The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V35
This Website Is Full. Starting With The December 25, 2000 Newsletter,
All Future Editions Will Be Posted In The Llano Ledger 2, Found By
Clicking http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2.
*************April 10, 2000**************
In a follow-up to the LISD "tour" fiasco two and a half weeks ago,
Superintendent Jack Patton has NOT responded with answers to numerous
questions. Consequently, a formal request for information under the
Texas Open Records Act is being prepared and will be sent shortly to
our illustrious "educator".
Interestingly, my "tour" of LISD facilities coincidentally occurred
on a day school officials had received a terroristic threat from a
Junior High student. Neither the Superintendent nor all three
principals, however, saw fit or had the guts to inform this writer. Why
wasn't this information immediately disclosed? More pointedly, why
wasn't the "tour" cancelled and rescheduled for a another more
appropriate time? ... How could all four "geniuses" possibly think
silence was to their advantage? *****
For over a year, this publication has repeatedly called for both an
independent audit of all County finances as well as a criminal
investigation of our illustrious officials. Not surprisingly, there has
been little to no public interest. There are and have been, however,
serious questions raised regarding the judgement and fitness of ALL our
stalwart stellar "leaders" as well as their aggressively stupid
apologists and shills.
Furthermore, there is no legitimate "need" for a new law
enforcement center and jail. More pointedly, County Judge J.P. Dodgen
and his cronies on the Commissioners' Court know damn well there is
indeed no widespread public support for this egregious boondoggle. ...
Ever wonder why the "Judge" and his pals are so opposed to a bond
election, and apparently intend to force matters through issuance of
certificates of obligation??? -- Despite problems with the books???
Indeed, where is our illustrious District Attorney? Why hasn't this
"prosecutor" ordered an independent audit of all County finances as
well as a criminal investigation of our corrupt and abusive officials?
Sadly, Sam, you're part of the problem, sir. Time to bend over and grab
your ankles, friends. The shaft is once again on the way. Since there
is NO public interest or outrage, taxpayers will get exactly what they
so richly deserve, -- fleeced by a law enforcement center for which
there is no need. Enjoy. *****
The Garrett Deposition has finally been completely posted. It's
quite substantive and sadly illustrative of the "Good Old Boy"
mentality pervasive throughout all Llano County government. ... So what
else is new, right? Since it indeed raises numerous serious questions
regarding the Sheriff's competence and fitness for office, however,
analysis and commentary will be spread over several Newsletter
editions.
Mr. Garrett's egregious lack of knowledge and indifference to daily
operation of the jail is extraordinarily glaring. So is his utter
disregard and lack of understanding of sexual assault, -- despite
attendance at numerous DPS classes. ... Apparently, your prisoners are
no more than "trash", right, Nathan? ... She got what she "deserved",
didn't she, sir?
For over a year, this publication has repeatedly received credible
allegations regarding alleged spousal battering of the Sheriff's wife,
Connie. Allegations, however, are NOT fact. They are ONLY allegations.
In his deposition (pp. 127-128), Mr. Garrett has denied being a
wife-beater. If the charges in fact are true, the Sheriff should be
incarcerated in his own jail. If untrue, however, this matter needs to
be finally put to rest, -- definitively. If you have direct knowledge,
proof, evidence, relevant medical records, etc., kindly step forward. I
WILL indeed protect your identity. Again, this matter MUST be quickly,
fully, and finally resolved. Fairness to the Sheriff, his family, and
the rest of the community demands it. Most importantly, the taxpayers
are entitled to know the true character of the Sheriff, -- no matter
what it turns out to be.
For years prior to launch of this publication, I've also received
numerous credible allegations regarding the alleged use of excessive
force by the Sheriff when he was a Deputy. Interestingly, one case
involved an elected official, a former County Attorney. On Page 17 of
the Garrett Deposition, however, the Sheriff acknowledged an unrelated
formal complaint of use of excessive force filed with the FBI by Boone
Avey. I have not been able to locate Mr. Avey, -- not yet. If you know
him, kindly pass on the message. If you yourself have been a victim of
excessive use of force by the Sheriff or any other officer, kindly step
forward.
