Published: December 10, 2006 05:11 pm            

12/10/06 Letters to the editors

Thanks from CASA of Johnson County



Dear Editor:



Editor’s note: This is an open letter to supporters of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Johnson County.



To express our appreciation for the hard work and support given to CASA of Johnson County by many caring individuals, organizations and agencies, the CASA board of directors would like to invite you to a celebration from 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at Forrest AutoPark on North Main Street in Cleburne. There will be refreshments, entertainment and fun.

We will also announce the winners of the 2006 CASA playhouses and present special awards to the 2006 playhouse builders at 7:30 p.m. in the Pontiac showroom.

Having one consistent person who remains focused on the child’s life and advocates for their best interests is the mission of CASA. With your help Court Appointed Special Advocates of Johnson County has had a positive impact on the lives of 185 abused and/or neglected children during the last three and a half years.

These children are involved with an overloaded and complicated Child Protective Service system. CASA volunteers work toward the goal of helping each child reach a caring, supportive, nurturing and permanent home as quickly as possible and ensure the children do not get lost in the system.

Through your support of CASA of Johnson County you have provided us with the means to advocate for these very vulnerable children and help break the cycle of child abuse one child at a time.

If you would like information about becoming a CASA volunteer or purchasing tickets for the playhouse drawing, please contact CASA of Johnson County at 817-558-6995.

Thank you Johnson County.



Dr. H. Gerhart Smith,

president

Board of directors of CASA

of Johnson County





Thanks to ‘angel’ for help



Dear Editor:



I would like to thank William Green. He was the very thoughtful man who stopped and helped this bus driver out of a predicament. When leaving a bus stop, the bus sounded as if it had a flat tire. I pulled off the road and was checking the tires when he called to me from across the road. He told me that I had something stuck between the rear dual wheels. Sure enough, there was a large rock in there.

He went and brought back a hammer and proceeded to break the rock so it fell out. I just want him to know that I really appreciated his help very much.

I have heard the saying God sends angels when you need them. He sure did a good job this time.

Thank you again.



Betty Child

Cleburne





Response to W.V. Bonds letter



Dear Editor:



Can you say George Bush is a loving, right-wing Republican, Rush Limbaugh-listening, lie-believing, redneck war monger? That’s the way W.V. Bonds came off sounding in his Dec. 3 letter to the editor.

My son is in the Army and W.V. wants him killed for something he obviously does not understand. These people we are at war with didn’t have anything to do with the 9/11 attacks. You are grossly misinformed, Mr. Bonds. This war is all about money and a presidential power trip. We are not the world police. We are not right about every decision we make and ever made. So accept this mistake and let’s get our boys and girls out of Iraq while we have some dignity left.

Conditions for the people of Iraq are worse now than ever because of a civil war we basically created by being there. I believe in America and fighting for your country but this is not our business.

You don’t want them killing us but who are our soldiers if not us, our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, moms and dads?

Win no matter the cost. There are no winners. Rethink a bit please.



Don “Catfish” Williams

Cleburne





Impressed with CHS cheerleaders, sponsor



Dear Editor:



Optimism is one of my favorite characteristics belonging to many people with whom I am acquainted. My own feelings are mostly within that categorization even though at times I do have to face up to the reality of everyday life. A few pessimistic sights cross my observations from time to time and I feel better if I air them out. Upon learning that some people don’t like tomatoes, watermelon, barbecue or kolaches, I was really astounded and saddened.

I had already discovered that we are all different in name, looks, history and musical preferences, but to not like barbecue and watermelon sounded somewhat like an un-American activity! I don’t worry about others’ eating habits now nor do I usually intend to offend anyone who disagrees with me on social and political affairs in our blessed country. After all, in this nation, citizens can choose what they eat and how they feel about public affairs.

I hope that what they eat will keep them healthy and that their feelings about public affairs will give them peace of mind and a strong desire to practice their voting rights. I have to be optimistic about the future of the U.S. as detailed in the rest of this article.

My greatest optimistic experience of late has been during the recognition of past Cleburne High School yell leaders by the present-day CHS cheerleaders and their sponsor, Kara Mead. This event was held at the Lemon Sisters Cafe during homecoming week and was attended by the aforementioned group as well as several ex-cheerleaders, including Johnnie Bateson Cohen, Joy Street Miller, Cloyce Chafin Woodruff and myself.

My thrill was being the only male present, as well as the oldest person attending. I was very much impressed by the courtesy, friendliness and cheerfulness of these well-trained youthful performers. Other noticeable facts were the closeness and mutual respect shown between Mead and her pretty young ladies. Fortunately, we exes were not asked to perform any old yells. What a blessing this omission was for us after seeing this able group perform.

This heartwarming experience gave me wonderful optimism about our young people, particularly after recently hearing an uncomplimentary comment about some CHS students. If this group of ladies and Mead are examples of CHS students and their teachers, we can rest assured that our future is in good hands. My optimism and my eyesight were proven once again by the fact that Cleburne ladies are also the most beautiful in the land.



Monte Swatzell

Cleburne





Barkman should apologize for comments



Dear Editor:



My condolences to the family, especially the children, of Patrick Barkman for his embarrassing and despicable remarks in the Times-Review on Nov. 26. For those who did not read the column, here is the exact language: “I am thankful ... That both of my kids know karate and can now beat up other parents’ honor students.”

Does he really advocate his sons beating up honor students? What does this remark imply about his sons? If this was meant to be funny it wreaks of a sick sense of humor. This man gives lawyers a bad name.

What do the principals, teachers and parents of school children in Cleburne think of this type of despicable comment? There is enough violence in our society without this kind of attitude. Like most of you readers I have tolerated Barkman’s ridiculous opinions and remarks. This is a free country and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, even if they are uninformed, misguided and dead wrong. But this type of remark in Barkman’s column speaks to the character of a man who has repeatedly and maliciously maligned those who are far more honorable than he.

I hope that responsible citizens would join me and urge the Times-Review to ban Barkman’s column from future issues after he has published an apology to the readers. You have an obligation to your readers to not publish such callous remarks that essentially advocate violence in our schools and our community. Oh, and by the way, shame on you for publishing his remarks in the first place.

Sincerely,



Harry C. Kennemer Jr.

Burleson

        

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