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Correspondence

November 1st, 2012 under West Texas Talk

I have been debating for the past few days about writing this letter to you.

At the time that I tried to take my life I didn’t want to be here anymore. Life had no meaning to me. I had my reasons for not wanting to be here, and yes, it had a lot to do with my past addiction and past tragedies.

I have always asked myself, “Why am I here?” and I couldn’t answer that before. Now I know that I am still here because I am still needed here. I always try to help where I can help and I enjoy helping anyone. Yes, I had a close experience with death and I did regret still being here. But now I thank the Lord and the doctors that saved my life. I can’t take back what I did, but I can change things for the future.

I am happy to still be here with you all. I am only human and we all make mistakes. It doesn’t change who I have always been. I will always be me. Whether I make you laugh or piss you off, or whether you like me or you don’t, I am me and I will continue being just me.

I never realized how much I mean to you all. When you come up to me and tell me you care for me, it hits me straight in the heart. It means the world to me. I have had several people come up to me and hug me and it hits me hard when I see them shedding tears for me because I now understand that they know what I go through.

To me it doesn’t matter how old you are – when you lose your parents things in life just aren’t the same anymore. Well, I don’t know what else to say, just that I thank each and every one of you for being there for me, and showing me that you care. Marfa is a small town with a Giant Heart.

I love you all and am glad I am still here.

Peace, Love and Happiness!

Jamie Lee Luna

Marfa

* * *

We are at a crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, protect the sanctity of life, and defend our religious freedoms.

The bible speaks clearly on these crucial issues, let’s all join in praying for America, that we will turn our hearts back toward God.

Danny C. Dominguez

Marfa

* * *

November elections in Presidio County are usually quiet times. For the most part all our local contests have been settled in the Democratic Primary, and now it’s just those mysterious and far away district, state and federal offices that are being decided. The candidates are usually distant, their issues and positions largely unknown. Even their sound bites have a hard time penetrating our remote frontier, and it is very easy for us to retreat into apathy with a cynical humor about politics and politicians. “After all,” we tell ourselves, “what did any of those distant politicians ever do for us?” Of course, why should they care about us when we don’t bother to go to the polls?

On the other hand, what if we made some noise in the general election? What if we turned out the vote? Such a minor miracle would create a cascade of consequences. Our state and federal candidates would notice the change and we would earn their attention. Their attention would make it easier for us to lobby for our issues beyond the election season. They might even visit us regularly in order to discern our political intentions.

It is time we turned November elections into our noisiest season. Each of us should compel our family and friends to vote. Our local media should be filled with the call – a pledge drive of non-partisan commitment to go to the polls, hold our nose if we must, but make a choice. We may be too few to decide any election, but our turnout in the general election will be our strongest voice in the politics beyond our local community.

Paul Hunt

Presidio County Judge

Marfa

* * *

The very respected and admired President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said that the only way to have total security is to go to prison. There you will be fed, clothed, given medical attention, etc. The only thing you will be lacking is your freedom.

What price are we willing to pay for an ever enlarging welfare state? Do we endeavor to set fiscally sound and reasonable limits, or do we give ourselves over to those who would have us believe government is the answer?

President Eisenhower also said that as descendants and heirs, in blood and spirit, of revolutionists who dared to dissent from accepted or popular doctrine, may we Americans never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

Please vote your true conscience on Election Day.

A dissenting but loyal American,

Edmundo Balderrama

Marfa and Fort Davis

* * *

This election season, health care is clearly a hot topic. What’s not as clear, is where the legislative candidates in our 23rd Congressional District stand on health issues and what their positions mean for cancer patients and survivors.  That’s why it’s so important for voters to do their homework and research each candidate’s position on issues that affect people with chronic diseases like cancer.

Cancer will claim the lives of more than 36,000 people in Texas this year. Additionally, more than 111,000 Texans will hear the words, “you have cancer,” in 2012 alone.  But, if elected, our candidates in the 23rd Congressional District have the opportunity to bring this number down by making cancer a national priority.  That’s why American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers are asking candidates to go on the record with their positions on cancer issues and have submitted a series of questions on topics like, “what would you do to provide sufficient funding for cancer research?” and “what would you do to prioritize disease prevention?”

So far, two of the four candidates in this race have responded. If you want to skip the political rhetoric and know where your candidates stand, check out the answers of those who have responded and urge the rest to let us know where they stand by visiting www.cancervotes.org/guide/tx.

