Mother wins the fight

While I’m sure she’s not seeking any awards, I would like to congratulate Linda Dulin and nominate her for Mother of the Year for her valiant and relentless efforts, which were paramount in the conviction of her son-in-law, Matt Baker, murderer of her daughter, Kari.

Mrs. Dulin: I, as with all of Waco, am sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that you, your husband and your granddaughters have been and will continue to be in our prayers. I hope, too, this conviction makes it easier on you all as you move into the next phase of your lives without Kari.

You’re a true inspiration to those of us with daughters who, had we been put in your situation, would have fought until our dying breath to do the very same.

I didn’t know Kari Baker, but the moment the verdict was read, I somehow felt her smiling down upon you, saying: “Thanks, Mom! Good job! I love you!”

Congratulations, as well, to prosecutors Susan Shafer and Crawford Long and the rest of Kari’s defense crew.

Rita W. Jones

Axtell

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When Linda Dulin was leaving the courtroom after Matt Baker was sentenced to 65 years in prison, she was smiling like the cat that ate the canary. It has been apparent from the beginning of this ordeal four years ago that Matt was not her choice for a son-in-law.

And what makes Linda Dulin any more qualified to raise those grandchildren than the Baker family?

This whole saga is a sad turn of events. I’m not even sure at this point if Matt Baker truly killed his wife. I found it particularly strange that Vanessa Bulls was so helpful and felt so bad about Kari. She didn’t seem to have any remorse while this illicit affair was going on. She was just as big a cheat in their affair as Matt was.

If indeed Matt Baker committed a crime, so did Bulls. If the DA’s office granted her immunity for her testimony, she could say anything and not be harmed by it. Some on the jury reportedly had doubts that Baker even committed a crime, and the judge would not declare a mistrial. Shortly afterward, Matt Baker was found guilty.

There are so many unanswered questions. In spite of Linda Dulin’s gloating and remarks over Baker’s being found guilty, there are no winners in this.

Jim Fitzhugh

McGregor

Ridiculosity defined

Thanks for publishing recent columns by Margie Kinney, including “Entering the ridiculosity zone” [Jan. 23]. It was a joy to read. Her word, “ridiculosity,” should be added to the dictionary.

May I then offer a definition? “Ridiculosity: Noun. A vacuum formed by extracting all evidence of common sense.”

In our uptight world of self-proclaimed experts, we need to hear more from people who share Kinney’s views. May I suggest that she delay further work on her novel and that she write instead a book titled Ridiculosity? Such stories as the federal government’s neutering wolves to keep them from killing cattle in Montana would be a prime example of ridiculosity.

With Kinney’s writing skill, the book would surely be a best-seller.

Joe Walker

Lorena