Just when I think the world is being overrun by those so far to the right that they're wrong, here comes Rose Farley with "Mr. Nobody" [August 14]. What a hoot! People like this Bill Simpson guy live for the spotlight, but only if they can have their best side to the camera. Certainly wouldn't want to show those warts, now would we? I say we should look in the mirror, and when we achieve absolute perfection, then we may assist others with their imperfections. Bill Simpson, remember that old saying about stones and glass houses? How cliche! How true!
Fawn Wilhite
Via Internet
I am writing to applaud the brave and important writing done by Rose Farley in her "Mr. Nobody" article. This is the finest kind of reporting; letting the average citizen see whom his elected officials are keeping company with--and exposing their hidden agendas--will keep this reader coming back for more.
If these powerful people are left to move behind the scenes, hidden and without accountability, in order to create a society more to Simpson's intolerant and narrow-minded liking, then we all lose.
Keeping the public informed is the only hope we have of keeping those who support the most extreme of agendas out of power, and voting out those who are already in. In this regard you have done a splendid job. Bravo!
Terry Ferrarese
Euless
Mr. Somebody
Your story about my friend Bill Simpson in which you dub him "Mr. Nobody" was a great thought provoker for me.
My first thought was that we're all nobody to some people, and we're all somebody to others. For example, Bill has certainly become somebody, or you wouldn't have had to use the equivalent of over four full pages building the case for him being a nobody. He's a somebody to me just because he's a friend.
On the other hand, if I were being as judgmental as the article's author, Rose Farley, on what makes one a somebody, Rose would be a nobody.
My second thought was what a great country this is where no specific person has to consider you a somebody for you to be fully entitled to participate in public policy debates and actions to influence public policy. Isn't it wonderful that no one, including Rose Farley or me, has to declare one somebody for them to be somebody and to enjoy the full rights of participation in our political and economic system?
Thanks for reminding me how much I appreciate Bill Simpson and how thankful I am to be an American.
Jim Jackson
Dallas County Commissioner
I was amused to read the profile on Bill Simpson written by Rose Farley. To say that it was filled with misstatements and inaccuracies would be an understatement.
I know a little about Simpson's professional history, since he worked for me in the late 1980s. I hired Bill as a financial analyst and later promoted him to assistant vice president in the commercial real estate finance department of the Southmark Corporation. From 1988 to 1991, I worked with Bill and found him to be a very loyal and competent employee.
Your source of information for this particular article was uninformed and not at all knowledgeable about the interior workings of an organization that has been virtually out of business because of a bankruptcy liquidation for over five years.
Daniel Spears
Former Vice President
Southmark Corporation
Bill Simpson: works hard, plays hard. Great sense of humor, practical joker. Loyal, honest, a man of integrity. Chalice bearer at church, Boy Scout leader. Friend, confidant, mentor.
Mr. Nobody? Maybe Dallas wouldn't be in the mess it is in today if we had more Mr. Nobodys and fewer Mr. Somebodys (or those aspiring to be "Somebody").
Who is the real Bill Simpson? Just a good-hearted, well-meaning, energetic young man with a dream for Dallas to be what it once was: a safe, clean, business-oriented city with good schools. A city known for its churches instead of its sexually oriented businesses. A place we are proud to call home and raise our families. And wouldn't his mom be proud of his accomplishments?
A special thank you to Bill Simpson for his dedication to the NTLC and to the city of Dallas.
Kay Copeland
Dallas
