Dear Editor,
Your article last week, “TX-23 rep barricaded the House chamber…,” provided some good insight into who our new U.S. representative, whose name I had actually forgotten, actually is. First, he had the presence of mind and physical ability to help secure the House chamber, keeping in mind that his own safety was at risk since the mob probably had no idea who he was, i.e., a fellow Trump supporter.
Then we find that Gonzales also supported and praised AG Ken Paxton’s efforts in “safeguarding our nation’s democracy,” presumably through his bogus election-related lawsuit. It is important to note that Paxton’s lawsuit was a perpetuation of what has been called “Trump’s Big Lie,” that the election was invalid, had been stolen, etc. That means Gonzales was complicit, along with Paxton, in keeping those who eventually rioted on January 6 riled up and misinformed.
Finally, according to your article, Gonzales conceded there was “no evidence” that the election results were not legitimate.
So I have to ask, who is the real Tony Gonzales? The guy with the courage to help secure the House chamber, the guy who admits there was no fraudulent election or the guy who supported challenging the election results that he admits were not fraudulent? He may be two of those people but cannot be all three.
Regarding reports of elected Republicans and/or their aides guiding groups through the Capitol on January 5, potentially “reconnaissance” for rioters, if Gonzales is the guy with courage, does he have the courage to publicly identify those who participated in those groups?
One final thought about Jenna Ryan, the Dallas area realtor who filmed herself going through the rotunda and up some stairs in the Capitol while reportedly yelling, “Here we are, in the name of Jesus!” In the name of Jesus? And some people wonder why church attendance continues to decline. Ryan was arrested last Friday –– in the name of justice. Maybe she will learn the difference.
Fred Gossien
Terlingua
Dear Editor,
I have warned for months that if the Democrats won the election, the minimum wage would double. That is coming within a few weeks.
How many businesses in Marfa can afford $15/hour? Probably only a few. What happens to Marfa when more businesses die? And, Mr. Biden has said he will increase taxes. Increased taxes hurt all of us. How many Marfans and those who own businesses are struggling from the pandemic? This minimum wage increase will kill small-town America.
Something to think about,
Elizabeth Tebeaux
College Station
Dear Editor,
As promised
After President-elect Biden said “…I gave my best to you,” swearing the Constitution’s oath of office and being announced as president of the United States, as promised I sat on my RV’s horn for a minute. But my neighbor, a Sul Ross University police officer, knocked on the door. She was worried something was wrong and I needed help.
“No, Biden’s been inaugurated,” I said, emotionally sharing my promise with her. “It was 30 seconds after his election was announced by the media and 1 minute once officially sworn-in. I’ll be taking down my small, outdoor Biden lawn sign in a few minutes when the ceremony is completed, now that I’m assured that Trump’s no longer president! The bumper sticker on the rear tire cover of the RAV4 remains in-place.”
Have you stopped crying and sobbing yet? Not me, before or after the performance of “Amazing Grace.”
Rev. Barry Abraham Zavah
Alpine