By his own admission in the Deposition, Mr. Garrett was twice
arrested and incarcerated in the 1970's (pp. 17-19). The first charge
was Disorderly Conduct. This usually means fighting. The second charge
was either Public Intoxication or Disorderly Conduct. ... The Sheriff
couldn't remember according to his sworn testimony. Credible response?
You decide.
On Page 128 of the Garrett Deposition, Ms. Jones asked:
Q. Did you ever hit your children?
A. I've spanked them.
Q. Have you beat them?
A. No.
Q. Bruised them?
A. No. Maybe their bottoms.
Sheriff, what the hell do you call bruising their bottoms? "Good"
discipline, sir? Had this behavior been inflicted on an adult, it would
be called assault and battery, and your sorry ass would have been in
jail. When it happens to a child, however, it's called "loving"
parenting. Interesting, isn't it? Yet, we self-righteously, piously,
and hypocritically lament widespread violence pervading society. WHERE
the hell do you think our children learn to use violence as a tool or
method of "controlling" behavior and inflicting their will on others?
-- From the boob tube alone? -- Or from violent electronic games? Wake
up, friends. ... It would be laughable, if not so terribly tragic. More
pointedly, striking a child is the ONLY way to punish or discipline?
How sickeningly perverse. I'm indeed glad I consciously as well as
conscientiously decided to have no children. ... Certainly wouldn't
want to be part of the problem, would I? As previously reported, we had
AT LEAST 73 prisoners incarcerated from Jan. 1 to Nov. 10, 1999 on
various physical assault charges alone. HELLO? Time to wake up. ...
Most, if not all, were physically assaulted as children.
Having spent years as a non-parent carefully watching successful
moms and dads interact with their children, however, there is no doubt
the very best NEVER need strike their offspring to elicit acceptable
behavior. They patiently and lovingly take the time to teach their
children what's expected, rather than lash out. Ever watch a good
teacher handle a classroom full of unruly students, -- at any grade
level? The class is quickly and skillfully brought under control
WITHOUT the use of force. Wake up, friends. Inept abusive parents,
however, having themselves been beaten as children, quickly respond
violently to unwanted or unacceptable behavior.
When the parent's back is turned, however, the little darling
quickly reverts to the objectionable behavior, "necessitating" another
beating. Yet, these "geniuses" never seem to understand the longterm
ineffectiveness and serious damage inflicted when physically assaulting
their children. ... Sickeningly professing their parental "love" while
doing so. ... And it is physical assault, friends, despite the pious
self-righteous deluded label of "spanking". The violent parent,
however, foolishly rationalizes this insanity by strongly asserting if
it was good enough for THEM while growing up, it's good enough for
THEIR children.
After all, they "turned out all right", didn't they? ... DID they?
... Did they really? What damned aggressive stupidity and egregious
shortsightedness. Sadly, the insanity and cycle of violence are never
broken, and continue from generation to generation. Yet, these sick
deluded "geniuses" then wonder why we live in such a violent society
and blame everyone but themselves. Nauseatingly pitiful.
Equally pointedly, both the fascist Right and socialist Left
foolishly offer oversimplified analysis and solutions to enormously
difficult problems. The Right seems to ludicrously think punishment is
extremely effective in the long-term control of behavior. This is
simply NOT so. Consider the extremely high re-offending rates of felons
despite years of incarceration. Laughably, the Right seems to think
treating offenders like animals will result in their release as model
citizens. Equally foolishly, the socialist Left thinks ALL prisoners
can be rehabilitated and released to society. Again, NOT so. The
purpose of incarceration should be to protect others from our most
egregiously violent and incorrigible offenders.
Equally pointedly, it is myth perpetuated by the fascist Right that
all prisons are "country clubs". "Country clubs", however, are reserved
on the federal level for white collar criminals. After all, we enjoy
coddling scoundrels who loot us millions at a keyboard or with a stroke
of a pen. ... Provided it's millions. Write a bad check if you're a
woman, and the "punishment" could be rape in the Llano County Jail.
