Friday, November 13, 1998

UIL competitions

As I read the letter, "Lessons from UIL," I thought about all the UIL competitions I have participated in. As I thought about my own experiences, I compared them to the thoughts of this young man.

There is virtually nothing really different between athletic UIL competitions and nonathletic UIL competitions. They both are judged by their ability in whatever they compete in.

Both are taught "plays." In music, "plays" would be the music they are taught and how to play or sing it. Neither can make interpretations as they wish and still expect to be judged fairly.

I'm not in band, but I have competed in UIL before. No matter what nonathletic UIL competition one competes in, one should not "interpret" it his/her way.

As I have many friends in band, I know band members are taught what to do before the competition. The teachers interpret the music or work for the students. From then on, students are to do as they are taught, not as they feel it is to be interpreted. The teachers interpret the works the same as the judges. Imagine what would happen if everyone in a marching competition interpreted the marching their own way. It would be a catastrophe.

I feel it's wrong to have bad feelings towards UIL because one cannot "interpret" it the way they want. People shouldn't compare athletic competitions to nonathletic competitions because they are a lot alike. UIL is not a "plague."

JENNIFER SANDERLIN

Abilene

The straight ticket

In response to Debbie Bolls' opinion, I have my opinions also.

How do you know how I or anyone else voted? I did not tell you. I do not know you. Is it really any of your business?

I do not consider voting a straight ticket "lazy, mindless or ignorant." I knew for whom I wanted to vote and did it. I have an inalienable right to vote that you cannot take away. Who are you to tell me or anyone else how to vote? I am protected by the Constitution of the United States of America.

Would you rather I had taken the alternative and not voted? Was not everyone urged to get out the vote? Not how you vote - just do it! I did and I am proud of it.

GRACE FLOYD

Blanket

When was the raid?

I would like to ask a question. I am not trying to make a political statement, only get some information (how, what, when, where type of stuff). The question is, what is a raid on Social Security?

It was my understanding that Social Security funds were invested in bonds of the United States. Is that correct or not? Next, assuming that Social Security funds are invested in U.S. bonds, has there been a default on these bonds, either principle or interest? If not, how has Social Security been raided?

GARNER YOUNG

Coleman

Via e-mail

'Climate' of hatred

I am waiting patiently for some Christian basher to have an attack of consistency and blame Vice President Al Gore for the Unabomber's murders as well as the recent arson committed at Vail, Colo., by some ecoterrorists.

After all, didn't they find a copy of Gore's Earth in the Balance in the Unabomber's shack? Don't all ecology enthusiasts read this book like their Bible?

We can rest assured that Gore's writings have created a dangerous "climate" of hatred among the ecologists such that their lunatic fringe is now resorting to violence to achieve the otherwise legitimate aims of environmentalists.

ARLIE J. HOOVER

Abilene

Via e-mail