LET’R RIP

Taking Aim



January’s “Another Day, Another Gun Story” by Melissa Houtte and “Sunday Morning Special” by Kathryn Jones both are examples of knee-jerk journalism. The issue in the country today regarding handguns is not the need for more useless legislation or controls over the honest citizenry.

There have been mountains of firearms laws passed throughout the country which have had no significant impact on criminals or crime where a handgun was used. Passing waiting period legislation by lawmakers to make it appear to an outraged public that “something is being done” to control firearm related crime will have no more effect on the criminal element than the already voluminous laws on the books.

Rather than targeting the law-abiding, honest citizen who has every right to buy or sell firearms by making him wait 7 to 15 days before receiving his firearm of choice, why not target criminals in enforcing the laws already on the books? If criminals who commit non-lethal crimes against people using firearms knew that a mandatory, stiff prison term awaited, or a mandatory death penalty awaited for lethal criminal activity with a firearm, their weapon of choice would not be a firearm.

FRED BROWN

DALLAS



If Kathryn Jones had let her criminal intruders know in no uncertain terms that their lives would be at risk if they pursued the burglary, there is a high probability that the event would not have occurred. Yes, she was very fortunate that nothing more was done to her than lose some possessions. But to then write the article that promotes disarming citizens indicates she learned absolutely nothing from her experience. To take the position that not resisting the animal behavior of a criminal will keep you safe is unbelievably naive. At least Kathryn Jones’ husband had the good sense to own a loaded 38. Too bad he had not taught Kathryn how to protect herself with it.

LARRY J- BARLAR

ALPHARETTA, GA



Melissa Houtte’s final sentence sums up and defines the issue perfectly. It’s where the lines are drawn. Specifically, the sentence “we have to begin somewhere, don’t we?”

Those seven words say it all. It is precisely where opposition to firearms legislation originates and why such opposition exists. There are literally hundreds of examples of this kind of legislative dishonesty, where it all begins with a modest “reasonable program” and rapidly becomes uncontrollable.

Houtte hit the nail squarely on the head. Anyone opposed to this type of legislation knows what the issue is, and it is catagorical-ly not about a waiting period! Because it’s exactly as you stated, just a start!

ALLAN KEMPE

MANSFIELD



This is just another example of the anti-gun attitude of the “Easterners.” It amazes me how stupid people in this country are! Drugs are illegal and they will never go away. If guns were illegal they would not either. It’s about time all of you woke up and realized that a criminal is not going to obey any law made! If you think that they go down to the local gun store to buy their guns you really are ignorant! If guns are taken away from the people you won’t be safe anywhere.

RICHARD J. LARSON

PLANO



KNONuendoes



I feel the need to contest several points made in “Radio Free Dallas?” (January). While KNON is finally becoming more businesslike, the station is as much on the edge of music and social programming as it ever was. What’s so terrible about practicing responsible business?

If KNON can’t cover operating expenses it won’t be able to continue broadcasting music or anything else. There aren’t too many other stations playing Killbilly right now (sad but true). The Hispanic DJs who are upset about prepaid programming must consider the same point: If the dollars aren’t there, KNON won’t be around. In that case, there would be no available air time for their brand of Hispanic music.

If almost 90 percent of the station’s $220,000 annual budget comes in from the listeners, then at least $22,000 must come in from other sources. Does it really matter if the rest of the money comes from underwriting and prepaid programming?

KENNA TALLEY

BALCH SPRINGS



Second Opinions on “Best and Worst”

Come on, you guys. Trying to get cute in “Best and Worst” (January), you blasted Ballet Dallas, which-contrary to your palaver-has the repertoire and the dancers to stage a delightful and well-attended “Nutcracker.” On a sensible budget as well.

WILLIAM E. SLEEPER

DALLAS



In “Best and Worst,” you printed a blurb about reasons to send your kid to the University of Texas. The “best” reason you gave was that “SMU continues to crank out the world’s snottiest T-shirts.”

