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Letters to the editor
The following letters were submitted by readers to the Taylor Daily Press.
Sign theft an assault on freedom Editor: On the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 14, unknown person or persons came onto our property, not the public right-of-way, and removed and stole two political signs from our front yard. It disturbs me very much that our freedom of speech and expression seem to be disappearing from our good town of Taylor and our country. I have a fear for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren when there are no boundaries now. What may the future hold? M.J. Collins, Taylor
Newspaper failed to report election news Editor: What an exciting time in our country. A new president was elected. Perhaps President-elect Barack Obama was not the candidate you chose when you cast your vote. The headline of ‘Despite outcome, Taylor remains red’ is disgraceful. What is the role as editor, as a newspaper? Should you provide the facts? If that is all, then I would say you did report the facts, the breakdown of the geographical boundaries of the voting precincts and those results were published in your newspaper. What story are you telling? I would expect you report on the story of the historical significance of the event. The presidential election deserves more observation by this community and by your newspaper. You failed to report on the story that the United States of America elected its first African-American president. You’ve continued to fail by not reporting on the stories of the positive message President-elect Obama gave to the American people and to people around the world in his acceptance speech. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer …. It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.” You failed to report on the story of the positive message in John McCain’s concession speech. “In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.” You failed to report on how the current Republican President George Bush congratulated President-elect Obama and called the win “a testament to hard work, optimism and faith in the enduring promise of our nation.” You failed to report the 364 electoral votes received by President-elect Obama was more than twice what John McCain received. You failed to report on the impact that the democratic process listened to the voices of the majority of the American people and those voices shouted loudly - we want a change! “And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.” (Barack Obama) Yes, I can get the news from other sources, and did. I would expect that along with the local news, that you provide a window into the world beyond the county roads surrounding the Taylor community. Open your eyes; the world is changing around you. Karen Farley, Taylor
New high school site economical choice Editor: I agree with Mr. David Weber in his letter to the Editor published on Tuesday, Oct. 21 (“Using existing school land would save money”). The Taylor ISD Board of Trustees must save as much money as possible when building the new high school. The district currently owns two possible sites for the new high school that will not require the destruction of existing campus buildings, which will be needed in the future. The available sites are: North site: The new middle school currently has some unused land, approximately 20 acres, behind the existing campus. However, to build the high school on this site, the district would have to buy an additional 32 acres to have the minimum size site required by the state for a high school campus. This additional land would cost approximately $1 million. Utilities, including a possible lift station, plus roads to serve the new campus would have to be installed. It has been said that the required infrastructure would cost approximately $1 million to $2 million, and the district would have to pay these costs. Hence, it is estimated that it would cost the district approximately $2 million to $3 million more for land and infrastructure if the high school were built on the north site. South Site: The district currently owns 65 acres at the intersection of the Loop and F.M. 973. The city has offered to install utilities to the site, at no cost to the district. Hence, building a high school on the south site would not cost the district any additional funds. Given the above information, it is easy to understand why the Taylor school board proposed to build the new high school on the south site. The board is working diligently to save Taylor taxpayers money. ... Sincerely, Leslie Hill, co-chair, Citizens for Children of Taylor PAC
Thank you for supporting victims of storm Dear Editor, The Hutto Veterinary Clinic and Classy Dogs Grooming would like to thank everyone who brought pet food, bedding, toys, crates and cash to the grooming facility and the clinic in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. One of the clinic’s veterinarians, Dr. Suzi Hahn, also practices at and manages the spay/neuter clinic and shelter in Beaumont, which serves Southeast Texas. She worked tirelessly for three weeks to ensure that every abandoned, lost or rescued animal was reunited with family or placed in adoptable positions outside of the devastated areas. Without your kind and thoughtful contributions, her job would have been much more difficult. Thankfully, the hundreds of pets, including horses and donkeys, were eventually relocated or placed in homes. Hutto and Taylor animal lovers should be proud that they contributed so much to help God’s beloved creatures caught in a destructive storm. Sincerely, Dr. John Holmstrom, owner, Hutto Veterinary Clinic Linda L. Welch, business mgr. Kara Cole, owner, Classy Dogs Grooming
Patriotism, veterans deserve respect Dear Editor: Has the liberal, politically correct attitude suppressed patriotism in our country? War and combat is not to be glorified, but the understanding that freedom is not free and any good thing has a price. When I was a boy, Veteran’s Day was a special day. There was no school on Veteran’s Day. There was always a parade down Main Street. All the men from the 49th Armored Division of the local National Guard would march in the parade. There where always military vehicles in the parade, too. I will never forget seeing a man in a wheel chair on the corner of Fourth Street and Main for every parade. My family told me he was captured by the Japanese in World War II and tortured by cutting his tongue out. I don’t know if it was true or not, but it left a lasting impression on my understanding of the price of freedom. As I grow older, I have come to understand Ecclesiastes chapter 3, the verse in the Bible that pertains to planting and reaping. This applies to almost everything in life. It appears that we are planting seed for the future of our country that might not return a good harvest. Patriotism is more than just flying the flag, but even in that expression of patriotism we seem to be lacking. There are businesses in this community that fly the Stars and Stripes, along with many local residents that display the symbol of our nation in a very disrespectful manner. The red strips in our flag represent the blood that is shed daily for the freedom we seem to take for granted. By letting our flag be displayed in a torn and rag type manner, does that actually show patriotism or contempt? Our children and grandchildren are imitators. What we sow into their lives by the way we act or respond to things is exactly what they will believe and think. When they see us disrespect the flag, or don’t show appreciation for our service men and women, how can that instill patriotism? Patriotism is a taught and learned thing. It is like racism. Within the past several years I have made it a tradition to remind myself of how important it is to remember the price of our freedom. Every Veteran’s Day I make the time to watch “Saving Private Ryan” or “We Were Soldiers” or “Blackhawk Down.” On the Fourth of July I remember to watch “The Patriot.” As gruesome as some of these movies are, I encourage my grandsons to watch with me so that they learn that freedom is not free. The History Channel had the “Real Story of Blackhawk Down.” The real soldiers expressed their anger of being pulled out of Somalia by President Clinton and how their fellow soldiers and friends died before the mission was complete. Whether we are in Iraq under bad intelligence information or not, the point is, do we show our children and grandchildren that those many service men and women who died did so in vain? By not exhibiting our appreciation for our veterans we are planting seeds that will grow into something that our country should fear. We have already made God a social and political taboo in our schools and elsewhere. When we also take away patriotism and loyalty to our country, that God gave us, we are in grave danger. The liberal, politically correct ideas will reap a harvest that could be our last as a freed United States of America. My concern is that when patriotism is gone, our freedom is soon to follow. Sincerely, James Rowland, Taylor
Color controversy ridiculous Editor: I agree with Mrs. (Naomi) Pasemann that this discussion is ridiculous (“Taylor school colors not official,” Nov. 12). I am left with two questions, however. When did forest green replace Kelley green as the standard shade? And more importantly, will the last line in the school song’s lyrics be changed to “The green and black shall ever fly”? David Switzer, Wake Forest, N.C.
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