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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country
of West Texas
Opinion
Tuesday, June 4, 2002
Sage
Views
By Smokey Briggs
Turn on the
water or else
"Mexico won't give us any water."
Huh? Did my ears quit working?
Apparently my ears are still functioning but our federal government
is not.
According to Associated Press farmers in the Rio Grande Valley are watching
their crops whither in the fields for lack of water because Mexico refuses
to release the water it is required to release under the treaty between
the United States and Mexico.
All the while, our government sits on its hands and shrugs as though
we as a nation are powerless to prevent this absolute theft of water and
livelihood.
Apparently, the most powerful nation in the world is going to allow
no small number of its citizens to be deprived of their livelihood by a
nation that could be whipped by two wagonloads of the Texas National Guard
on a Sunday afternoon.
That is pitiful.
If we have not lost all since of manhood, not to mention fortitude,
in this country Mexico will be issued an ultimatum _ Start pouring some
water into that river or we are going to extend the borders of the United
States another 15 miles much as we did in 1846 when you ticked us off the
last time.
Then we will own the whole stinking river and Mexico's farmers can try
to figure out how to make crops grow using dust and spit.
To further add insult to injury, the guy running the federal government
used to be the governor here.
Democrat or not, this would not have happened when Lyndon Johnson was
sitting in the White House.
I can hear that conversation.
"Mr. President, the Mexican government has refused to abide by the Treaty
of 1944 and our farmers in the Valley are going bust without that water."
"Are the bombers in the air?"
"Yes Mr. President."
"Very good."
Well, we do not have LBJ in the Whitehouse so maybe Texas will have
to solve this problem by herself.
Somebody round up a couple of wagons and lets turn that faucet back
on.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Smokey Briggs is the editor and publisher of the
Pecos Enterprise whose column appears on Tuesdays. He can be e-mailed at:
smokey@pecos.net
Our View
Federal loans to airlines a bad idea
National airline companies are crying foul over possible delays in federal
loans to help the airline industry over the slow travel months that have
followed September 11.
In particular U. S. Airways, one of the nation's 10 largest airlines
is claiming that any such delays will force the company into bankruptcy.
If the government promised the loans on a certain date, then the loans
need to be available on that date.
However, the loans were a bad idea to begin with. Realistically, the
airline industry is probably going see an overall reduction in passengers.
Flying today is not nearly the convenience it was before September 11.
Shorter flights that used to shave hours off of the same distance if driven
no longer offer those savings in time that offsets the hassle of having
to rent a car and pack lightly.
Especially for the family vacation crowd, driving looks a lot better
than it did in August of 2001.
With the federalization of airport security and full compliance with
new federal regulations, it is doubtful that airline travel will regain
the level of convenience it once held in the near future, if ever.
The results will be fewer passengers. Fewer passengers dictate fewer
flights. Fewer flights require fewer companies.
Probably the airline industry should naturally shrink.
It certainly should not be artificially propped up with tax dollars
past the money already promised.
Your View
Local resident prefers local doctor
Dear Editor:
About two years ago, after suffering from headaches constantly for
a few months, I had my eyes checked by Dr. Gann. He prescribed glasses
and not only did my headaches go away, I could see! But I broke the glasses
and did without for a while. Since Dr. Gann cost considerably more than
the stores in Odessa (the ones that say for $69.00 two pair) I went to
Odessa, got a pair (one set) for $225.00 and can see a little better, but
not much.
For me, I would rather pay $500.00 and be able to see, than to have
spent what I did and not see. Sometimes good ole hometown people care about
you when big city don't.
JAMIE WADE
Out-of-town officers express gratitude to helpers
Dear Editor:
I attended services for Sergeant Jaime Rodriguez as the supervisor of
the Honor Guard/Color Guard on Monday, May 20th. In the assignment for
Honor Guard/Color Guard were officers of the Odessa Police Department (Honor
Guard/21 Gun Salute and trumpet player), Ector County Sheriff s Office
(Color Guard) and civilian Bag Piper from Midland. I want to take this
opportunity, on behalf of the members of the unit, to make a heartfelt
"Thank You" to people we do not know all the names of that came to our
aid. During this very stressful duty to honor a brother officer, were opportunities
for the people attending the services to serve many of us in our time of
need. While waiting on grave side services to began, one of our officers
became faint due to the heat, humidity and long wait. Women and men waiting
in the cemetery came to the aid of the Honor Guard/Color Guard by checking
on everyone and passing out water to make the wait more comfortable. The
concern and compassion shown by these very nice people was very comforting
to all of us. The members of the Honor Guard/Color Guard requested some
type of public thank you be made because we do not know who these fine
people were but the kindness will not be forgotten.
Additionally, I would like to thank the restaurants that stayed open
to feed the many officers that attended the services. I know many of these
restaurants close after lunch time and reopen for the dinner time but made
a difference that day to many people by showing West Texas Hospitality
to all that would spend a bit more time in their town.
Again, thanks for making our stay in your town even more meaningful
by kind people showing their support to others in a time of need. A visit
to Pecos will not soon be forgotten.
Sincerely,
MILTON THARP
Captain, Support Services Bureau
Odessa Police Department
Drug problem
Dear Editor:
I had a "drug" problem when I was a young person and teenager.
I was "drug" to church on Sunday morning.
I was "drug" to church on Sunday night.
I was "drug" to church on Wednesday night.
I was "drug" to Sunday school every week.
I was "drug" to Vacation Bible School.
I was "drug" to the family altar to read the Bible and pray.
Those "drugs" are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in
everything I do, say and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or
heroin. If our children had this kind of "drug" problem, wouldn't America
certainly be a better place?
Thanks,
MOM AND DAD
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Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail newsdesk@nwol.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
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Copyright 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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