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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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aProfaning the Page
To the editor: Is it really necessary to use the “f” word in your reviews? I read Fort Worth Weekly almost weekly because I believe there are some very good stories that can’t be seen in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I overlook the obviously obscene advertisers because I know that newspapers, of all sorts, must have money to publish. But it seems that more and more frequently I am seeing reviews with the “f” word and other expressions that should be left to those wanting to see or read the obscene.
I have long believed that any person of average intelligence should be able to express themselves in their native tongue without using vulgar words. I would think a “professional” journalist would be more than capable of doing so.
Susan Kolb
Fort Worth
Free Not to Read
To the editor: In your latest issue there was a letter from a Mr. Michael Wood of Haltom City who seemed to be very offended by the adult advertisements in your paper. He even went to such extremes as to question the moral integrity of this paper’s entire staff. I have some very enlightening news for Mr. Wood. Just because this paper is free, it does not mean that you are obligated in any way to take one and read it. As a matter of fact, you can just walk right on by the news rack (legally) without any fear of retribution. Isn’t that great, Mr. Wood?
Ed Huddleston
Fort Worth
Tocco Toxicity
To the editor: This is an open letter to the Fort Worth school board. Our group, Truth About Area Schools, is a parent/taxpayer organization dedicated to a cost-effective school system and quality education. The FWISD administration and board have become obstacles to achievement of that objective.
The recent Motheral property exposé, coupled with a series of reports of apparent malfeasance, collusion, and corruption in the FWISD, begs the question: When will this board hold Supt. Tom Tocco responsible and accountable? His severance package will amortize itself in a matter of months given the endless stream of squandered school funds. Or is there another agenda that precludes this prudent course of action?
Now the city Chambers of Commerce are proposing to form a Finance Advisory Council to monitor the district’s financial reports. Tocco is promoting this scheme to obfuscate his failure to manage. If you, the board, agree, you will in effect abdicate your primary purpose as trustees.
You have repeatedly acted with indifference toward your constituents. In fact, there exists an atmosphere of “in your face” toward parents, teachers, and taxpayers as you continue to ignore persisting conditions of mismanagement.
What happens to this board’s chartered responsibility to the community when most of you continue to echo that stale response: “He (Tocco) is not going anywhere until you (the constituents) get five votes.” What a despicable attitude.
The most recent “message” to the public reveals a serious breach of ethics as members of the board and senior administration officials enlisted the services of a school contractor of notoriety.
You, the board, have enough on your plate without considering Deputy Supt. Pat Linares’ proposal to lower standards for honor and advanced placement courses so more minorities can qualify. Is there no end to this social indulgence? What a sorely misguided culture.
We have a growing list of signed petitions to remove Mr. Tocco immediately. We implore you, the board, to exercise the courage and sense of honor to fulfill your obligations as trustees and act accordingly.
Nathan C. Vail
Fort Worth
Music for the Ages
To the editor: I read your article last week (“Keep the Campfires Burning,” Oct. 22, 2003 by Jeff Prince), and I was very pleased the way you scripted it. You are a very talented writer, and I am glad that you came out to the festival to do a report on Texas Music and all that implies about the music itself and the controversies between the young and older generation. Until you interviewed me that day, I had no idea that the older generation was sore at us younger folks, but hopefully since this article was written, published, and read by all ages, maybe it changed their views on us and made clear the real reason we are there. Because we are there for the same reason they are — not to be nuisances, but for the music itself and the good times it brings us all. Thank you again for writing an article on the gatherings and festivals of Texas Music. I look forward to the next gathering, and I hope to see you there again.
Cody Burris
(the “24-year-old” in the story)
Garland
Scarier than Terrorism
To the editor: Terrorism scares me, but what scares me even more is losing the basic civil liberties that make our country great.
Our national security depends, above all else, on keeping our democracy strong. And there’s no doubt in my mind that if we give the FBI the power — as we did in the Patriot Act — to monitor the books we borrow from the library and videos we rent from the video store, then we are weakening our democracy. This is exactly what terrorists want us to do.
I hope Congress repeals the entire Patriot Act or at least nixes the worst parts of it as some congressional Democrats and Republicans have proposed.
Mrs. Alice Simmons
Kemp, TX
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