Friday, January 16, 1998

No beef with Oprah

Hurrah for Molly Ivins and her Jan. 13 column, "Is Oprah the only ‘mad cow' around?" The veggie libel law scares one. I cannot believe it exists in a country where free speech is protected. I want to know what the food industry is up to.

I guess Upton Sinclair would be sued for his book The Jungle, which prompted the Pure Food legislation of 1906, if he were alive today. Too bad Teddy Roosevelt isn't around to defend the consumer as he was then. Roosevelt was disgusted by the practices of the meat industry that Sinclair documented and consequently helped get the Pure Food legislation passed.

I eat beef, but I defend my right to be informed about what my beef ate! I guess we've all been really naive thinking all cows ate grass, hay and corn. What happened to "grain-fed beef"?

As for the bumper sticker some Texans are sporting about Oprah that says, "The Only Mad Cow Around Is Oprah," I consider it demeaning to all women.

Oprah, thank you for all the charitable work you do, especially your contributions to Habitat for Humanity, and for being such a wonderful advocate for children. If they are mean to you in Amarillo, come stay at my house during the trial. I would be honored.

And for the group of cattlemen suing Oprah, I think they saw an easy way to get their hands on Oprah's vast fortune. Hang in there, Oprah, don't let them get you down! I pray the right to free speech prevails at the trial.

PEBBLES LEE

Abilene

Good garbage work

I have lived on the north side of Abilene for 50 years, and this is my first letter to the editor. It is one I have intended to write for many months, but after reading the letter in the Jan. 13 paper, I decided it was time to speak up.

I want to commend our city refuse department for the excellent service it renders with two regular collections each week, with the exception of Christmas Day. I also appreciate the crews who pick up the tree limbs and other trash placed in the alleys.

If all citizens will cooperate by cutting their brush into manageable lengths and stacking it in a neat pile in the alley, these crews will go beyond what is required of them to keep our alleys clean. I have seen large tree limbs thrown into the alley with no regard as to how the refuse crews could handle them.

Also, if people would flatten their boxes and compact their garbage as much as possible, the containers would not be overflowing so much.

I believe if you will compare other cities of our size, you will find we are getting excellent refuse collection service for the price we pay. Let us all work together to make their job easier.

RAYMOND JOHNSON

Abilene

Backing Deatherage

I have encouraged A.L. Deatherage to run for the office of justice of the peace, Precinct 1, Place 2, in the March 10 Republican primary.

I have known Deatherage for 20 years, and during that time, I have known him to be a man of integrity. He is well qualified for the position due to his years of experience in law enforcement and as a deputy sheriff for Taylor County.

The people of Abilene and Taylor County deserve a change, and they definitely need a choice.

TED PEMBERTON

Abilene