LETTERS

A TIMELY TALK FOR TEEN-AGERS

A BIG “THANK YOU” for your article on the Piano suicides [“Why Piano?,” December] . I went through a somewhat similar experience at the age of 14.I only wish that there had been more people interested in preventing all those needless deaths 10 years ago.

I totally agree that listening and communication will help prevent teen-age suicide. What I had never realized as a teenager was that someone out there did care and would listen. Please tell all parents that love and understanding-not criticism and a shocked attitude-will make such a difference in a kid’s life.

Parents these days are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of their own daily lives that they don’t stop to realize that there are many young people having a difficult time with to-day’s pressures. Just being there when a child needs them can make a lot of difference and can let them know they are not isolated. Most parents frequently tell their children they love them, but a child needs to feel that love, too.

T. Skinner

Arlington



MORE INSIDE SCOOP

I READ WITH MUCH enthusiasm your December “Inside Dallas.” You had articles I could relate to as a black person in Dallas. I am speaking about the articles regarding a minority [candidate] for the Commissioner’s Court, cost-free counseling for the economically disadvantaged and the “Thumbs Down” award about school board member Kathlyn Gilliam. Also of great interest to me were the profiles on the Dallas judges and the story of the teen-age suicides in Piano. It’s not easy to cover such delicate topics and still be tasteful, but you did.

Glenda J. Deramus

Dallas



I WAS OVERJOYED to read that Shanghai Jimmy [“Inside Dallas,” December] had been relocated and that his chili rice recipe will be put back on the market at the new Ribshack on Lovers Lane. This is earthshaking news for bona fide metroplex epicures. Like many old-time chili aficionados, I followed Shanghai Jimmy all over town as he moved about to escape the law. Jimmy’s “Double Number Nine” chili actually kept many of us alive and in good health during the hard years. Surely Dallas gourmands’ taste buds will vigorously vibrate with ecstasy at this good news.

George E. Haddaway

Chief Chilihead,

Chili Appreciation Society (Intl.)



WE ARE GRATEFUL for the “Thumbs Up” award we received in your December issue [“Inside Dallas”]. Could we add a couple of points that deserve your readers’ attention?

First, the fact that legal clinics have been opened in South, East and West Dallas has not demonstrated that the need for free legal counseling for the indigent has been met. It demonstrates, instead, that the need is great. Secondly, we invite other lawyers, legal assistants (or anyone, for that matter) to join with us in our attempt to provide the indigent in Dallas County with free legal counseling.

Chris Reed-Brown,

Merrill L. Hartman

and Will Pryor

Dallas



FUR BETTER OR WORSE

“IT’S IN OUR BLOOD-for better or worse-this passion for fur,” wrote Lisa Broadwater in an article acclaiming designers who have yet to learn that furs look best on their original owners [“Animal Instincts,” November].

I’ll gladly pander to her passion. Grab your wading boots and walking stick, Ms. Broadwater. Let me guide you on a tour through backwater trapping areas. I suspect that your desire for fur would quickly extinguish were you to witness the sanguinary means employed to obtain those pelts.

In the meantime, Ms. Broadwater, stay out of my neighborhood. My little cat sports a gleaming black coat, and small fur hats are so fashionable this year.

Patricia L. Gannon

Dallas



The writer replies: The phrase in question, when taken in context, implies that since the beginning of time, mankind has seen fit-for better or worse-to periodically dress in animal skins. Judging from the past several hundred centuries, I see no apparent sign that the practice will come to an end anytime soon, as much as many of us would prefer. I accept their presence, along with such other cultural inevitabilities as leather wallets, feather pillows and fried chicken, understanding that I have no obligation to purchase anything that I find offensive. By the way, my 1-year-old dog, 10-year-old cat and three generations’ worth of horses send their regards.



PASSING JUDGMENT

AS A MEMBER of the Dallas legal community, I was offended by your recent article on the Dallas judiciary [“Rating the Judges” December] and would like to speak up on its behalf. That you resorted to using a photo of a comedian on your front cover seemed to characterize most of the judiciary as characters in a comic strip. While most of the members of the judiciary might have a sense of humor, I doubt that they were elected on that point.

I would further point out that your description of Dee Brown Walker is disgraceful. It reflects that your informants have little knowledge of the most accommodating, the most patriotic and one of the most understanding judges in Dallas County. For years Judge Walker spent a great deal of his time conducting an improvement school for young trial lawyers on Saturdays.

I believe you have done an injustice to the judiciary as a whole and to Dee Brown Walker specifically. He is entitled to better, and we should not wait for his eulogy to hear it.

Stanley M. Kaufman

Oster & Kaufman

Dallas