Letters to the editor: Jan. 25

Decorations a mess

I have loved the Hill Country since I was a law student in the 1970s. Upon retirement, I got back here as quickly as I could only to be disgusted by so many peoples low regard for the beautiful Hill Country. Lady Bird Johnson would be revolted at our roadside littering, both casual and organized. By organized littering, I mean the gaudy, so-called decorating of trees along the roadways.

It really irks me to see people intentionally defiling our beautiful landscape by festooning trees with sparkly junk. They are like those simple-minded cretins, so insecure in their own worlds, who share their angst by spray-painting graffiti over murals. You are not sharing the holiday spirit; you are just making a public mess on someone elses property. No true Texan should tolerate the intentional damaging of our landscape. If you want to do something constructive, clean up your own lives and homes. Then, really be helpful clean up other peoples litter. Dont Mess With Texas.

John Kelsey

kelsey4defense@aol.com

Dripping Springs

Don't alter test

Re: Jan. 23 article, Firefighter case nears settlement.

Here we go again. Our attorney general out of Washington, D.C., is after the State of Texas once again. This time its the City of Austin. Hes not happy because the written and oral tests are too hard for minorities? So, what does he want the mayor and City Council to do about it? Hard to say from the article in the American-Statesman other than, I assume, make the test a lot easier so minorities can pass? Is that what we really want in Austin? Firefighters less qualified to do the job because they happen to be a minority? I dont think so.

Here is my message to Mayor Lee Leffingwell, members of the City Council and our fire chief: Do not fear the possibility of a lawsuit from the Justice Department. Its wrong so, if necessary, take it all the way to the Supreme Court. Time to put a stop to this nonsense coming out of the current administration.

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Letters to the editor: Jan. 25