Call in the Guard: It is understandable that people are nervous about others beyond their control ("Bubba Patrol," by Keith Plocek, August 18).
I have written Governor Perry to suggest that he should activate the Texas State Guard to help guard the border with Mexico. His official reply is that this is the federal government's job.
The Texas State Guard is made up of volunteers, many with prior federal military training, and many are Hispanic. All are vetted and under the command of the governor. The Texas State Guard is a distinct entity from the Texas National Guard. Many Texas State Guard units are military police units. They could even be deputized as special border agents.
Colorado Representative Tom Tancredo has sent the border governors a letter telling them that all they have to do is request the federal dollars for this, and it will be made available. California and New Mexico have state guard units, but Arizona does not.
Brian Johnston
Plano
Mad Schnauzers
Beyond words: I am offended beyond words over the garbage you let this man write regarding the National Homeless Animals Day candlelight vigil ("Ruff Times," by Jay Webb, August 18). Not only did he get his facts embarrassingly wrong, but I bet he has no more brought homeless people into his home and helped them than I have flown to the moon.
We actually bring homeless dogs and cats into our homes and feed them, have them examined and treated by our vets, rehab them when necessary and then find homes for them when they are ready.
How many homeless people has Jay picked up off the street and brought to his home? Yeah, I thought so.
Deb Stover
G.I.A.N.T. Schnauzer Rescue Network
Dallas
Animals have no choice: I appreciate freedom of press issues. However, I feel it was rather uncalled for for Jay Webb to comment on an event he obviously did not attend. How do I know he did not attend? Because in spite of two press releases provided, the location listed for the Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Animals was incorrect.
I appreciate and respect his position on homeless individuals. However, people are able to make choices for themselves and seek assistance. I know there are quite a number of organizations that offer meals, assistance with housing, job assistance, etc., that many individuals do and do not take advantage of.
Animals, on the other hand, are not afforded that opportunity. Animals are our responsibility to care for, as humans. We accepted this responsibility long ago when we began domesticating them.
I am not your average pinko commie liberal. I am as conservative as they come. I struggle with my tree-hugging conservatism daily. Nor am I an "activist," as I do not march in rallies or protest. I simply feel a passion and calling for assisting animals who are unable to CHOOSE for themselves.
Bethany Scott
Lone Star Bulldog Club
Arlington
Rescue me: This was a worthless piece of journalism. It is apparent this person does not care for animals. It makes no difference to an animal if you are liberal or conservative. This was a tribute to all the animals in this world that do not have a home, and a tribute to all the rescue groups and rescue people who rescue and take care of all the unwanted dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, snakes, hamsters and any other living thing that humans have cast off. Yellow journalism at its worst.
Nancy Twitty
Blum, Texas
Furious: You have screwed up big-time. Your apparent attempt to be humorous not only failed, it made a substantial and active group of Dallas volunteers furious at your insensitivity.
Marvin Katz
Dallas
Mad Inmates
Denied medication: Last March, I was arrested for a Class A misdemeanor and taken to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. After being searched, I was asked by a civilian employee if I had any medical problems ("We Hate Your Guts," by Matt Pulle, July 28). I told her I was bipolar and told her the medicine I took. I was then placed in a large tank with about a hundred other men, mostly black and Hispanic. During the next 12 hours, I was not offered any food or water. The toilets were stuffed with paper and shit and didn't work. I saw a fellow prisoner beaten bloody by several guards. He was taken away and strapped in a chair with a sack placed over his head. After being arraigned and moved to smaller and smaller overcrowded tanks, I was put in a white jumpsuit and was led to my cell block. They gave me a one-foot rubber mat, a toothbrush, a cup and spoon, a roll of toilet paper and a small bar of soap. I was placed in a glass-covered single cell. The lights stayed on 24 hours a day, and it was freezing. During one of their visits to deliver the inedible slop, I asked for a pencil to fill out the form that was given me to alert the staff of my needs. In my case, medicine for my mental disorder. The guard didn't have one, but a trusty gave me one, and I asked for medicine. The guard became surly when I gave it to him and walked away. Needless to say, I never got my medicine.
Without my medicine, I cannot sleep and become violently ill. This began to happen. I lay awake night after night listening to the screams and laughter of the other inmates. I was allowed to shower once and use the phone. The calls were collect and cost $4 a minute. No one could afford to talk to me. After five days of this, I was released with a warning not to come back. There was money missing from when I came in, but I didn't complain. I understand that jails by their very nature should be hard and that guilty crimininals should be punished, but the county jail goes over the line. I could have been "lost" or died from neglect, so I feel pretty lucky.
Sam Peebles
Dallas
