Letters

Equal opportunity trashings
I find it a bit confusing that the Dallas Observer has chosen to contradict itself on a very important issue in the Dallas area. First, you soundly trash cement kilns and the ogres who run them ["Ill wind blowing," June 12, "Something in the air," June 19]. Then you trash a town that wants to keep a cement kiln out ["O little town of Bethel-sham," July 17]. It leads me to question the credibility of any of your articles on the issue.

Are the kilns safe and the Observer just blowing smoke as maintained by Harold Greene? Or are the kilns dangerous, in which case the people of the town of Bethel are justified in wanting to keep one out? The Observer's inconsistency on this issue is staggering. I, for one, would hate to wake up one day and find Dallas bracketed by cement kilns. While I agree that anyone has the right to sell their land, I also feel that in the case of big industry, the people being affected by it should have some say in the matter.

Observer, inconsistency be thou middle name; take the high road or the low, but for heaven's sake, get off the yellow line!

Janine Hoss
Via Internet

Judge not
Your article on the proposed nomination of Dallas City Attorney Sam Lindsay to the federal bench clearly illuminates the fact that appointed (federal) judicial positions have political considerations attached to them just as much as the elected (state) judicial posts ["Jurist imprudence," July 17].

Why else would Lindsay's name have been submitted for such an important post, judging (no pun intended) from the track record of the city attorney's office during his tenure? Certainly there are other well-qualified African-American candidates for this post. (I note that this post has apparently been reserved for an African-American, by the way. Being a white man, it's probably best if I do not stir the pot regarding this aspect of the situation.)

Is it possibly that Lindsay is the only Democratic African-American in this area who has a chance of being confirmed by virtue of having kept a low profile relative to other contenders?

A federal judgeship deserves something more than just meeting the "lowest common denominator." I suggest that the President and his advisors think long and hard about this nomination before submitting it to the Senate. Why not see if there are any Republican African-American lawyers in this area? Surely one of them would be better qualified.

Clayton Vieg
Via Internet

It's just a job
Thanks to Matt Weitz for reporting on Josh (aka "looks like the singer from Hagfish if he was cast on 90210") Venable and his impending problem with Thor "the rock" Christensen ["For the record," July 17]. Who cares?

Keven McAlester was interesting as a writer, and a Robert Wilonsky wannabe as a DJ. I do appreciate his review, in The Met, of Driveby Orchestra when he summed things up glibly: "...Driveby Orchestra has released a self-produced seven-song cassette that is, actually, quite bad." Now that rocked.

Venable is OK, but understand that it's just a Sunday-night specialty show. Furthermore, Venable is responding to being "labeled," something he's been doing for y-e-a-r-s. It was one of those things where no article short of straight praise and superlative couching would have made the North Texas college student happy.

The 'Venture Club is, however, a cool show and will miss the likes of McAlester. If you want to hear some real crapola, listen to the Local Show on the Eagle. That show is an example of why speciality shows are on Sunday night. At least the Adventure Club associates itself with music about the future. For that we thank Beaver and Buttface, regardless of their pining and whining.

Clay McNealy
Fort Worth

A worthy Saint
Compliments to Julie Lyons for the outstanding article about jockey Marlon St. Julien ["The Saint," July 17]. Your article captures a young man who has become a true professional in an exceedingly difficult occupation. St. Julien carries himself with a focus and dedication appreciated by fans of the sport. Thank you for covering the athletic element of horse racing in a way that transcends sports and shows the reality of life for the people who make the game happen.

Mike McAbee
Via Internet