Unholy Mess, Catholic School Spat

Unholy Mess

I really enjoyed reading this article ("Don't Tread on Me," by Sarah Junek, November 1). It gave a glimpse of how a family copes with losing a husband, a father and a friend. In the media today we normally only get reports on the evil deeds of Muslims or of terrorists, but we never pause or take the time to understand what a family accused of such horrifying actions goes through. The article takes a walk in the different family members' shoes. It paints a candid picture of life during such a trial. It shows the normality and integration of a Muslim family to "American life." This family does not feed hatred or train new terrorists; rather, it promotes family values, emphasizes education and leans on other families and community for support during this time of trouble.

There are Muslims who want to live in peace, safeguard their human rights and wish for a promising future for their children. It is not just an American ideal or a concept attained after living in America.

I loved reading the article and appreciate the Dallas Observer for writing such an eye-opening article. Thank you.

This article took me into the emotional realm of what this family is feeling, and it engaged me as a reader in a deeper sense to what these characters are experiencing.

So many times we get only the surface-level understanding of how people are affected. I think the writer did a great job of getting us as readers closer to the family. By taking us inside their home, the details of their meals, etc.—all this helped me to relate more and to hurt with the family in their time of need.

Thanks for showing that we're all human beings who have to cope in our own ways when tragedy strikes.

Thank you for taking the time to present the "other side." We often hear the "sound bites" over and over again, repetitive and ignorant....it begins to sour our mouths. This was a refreshing and touching look at an American family suffering at the hands of the American agenda.

Me and Angela

Schutze, if this thing goes down as a "Yes" (For) on Tuesday, I would call in sick for a while ("Truffle Hunt," by Jim Schutze, November 1). You and Angela Hunt can take a vacation at an undisclosed location in Mexico while things calm down up here. I think Mayor "Park Cities" is going to need some "me" time too, but not in Mexico. I'm thinking somewhere more zen, like Nepal, so he can practice breathing.

Nathan Morey, via dallasobserver.com

I can imagine that the bureaucrats at the NTTA treated you the same as the bureaucrats at every organization (government, church, school district, business, politicians, whatever) where you've snooped around. The most successful truffle hunter is a pig, and I'll bet that's what they all think of you. I hope you keep rooting around because sometimes you do some nice work.

You never want to discuss THE park that can be in the floodway between the levees if the Corps ultimately approves it—how it will be used, what are the amenities, what are the limitations, what are the drawing features, what is the landscaping, etc. Please, please, please, no allusions to Central Park, Riverside, the Colorado River, etc. Only the lonely little ol' Trinity in Dallas.

I attempted to propose double-decking Interstate 35E (similar to Austin) and adding more bridges over the Trinity as an alternative traffic reliever to building in the floodway. This was in the mid-'90s during the initial parkway study (the Major Investment Study or "MIS").

The Oak Cliff Tribune published my idea, but it was never considered as an option because the designers of the parkway project said Dallas doesn't want double-decking.

I wonder how the citizens would vote today if given a choice of double-decking I-35 vs. the current Trinity highway plan?

Ugly

I think the first task for the new editor of this paper should be to totally redesign the horrible—times a trillion—new look that was introduced in this week's issue. If the intention was to only have us notice the ads, then bravo.

Catholic School Spat

When a journalist takes it upon himself to write a story so one-sided, it's apparent he has a different agenda than to simply inform the reader ("Catholic Chaos," by Richie Whitt, October 25). B.J. Antes, the Dallas Parochial League and school administrators will not comment because of their professionalism and decision to take the moral high ground. Keane, on the other hand, is likely to say anything in order to clear his name. With so few facts, I'm quite amazed that the Dallas Observer placed this story in the News section of the paper, rather than in the Comics or Fictional Blog sections.

For those who don't know Kevin Keane and for those who "think" they know him, I'd like to give you a true perspective of him as a coach and a person. Two of my sons have had the opportunity to play on his teams, and both boys, ages 12 and 6, love playing for him. Not only does he teach them the skills needed but constantly stresses the life lessons of respecting parents/adults, the importance of a good education and respect for others. His love for the children is endless, and anyone who questions that does not know Kevin Keane. Whether you as an adult like him or not, stop for one moment, put whatever issues you think you have aside and listen to the children. You yourself might get a life lesson.