Friday, October 9, 1998

Negative rhetoric

I was wondering when Mr. Izzard was going to start in on his negative ad campaign.

I hope no one buys in on all the rhetoric that he has put out so far. Both ads are misleading. The first one says he has been endorsed by Gov. Bush, but that is false. Bush has made no endorsement in this race, only that Izzard has his support. Those ads had to be redone.

The second ad claims Clinton and Stenholm are two of a kind. Nothing could be further from the truth than that.

On the farm disaster bill, Stenholm voted for the Republican bill because it will benefit this area's farmers and ranchers more than the Democrats' bill would. I have checked on this myself. There are more than enough votes in the house to override Clinton's expected veto of this bill.

So no one can say Charlie doesn't do what's best for the people of the 17th District. No politics involved here. Everyone should take note of this.

If Mr. Izzard can't run an honest campaign, what can you expect from him in Washington? More of the same for sure. So don't buy into his rhetoric.

R.A. BEAKLEY

Rule

Via e-mail

The sex police

In reference to the article by Sandra Chittum regarding a second jailer being indicted for improper sexual activity: Why do we have prosecutors looking into private consensual behavior between adults?

In any subsequent investigation, can we assume that any false statements made by defendants under oath in regard to this should be overlooked or condoned? After all, it is only about sex.

Also, let us not have any arguments about this being in the workplace or between persons of disparate positions of power. This is just an effort by the sex police to pry into the private lives of people trying to do the work of the people by guarding prisoners.

HARRY WATSON

Cisco

Via e-mail

Robbing trust fund

Democrats and Republicans have for years been spending money from the Social Security trust fund. What I want to ask is how much money have they taken?

You never hear anyone say how much they owe this fund. Are they paying interest on this money? They are saying we have a surplus, but this is counting what we have in the Social Security fund.

Before they cut taxes or start new programs, what they need to do first is take the surplus and pay on what they owe the Social Security trust fund and stop taking money from that fund.

If they do not have the money, they should not vote to spend what they do not have.

This is the way we have to do things in our life. Open your eyes and ears and speak up and vote.

BILL LONGLEY

Stamford

Steps of discovery

I would like to congratulate you on your mention of an exciting scientific discovery in your editorial of Oct. 5. The discoveries of planets around stars other than our sun is one of the most fascinating on-going projects in astrophysics today.

However, I would like to make one correction and mention a related upcoming event. The astronomer mentioned is Geoffrey Marcy (not March).

In January of next year, McMurry University will be hosting its Frontiers of Science lecture series. This series, headlined by Dr. Alan Hale (of comet Hale-Bopp fame), will include talks by prominent astronomers on the very topic of planets around other stars.

We hope all interested folks in the Big Country will attend.

RICHARD THOMPSON JR.

Abilene

Via e-mail