Opinion

Growing up among good Americans, I learned what we should be. My parents and others roll over in their graves due to what we’ve become. Bad Americans say parents of school kids, soldiers, and police who disagree with them are threats to the U.S., while other shady actors push corporate, judicial, military, and DOJ corruption. They also promote election fraud, divisive racial identities, immoral education, ending the First and Second amendments, censoring Christians, needless abortions, needless euthanasia, mandated trial drugs, and illicit drug use.

The world seemed surprised when Hitler annexed the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia in 1938, more surprised when he invaded Poland in 1939, and flabbergasted when he marched into the Soviet Union in 1941.

My next door neighbor and good friend William D. Bates died the evening of Feb. 8 at his home. For many years Dan and I spent several hours on Sunday mornings with coffee and talk, always interesting and enjoyable given his wide range of interests and curiosity. Dan was never one to argue as those of you who met him over the years know. As he walked our streets to the grocery store, the public or Sul Ross libraries, or the bank or McDonalds or the Sunshine House, he was never too busy to stop and chat with anyone and everyone.

Everyone should be familiar with the 1948 Berlin crisis and the U.S. military airlift that supplied the city with food while it was blockaded by the USSR. The American public is less informed about why the Soviets stood down. President Harry S. Truman ordered B-29s - the bombers that had dropped the atomic bombs on Japan - to impose a threat by flying toward Russian positions in Germany. Nobody called Truman crazy.

While reflecting back throughout my time in office, the media has been my constant companion. John Waters of the Big Bend Gazette accompanied me throughout my first campaign.

“So, do you need a new truck,” my friend asked? The question was not without merit. Nor was it unexpected.

Thank you to the community of Alpine and surrounding areas for your words of sympathy and kindness during our time of sorrow and sadness. For the calls, texts, cards, food, etc. Thank you, Father Matta, for the mass and visit at the hospital, Alpine Funeral Home staff, and Big Bend Regional Hospital staff. Thank you to Rosella Salmon for the Rosary, and the ladies for the luncheon meal. It was last minute, and we appreciate you very much. Everything was good. To everyone who helped in anyway, gracias! To

During the last years of the 1970s, we had a feckless U.S. president, a weak federal government, embassy attacks, foreign wars, environmental deceit, expensive gasoline, high inflation, shortage of goods, police hatred, violent riots, crime waves, increased murder, and much illegal drug use. With all of that being very similar to recent events, there is a difference. The illicit drugs used in the 70s weren’t ignored, openly condoned, or legalized by government officials. I’d like to restate a wise old warning. When the U.S. government disregards problems from the past, they predestine us voters and many others to live through them again. So until the next election comes around, it’s back to the future 2.0.

I want to congratulate my opponent in the recent election for Justice of the Peace. I have found my service to you for the last three years to be very rewarding. I believe I have made improvements in the office, and trust that my successor will be able to do the same. I wish him and you the very best in the future.Yours in service,

The last day of February brings the beginning of the end of winter. Even though cold is still in the air, there is just a hint that spring is on the horizon, and it is bringing new hope, new energy, and new beginnings along with it.