ustxtxb_obs_1980_04_25_50_00024-00000_000.pdf

Postmaster: If undeliverable, send Form 3579 to The Texas Observer, 600 W. 7th, Austin, Texas 78701 the, legendary RAW DEAL Steaks, Chops, Chicken open lunch and evenings 605 Sabine, Austin No Reservations WOW! I want everyone in my widely scattered family to read “South Toward Home”! Wow! Terrific. Cornelius S. Meeker, M.D. Port Arthur Great trepidation I see by the latest issue of the Observer that a new editor has finally taken the helm. We should rejoice. But your first editorial, “BRILAB Let ‘Em Eat Wiretaps,” gives me cause for great trepidation. I’m no fan of Billy Clayton, but neither am I a fan of trial by the press. To the extent that I am a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, my response to your attack on the criminal justice system is predictable, but to the extent that your editorial demonstrates an abject misunderstanding of the system, it is deplorable. As much as defense attorneys may argue to the contrary, Texas has no such thing as a “general sonufabitch statute,” and defendants must still be convicted of a specific offense, and not for being just a bad person. Apparently you would adopt such a statute within the code of “social justice.” Apparently you condemn the defense of entrapment in Clayton’s case, but you would have condoned it in George’s case. Your double standard is an anathema to the American concept of justice. No one argues that it is perfect, but it is axiomatic that what the government can do to George or to Billy Clayton, it can do to you or me. Illegal tactics must be fought at every turn, not just for the sake of the individual defendant, but for the sake of us all. You can laud “social justice” all you want, but until you can guarantee it to every man, you can guarantee it to no one. Observer readers know better, and they deserve better, than your naive assumption that he is guilty as charged merely because you don’t like his politics. The Observers has had many fine 24 APRIL 25, 1980 editors in its history, and you have a lot to live up to. Your task will be even harder for this bungling start. Ralph H. Brock Lubbock Lest we forget Although I usually share The Observer’s concerns, I am of a different mind when it comes to the problem of illegal Mexicans. And let’s call it like it is they are here in violation of our laws. “Undocumented” is a euphemism designed to obscure that fact. There is no reason they should enjoy the rights of citizens. There are three reasons I am opposed to leniency for them. In the first place it won’t help with the problem of poverty in Mexico. The country needs extensive land reforms coupled with some effort to reduce the size of families. The Mexican poor often have more children than they can take care of. If given the chance they could overpopulate the U.S. in a few generations. Second, many of the Mexicans who earn their living in this country remain loyal to Mexico. They continue a Mexican life-style, send money to their homeland. Their lack of interest in the United States is evident in their reluctance to learn English. They are doing all they can to turn this nation into a bi-lingual country. It is a horrible prospect, for as the noted linguist, Mario Pei, said, languages differences are the most divisive elements in human societies. Witness the tension between Quebec and the rest of Canada. Third, illegal aliens are taking jobs which might otherwise be filled by unemployed Americans. I do not believe some of the jobless young men in some of our cities’ slums would refuse to pick crops. They lack transportation. There was a pathetic documentary about a young black man’s unsuccessful efforts to find work in New Orleans. No imagination is being used to transfer workers. to where the jobs are if they lack money for transportation. Miriam Hotard Houston Isn’t it time we started to stress the spiritual aspects of funerals rather than the material? At Reveley Memorial Services we believe the truly dignified funeral is the simplest possible funeral. Money lavished on the vanity and theatre of conventionally expensive funerals, money literally put into the ground, could be much better utilized, in a living memorial, by your church, your charity, your family. To assure that your wishes are carried out and to spare your family the possibility of being sold a high priced funeral you personally would not want, contact us to learn more about our pre-need program. 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