Columns

A few weeks ago, I drove pass Highway 304 on Interstate 10. The family ranch is just north of I-10 about 10 miles. This area is often called the sugar-sand grasslands by the locals because of the sugar-like sand that dominates the area. It actually lies within the Post Oak belt. Just past Hwy. 304 and before the Harwood exit, a strong wind carrying a large amount of dust pushed my truck to the center of the road. Even though I was driving on the far-right side of the lane, I was shaken as my truck was pushed within inches of a passing car. The dust was blinding, and the passing car disappeared within a few feet of clearing my bumper. With no one behind me, I quickly hit the brakes to slow down and locate the rumble strips at the side of the road. Lasting less than a quarter of a mile, this was no Dust Bowl event. But it reminded me of past dust storm events. These too were generally short-lived but point up the fact that the wind can pick up dust and send it miles away. In many years, Texas receives dust from Saharan Africa. Dust storms in drought years are not unusual. Grasses that normally hold down the soil have often been eaten to within an inch of the ground by hungry cattle. Brush species, such as yaupon and American beautyberry, have dropped most of their leaves and wind blows freely between plants. As the wind moves, it picks up small particles of dust and draws them skyward. The thing most likely to hold the soil in place is grass cover. Cattle grazing too low to the ground is frequently the problem. Bare patches allow the soil to dry out, further removing any moisture still in the ground. Then the hot, dry wind acts like a convection oven. Fast-moving sand in the air acts like a sand blasting gun. It can punch holes in leaves, kill small emerging buds and leave a coating of fine dust on everything.

To The Editor: Last Saturday night, I attended an event in Bellville where the main speaker was a convicted Federal felon, Dinesh D’Souza. During a political donation, D’Souza made a process mistake, leading to charges by Federal prosecutors in Manhattan. The Obama administration applied weighty and exceptional charges of a category normally reserved for defendants engaged organized crime. I wonder if my visit to this meeting, joined by over 350 others from our own region of central Texas, will lead people in my county to be offended? About a decade ago, during that same Obama administration, Americans of every affilation assembled into a grass-roots effort to collectively voice concerns about the directions taken by national leaders. My wife and attended a local tea-party gathering in Flatonia, and we were bouyed in hope that God had provided us a chance to join with our neighbors in thinking about a better future. I wonder if my part in that outdoor event was noticed by those around here, and created offense? I admit that I was relieved that Lois Lerner, Obama’s IRS Director of Tax Exempt Organizations, did not persecute me for Tea Party donations as she did organizations the president wished to hamper by the threat of government force. I have dear friends nearby whose judgment I trust implicitly. During the months immediately following Mr. Biden’s election, they, like many, many other Americans voiced deep concern about the integrity of the November 2000 election. As is well known, an outdoor rally was called on Jan. 6, 2021 for the area around the capitol building in Washington, DC, and these friends decided to attend that rally in Washington, much as we did with the Tea-Party event here in Flatonia. My friends were not alone; many others were present. Some of those at this event were people whose character has proven flawed, but I know my friends, their character, their convictions and their personal history.

To The Editor: My name isn’t Eddie Chiles, but I am mad as _ _ _ _ too. I just got home from the grocery store and my total purchases are now at $200 weekly. Some regular items increased close to 100% in a week or less. I won’t mention putting a little gas (very little) in the truck or the price of toilet paper made from recycled paper. This is just wrong. Why are we as a nation so complacent about this situation? Having just read the Record article about Albina Huebel, made me think of when our whole country “worked hard, cleaned our plates, and said thank you (NOT “no worries,” but a sincere thank you). I went to work in retail at 14. My meager earnings went straight into equally meager family funds. Those funds were all earned the old-fashioned way by hard work. I also worked hard to pay for my education. As a retired teacher, I worked hard to supplement our income on a teacher’s salary and now I am working hard to survive on inadequate retirement funds. This is just wrong. I don’t know the answer. I write and call my senators and congressmen to no avail. The pure evil which has been wrought against these United States is massive and I am on my knees daily.

To The Editor: When something someone states as fact sounds unlikely to be true, it never hurts to do a little research. In Tuesday’s paper, a letter to the editor made two claims that made me feel I should do just that.

To The Editor: I started reading this Opinion section about a year ago. The sharp disagreements are a representation of the deep and dividing differences across our country. One of the most profound questions I’ve ever been asked is “If what you believe is not true, would you want to know that?” I can share my beliefs and opinions, but if what I believe and think is not actually true, I do want to know that. There is a truth about all things, including where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. There are as many personal beliefs and religions as there are people, but believing something does not make it true. If what I believe is not true, I definitely want to know that, and do not want to just have a belief that I am comfortable with, or that fits my personal thoughts and feelings, or that allows me to pursue my desires, or that helps me to blend well with others. If that is what I have, the chances that what I believe is true are about zero.

To The Editor: Regarding the Rollins proposed amendment to support women’s rights; (detailed in a letter last week) anyone tempted to support this amendment needs to read it very carefully. It contains the typically benign wording such as “women’s health care” and “reproductive rights.” How very carefully it avoids any reference to the unborn child.

It’s been a thought-provoking week, filled with political and legal pronouncements and revelations, some hopeful and some frightening. But for most of us, that’s all they are: pronouncements and revelations, but nothing to alter our lives and our day to day activities, at least in the foreseeable future.

In 1972 I had been married for seven years. I graduated high school in 1961. I helped Dad move houses since I was 12 years old. But after graduation I finally started getting paid for all of my work. Since then, I worked with him till he passed away in 1975. I kept moving hundreds of buildings till I retired in 2000.

T EXAS History By BARTEE HAILE This Week in Texas History Col. Anthony Butler walked out of the White House on Aug.

C APITAL Highlights By GARY BORDERS Texas Press Association Millions of Texas children are heading back to school this month, as early as this week in some districts. The Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to be especially alert and focused when driving in school zones and near bus stops.