Dish Network talks

Because of Central Texas Dish Network satellite television’s lack of a deal with Fox Sports, as reported in Wednesday’s Trib [“Dish talks with Fox stalled; no end seen”], I’ve missed two Baylor football games, a Texas Ranger game and a high school football game.

Here in the Southwest, we dearly love our local sports.

Dish Network claims that Fox wants to increase its charge for service by 50 percent. I understand that is a large jump, but Dish Network has 14.3 million customers. So how much exactly would that raise the $120.21 a month that I already pay for Dish Network at my house, and the $199.57 commercial package at my place of business — which is a sports bar, incidentally?

I thought if I waited a week they would get us back what we paid for, but they haven’t. I guess I’ll have to cancel my service. If every dissatisfied customer canceled, I wonder how much money they’d lose? Will it be worth it then for them to negotiate a deal? Who else agrees with me?

Linda Kroll, Riesel

TSTC environment

I’ve been employed at Texas State Technical College for 21 years, and I know that TSTC has always been focused on hands-on learning.

Although TSTC offers many high-tech programs, our traditional majors like welding and automotive technician are among the strongest in the nation.

Short-term programs, distance learning options and “virtual” training may work in certain fields, but there is no substitute for traditional, hands-on training under experienced instructors in industry-type settings. And that is what most of the programs at TSTC Waco offer.

Retiring TSTC Chancellor Bill Segura is a real supporter of the variety of programs offered at TSTC Waco. The new chancellor must continue that tradition for the good of the Texas economy.

Lynn Parks, Waco

Doctor departures

Regarding the Tuesday story on Hillcrest Health System’s clinic network filing a petition, I say way to go.

I have been served by each of these five doctors who recently left Hillcrest for Providence Healthcare Network.

I have nothing against Providence, but I have found all of Hillcrest’s staff to be extremely caring and compassionate.

I have written a couple of letters to the Trib applauding Hillcrest. It just seems so unprofessional of the five doctors and so inconsiderate to their patients for them to leave with such short notice.

Linda Majors, Waco

Campaign ‘insanity’

I’ve listened to the debates between U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards and GOP opponent Bill Flores on veteran health care and whether it should be private or government-run. Having heard how poorly the private side would care for our nation’s warriors, I wonder how I am still alive and well, having used nothing but private health care my entire life.

I have had great private medical professionals locally attend to my medical needs for nearly 70 years, and I plan to continue using them.

Let us have a little reason in the midst of much election-time insanity. Private medical care in America is spectacular, and it is one of the main reasons most of us are alive, well and in good health.

Harold Ray Emerson, Waco