ustxtxb_obs_1990_05_05_50_00013-00000_000.pdf

ing out his or her interpretation of the record on a manual typewriter. Because of the “special nature” of the crime, rape cases are closed to the public. The victim is represented by the Ministerio Publico, the District Attorney, and if she chooses, by private counsel. She is not allowed to have family or friends accompany her. To show their support, women’s and human rights’ groups in Mexico City have enacted a campaign to keep the public aware of the case of the “19 women of the south.” On March 8, International Women’s Day, thousands marched to the Zocalo, the main square, demanding the resignation of Coello Trejo. Once again radio talk shows focused on the case. The identity of the victims has still been withheld from the public, but in recent weeks family members have begun appearing at news conferences, represented by private counsel. A civic organization awarded its annual human rights prize to “the 19 women of the south,” with a special mention to Sara Lovera. According to Vazquez the case has had Continued from page 2 No Greater Honor No greater honor has been bestowed upon me in life than that John Henry Faulk called me his friend. Bill Kugle Athens A True Hero Of Our Time John Henry Faulk was one of the few true heroes of our time. No one will ever describe his political heroism more succinctly or poignantly than did the incomparable Maury Maverick, Jr., at the Service for John Henry. A tear or two fell, I admit, but I could not help thinking that there is no tragedy in death when one has lived a life that meant,as much as Faulk’s life. His life was a magnificant triumph for what many of us believe in. Jim Simons Austin Delete the Expletives In recent times it seems to me that there has been an increasing vulgarity in the language used in the articles published in the Observer, and I find it offensive. If your writers cannot express themselves without resorting to the language of the gutter, I am reading the wrong magazine. The next time I read an article with the some positive fallout. Tradition and prejudice weigh heavily and make it extremely difficult for anyone to report a rape. But since the story first appeared in the newspapers other women have come forward. Yet Vazquez is disturbed that there still seems to be reluctance on the part of the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office to identify other police whom she believes are implicated in the attacks. This is not a case of good cops versus bad cops, good procuradurias \(Attorsays. When the PGR announced that it had the real attackers in custody, Vazquez tossed off the police “confessions” with a sad, matter-of-fact dismissal. It wouldn’t surprise her at all to find out that they had been involved in some rapes, she said. “But not this case.” “From the beginning we knew that this would turn into a battle between the two agencies,” said Vazquez. “But we’re not interested in that. We’re here to support the victims.” I=1 language used in “P.C. Blues” in your issue of April 20th, I shall simply cancel my subscription. Herbert Finkelstein Houston In the Prescriptive Mood I usually rejoice to read my beloved English treated with respect and not a little affection. Occasionally the Observer turns a fine phrase, or lobs a particularly apt adjective. I suspect, however, you, like the inestimably fine Molly Ivins, write pretty well because you read pretty well and do not lack for passion. Certainly you are not schooled in grammer; your mean-spirited finger-wagging at Lou “English” Zaeske would not have worked were it correct. For your edification and delectation, the subjunctive is a mood, and inflectional form of a verb that tells the reader whether the action it denotes is or is not fact. It is not “tense,” as you smugly say. In calling this to your attention, I feel rather like the man who collapsed in the street. Fortunately, a doctor was nearby who ran up to the man and inquired, “Are you nauseous?” “No,” said the man weakly. “I’m nauseated. You’re nauseous.” English, anyone? John Mason Mings Weatherford Write Dialogue: Texas Observer P.O. Box 49019 Austin, Texas 78765 This is Texas today. A state full of Sunbelt boosters, strident antiunionists, oil and gas companies, nuclear weapons and power plants, political hucksters, underpaid workers, and toxic wastes, to mention a few. 4 .41 . A ….-… , , qg ,l e vek 16 “it ,,..’ ig glk . Li f / . ‘ m , :* \( ……. WO VI.- kgr ki rw BUT ,4’: DO NOT DESPAIR! TEXAS , server TO SUBSCRIBE: Name Address City State Zip $27 enclosed for a one-year subscription. Bill me for $27. 307 West 7th, AUSTIN, TX 78701 DIALOGUE THE TEXAS OBSERVER 13