The Fate of Yates

The Fate of Yates

Macho Rusty: Russell Yates should have been charged as a co-conspirator in the deaths of his children ["Otherworldly," by Margaret Downing, February 28]. Why? He was warned that his wife should not have any more children after the fourth. But Mr. Macho didn't think much of that idea. And what about his boasting that he never changed a diaper?

The poor woman was overworked and probably underappreciated. Now he says he might divorce her and remarry so that he can have another family. I pity the woman who takes him for a husband. And he wants to sue the doctors? What pure, unadulterated chutzpah. He has more nerve than brains.

Andrea ought to be suing him for putting her through the hell she is experiencing. Yes, she did wrong and should be punished. But so should he. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.

Lillian Harley
Cupertino, California

Defendant Rusty?Bravo to Margaret Downing and her story on Andrea Yates. Not unlike the O.J. Simpson trial, this one, as well as its outcome, will become burned in our collective social psyche. Both trials have forced us to take a closer look at not only our own personal morals and beliefs but also our judicial system.

My heart goes out to any parent who loses a child -- or children, in this case. But why isn't Rusty Yates on trial for the obvious neglect of his five children? What type of parent would leave his or her children in the care of someone they know is as mentally unstable as Andrea Yates? We should demand full justice for these children by putting Rusty Yates on trial!

Name withheld by request
Houston

Rusty the blamer: By all testimonies, Andrea Yates was a good mother. So why would she kill her five children? She said it was to save them from the hands of Satan, something not mentioned now. Her religion promised for those who died sinless life in heaven with a loving Jesus.

Rusty Yates blames psychiatrists for inadequate treatment of Andrea, but they were powerless over religious convictions, that in death the children would not be hurt. She never thought she would be hurting the children. In her case, it took religion to make a good person do bad things.

Larry Mazur Jr.
San Jose, California

Leaf Them Alone

Save the trees: If Lisa Thompson and Rodney Collins want to showcase their architectural firm's abilities, wouldn't it be more impressive if they were able to build around the magnolia trees ["Shady Deal," by Wendy Grossman, March 21]? This doesn't sound like an "environmentally responsible" house to me.

Libby Weller
Houston

Thais to Houston

Simple pleasures: I enjoyed reading your article ["Thai Raid," by Robb Walsh, March 28].

We've been in Houston more than 18 months, and as my wife is Thai, the first thing we did when we arrived was search for the right Thai food. As you point out, it's difficult to find the "real thing." With two naughty boys, we like it simple.

We initially settled for the Thai fast food from Thai Spice on Bellaire between Gessner and 59. Their "over the rice" lunch plate is a steal!

Benoit Lanhthemann
Houston

Hot to trot:I truly enjoy Robb Walsh's articles and look forward to the Press every week with the dining section in mind. I am certainly no Thai expert, but I really enjoy the food at Patu, the hole-in-the-wall in Rice Village. It seems to have all four qualities you stress for good Thai food. And if you ask nicely, they will really turn up the heat.

The pad Thai is my favorite, and strangely addictive. Is this authentic Thai, or have I been fooled all this time with some sort of fusion mumbo jumbo?

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Geoff Carleton
Bellaire

Culture Stock

Praising peanuts: Milstein's "Tom, Dick and Harry" comment about the problem with fusion food is about right ["Noodle-Gazing," by Robb Walsh, February 28]. Of course, some fusion food is very good, and some goes on to become part of a cuisine.

Your comment about tomatoes is the tip of an iceberg that seems to go largely unnoticed these days: the contribution of New World foods to cuisine throughout the world.

Can you imagine Asian cuisine without the New World's capsicum peppers and peanuts? How about German and UK cuisine without potatoes?

Actually, "New American cuisine" is a funny misnomer, since so much of it incorporates expatriate foods coming home again.

Jay Bute
El Lago