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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Online Votes?
To the editor: As keyboard player for the Latin Express. I just wanted to thank you for your kind words about our band (“Music Awards 2003,” May 15, 2003). We really appreciate it. I was talking to a bunch of people who brought something to my attention: Why don’t you have online voting? They all told me that it would be easier for them to vote online instead of getting the ballot from the Fort Worth Weekly, getting an envelope, and mailing it in. I was interested in the idea and I thought perhaps you would like to hear it.
But besides that, thank you so much for the support you have given to us. We try our best to keep up with the rest of them.
Mariza Saenz
Fort Worth
Editor’s note: We have considered online voting but currently don’t have the capability on our web site. We also have concerns that online voting might increase ballot-box-stuffing problems. Nonetheless, we expect to consider the possibility again next year.
Meth, Tragedy, Responsibility
To the editor: Just a note to let you know that I read Jeff Prince’s story “Meth Madness” in the latest Fort Worth Weekly (May 29, 2003). It was well written and hit more than a few nerves. I only wish the story could be read by all young people — I believe it would make a difference.
I recently lost my niece, a beautiful 22-year-old, to drugs — a car accident. It is sad that more young people can’t be exposed to what can and does happen to them and their families that affects them forever when they choose to use drugs. Your story presents the “whole” picture, and I wish all young people could read it. Thanks for your excellent work and efforts on this story.
Ernest Hagler
Rendon
To the editor: I am writing in regard to your story titled “Meth Madness” by Jeff Prince. The gist of the story seems to be that methamphetamine makes good people do bad things. That is ridiculous! The drugs did not rob that bank or make anyone do it. Mr. Hodges chose to use the drugs and also chose to rob the bank. He needs to address his decision-making process, not the drugs. Blaming the drugs is just ignoring the real problem. Mr. Hodges is a criminal, not a victim.
Ted McLaughlin
Euless
Cartels and Corruption
To the editor: Peter Gorman is my younger brother, so perhaps I’m biased, but I think he did a great job on “Coyote Cartels” (May 22, 2003). As a former New York cop and prosecutor, I’m particularly interested in the connection he makes between the people-smuggling, the drug running, and the necessary catalyst — official corruption — along the Texas-Mexico border.
I prosecuted police corruption cases for almost 30 years, and I’m convinced that no major criminal enterprises exist anywhere without the benefit of official corruption, even if it is limited in scope, as Chief Paul Berg of the Del Rio border patrol believes. Unfortunately, too many intelligent and knowledgeable cops, prosecutors, judges, and elected officials, who are generally honest and hardworking, ignore or give up on finding, exposing, and eliminating corruption. They also ignore or even support policies that encourage people-smuggling and illegal immigration. It’s easier to put on blinders, not rock the boat too much, and just make the job as easy and smooth as possible. However, as former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his top crime fighters proved to New York City and the world, unless you rock the boat and eliminate every weak link in the crime-fighting chain, including corrupt political policies, you’ll never defeat powerful criminal organizations. (By the way, good police unions never interfere with serious crimefighting efforts and policies. When they do, it’s time to go to court to fight them.) Peter’s article should be an eye-opener that motivates elected officials and law enforcement to eliminate the horrors of people-smuggling. Any official who intentionally ignores or minimizes the evil of that crime because he believes our free economy requires illegals to work without essential benefits, safety rules, or legal rights has really joined forces with the criminal cartels.
Michael J. Gorman
Whitestone, N.Y.
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