|
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
|
|
Great Wall of Mexico
To the editor: Your March 19 story, “On the Border of Fear” states that “The killing of a Redford teenager a decade ago by U.S. Marines slowed the pace of militarization of the border, but 9/11-inspired fears, a generous dose of racism (emphasis added), and a redefined national police force known as the Border Patrol have brought the machinery of low-intensity conflict back with a vengeance.” Whoever wrote this lives in a bubble. It’s not 9/11 fears and it’s not a “generous dose of racism” and it’s not a redefined national police force, but it’s the American people who are fed up with supporting millions of illegal aliens with their taxes.
I live in California, a state that’s devastated by illegal immigration, and I’m one hour by car from the border city of San Diego. I know first-hand the problems that the citizens of San Diego have with illegal immigration crime and the corruption in their city government that lawlessness has brought.
In addition, according to a recent report by State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, it costs Californians $10.5 billion a year to educate, medicate, and incarcerate illegal aliens.
As for the accusation of racism because we Americans want to stop illegal immigration: I’m an American citizen of Hispanic descent, I’m fed up with illegal immigration, I could lose my home to higher property taxes, and I want to see a wall with the proportions of the famous Wall of China between Mexico and the United States of America! Enough is enough!
Haydee Pavia
Laguna Woods, Calif.
Bright Light on JPS
To the editor: Fort Worth Weekly journalists Eric Griffey and Betty Brink certainly served up a platter of indictments against Tarrant County’s John Peter Smith hospital, with their “Code Red for JPS” story on March 5.
This superbly researched and written exposé should make county and state officials wake up and smell the coffee and convince them to implement appropriate corrective measures.
We are both appreciative to the Weekly for its interest in our tale of the anorexic “treatment” Delbert received at JPS and the hospital’s audacity in billing us for it.
JPS has enjoyed legislative protections against lawsuits, and this policy needs to be changed when the Texas Legislature convenes next year.
Delbert and Dee Cantrell
Fort Worth
To the editor: The Weekly’s “Code Red for JPS” cover story by Eric Griffey and Betty Brink is sure to catch the attention of local taxpayers.
Delbert Cantrell, whose experiences were profiled in the story, is a relative of mine. Delbert has permanent scars from the halo bolts placed in his skull and an indelible memory of excruciating pain from their placement.
He and his wife Dee have been though an unfortunate journey with JPS, but Dee has the tenacity of a pit bull and will continue her fight for justice from the hospital until hell freezes over, if need be. She gives new meaning to the term “junkyard dog.”
“Code Red” gave some closure to the Cantrells and also to Mr. Cattlett, another patient. Their stories needed to be told publicly.
JPS is interested in the almighty buck, not in the patient needs that they are supposed to be committed to, first and foremost.
Readers should contact their state legislators and ask for action and for an investigation of JPS.
Richard Orton
Fort Worth
Language of the Hemisphere
To the editor: I would like to respond to two letters published in your March 5, 2008, edition about the teaching of Spanish in public schools. Regarding the first letter, may I suggest that while I would be all for our schools providing instruction about languages other than Spanish, the fact remains that, like it or not, Texas borders a Spanish-speaking country, and in fact most of Central America, half of South America, and some of the West Indies speak Spanish, along with indigenous languages in some places. Additionally, Brazilians speak Portuguese, which is closely related to Spanish.
The fact is, the Spanish-speakers of whom the second letter-writer complains are in fact here, and I think most do want to learn English.
And then, at least a nodding acquaintance with Spanish is well-nigh a must for knowing Texas history (the state did once belong to Spain — and to Mexico). Who could be “Texas-literate” and still be ignorant of the meanings of perhaps scores of place names taken from Spanish, as well as many other names and terms associated with our history and culture?
Oh, and as a matter of fact, the Vietnamese language used to be a language of instruction in Fort Worth schools, or at least at Rosemont Middle School.
Arthur Robertson
Fort Worth
Email this Article...
