Great experience at local business



Dear Editor:



I just wanted to write in and share a great experience I had at the Mill Street Coffee House in downtown Cleburne.

There was a joining of Texas songwriters and singers who played a true representation of our culture and song. As a Cleburne resident I am proud we have a place in our wonderful town that hosts such an amazing display of local talent.

The style and songs of Texas music is all too often brushed over by Karaoke and cover bands. We don’t really hear it at all in the top 40, and I worry up-and-coming generations will never know that Texas has a sound all its own, developed through the hardworking founders of this great state.

The open mic night offered an opportunity for our heritage to shine.



Cynthia Davis

Cleburne



Layland Museum thanks volunteers



Dear Editor:



We at Layland Museum express our thanks for all the fine volunteers who work to make the museum a great place in our community. Today, I wish to thank paleontologist Josh Turner  for all his swashbuckling costumes and programs for children in the June series “Adventures in Prehistory.” He entered with theme music, gave real information on giant bugs, dinosaurs, mammoths, megatheriums and other prehistoric creatures, and led games to reinforce the knowledge.

It is good to have the passion of a 27 year old who will do whatever it takes to help students learn — and the response was so good that, unfortunately, the museum had to close the classes. We would like other young people to come and teach.

Mrs. Patricia Raley, who instructs Marti students in art, planned and executed the art projects, teaching an art principle each time. A young mother of four, she brought another creative viewpoint and the excitement of loving art to the group. The museum thanks her.

Kindergarten teacher Lisa Waits followed up with an equally good program for preschoolers.

Finally, we appreciate the dedicated parents and the leaders of Scout Pack 1278 for making sure their children are learning in the summer.

We live in a good community; let’s all stick together and take care of each other.

Here’s to many more adventures.



Bettye Cook, Ed.D.

Museum Educator



Edwards explains health care vote



Dear Editor:



I’ve read Congressman Chet Edwards’ taxpayer-financed June 2010 brochure titled Why I Voted “No” on the Health Care Bill. The bill, H.R. 3590, is named the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. There are times when voting “No,” on bad legislation is not enough.

Edwards voted correctly and gave good reasons for his vote. His explanation might lead some to believe that he strongly opposed the bill and two other major health care bills, H.R. 3200 and H.R. 3962, that the majority of Americans opposed.

He did not engage in the much publicized debates or take a stand when it counted most. Others shaped the debates.

He could have publicly and vigorously opposed these three badly flawed bills, but he did not. He could have publicly denounced the deplorable tactics of Speaker Pelosi, but he did not. He could call for repeal of the new law before it leads to further damage to the health care system and to America’s economy. He has not called for repeal of a law that right at two-thirds of Americans want repealed.

Edwards’ noncommittal stance was most evident by his inaction in House debates on H.R. 3200 and H.R. 3962.

Time lines applied to Edwards’ rhetoric and actions are revealing. Here’s an example: He did not publicly state how he would vote H.R. 3962 until Nov. 7, when he announced at 11 a.m. (per a Washington staff member) that he would vote “No” later that day. And in a two-page letter dated Nov. 7, he explained his vote, giving good reasons that had existed during the weeks of debate.

Why did he wait?

Some say that he got a “pass” from Pelosi to vote “No” after enough “Yes” commitments to pass the bill had been secured.

His staff denied that assertion. I accept the denial and conclude that he was simply indecisive when decisive leadership was needed.

I asked in October that he read on the House floor a brief letter that I wrote. The request was, as expected, denied.

The e-denial said that for him to do so, “might give the impression that he is leaning one way or the other” on the bill.

Metaphorically speaking, there is a time to beat plowshares into swords and join the fight against legislation that is bad for America.

That time was during the health care debates. That time is now!

Nov. 2 is the day when we District 17 voters can elect a decisive leader to represent us in Congress.



John W. Welch

College Station