WRITERS EXPRESS TRUTH

I've never been one to speak out publicly, but feel now that I should.

I wish to comment first on Billy Wayne Dick's Sept. 28 guest column,
"Drugs, not race, the problem in Tulia."

My husband and I fully agree with his remarks. We, too, know the families
he mentioned in his column, as well as the Dick family. They are decent,
respectable, well-educated people. Billy Wayne knows of what and whom he
speaks.

We lived in Tulia for 12 years, 32 years ago. We found the community to be
made up of fine Christian people who stand for what is right. We'd like to
thank Billy Wayne for speaking out.

I also have long agreed with Derek Blanton's views (Sept. 30 letter,
"Christmas shopping season starts too early"). We claim to be a Christian
nation, and if we are going to observe Christ's birthday, it should be
Christ-centered - not commercialized. Merchants should at least wait until
after Thanksgiving to begin their displays, as they did years ago.

Thank you, Mr. Blanton, for taking a stand on this matter.

Ruth Mansfield

Amarillo