Breath test disagreement

This is in response to a Jan. 17 guest column by Waco lawyer Seth Sutton, “Breath tests ineffective way to gauge blood alcohol content,” in which he takes issue with a Jan. 7 letter from me.

He states disappointment at my lack of understanding of scientific principles behind quantitative testing. I presume he thinks college chemistry courses and research in chemical testing are without scientific principles. Do they teach that in law school?

He goes on and on, saying, “I’m very informed when it comes to quantitative breath testing.” But he brings up nothing that has not been researched, discussed and hashed out many times. If these tests are so flawed — as he would like you to believe — then the insult would be to the judicial systems that rely on such shabby evidence to convict innocent people.

I learned long ago that DWI defense lawyers will never admit they’re misinformed or wrong. I agree with him that these letters are no forum for this matter. So, Mr. Sutton, your forum for showing you’re informed is the court and jury.

J.D. Chastain

Waco

Recession is not over

The recession is over? Huh! On paper, maybe. But if the recession is over, then why are prices still rising and people unable to make financial ends meet?

Is it because nothing is made in the USA?

I believe people have turned away from God and lust for the almighty dollar.

I am a retired government worker and a veteran and am taking care of my 93-year-old mother and son. He works two jobs. But at the end of every month we still run out of money and food.

My son and I are divorced and we have nothing but the shirts on our backs and no good cars or trucks because the women got half of our savings and retirement.

David Johnson

Lacy-Lakeview

Photo of third candidate, please

On Jan. 11 there was an article in the Trib about the three candidates running for chairman of the McLennan County Democratic Party. However, there were only two pictures.

It is my understanding that candidate Kelvin Williams, 47, had to re-file because of some “snafu” in his first filing. I consider myself fortunate that I know him and can in good conscience vote for him.

Perhaps there are others out there who would recognize Williams — who runs a local insurance company — if they could see a photo of him. Could you run a picture of this candidate?

Nona El-Amin

Waco

Are you corporations or citizens?

I have a question about the recent Supreme Court ruling. Since the Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that corporations have the same rights as individuals and can spend as much as they want to run political ads for candidates, do they also have to be citizens of this country as humans must be to do the same thing?

If they do not have to be citizens of this country, does this mean that foreign-owned corporations, such as those owned by China, Iran, Japan and multi-nationally owned corporations now qualify equally as American citizens and can contribute large sums of money to political candidates of their choice?

Jim Denton

Gatesville

Candidate’s lawsuits appalling

Trib staff writer Michael Shapiro’s Jan. 25 story on state Senate candidate Darren Yancy filing numerous lawsuits — including one against a youth baseball player who kicked his son in the shins — is a great reminder to folks of how important it is to consider the ethics and morals of those who seek to represent us in public office.

I abhor people with personal histories, like Yancy, who claim to have the public’s best interest in mind when they run for election.

Homer D. Cox

Robinson

Continue help for local poor

While Haiti has suffered one of the worst disasters in recent history and needs a lot of help for a long time, please don’t let the local needy be forgotten.

Many people and organizations have stepped up and sent so much help to Haiti in the form of money, supplies and volunteers. This is great, but consider that for each dollar that you send to Haiti, please match it by also sending to a local charity at home.

Can you imagine how much good could be done here if local charities were to get as much as has been sent to Haiti?

James DeZell

Waco

Display American flag correctly

While travelling around Central Texas, and on a recent trip to my home state of Alabama, I saw lots of people displaying the American flag. That’s a good thing. However, a great number of the flags were displayed improperly.

In 1923 the National Flag Code was assembled by members of 68 organizations under the leadership of the American Legion. The Flag Code became public law in December 1942.

Sadly, it is rarely enforced.

We should honor our flag. We should display our flag proudly. We should display our flag properly.

There is no penalty for improperly displaying the American flag, but it’s a point of honor. God bless America.

Jim Goodwin

Bellmead