Friday, January 30, 1998

Parks for everyone

A discussion came up in my family concerning the parks in Abilene. Close friends and family agree with my observation that the new, "modernized" parks of Abilene do not serve all ages of the community.

To begin with, the equipment, new as it may be, entertains only the very young. In contrast, playgrounds that included see-saws, swings, jungle gyms, tall slides and monkey bars can entertain people of all ages. To give an example, my 10-year-old brother explains that Rose Park was exciting and the new parks are "dull and all the same." He also said, "The new playgrounds are made for only really little kids."

I am not asking for remodeling of all the parks, but instead to keep the old parks the way they are. I am asking that if new parks are designed, to please vary the styles. The new parks in town are good, but it isn't good if all of the parks in town are too much alike.

I am aware of the concern of possible lawsuits brought against the city. The logic of this fear is important, but are we not living in a society where almost anybody can be sued? Is this fear more important than the enjoyment of the city? Wouldn't it be better if parks were made for the enjoyment of all ages?

KAKI CLARK

Abilene

Via e-mail

Wives, concubines

King Solomon was one of the great people of the Bible. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and he was never judged. So it is ridiculous to judge President Clinton.

ROBERTO ARROYO

Clyde

Pardon Karla Faye

Gov. Bush, please do not execute Karla Faye Tucker.

She is no longer the drug-crazed woman who committed this heinous crime. She has been truly rehabilitated. She is now a converted, spirit-led Christian woman, whose premature death would serve no purpose. I do not plead her case because she is a woman but because she is a rehabilitated person. Please grant clemency.

To execute Karla while releasing child molesters, rapists, murderers and drug pushers to walk the streets freely would be a travesty of justice! What purpose would be served to execute this woman, who is no longer a threat to anyone?

Now that she has a conscience and understands and regrets what she has done, she will die a thousand deaths inwardly for the rest of her life. As King David, knowing he had received God's forgiveness, nevertheless said, "My sin is ever before me." He was haunted by what he had done, and so will Karla Faye Tucker be.

If God has forgiven her and set her free from her sin, can the state of Texas do less?

KATHY McKAY

Tye

Self's misconduct

I was happy to read in your paper Jan. 9 that Sandy Self is no longer crying political foul concerning the hearing on a motion for retrial that was conducted in December.

Because of Self's misconduct, Taylor County taxpayers will be out more than $13,000 for the cost of the retrial, according to the Taylor County auditor's office. Self now admits that because of the law, it is within the judge's discretion to grant a new trial.

Self also says she wants to "run a campaign based on the issues, not personal attacks." Let's see if she can stick to the issues this time.

SHELLY RHYNE

Abilene