ustxtxb_obs_1973_07_27_50_00016-00000_000.pdf

would come in in every morning’s mail. He read them and then tossed them into a wastebasket and went right on fighting the monopolies. Back to the barricades. M.I. IDialogue Shell hiders Watergate reminds me of Lincoln Steffens’ interview with Republican Sen. Boise Penrose of Pennsylvania in the early 1900 muck-raking period. Penrose was the recognized lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Railroad and coal and corporate interests. , His counterpart, Democratic Sen. William S. Stone of Missouri, took care of the interests of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Replying to Steffens’ questions about corruption in Congress, Penrose is quoted as saying “Of course, Bill and I both suck eggs, but Bill hides the shells.” Carl Brannin, Ridgedale St., Dallas, Tex. Ho-hum attitude Several issues ago, a reader from Virginia wrote protesting the concern incidents in the Nixon administration being blown into major scandals” by a liberal press to increase circulation. It seems to me that the worst aspect of 16 The Texas Observer the Watergate, maybe, is the ho-hum attitude of a great many people. I disagree with Mr. Bob Bolin that the majority of our people “overwhelmingly support the President.” the President, but to learn the truth, and to face up to the scandal, confess the stain on our body politic and dedicate ourselves to preventing such things in the future, On another matter, Mr. Dugger mentioned the splendid “Capital Eye” television program. It may be that the lack of tangible support is due to the brief announcements of the address. I’ve not been able to write that fast. Mrs. A. A. Luckenbach, P.O. Box 237, Odem, Tex. 78370. Answer to response _ Re: Molly Ivins’ response td my first letter. The condition of your body is of no interest to American journalism, what is, however, is the probability that the National News Council may be the first step toward the erosion of the totality of the first amendment. The press council concept is very much a part of the social responsibility theory of the press. This theory has as its basis a concern over the press’s ethics rather than its total freedom. When fully expanded the council will then say yea or nay to the existence of a particular journal. I feel certain that in ‘ your “liberal” conclave in Austin, you are able to see that. Consequently your new position would not be unlike urinating in the wind. For those who are unsatisfied with the N. Y. Times, etc., let them read the Austin-American. Robert M. Bux, 4320 Congress 211, Dallas, Tex. 75219. the way, has only just begun on our part and the part of others who feel our lives must become more important than our money in our health care system. K atrina Scoggins, Corresponding Secretary, Health Action Council of Bexar County, 3518 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, Tex. 78228. Kudos The Observer has done it again. With the article on San Antonio’s new towns the window to the South has once again shown why it is one of the best, if not the best periodical of its kind. My friends here who rave about the dynamic Connally now know what the man is all about and why thinking Texans are just a little put out with hini. I look forward to part two of the article and many more of the same fine quality. Leon Barish, 206 E. 32nd St., Baltimore, Md. 21218. No more judges As long as we believe in a wrathful, hating God we will continue to govern punitively and will make sure we place on elevated benches “judges” who try to play God but can succeed only in playing the Devil. We desperately need reform. It should be entered into only after all legislators have read and discussed openly for at least a week The Crime of Punishment by Menninger. Then, instead of judges \(who only knoW boards of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. Then, for those who have wronged society, we need rehabilitation. No one has ever been helped by being caged. Rus Purifoy, 600 N. Dotsy #14, Odessa, Tex. 79763. Thanks Now that the legislative battles are over and we have lost the first round, we want to thank both The Observer and Rep. Mickey Leland for their efforts to get the decent, inexpensive health care services which the people of Texas deserve. We feel that your excellent article of 27 very useful in informing many persons and public officials of beginning solutions to health care problems in Texas. The HMO concept is very new to many people and although it is not a panacea for all of our problems, it is a start. People must be made aware of alternatives to the present system of profit based on illness rather than on health maintenance. Thank you for your role in the informative process. A process which, by More kudos I’ve been an Observer reader for four years now and I have always enjoyed the pungent wit, the urbane outlook, the down home prose and the healthy cynicism. But in your coverage of the recent session of the state legislature from “Mr. Speaker Daniel” to “Turn out the lights” you simply outdid yourselves. We know state legislatures are like that and there seems to be a limited amount we can do about it, but if every state had an Observer we would at least know the specifics of ‘how they operate and, not incidentally, be amused in the learning. Observer, keep up the good work. It helps us keep our chins up. Nicholas Acocella, 449 East 14th Street, New York, New York 10009.