Send more love offerings: Patrick, you are a god! (Buzz, by Patrick Williams, February 5.) Give 'em hell, bud. Damn, are you as sick of the hypocrites and zombies in this country as I am? Write on, brutha!
Frank Fardatta
Dallas
No Puppy Love
Abusers: Thank you for your great article about Dave Garcia and the rescue and investigation efforts at the SPCA ("Watchdog," by Merritt Martin, February 5). We are working hard to raise public awareness of animal cruelty so that people will feel empowered to report abuse and feel confident that animals will be removed from the horrific existence imposed upon them by abusers. Thanks again. Your article played a significant role in this effort.
Heather Ezell
Dallas
Shine the light: Thank you for writing an in-depth story about Mr. Garcia and the SPCA. Puppy mills need to be examined in the light of day.
Cindy Sauceda
Via e-mail
My Mike Sounds Nice
Cheap thrills: Where, oh where are more of Sarah Hepola's music writings? Instead I had to read Sam Machkovech's opinion on "open-mike lackeys" ("Que Sara, Sara," January 29). I have heard some amazing talent and met very genuinely talented musicians at some great local open mikes. Old Crow Tuesdays, Winedale Wednesdays, Club Dada Sundays (without Tom Prejohn, please) and Acoustic Chaos (the Beverly Hills of all open mikes) have all sorts of "professional musicians" stopping by to truly play from the heart, not for money, just to do what they love. I highly recommend all of the above--and there is no cover!
Name withheld
Dallas
Our Mayor-Bride
Amen, brother: I'm mad too, Jim.
On our mayor-bride's caprice actions, being jilted, even a country boy knows the theory "ha ha on you, you big fat dumbbell suckers" when he sees it in his back yard ("Jilted," by Jim Schutze, January 29).
A generation ago this country boy wanted the money this big city had to offer. But with two teenage sons wanting to stay outside the city's gates, my only hope came when we were able to locate our company near downtown with our land bordering the river's levee. For us it's been considered God-sent. We spent numerous hours between the levees, letting our dogs hunt, four-wheeling, dirt-biking, bird-watching, walking, jogging, hiking and exploring. Over all these years it's never ceased to amaze me how we played, studied, canoed and camped in the shadows of downtown, yet we enjoyed all the serenity of country living.
I know it is more, but now it seems this area of the river must have been only a poor man's playground. About five years ago while our city was rounding up some really big money to get us some recreation areas, all of the known access roads to the river were gated and posted with signs putting us on notice that this land is controlled or owned by the city. With all the expedient directions our council has tried to take us, it seems to me the real interest is "who gets to play Santa Claus."
Now I very often catch myself hollering, "Amen, Brother Jim, I'm mad, too."
Mark Spence
Dallas
The Miller we knew: I voted for Miller because I wanted streets, sidewalks and a more efficient city. I don't want the bridges, the toll road in the river bottoms or any more tax-funded arenas or stadiums. I will not be voting for Miller again and just hope there is some alternative that will get me to the polls at all.
Chris D'Elena
Dallas
Violated, Again
Just lie: Your fascinating and incredulous article (Buzz, by Patrick Williams, January 29) reached me in Florida. As an anti-abortion pharmacist, I have no problem filling prescriptions for the "morning-after pill"; in fact, there is a move afoot to make it available without prescription. The French drug, U-435, is another matter. However, I understand it is administered in the physician's office. Why didn't the Eckerd pharmacist simply say he didn't have the item in stock? Indeed, why stock it if he wouldn't dispense it? That was always my out when dealing with a questionable script.
You may be interested to learn that when oral contraceptives first came on the market, a number of Catholic doctors and pharmacists refused to prescribe or dispense them. My wife's gynecologist was one. Upon request, he'd ask his Protestant associate to generate the prescription. Seems laughable today, but it was less than 50 years ago.
Bob Leonard
Sarasota, Florida
Can 'em: Thanks for writing this story. The snippets that I heard on local and national news weren't enough to really describe what a horrible thing those narrow-minded pharmacists were doing. I've sent your article around to several friends so they can know what happened and do what we can to prevent something similar from happening again. If you can, please report again on what happens to the Eckerd pharmacists. I'd hope to see them in the unemployment line soon.
Monica F.
Via e-mail
Bring us the truth: I just want you to know what a good job you and your staff do there at the Dallas Observer. I appreciate the depth and honesty expressed in the articles. Thanks for working so hard to bring us the truth. A brilliant job well done!
Noel Templer
Dallas
Do your job: I disagree with the individuals who felt the pharmacists had every right to refuse filling that woman's prescription on moral grounds. The issue isn't moral standards; it's refusing to do your job. At most places, refusing to do your job is reason for termination. If they had some moral objection to fulfilling the duties of their jobs, maybe they need another line of work.
Robert Sanchez
Dallas