|
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
|
|
|
|
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
|
|
Everywhere, Nefarious
To the editor: Thanks for the great story (“Sneak Play,” Feb. 28, 2007) on the proposed Cowboys’ stadium and the nefarious ways in which the Cowboys organization and Texas lawmakers worked to change the law. Given the condition of the environment in Texas, especially in the Metroplex, it would seem to be a no-brainer that the cities and the state should do everything humanly possible to preserve what little parkland and wild areas that remain. Once again though, we see how Big Bidness has the legislature on a leash and, mysteriously, always seems to get what it wants.
I think it’s high time — hell, past time — that the people of Texas wake up and stop being so trusting of their state and local governments. The majority of Texans seem to think that their civic duties end at the ballot box. Texans need to start paying attention to, and actively participating in, the political process that affects their daily lives, whether they recognize the impact or not.
I am a former resident of Fort Worth and know full well the stigma that attaches in Texas to “those damn environmentalists.” Many Texans seem to equate a genuine concern for the environment with that dirtiest of political classifications in the state: “liberal,” which, to some in the state, continues to serve as just another word for Communist. This disdain for citizens concerned with the health of our wild places seems strange to me, given the state’s strong ties to farming and ranching and the dollars brought in by outdoor recreation all across Texas.
It’s imperative for all Texans to embrace the idea that concern for the environment is primarily a moral issue, not merely a political one. Where will the people of Texas be, a few years down the road, if the majority of the state’s population continues to ignore the backroom dealings of businessmen and politicians? These always seem to result in sweet deals for partnerships and corporations and more often than not chip away at Texans’ absolute right to clean air, drinkable water, open spaces, government accountability and transparency, and many other aspects of the public welfare. “Smart growth” initiatives are just that — smart. Heaven forbid the pace of “progress” be slowed to account for concerns about the environment and public health, which are supposed to be defended by our elected officials and other public servants. Unless the citizens of Texas take the initiative to educate themselves, become a force to be reckoned with, and organize to protect the public’s interest, I fear the situation will remain “bidness as usual,” and more will be lost.
I apologize for the rant. Thanks for the continued great work of the Fort Worth Weekly staff, striving to help provide a voice for the voiceless and unearth the unpleasant truths. Keep it up and keep it real!
Jeremy McClain
Germantown, Md.
To the editor: Where will it end? I finally got around to reading the Weekly on Thursday afternoon and was glad to see the “Static” concerning the public meeting on the possibility of flooding Gateway Park much more than the 100-year floodplain would suggest. Then to my surprise, there was Jumpin’ Jeff Prince once again reporting on the obvious .... crooked politicians — and oh my, in Arlington!
Having already had the complete displeasure of attending both the Trinity River Vision meetings (actually sales seminars) in East Fort Worth, I could only lay my head down on my desk and cry.
Reading Jeff’s article brought up very uneasy feelings concerning the Trinity Uptown, Trinity River Vision, and the issue of flooding Gateway Park. It is now known that the city of Fort Worth and the Tarrant Regional Water District have been working on what they wanted to do to East Fort Worth since June 2006 and are just now getting around to talking with us. The primary reason for selecting our side of town to dump flood waters is that some very rich folks on the West Side have threatened to sue the city’s (that would be we the people’s) pants off if we use their property for flood mitigation on a project that is purely for downtown development.
The reason it is important to keep this out of court at any cost is that neither the city nor TRWD will be able to prove that this exercise is about flood control. As a matter of fact, the latest report from the Corps of Engineers leads us to the undeniable conclusions that: 1) absent Lake Kay Granger, we don’t need a bypass channel at all; and 2) absent a bypass channel, we would not need flood mitigation of any fashion, east or west!
Perhaps it’s time we went back to the people with a specific ballot proposition on these projects.
Louis McBee
Fort Worth
Hoppin’ Glad
To the editor: Thanks to Jimmy Fowler for writing that amazing article about us at Amphibian (“Short Hop to the Big Apple,” Feb. 21, 2007). You have no idea how great it was for us as a company to be able to read it. I hope we’ll see Jimmy at our shows so we can thank him in person.
Carman Lacivita
New York City, N.Y.
Email this Article...
