Letters

Drug War Rebel

Empty claims: Truth be told, the drug warrior politicians, officials, media and civilians secretly don’t list victory as an objective in their expensive and oppressive trillion-dollar war [“Drug Money,” by Steve McVicker and Tim Carman, September 6]. When they spout their “zero tolerance/total victory” rhetoric, how many of your readers actually believe them? How many actually believe that this year’s multibillion- dollar drug war budget will be the one that will achieve total victory?

Just remember that the drug czars’ jobs depend on the perpetual prosecution of, but never a victory in, the drug war. Also, remember that the politicians depend on the drug war and its rhetoric to scare up votes (by scaring voters).

The drug war promotes, justifies and perpetuates racist enforcement policies and is diminishing many freedoms and liberties that are supposed to be inalienable according to the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Myron Von Hollingsworth
Fort Worth

Critical Condition

Fund Ben Taub: As I saw the banner “A Night in the Tub” [by Tim Fleck, September 6] I groaned and said, “What now?” As a member of the Harris County Hospital District’s Board of Managers for the past three years, it has been one rough ride! Your description of Ben Taub’s emergency room is accurate. I only wish the taxpayers of Harris County (and some of our elected officials) could see the lack of staff and equipment under which our doctors and nurses are forced to provide care.

I too have visited the emergency room at Ben Taub, walking through the blood and listening to the staff about their concerns. It upsets me that when I hear this feedback and know what it takes to provide the kind of care that all people deserve, no one downtown seems to really have a clue. I have made it known to my friends and family that if I ever have a life-threatening injury and I can’t speak for myself, to send me to Ben Taub! Thank you for a well- written article.

E. Dale Wortham
Houston

Vat Chance

Grapes of wrath: Thanks for the story of wine in Texas — at least part of it [“Getting Stomped,” by Robb Walsh, August 30]. I am a big promoter of “our rights” as Texans and U.S. citizens. The wholesalers really have the politicians all tied up. I wonder when we will ever allow free enterprise to grow in this state. We’re so concerned about the monopolistic powers of oil and gas and energy, and yet the biggest violations lie with the alcohol distributors and the “politicians.”

I hope the end is in sight, not only for the wine lovers of this state but also for the Texas wineries.

Jim Yochim
Houston

Falwell to Thee?

Political front: Rick Scarborough’s assertion that his Vision America group is not involved in partisan politics is ludicrous and even dishonest [The Insider, by Tim Fleck, September 6]. Earlier this year, Vision America proudly presented its “Defender of the Faith” award to none other than that stalwart example of true Christianity, Tom DeLay. Vision America’s board reads like a who’s who list of right-wing Republicans like Jerry Falwell, Don Wildmon and Dan Patrick.

Scarborough is simply a Falwell wanna-be. He lost much of his power in his hometown of Pearland when his handpicked city government was voted out of office. Now he is trying to do on a state and national level what he tried to do in Pearland. After all, the less people really know about you, the easier it is to fool them.

Sam Davis
Pearland

Reefer Madness

Overprotecting: I think it’s ridiculous that Ms. Jones went through all that legal hassle to defend her future lawbreaker [“Letting Go,” by Margaret Downing, August 23]. I feel her son was lucky to get 180 days at CEP. Where I come from, if you got caught with marijuana on a school campus, you were referred to juvenile detention, were expelled or were put in county jail. So, Ms. Jones, you are only prolonging your son’s future (which is jail) as long as you defend his illegal acts.

Ricky Lewis
Houston

Westbury Woes

Sinking ship? Thank you for telling the story of Westbury High [“Stepchild?” by Margaret Downing, September 6]. We live a block from the school, but since it is so shabby-looking on the outside, who knows what kinds of kids are on the inside. The school needs to be torn down and rebuilt to meet the demands of 2001.

These kids need to be proud of where they went to school. The school district depends on the alumni later to help finance individual school projects. I know I would not want to sink my money into a sinking ship.

Druann Graves
Houston