LETTERS

Kudos For February



I’m very grateful to D for its February offering. The issue reaffirmed that a monthly magazine can entertain without losing its edge for intellectual stimulation. From Ruth Fitzgibbons’s essay on the Dallas Together process-among the most insightful pieces on the project I’ve read-to Chris Tucker’s “Parting Shot,” February’s D navigated the problems of our city and our times.

Especially noteworthy was Philip Chalk’s look at institutionalized anti-Semitism; Betty Cook’s piece on the Brian Murphy tragedy; and, particularly, the panel discussion on restaurateuring. One could infer from the discussion many of the strengths and weaknesses of the Dallas business mindset.

To paraphrase, rarely in a medium is a job so well done!

David Alex Schulz

Dallas



Anti-Semitism at the DCC



I commend writer Philip Chalk and the fair-minded members of the Dallas Country Club [“Clubhouse Rules: No Jews Allowed?” February], but the intimation that anti-Semitism is a cultural remnant stands to be corrected. Racism represents cultural dysfunction and today is as apparent as ever to blacks, Jews, Hispanics, and other minorities. Until we devote the same time and energy to cultural humanism that we do to technology, Dallas will remain caught in its own idiom-physically overbuilt and spiritually undernourished.

Evan Man Fogelman

Dallas



I truly believe that the majority of the members of the Dallas Country Club are not bigots. However, I wish they had the backbone to stand behind their beliefs. If the powerful businessmen who are members rejected the club until there was a change, then there would certainly be a change.

Unfortunately, throughout the ages, those who stand up for justice and equality have always paid a price for doing so. Those who pay lip service are no heroes. I say to those who are frustrated: you have an opportunity to do something about it. Take it.

Roberta Schwartz

Dallas



To the good Christians at the Dallas Country Club who won’t allow Jews to join…

To the good Jews at the Columbian Club who won’t allow Christians to join…

It’s the 20th century-you all ought to be ashamed of yourselves!

Martin G. Greenberg

Dallas



Justice For Brian Murphy?



Re: “Incident at Mike-Twelve” [February], I was surprised at the apparent contempt of the author (although I understood Ms. Murphy’s feelings as a mother) over the result of the military trial.

If Lance Corporal Krone had been tried in Dallas County on the same evidence, the following result would have occurred:

At the most, he would have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, a third-degree felony. The maximum sentence for a third-degree felony in Texas is ten years. Krone was actually sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Also, note that Krone’s trial and sentencing took place three months after the actual murder occurred; in other words, swift justice. Hell will freeze over before a felony murder trial will ever be completed in three months in Dallas County.

Thus, Ms. Murphy ought to be thankful at the results of that trial. She would have received considerably less if the trial had occurred in Dallas County.

Tetra T. Udall

Dallas



“False Hopes” About Cancer



A tear came to my eye; a lump welled up in my throat when I read Marty Primeau’s article on poor Dr. Blumenschein [“The Cancer Warrior,” February]. As a practicing physician in the same area, I resented this article very much. Cancer is a personal problem between patient and physician(s). There is no correct and absolute way in its treatment. But there are protocols. Some physicians, like Blumenschein, step slightly outside these protocols.

Primeau’s article was a biased adventure into shameful entertainment-for it was not responsible journalism. People with cancer will read the article with false hopes that may complicate their present mode of therapy. Blumenschein’s 60 percent success rating is about par for North American doctors.

Primeau has really not done her homework. D Magazine will no longer grace the waiting room tables in my office.

Neil Rosen, M.D.

Arlington



A Question of Standards



When I read Chris Tucker’s column, “Grading Standards: There’s a Person Be