ustxtxb_obs_1981_10_09_50_00003-00000_000.pdf

DIALOGUE Armstrong Mistaken In “Political Intelligence” \(September Observer indirectly quoted Bob Armstrong as “believing” that Buddy Temple spent $1.4 million on TV time in his successful railroad commission race. That’s not right by a wide margin. Temple spent $298,000 on TV time in the 1980 Democratic primary and nothing on TV in the general election. Our research indicates that $1.4 million in TV time would buy a candidate virtually total name recognition in Texas, regardless of who the candidate was. John Rogers, United Bank Tower, Austin, Tx. 78701. Boys Will Be Boys It is questionable whether any Texan can be proud of the raw power “Madam” Clayton exercised over the boys of the brothel. As a Texan now living in Washington, however, I viewed “The Best Little Statehouse in Texas” as a far more odious example of decaying values than the Chicken Ranch ever was. Is Texas politics ever to be elevated from the “boys will be boys” level? If not, then at least have the good sense to keep quiet about it. Joy Howell, 1225 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Common Cause Defended A great many of us Texans have a deep respect and affection for Babe Schwartz for his accomplishments of a quarter-century in the Legislature. His recent article \(TO and engaging account of some of his experiences in that body. But, alas, even Homer at times nodded; so too does the Senator: “In Texas, where it is needed the most, Common Cause is a failure for reasons still vague to all of us.” Granted, reform work to be done is endless; new areas of concern arise daily; old problems keep recurring; and no single organization, however dedicated its members, can effectively address even. a few ills of the body politic. Yet, Common Cause of Texas, in its commitment to open and accountable government, is proud of its record: open sunset legislation, property tax reform in 1979, and most recently in the current session, significant ethics and campaign financing reforms. Not all victories are spectacular triumphs nor even total and final, but we feel we have a fine record and Texas government today is more a servant of its citizens because of the presence of Common Cause. Bob Dahlquist, Chair, State Issues Common Cause/TX, 302 W 15th #205A, Austin, Tx. 78701. No Knee-Jerks Kudos! Your coverage of Bishop Matthiesen’s stand on the enhanced radiation warhead has been great! I applaud you and encourage you to continue your work of raising the consciousness of the people of Texas. But, I also have some difficulties to address. \(It just wouldn’t be a Letter to the Editor if it was all complimentary . . . gotta complain about something, First, a rather critical correction: A great deal of leadership in the protest against the nuclear weapons madness has come from the clergy of several denominations. Religion, and its leaders ain’t all that bad. Within the Roman Catholic fold, for example, the witness has been legion: The Pope, several bishops around the country, the twelve bishops of Texas who signed a statement of support for Bishop Matthiesen, Archbishop Hunthausen of Seattle who advocated tax resistance and many others. \(I’d like to suggest that the Observer subscribe to The National Catholic Davis Honored Austin We are pleased to report that Rod Davis’ investigative story, “The Onion Revolt,” which appeared in the Observer on August 8, 1980, has been chosen as cowinner of the 1981 Bryant Spann Prize sponsored by the Eugene V. Debs Foundation. The award carries a $300 cash award for the author. Davis, formerly editor of the Observer, is now teaching English at UT-Austin. News Service 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C., 20005 as a good source for “what’s Secondly, a little call for consistency: The same prophetic voices raised in opposition to the nuclear arms buildup, global hunger, capital murder \(punishare also raised against the unmitigated slaughter of human life in the womb. Abortion on demand is also violent, ugly and destructive of a humane world order. To say “I work at Pantex because I need the job” is no worse than saying “I had the baby aborted to protect my career.” I know that the Observer doesn’t agree with us on this one issue .. . perhaps it should. “Knee-jerk” liberalism doesn’t do its adherents justice. Let’s work together for a society in which life, love and joy are a present reality for all God’s children, regardless of age, condition, station or persuasion. Deacon Leroy Behnke, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Diocese of Amarillo. A Puzzling Omission I read with great interest your articles about the effort being made to give credit to workers who have been active on behalf of women in Texas \(TO Many of them in the list I have known. One thing I can’t understand is how any list of outstanding Texas women could fail to include Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes of Dallas. I have known her for many years and consider her the outstanding worker for women’s recognition in this state, and she also has national recognition beyond others. Mrs. Wm. G. Dingus, 1204 Broadway, Lubbock, Tx. 79401. The Commercial Bias … All my life a professional bureaucrat, I left the Austin scene in 1979, but I’m still interested in what goes on under the domes of both Capitols. The commercial media naturally has a commercial bias, and I want a bit more than that. A friend sent me the last eight copies of the Observer. . . . They decided me that I should renew our acquaintance. Decatur, Tx. 76234. THE TEXAS OBSERVER 3