Your article was most interesting and you were right on target about Flower Mound ("Good fences," June 15). A few points:
··· Since the town of Flower Mound has mandatory water rationing from May to October, I wonder how are we going to be able to provide water for all the two-acre lots of manicured lawns proposed for the west end of town.
··· Not everyone is welcome to join Voters United of Flower Mound, although an invitation was mailed to all residents along with their most recent voter guide. My check and application were returned.
··· The mayor (Lori DeLuca) is a very bright and talented woman, and I think she would be surprised that I share many similar viewpoints as to the growth of Flower Mound.
I applaud her valiant efforts and creative, hard work to stem the tide of residential growth resulting in part from Flower Mound's location so close to DFW International Airport. Unfortunately, by the manner in which she has handled some situations, she has created rifts with residents and businesspeople whom, sadly, she now sees as her enemies. I sure wish Annette Strauss was still alive to coach Lori as to how to get people to do what you want and yet have everyone love and respect you. Mrs. Strauss accomplished that during her tenure as mayor of Dallas, and it is not too late for our mayor to try the same approach. Both Lori and Flower Mound would benefit.
Carol Langdon
Via e-mail
I think the writer of "Texas weakly" (May 4) makes some excellent points; I'm sure Texas Monthly was better years before. And yet I view the Texas music situation in pretty dire terms. Mall culture is destroying any hint of regional voice. I work with native Texans--young folks in their early 20s--and they have no trace of interest in Texas music. I think Johnny Bush should be much better known than he is, yet I find myself explaining him to friends. They've never heard of him. I was lucky that the Texas Tornadoes had a song on the Tin Cup soundtrack, otherwise no one in my office would have heard any of Doug Sahm's music. One of my work colleagues went to see a Texas band--after living in Austin for six years or more. He went to see the Scabs--hoping to catch a glimpse of Sandra Bullock. Now, I weigh this indifference with my experience at the Moulin Blues Festival in Holland--surrounded by Antone's T-shirts and talking to folks who knew as much or more than I did about Texas music. Overseas, Texas music still matters. At home, I'm not so sure.
Walter Daniels
Austin
Regarding the article "Victimless Crime" (June 15) by John MacCormack concerning the trial of Gary Karr and the disappearance of the Murray-O'Hairs, the article mocked the idea that Dr. O'Hair has a Dr. in front of her name because no one knew how she received the doctorate during the trial. Dr. O'Hair has a doctor of jurisprudence degree. Also, it was reported that I have not spoken publicly about the disappearance before. Not true. I have given many press interviews on the disappearance all over the country since the disappearance.
Finally, it is disappointing when a professional reporter resorts to calling Dr. O'Hair a battle-ax. It is unprofessional, sexist, and unnecessary. This has been his tone regarding the family since the disappearance, and we are very offended by his demeaning comments.
Ellen Johnson, president
American Atheists
Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away" is a song that is both uplifting and inspirational, meant to give hope to all people out there when critics judge and criticize. The video is not revealing in any instance, and it focuses on the stories of the individuals Mariah included in the video. If you can't get past her attire and stop just to listen to her lyrics, then you're at fault.
Critics like Erin Judge ("Body shots," June 15) are exactly why Mariah wrote the song. Judging someone and calling them an "eye-candy booty-ho" is just as bad as condemning someone for wearing revealing clothing. I guess if you're skinny, you can't be sexy.
Daryl Jay
Via e-mail
I just read "Prying open the past" (June 8) and am in the same kind of search for my firstborn son. From my side, it's a horror to not even know if your child is alive. I can't imagine adoptees' pain of not even being able to know any details of their birth family. I believe all have the right to know their identities and have access to health background. Adoption should come out from behind the shameful past and stigma put there by people who, for the most part, have never been in a similar situation. We birth moms and adoptees are coming to take our stand for our rights. Thank you. Open all records!
Mary Lee Swan
Mattoon, Illinois
Yes, adoptees should have access to their original birth certificates. I am a birth mother and was never promised confidentiality. And I bet if you investigated this, you would find that we were not promised confidentiality. I know I never was, and I don't want it. Can you look in the mirror and say "Oh, yeah, I look like my mom or dad"? Well, adoptees can't, but they should be able to. Can you go to the doctor and give an up-to-date medical history? Adoptees can't. They can only give what was given to the agency, if the info was passed on to the adoptive parents and if the adoptive parents tell them this info. It's not right to keep original birth certificates away from adoptees. It is a basic right to be able to get your birth certificate. Can you get yours? Adoptees can't. The ones they are allowed to have are full of untruths.
Donna L. Goguen
San Antonio
As a cast member of good vs. evil (I played Ford), I want to thank Robert Wilonsky for his brilliant, heartfelt, and--I have to say--heroic article concerning the demise of the series (Stuff, May 11). There was so much talent right down to the production-assistant level that went into making this program that it is indeed a pity to see it go. And it was made at scholarship prices.
But there is and always has been a gap between what is actually good and how those in power feel about what is good. X-Files is the only show that weathered abysmal ratings for its first (and some say best) season to go on to the success it had. Kudos to my hero, Chris Carter, and to Fox on that one. The Pates and Steve Chao hung in there for us, but there it is. I guess if USA hadn't picked us up in the first place, nobody would have seen us at all, so it is something we can take pride in. Again, thanks to your paper and Robert for that wonderful acknowledgement of the show.
Marshall Bell
Los Angeles
