ustxtxb_obs_1972_11_03_50_00016-00000_000.pdf

Muniz man answers novels more often than make them, so that Hale’s reticence allows Bonney’s Place to be successful in other less ambitious aspects. Hale works hard and the effect of his effort is evident. There are only a few places where the tone slips, or where a rurale comes on like William F. Buckley. In the passages where the narrator is attempting to resolve his problem, the prose tends to get a little clumsy stream of consciousness does not seem to be compatible with the country sensibility. Nolan Porterfield had the same trouble. Perhaps in this instance it is only that listening to the character’s moral dilemma is too much like overhearing the confession of a nun. IF THERE IS such a thing as a “country sensibility” Hale knows it, and successfully creates it in fiction. Not being steeped in the works of country novelists, I can still approach it with a certain interest and naivete. This creation is both Hale’s outstanding success and his most unfortunate limitation. In general, the narrative is consistent and well-paced, and the story stands up as a story. And that’s what Hale gets praised for, being “an old-fashioned storyteller.” It’s true, but still a little condescending and not completely accurate, because such a description leaves out a critical point. gruesome writers. The contrast is clear. Hale uses the language humanely, and given the limitations of rural speech, quite well. There is a long list of terrible things he doesn’t do. This is attributable, I think, to the fact that he works so hard. It’s what Hale gains from being cautious, and it’s considerable. S.B. 16 The Texas Observer In regard to Mr. James W. Keller’s letter in the Oct. 20 issue of The Texas Observer, I have these comments. First of all, I think most people in Texas will agree with me when I say that the basic thrust of the Muniz for governor campaign in this state is aimed at inclusion of people in the democratic process. Other party leaders notwithstanding, Ramsey Muniz is the candidate for governor and, as such, he has always sought to broaden the scope of Raza Unida Party \(which properly translated means The borne out when Muniz was endorsed by Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy and Coretta King at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s National Convention in Dallas recently. Ramsey Muniz IS and ALWAYS HAS BEEN an advocate of those individuals in this state who have been left out of the decision-making process, i.e., students, women, blacks, Mexican Americans, poor whites, rank-and-file labor people who supported Sissy Farenthold, etc. Ernest Calderon, State Treasurer, Texas Raza Unida Party, 2909 Edmond, Waco, Tex. Why not pot? I was pleased to learn that Rep. Frances calling for reduction of the first-offense marijuana possession penalty. However, it disturbs me that our state legislators are questioning the degree of punishment instead of the reasoning behind marijuana’s criminalization. Why do they feel marijuana possession should be illegal in the first place? Are they trying to protect their conservative image or do they actually know something about the evils of marijuana smoking that no one else does? Two presidential commissions investigated the subject and neither could find solid reasons to support marijuana criminalization. They found that marijuana smoking was not related to criminal behavior and does not function as a “stepping stone” to harder drugs. They reported that marijuana is non-addictive temporary. I realize that our 49 sister states have anti-marijuana laws but that doesn’t mean our legislators can’t stand up and question the validity of marijuana criminalization. Rod Speer, 1318-A Antone, Bryan, Tex. 77801. Who needs Dugger? With friends like Dugger, who needs enemies? I refer of course to Dugger’s blooper on killing the superport, Observer, 20 Oct., page 19. The Wankel engine is not an electric engine. It burns gasoline. It pollutes too, IDialogue although the ratio of types of pollutants it emits is somewhat different from that of the conventional engine. Its development will not lessen the need for oil. Can you imagine a public hearing with Dugger up for our side? The opposition would laugh him out of court, for not knowing the difference between an electric motor and a gasoline engine. As regards nuclear power plants, I cannot offer a well-informed opinion, but I am not at all sure that they are more of a threat to the environment than large oil or coal-burning plants. We sure as hell are not going to help our cause by talking and writing without having our facts straight. I think it is the duty of those who write and publish to strive for reasonable accuracy. Our credibility \(where have we heard that Harry G. Campbell, P. 0. Box 28011, San Antonio, Tex. 78228. No snobs In response to the Oct. 20, T.O. letter entitled “Rich Snobs for Tricky,” any reasonable amount of research will show that the latest Floresville gathering was not by any means a meeting of fat cats. B. Bellinger black publisher of small S.A. newspaper? P. Story Galveston labor leader? J. Dillard 24-year-old Baylor law student? Mrs. Homer Garrison widow of state employee? Mrs. K. McCulley 24year-old U.T. graduate? Mrs. M. Myers Dallas housewife? R. Steinhart Dallas CPA? No effort was made to raise money; the purpose was instead to introduce the President to a number of active Texas \(and out condemn monied people, let’s start with examples of those who are hypocritical as well, e.g., when Eleanor McGovern in her and Sarge in his Cardin suits and Gucci loafers hit up the nearest ghetto to rail against, what else poverty in America. James M. Wilson, Jr., 2810 Pearl, Austin, Tex. 78705. Christians In order to let the readers know that not all Christians have the same types of “hate” and “love” that you wrote about in your Oct. 20 issue, I would like to go on record as a Christian who is very much against the war. Also, I do not hold the “love” for Ms. O’Hair that was expressed in said issue. . . . M. Cross, 5810 Twining, Dallas, Tex. 75227. .