Regarding "compassionate conservatism," in my opinion, conservatives
do not even know what the word "compassionate" really means.

Reducing treatment programs for sick people is not compassion. Turning
the mentally ill loose on the streets is not compassion.

Those of us who live at the bottom of the "tower of power" are too
close to governmental neglect. We have to live with the consequences
of Republican control, tyranny and lack of real concern.

I thought the Republican convention would never be over. I am
wondering if the TV stations in Amarillo will devote as much time to
the Democratic Convention. It should be a must.

I am revolted at the thought of George W. Bush becoming our president,
just as I was when he became our governor.

Does it make sense to eliminate treatment facilities for addictive
disorders and build more and more prisons in which to put sick people
who need treatment for these disorders?

It costs more to keep people in prisons than to provide treatment for
them. Approximately 90 percent of criminal offenses are committed
while the perpetrator is under the influence of some drug.

Bush is listening to advisers who think that religious faith can
change addictive disorders.

No way, Jose - not to the extent that the worldwide, proven 12-step
program can do and has done. If the church could do it, then it would
have done it a long time ago.

The "Bush push" to gain control over our lives is clearly a gigantic
ego trip for the whole Bush family. It is a game to them, climbing
determinedly over our backs to the top. They call it public service -
it seems more like self-service to me.

Perry Jo Inman,
Amarillo