We deserve to know.

Mary Clare Spear

Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Alpine

* * *

A quote from Linda Palik McCann of San Antonio in her comment to the David Brooks column in a recent New York Times.

“Our and your best hope is the re-election of President Obama and the measured, steady stewardship of our nation. Romney’s ultra-radical, anti-governmental agenda would plunge us into a world of hurt.”

President Obama is restricted by the Citizens United ruling of the Supreme Court, a GOP dominated/inert Congress, meandering pundits like Matt Bai and an ignorant and complacent electorate – in spite of which the President has made significant progress.

Perhaps he’s tired. I would be.

And, finally and most importantly, I strongly agree with Ms McCann – we need the measured and steady stewardship of President Obama for our country.

Matt Bai should go back to the NYT Magazine and stay away from political commentary.

Ken Whitley

Marfa

* * *

I send out a deep and heartfelt thanks to all those who participated and assisted in this year’s annual Dude of the Dead Music Festival, an event that grows every year thanks to the volunteers, participants, and attendees.

First and foremost thanks to the City of Presidio for providing us with the racetrack venue, port-a-johns and dumpsters, without the City’s help we can’t do this.

Thanks also to the musicians, who play their hearts out at a cost below what they are worth, namely the Doodlin’ Hogwallops, Lbs, 7 year drought, Rocky Top the Alien Breeding Experiment, Anthony Ray, Skin n’ Bones, David Shane and the Dusty Ramblers, Jim Keaveny and Pablo Menudo.

This year’s event had the largest attendance yet, with over 200 + for the 2 days, we had visitors from Germany, New York, North Carolina, and all over Texas.

Charles Angell

Dude of the Dead

Angell Expeditions

Presidio

* * *

Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for our 5th annual “Little Monster” pet parade. Only in Marfa, Texas can traffic be stopped to let our youngsters and the young at heart and their pets parade downtown Marfa in their Halloween costumes. We had a great time!

Thanks to all who participated with their pets and the people that walked with us. Special thanks to Mitch and Jason from our Sherriff’s Department for keeping us safe. Let’s not forget the Hotel Paisano, Cochineal restaurant, and Mando’s for their donations. Thanks to Cindy Peters for the plaques and dog tags, and Marfa Realty for the dog treats. Thanks as well to our judges: Cinderela Guevara, Dan Dunlap, and Andy Peters. They did a great job.

First Place went to Pene Ferguson, Wonder Woman, and Daisy as Superdog, along with little devil Alissa.

Second Place winners were Blu and Johnnie Walker and Texas as clowns.

Third Place winners were Delma Hulce, pumpkin and Bailey, Bingo, and Boy as Frankensteins.

On behalf of the Marfa Rotary Club a big thanks; your entry fees will help support our local community programs. We hope to see you next year for our 6th annual Little Monster Parade.

Brenda Garcia, President

Marfa Rotary Club

* * *

I am interested in the Blackwell School and the neighborhood around it. I believe the whole area is eligible as a Historic District and therefore is protected by county, state and national environmental laws. I would like to help promote the establishment of these protections.

I am in the process of restoring an old adobe house at 512 W. Galveston St. I started this project in 2000. I noticed two blocks away the woman who is one of the owners of the Thunderbird Hotel restored her residence. I am happy to say the historic neighborhood is in good shape so far. I am also interested in the way Donald Judd lived in the “Block” where new ideas are living without distracting from the original architecture.

It is inspiring to see people respect and honor the historic integrity of Marfa. I also want to compliment the City of Marfa for installing the “Stary Night” Status. I have lived in a designated historic district in West Marin, California for 40 years. Tomale’s Historic District designation gives us protection not only within the town but also the area around the town. Therefore when Next Era Energy wanted to put up another “Altamont”, a giant industrial wind turbine business, I was able to instigate an Environmental Law Case against them with the support of Marin Conservation League, Marin Audubon, Point Reye’s Environmental Action Committee, and Susan Brant Howley, a California Environmental Quality Act lawyer. Next Era Energy withdrew their permit request from Marin Co, Planning Department. There were many things that helped us win this fight…Bird Migration, Historic Districts, Historic State Route I, The Point Reyes National Seashore Park, the California Coastal Commission, our “view shed” and all our environmental laws that insist on a process that includes Initial Studies and Environmental Impact Reports. I hope Marfa will continue to protect its national identity.