Letters

Grin and Barrett
Someone ought to tell Georgette Mosbacher that if she's going to indulge in snooty and "witty" literary name-dropping, she should at least drop the right names ["How to Divorce a Millionaire," by Lisa Gray, January 28]. In an excerpt from her book It Takes Money, Honey, she writes about how to amass a secret stash: "To paraphrase the poet Robert Browning, let me count the ways." It was Elizabeth Barrett Browning, not her husband, who wrote, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." I guess there really are some things money can't buy.

Naomi Marmell
via Internet

Riches and Bitches
Accolades to Lisa Gray for calling a spade a spade and a bitch a true bitch. No doubt, gold-digging goes on in any city, but Houston gold diggers put sequins to the oldest profession on earth. They go public with their constant tales of being the victim or whatever and cry all the way to the bank or another bed.

And along comes poor, pitiful Georgette -- as a Role Model for survival. But Lisa nailed it. Georgette was a fine representation of the Houston greed factor. I hope Rob Mosbacher finds a really nice lady who will enjoy the finer things in his life without the need to discuss "ownership issues" at vulnerable times. Strange pillow talk indeed.

Karen Masi
via Internet

Her Checkbook Isn't
Ms. Mosbacher's story is sad.
Andrew Kreston
via Internet

Doublewide Disgust
Georgette Mosbacher is pure white trash. It is good she doesn't live in a trailer -- she'd give trailer-park trash a bad name.

Kathleen Jones
via Internet

Royal Subject
I've laughed and mocked many of your letters to the editor which claim that you are one-sided and that you go into the story with your mind made up, then set out to slime anybody who doesn't support your view.

However, after Brian Wallstin's "Looking for Answers Down Below" [January 21], I must apologize to all those letter-writers. In the ten years I have known developer Robert Nash, he has always been an honest, ethical and upright human being. Most importantly, I know that Robert Nash is not a liar who would present misleading information to the Houston City Council.

The Nash I know would not go forward with a project that would endanger the environment or humans. I would like to see how the story would be presented if it were written from a fair, unbiased, objective viewpoint -- like actual reporters are supposed to do. I'm now left to wonder how many of your other stories have been knowingly distorted. Even worse, I have the impression that I must treat the stories that I read in the Houston Press the same way that I read the stories in the Houston Chronicle -- with heavy doses of skepticism and disbelief.

John W. Royal
via Internet

Red with Envy
I sympathize with Alex Golubitsky and applaud him for his bravery in questioning freedom, equality and the small minds at HISD ["Fighting the Power," by Wendy Grossman, January 28]. As a young man, I explored Marxism under the tutelage of my American-born grandfather, who encouraged me to read Lenin. In college, I soon found myself a member of my university student congress, elected as a write-in candidate with bold support from minority and working-class students who knew my politics.

Wearing a bright red flag on my lapel, I brought an ever-growing constituency with me. We were openly hated and ridiculed for our work.

Golubitsky's ordeal exposes the law-and-order mentality of our Texas public school system. As an HISD employee, I would gladly risk my position to further the goals of such an outstanding soon-to-be citizen as Comrade Golubitsky.

Name withheld by request
via Internet

Civics 101
Eminently readable article about that Golubitsky youngster. I hope he socks it to the school and the police department.You'd think, by what schools and cops do, students have no constitutional rights.

Larry Smith
via Internet

Smart Alex
I knew Alex Golubitsky briefly in ninth grade and was astonished to see him on your cover. I never thought Alex, who is always an individual, would draw this much attention through his strength of character.

Minors are some of the most pushed-around people in the country. A measure of common sense, both in making and enforcing rules, would save HISD money and reputation. It would also save students like Alex, who enhance the school environment with personal involvement and a desire to learn, a great deal of hassle. By focusing on "discipline" and not learning, HISD has done more than anything else to discourage student interest in learning.

The most unforgivable part of the entire incident is the unnecessary arrest of an individual who in no way broke the law. Perhaps the officer did not know the law or was simply looking for a reason to arrest someone. In either case, it is unpardonable. Would it be so difficult for HISD to admit they were wrong?

I wish Alex the best of luck in his struggle. I commend him as a role model. If more of us participated as actively as Alex, perhaps our schools and communities would not need all the rules that they think are essential.