ustxtxb_obs_1972_12_29_50_00016-00000_000.pdf

Disappointing Congratulations for finally determining that “the changes about to be considered by the Texas Legislature in the way we pay for the schooling of our children may turn out to be the most important of the coming bienium . . . ” It is highly disappointing, however, that you weren’t able to see this before the election so that the people of the state could have been asking the candidates about their views on this matter before they were elected. I realize that printing this sort of an article before the election would have meant that you would have had to devote less attention to the blundering campaign of the Democratic Party’s far left wing presidential candidate \(what was subscription, no thanks; I can read more objective reporting in the Dallas Morning News. William D. Burdett, 126 Manchester Dr. #26, Euless, Tex. The Observer had discussed the school financing situation a number of times during the past year. Burt Solomon covered the subject in three Observer pages in the March 31, 1972, issue.Ed. For expungement David Morris’ article on the repeal of the sodomy law reflects on the consequences of a conviction for sodomy. Simply 16 The Texas Observer repealing the law, while a good first step, does nothing for those who in the past have been arrested or convicted of this offense. Under our present system, their records are permanently memorialized in court and law enforcement files and will stand forever to stigmatize these people even though the conduct they were charged with is no longer a crime. When a criminal statute is repealed, all records of arrests and convictions under that statute should be expunged. In a larger context, it is about time Texas followed the lead of many more enlightened states and enacted legislation expunging the records of those arrests which do not result in convictions and erasing the conviction records of nonrecidivists after they have satisfactorily completed a suitable period of probation. These records interfere with ultimate rehabilitation by destroying meaningful employment and participation in community life. Mr. Morris mentions that most convictions under the sodomy law result in probated sentences. Unfortunately, as in the case of most first offenders, the collateral consequences of arrest and conviction are far more severe than the punishment or corrective action deemed sufficient by the courts. William James, 106 West Santa Rosa, Victoria, Tex. 77901. Kudos Your Dec. 1 issue on the elections is the best I’ve seen anywhere. We had .taken the Observer when Ronnie Dugger and Willie Morris were editors and somehow failed to renew the subscription several years ago. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed its accuracy and humor with most publications today so lacking in both. Mary Ann Napier, 1201 Burnett, Richmond, Tex. For fair play In light of the juxtaposition of your note on cases involving Lecil Hander and Frances Jalet Cruz on page 8 of your Dec. 15 issue and particularly in light of your implicit criticism of Judge Carl 0. Bue for his decision in the former case and your implicit support for the decision in the latter case, I think it is only fair \(and opinion in favor of Ms. Cruz was precisely the same Judge Bue whom you take to task for his decision on Lecil Hander. Yours for fair play for federal judges. J. Eugene Clements, One Shell Plaza, Houston, Tex. 77002. Why I don’t subscribe Thank you for the complimentary copy of the Texas Observer you sent me. My thanks are long overdue. Politically I agree with you in most respects. I am proud to be liberal when it means the opposite of stingy, fair play everywhere, equal rights regardless of color or sex though Heaven deliver me from being the braless, extreme type of Women’s Lib. Men are important to me; first my father, then my several high-minded, clean boy friends, my husband, and now my sons and adult grandsons. I know there are scrupulously clean, daily-bathing, admirable young men who wear long hair many of fine caliber. Unfortunately, people in general, thousands of fine ones brought up under a stricter pattern of dress and conduct, can’t realize that not all bearded and long-haired youths are deviates needing baths and clean laundry. But they all lose votes and approval among people who would like them if they conformed a little more. I’ve gone rather far afield from why I don’t subscribe to the Observer. I’m too far along in years to do many of the things I’d like to because of a fixed, not-high income, not-so-good vision, and therefore the necessity to be selective. Mainly, probably, because your rhetoric has been at times distasteful to me an understatement. I grew up with Milton, Wordsworth, Keats, Tennyson a few of my favorites. I cannot tolerate dirty language. You have an audience for your in many ways excellent paper. But as things are, don’t count me in. A minor cause of McGovern’s defeat was in some of his rhetoric. Yet at his best, he is magnificent. Some people are born with an instinct for language; all others must be widely read. The schools are now failing. L. Williams, 410-B Prospect, Amarillo, Tex. MAY 9, 1972 Scarlet, golden fields Burning royal horizon Green earth’s dominion Indian blanket fields Soaking native blood Wings of the eagleMan Blacken Apollo rays Death’s dominion over Regenerated Spring KAREN HAMRIC Denton MESSAGE FROM KIMOSABE Aliright Tonto if you like Communism so well why don’t you just go there. RYAN L. PETTY Austin