To the editor: Regarding the Metropolis article (“Treading on Trouble,” Jan. 26, 2011), I have a similar story: I bought a new 2005 Altima from a large local Nissan dealer. I didn’t want the after-market wheels/tires on it ($3,500!), so they told me to bring it back the next day and they’d put the originals back on it. I did check to see that they installed the same brand and size that other Altimas had from the factory.
A few days later I noticed the tires didn’t have any of those little “nubs” that new tires have. But I knew the dealer wouldn’t admit anything. A year or so later when I bought new tires, it was pointed out that the aluminum wheels had been scraped all around on the inside, probably from being installed on a car they wouldn’t fit. So the lesson is: Buy the car just as it sits on the lot, and don’t let the dealer change out anything. Not saying all dealers are bad, but don’t give them the opportunity!
Bill Hadley
Fort Worth
Let All the Peoples Go
To the editor: This letter is in response to the articles regarding the recent civil unrest in Egypt (“Egypt to Texas, Giza to Giza”). As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of the Egyptian people. Their efforts are similar to what happened following the election in Iran and the most recent revolution
in Tunisia.
Believe it or not, one thing that trumps capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one’s voice heard. This is the foundation on which our democracy is built. It was right that the Egyptian people continued to defy President Hosni Mubarak’s powerful security forces so that Egyptian democracy could begin to thrive. It is unfortunate that the U.S. compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in the Middle East, something that happens all too often domestically as well. Those who were in power in Egypt for so long engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people from being heard. Why else would they stoop to such underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the citizens of Egypt?
President Mubarak had 30 years to lead Egypt and failed the people by his own choosing. With his regime at an end, it appears the desire for freedom will continue to sweep among the Arab nations. In the words spoken to an Egyptian pharaoh many years ago by another enslaved people: Let my people go!
Joe Bialek
Cleveland, Ohio
A Worrisome Waste Decision
To the editor: The Texas commission on low-level radioactive waste disposal must reject the new proposal to increase importation of nuclear waste (“High-Level Worries,” Dec. 22, 2010). This proposal would allow the toxic waste of 36 states to be transported to Texas and stored here.
Did you know that transportation routes could go right through your community? Potential routes would take waste from the Gulf Coast on Interstate 10 through Houston and San Antonio, waste from Southern states would be trucked on I-20 and I-30 though Dallas and Fort Worth, Midwestern and Northeastern waste would be driven on I-40 and I-27 through Lubbock and Amarillo, and waste from Western states would be driven through the cities of El Paso and Odessa taking I-10 and I-20. What’s worse, the Class A nuclear waste can be shipped in barrels that don’t require integrity tests. Ten percent of these barrels have failed in accidents, and in 90 percent of these accidents, the barrels have released their contents. This is simply too dangerous for Texas families.
Carissa Powell
Lewisville
Editor’s note: The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission did approve the proposal to allow 36 other states to dispose of their nuclear waste at the site in West Texas, by a 5-2 vote.
Corrections
• The Feb. 9, 2011, cover story (“Egypt to Texas, Giza to Giza”) incorrectly described the conflict during which Marvat Mousa served as a civilian translator. It was the second war in Iraq.
• The Feb. 16, 2011, story “Too Imminent” erred in saying that Texas Senate Bill 18, regarding changes to eminent domain law, did not set criteria for determining what is a “bona fide” financial offer to a property owner. The story should have said that opponents describe the criteria as inadequate.
Fort Worth Weekly regrets the errors.