To set the record straight, the T-shirts you mentioned are not produced or sanctioned by Southern Methodist University. SMU’s name and logos are trademarks, and licensed through the Collegiate Licensing Company. The manufacturer that produces these T-shirts-SNOBwear, Inc.-applied for a license with SMU for these shirts this year. The university rejected the application.

It appears the company continues to produce and wholesale these shirts without SMU approval. The Collegiate Licensing Company has requested both the manufacturer and retailers to discontinue selling SNOBwear, Inc., shirts which include SMU’s logos and/or name. Unfortunately, SMU cannot do anything about the shirts that have already been purchased and are worn by some students.

LIZ MINDEN

SMU MARKETING

DALLAS



What a cheap shot at a lady [Annette Strauss] who has given so totally of herself without reward, expectancy of reward or political ambition, to throw her in with such trash.

If this is the worst you can come up with after years in a tumultuous political arena exacerbated by economic turmoil and racial strife, you just spotlighted an angel!

M.C. WAGNER JR.

DALLAS



Whitley’s Witch Hunt?



Re: “The Seduction of Gloria Grady” (October) and “Abuse of Trust” (January) by Glenna Whitley. I’m surprised D Magazine didn’t just refer to these pieces as “Whitley’s Witch Hunt” and dispense with any pretense of investigative reporting.

In her most recent piece. Whitley introduces her article by informing the reader that new patients have come forward to decry the methods allegedly employed by therapists Mike Moore and Richard Flournoy. These are patients who “bear the scars of genuine abuse.” Just what are the scars of genuine abuse acceptable to Ms. Whitley? Are vaginal scars required in her court or does she need photographic evidence and multiple witnesses to the molestation? How about panic attacks, self-mutilation, attempted suicide, or an eating disorder? Would she accept allegations by a victim’s own children who accuse the same person of sexual abuse? If a patient recalls an incident during therapy, is it somehow suspect in Ms. Whitley’s mind? In the most recent article, Ms. Whitley reports that Brenda acknowledges that therapist Moore did help her remember additional incidents that “she knew to be true.” What measure did Brenda and Ms. Whitley use to arrive at that conclusion? Did Brenda’s abuser confess? Was there a photograph? Did another witness step forward? Did Whitley apply the same “truth test” to Brenda’s claims that she did to Gloria Grady’s court testimony?

The point of therapy is not primarily to “parent bash” or convict someone of a crime. The point of therapy is to assist a hurting person. If that person believes they have been harmed by a parent, relative, or someone else, then a responsible therapist will work to help the patient recover from that abuse. It isn’t the therapist’s job to independently investigate the claims of the patient, demand that the patient confront the abuser, or even to insist on reconciliation. I hope Ms. Whitley never finds herself pleading for others to believe her after she suffers a private atrocity at the hands of someone she trusted.

W. MARK GOODE

RICHARDSON



Bashing Bob Tilton

Hallelujah!… for Chris Tucker’s “Parting Shot” in January-“Dear Bob Tilton: A Letter from Hell.”

Literally, it is right up there with C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. Spiritually, it is right in line with the prophecies of Isaiah chapter 59.

J. WRAY

GARLAND



If Bob Tilton is trying to clear his head, looking for the number of that tractor-trailer that rolled over him, I should like to point out it was not a truck. It was an M 1 Abrams BattleTank, newly returned from Operation Desert Storm and operated by Chris Tucker. Bob Tilton is lucky his ministry is on the land, as Tucker would probably use a battleship at sea. Wakka-Wakka-Wakka! Bob, watch out for B.L. Zebub.

JIM MORRIS

PLANO



Chris Tucker seems to have great writing skills, but there his intelligence ends. I have never read such trash in all my 50 years. This is undoubtably the worst accusation about a person that I have ever read. The worst part of it is that he does not know anything about Robert Tilton, and is just exposing his ignorance.

I highly resent the lies and the assumptions that “PrimeTime Live” was reporting facts. They are being sued for lies, and perhaps they will sue you also. However, I doubt that you are worth the effort.

I hope one day to meet Chris Tucker. However, it will have to be here on earth, because I am not going to the afterlife where he seems to be headed.

NELDA MOORE

IRVING