He gets it: As I read your article about Ron Price ("Old School," by Matt Pulle, July 13), I could plainly understand why people have a hard time understanding him. I am a minister and a gang specialist who works closely with Ron in the Pleasant Grove area. I still have a hard time understanding him even to this day. That said, I can tell you that what the media misses time and again is the simple truth of Ron Price. He does care! Whether we have agreed or disagreed, he has always come through for us when it counted. When it came to real issues, he has understood and fought alongside of us, while newspapers such as The Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Observer have ignored our real issues and the need for real solutions. When it comes to the gang issue and the effect it has on our children, he understands. He gets it! You can spend time and effort many times over to blast a man like Ron Price but ignore issues that are changing our society on a daily basis. I know he talks too much, I know he has dreams of grandeur...and? So do many other white politicians whose sins are ignored by the media. I know Ron Price, and I can trust him when the lives of our children are at stake. In the fight for our children I want him on my side. That's enough for me.
Antonio Montañez
Dallas
So Very Dallas
The good, the bad, the plastic: Your article had me laughing till my sides hurt ("Eye of the Beholder," by Andrea Grimes, June 29). What I have learned from modeling is that being beautiful or attractive is, at least in a worldly sense, more about looking natural than being able to attract attention. There is nothing attractive about orange skin, pressed hair, extensions or silicone because people can usually tell. On that same note, I also feel that there is nothing wrong with minor enhancements, but once another person can tell that you've been enhanced, it ends up looking cheap.
But wait, let's be real! Isn't that what Dallas is known for? In a city with the highest murder rate, isn't it safe to assume that there are plenty of extremes, including good and bad and plastic? I assure you that the people you did a good job of describing are exactly what keep me entertained at the end of the night. Perhaps it's a double standard, but I prefer to feel like I am in it, not of it. Ironically, they do too.
Rhadames Julián Villafaña
Arlington
More TBR: Overall, this article is pretty funny. It accurately depicts the scene I have witnessed. I have a couple of friends (both girls) who are in TBR, and they get ragged on mercilessly by me any time the topic arises. Unfortunately, I think the specific attitudes and personalities that characterize the general population of The Beautiful Room are emblematic of what has been giving Dallas a bad name for the last few years.
I found myself hoping for a little more information, though. It seems like her covert experience was too short. Perhaps a six-month stint would have provided more material. The interview on The Ticket today illustrated that she actually had more of that material.
I hope the Dallas Observer staff will continue to take periodic potshots and slaps at TBR in the months to come. Hopefully, people will recognize TBR is not truly representative of Dallas, and maybe The Beautiful Room will suffer a slow, idiotic death!
Ned Henry
Dallas
Dork dreams: I'm not sure why this article made me laugh and sigh at the same time while shaking my head. Why am I always surprised when it comes to Dallas and its pseudointellectual wannabe "beautiful" people? I've been around those people before and, frankly, their blatant insecurity and pathetic understanding of reality makes me want to puke. Just like my father told me, "The people who try to act rich are not rich at all!" I think the same thing goes for all those people who need to be validated by a pudgy-faced dork and his aged wife. You know, those who still try to live the dream. My advice, start volunteering your time to help others, especially those who do not have much time left on this earth. I think then and only then will one begin to experience a purposeful life.
Dallas Kathryn Hunt
Dallas
The Trinity Back Flip
Pants on fire: Thank God--and her kids--that Laura the Liar won't be driving the stagecoach anymore ("Swing Low," by Jim Schutze, July 13). Oh, sure, what we had and what we'll get is worse, but at least there won't be any subterfuge. The basics turned into bridges after Stevie Boy had that infamous pillow talk that changed her platform literally overnight. I'm for going back to basics too. I basically want a straightforward liar as opposed to the double-back kind. It's like the old bumper sticker said, ever since I gave up hope--I've felt a lot better.
Don Abbott
Hilo, Hawaii
Bonds Away
Slush fund: Thanks to Jim Schutze's excellent column on the upcoming Dallas bond package ("Eat This," July 6), we have a wake-up call for the citizens of Dallas.
I have always voted to approve every bond election for either DISD schools or the city of Dallas, but I am very disappointed in the majority of the Dallas City Council, who voted to approve adding an additional $71 million to the bond package.
Why was this $71 million added? Obviously the city council members believe that they are entitled to a taxpayer-funded slush fund, for which there is little or no accountability. The citizens of Dallas need to rise up and vote NO on this bond package. I think that this is the only 2-by-4 we can use on the city council mule to get their attention so that hopefully they will be more responsible.
Unfortunately, this behavior fits with giving billionaire Ray Hunt $6 million plus in tax benefits.
Linda Moore
Dallas
