Letter to the Editor

Ms. Channon takes great delight in suggesting that we play a ‘little game of chance with Alberto Gonzales career as United States Attorney General. While there are many in high positions in Washington who may deserve such cynicism and ridicule, Alberto Gonzales is not one of them.

I have known this good and decent man for his entire public career, which has come at great financial and personal cost to him and his family. His greatest fault in Washington is his humility, decency and lack of skill as a professional politician.

For everyone who still believes in the American Dream, you and your children should get to know Alberto Gonzales. One of eight children, he grew up in Humble, Texas, in a two-bedroom home with no hot running water. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, attended the Air Force Academy, graduated from Rice University (where he sold popcorn and soft drinks at football games as a teen) and graduated from Harvard Law School. He gave up a lucrative career with a major law firm to act as counsel for then Governor Bush, served as Texas Secretary of State, served on the Texas Supreme Court, went to Washington as counsel to President Bush and then as Attorney General.

While an impressive resume may not reveal character and integrity, I am compelled to speak up for someone I personally know to be a dedicated public servant. Lets not assume the Washington attitude of personal destruction in our own community. Lets not assume fault deserving of resignation or dismissal just because a flood of political enemies create a feeding frenzy in D.C.

Ms. Channon may be right. It may very well be true that as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is doomed. If so, we should all be saddened that we have once again taught good and decent men and women to stay out of public service. The Alberto Gonzales I know will be just fine.

George L. McWilliams

Texarkana, Texas

They were heroes

TO THE EDITOR:

I saw the movie ‘Flags of Our Fathers not without some history of the event. My father served in the Philippines and China. My stepfather was in the First Marine Division, second wave on Okinawa, and my father-in-law was in the Fightin 29th, first wave on Omaha Beach, June 6th, 1944.

Heroes all in my opinion. Not one ever said they did anything but their duty. Pray God we never forget their sacrifice. This movie portrays no heroes on Iwo Jima. Seven hundred Americans died for every square mile of Hells Volcano. In all, 7,000 dead, 21,000 wounded and 27 medals of honor. No heroes? Right!

James McGhuire

Texarkana, Texas