this case to justice. My advice is for the father to contact the FBI and the Justice Department with the facts of his son's death, and ask them to investigate. In order to do this, he may have to hire a knowledgeable and capable criminal attorney.

I suggest that he also contact both his senators in Washington, D.C. and ask for assistance in getting the FBI involved. These people have tremendous clout; they can get justice for his son's murder.

Tom Henry
via Internet

Short and Sweet
Great article! Splendid writing! ["Courtship, River Oaks Style," by George Flynn, July 16]

Kristi Hoss
via Internet

Sour Notes
I am writing this comment about the cover article about the music minister from Trinity Episcopalian Church ["Psalms of Silence," by Bob Burtman, June 18].

We had a similar situation at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Mangum. The long-standing music minister was performing "art music" rather than "worship music." The music selections and hymns were from many of the European masters of this type of music. The selections were not at all appropriate for contemporary worshiping congregations. The music did not speak to the congregation, nor did it elevate the worship. In addition, the lyrics were very out of date with contemporary theology.

The similarity to the Trinity case is that the clergy mishandled the release of the music minister. The music minister and the choir and congregation were subjected to humiliating and offensive behaviors.

The ordained clergy, when it comes to the essential message of Christianity, just doesn't get it.

Don Derouin
Houston

More from the Front
I am writing to express my support for Dr. Castaneda ["Punches, Passion in Tenure War," by Russell Contreras, June 25]. He is a brilliant educator who challenges students to develop original thoughts and to utilize their minds, questioning the status quo in an effort to broaden their awareness and understanding of the world.

What politics lurk behind the decision to deny him tenure? Students have questioned, yet their voices have fallen on deaf ears. One meeting was granted to discuss "general issues." However, requests for subsequent meetings have been denied on the grounds there was nothing further to discuss. Administrators must realize that the decision to deny tenure will not pass without reverberations from the student body. In the words of UH Chancellor and President Arthur K. Smith, "Our future is in our hands." As students, we demand that we receive the highest quality education. And as students, we will make efforts to ensure that this becomes a reality -- beginning with the tenure of Dr. Quetzil Castaneda.

Erin Williams
via Internet

Money and Motherhood
I am writing in response to a letter ["Dads Don't Rate," June 4] concerning women who easily get out of motherhood via adoption or abortion, while a father has to give financial support for 18 years. The writer also proclaimed that mothers did not have the child's best interests at heart and that fathers did not have any custody rights.

A woman is usually forced to deal with adoption or abortion because the father doesn't want the baby, is not ready to be a father or he just doesn't care. He has an obligation to take care of his child financially. A single mother working two jobs to feed, clothe and provide shelter has rarely enough time to do things she wants with her child. She has to cook, clean, nurture and take care of her child herself. Do men truly believe if they provide financial child support that it makes them a father?

Fathers would not have to resort to desperate measures to see their children if they would share in the responsibilities of raising them. Instead, they would rather sob over the money they have to give their children. Now, who has the child's best interest at heart?

Angela Bivens
Houston

"N" Word Waxing
Congratulations to NaTasha Hall ["Word Worry," Letters, July 30] for her forethought in looking up the word "niggardly" before making an incorrect assumption regarding its meaning -- and shame on her for her suggestion that one refrain from using a word because it may be unfamiliar. I believe I was in seventh grade when I first heard the word and, like Ms. Hall, I was surprised to hear it. Sister Damian made a tremendous impression on our class when she explained its meaning -- small and unwilling to give of him- or herself, rather as she thought a person who would use the similar word might be.