Catholic Priests, Child Protective Services, Crooked Contractors and Crowded Kasra

The Catholic agenda: The Catholic Church should concentrate its concern and support for illegal immigrants in their country of origin [“Our Padre,” by Russell Cobb, November 15]. This would help keep families together and promote progress in the countries that the illegals take so much pride in. Of course this would not promote the Catholic Church’s agenda of money, power and world domination. I am a Christian with no church affiliation, and I’m sick of the way the media gushes over the cardinal appointment in Galveston. This is just the Catholic Church expanding its power base in Texas by catering to all the illegal Hispanics invading our area. Some of us resent the illegal invasion being forced on us by our government — and the Catholic Church encouraging it.

John Zoch
Houston

Bigot: So this good Father Vázquez and Angelita Alonzo wanted to prevent the people of College Station from hearing another side of the story, a side they did not like? The word to correctly describe that sort of thing is bigotry.

That makes Father Vázquez a bigot.

Bill Watson
Houston

Checking the Children

It’s abduction: I could tell you some more about my situations with this perverse child abduction system we call CPS [“Falling Apart,” by Paul Knight, November 8]. I have a status hearing, and I plan on walking in the courtroom with your newspaper in hand. Seems like being poor is neglectful in the eyes of CPS, and having aortic valve replacement surgery is, too. My 17-month-old son Caleb is (fortunately) staying with my brother, but he was taken in the middle of the night in the parking lot of Central Texas Medical Center, while I was handcuffed and taken to Austin State Hospital. This was just for going to the hospital to be checked out because I was having dizzy spells and my cardiologist had told me to go to the ER any time I felt bad.

I came to find out that my older sister had made the call to inform them of my depression, because I had expressed my feelings and emotions after having an artificial aortic valve put in my chest and almost dying. I was still psychologically dealing with the fear that I had almost lost my life.

That’s just the beginning. CPS states in the affidavit how they came and talked to me while I was at the hospital to inform me of the investigation, but they never did. How can CPS take a child away without even seeing the parent or even trying to make contact with the father, much less any other family member?

You’re guilty until proven innocent. And because this all took place in another county, I had to wait an extra month just so the case could get transferred. They had my address as Austin State Hospital and the father’s address as unknown. The information was given to them by my sister, who hasn’t even seen me or my son in more than eight months.

Now I’m jumping through hoops and getting poorer by the minute because yes, just like the man in your article, employers don’t like having you miss work.

I could go on for hours here. I have so much documentation about CPS and have read almost every article on the Internet about them. My caseworker says I need therapy because I’m so angry; my wonderful family says I’m obsessing; I’m furious and I’m going to fight CPS tooth and nail to get my child back. I didn’t give birth to a child so Texas could make money off him. If they gave me my child back, maybe they could focus on the ones who really do need investigating. Not someone whose heart is still trying to heal from surgery. This is what’s going to kill me!

Name withheld by request
Houston

After Avalos

Your article is great: We thoroughly enjoyed reading it [“On the Run,” by Craig Malisow, November 8]. Your accuracy in the portrayal of what has happened was impressive.

This is a sick, dangerous man.

We too were victims of Avalos and would like to say that Houston residents have been saved many headaches thanks to the hard work of Melanie and Rebecca.

Let’s hope his wife/partner (or ex-wife, or whatever she is) Gloria Avalos doesn’t keep the business rolling in his absence.

I hope they run your story here in San Antonio in the Express-News.

Ariel Galvan
Helotes

Lost Kasra

Keep your discoveries: I went back to Kasra, one of my favorite restaurants, for the first time after your review [“Best of Houston®: Best Persian,” September 27].

What a shock.

I never had to wait very long for a table at Kasra before, but last night the 15-to-20-minute wait turned into a longish 45 minutes. There’s no bar at Kasra, so you either wait outside or go for a beer at the depressing Yao Restaurant & Bar next door.

I asked the hostess if the commotion at Kasra was due to your review, and she nodded. I’m not sure if she was really happy about it.

The once quiet and relaxing Kasra is now humming like a beehive. The once laid-back waitstaff is now running around like mad…and the chicken barg was undercooked.

Now I have to look for my next favorite place…and hope you never “discover” it!

Name withheld by request
Houston

Name Shame

In the November 15 issue of the Houston Press, a short review of Company OnStage’s Over the River and Through the Woods incorrectly identified the actor who played Emma. It was Jo Ann Levine, not Lauren Bigelow. Bigelow played Caitlin.

We regret the error.