... And guess what? No one, but the rape victim is held
responsible. Right, Sam? Right, Nathan? Right, Don? Right, Holland? How
about it, Melvin? Okay with you, sir? What about it, John? Is this a
fine example of "law and order", "Gentlemen"? The stench of kangaroo
justice grows egregiously putrid in this County. This does NOT excuse
Theft By Check. It does, however, excoriate rape as acceptable
"punishment" for any crime in this country. More pointedly, where the
hell is the "personal responsibility" of our illustrious officials?
Sadly, it's reserved for the unwashed masses. Right, Boys?
Tragically, the case of Elian Gonzalez is quite illustrative of how
our society and others view children. Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has
outrageously repeatedly asserted children "belong" to the state. In
this country, however, children "belong" to their parents. At least
many think so, don't they? CAREFULLY consider the word "belong". Does
anyone "own" a child? Indeed, parents are or should be held ultimately
responsible for their minor children. The socialist Left in our
country, however, asserts schools and government have a "legitimate"
interest and "right" to interfere in the upbringing of children.
Conversely, the fascist Right thinks it "owns" their children and
treats them like chattel, outrageously as personal property.
Interesting, isn't it? After all, we all "know" children have no
rights, don't we? -- Other than to do what they're told, right?
Elian's mother died valiantly struggling to get him to freedom. Of
course that apparently means absolutely nothing to the vast majority of
Americans who think he should be returned to his father. Selfish
parental rights frequently come before what is indeed best for the
child, don't they? After all, we see it day after day in our own
corrupt courts, don't we? Regardless, for those who think children are
chattel and "owned" by their parents, think Castro agrees? Wake up. The
boy "belongs" to Fidel and will "volunteer" to work in sugar cane
fields by the time he's eleven. If Mr. Gonzalez had any guts and truly
gave a damn about his own kid, he would have strongly insisted Elian
remain in the United States.
Sadly, the blindness and selfishness of the fascist Right in this
country is stunningly appalling. Equally pointedly, the socialist Left
is no better. Outrageously, they're apparently paying the legal bills
accrued by Mr. Gonzales. ... Also apparently, with the blessing of the
fascist Right. Interesting, isn't it? Indeed, politics makes for
strange bedfellows, doesn't it? Bottom line? Elian will return as a
pawn in the hands of Fidel.
Both political extremes in this country, however, are repugnant and
abusive, and indulge in oversimplistic "all or nothing" thinking. To an
extremist of any persuasion, ALL is clearly black or white. There are
no shades of gray, nor color allowed. No valid differences of opinion.
No right of self-expression. No creativity. -- Just the strait jacketed
rigidity of mindless ideology. Damned pitiful and egregiously stifling.
Extraordinarily chilling as well. Few issues are simple, or can be
easily resolved. A glaring example is homicide. We rightfully have
numerous legal and moral prohibitions against this act. Yet, we have
necessary exceptions such as self-defense, wars, etc.. Clearly, even
killing is not considered a black or white issue. Time for our mindless
ideologues to finally wake up.
With rare exception, the cowardly failure of the community to
financially support this publication is stunningly pitiful and selfish.
Worse yet, the sickening defense and excuse of cowardice by some is
appalling. If readers care so little for this community and each other,
why should I? The visitor count stands in excess of 12,400. Another
excellent week. Yet, there has been egregiously little financial
support to date. Nearly all of you have been quite willing to COWARDLY
allow this writer to take the risk, do all the work, put up with the
harassment, and swing in the wind. Mighty neighborly, don't you think?
Despite an explosively expanding readership, businesses are too
afraid to advertise. As repeatedly asserted, the banner and pop-up ads
belong to Maxpages and pay for the website. _The Ledger receives no
income from either. If you want desperately needed change in our
community, financially support this publication. Regardless, _The Llano
Ledger panders to NO ONE, and will remain unbeholden. If you don't give
a damn about the community, each other, or this publication, why the
hell are you reading this? Find something better to do. Want feel-good
fluff and propaganda? Read another publication.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Oct 9, 2001 1:21pm EDT