Dear Editor: That Nancy Schaadt ("Think of Cuban Like Barbecue," Aug. 16-22, 2001) is one hell of a writer -- pay her more! Her restaurant reviews make me hungry. Hungry for love!

Curtis Martin
Fairfax, Va.

Dear Editor: I'll make this short and sweet. In response to Robert Wilonsky's movie review, "Chasing Kevin" (Aug. 23-29, 2001), I support Kevin Smith's work. I don't support your paper or the assholes working for you. I'm sure many will agree. Shwag off, you suck!

Eric Kline
Azle

To the Editor: Thanks for letting me respond and taking the time to put it in print (HearSay: "In the Bag," Aug. 23-29, 2001). I hope this puts to rest all the breakup crap. And I really do wish the guys in 4MM the best of luck. And as far as Clint Bowling goes, I think a hearty "Who the fuck is he?" is all that's needed. Oh, and the truth is an absolute defense to slander, to use a legal term.

Daniel Hines
Fort Worth

To the Editor: In response to the responses about former FourMile Mule member Daniel Hines, all I can say is, if someone wants to say that Hines blows goats, well then it's OK with me. I was duped into joining a band with that loser for about a year, leaving the successful cover band Lookout, to "be a rock star." "We have a few labels looking at us," he said. Maybe it was my stupidity, but Hines has always been a liar and a lazy musician. Just look at him. He was pompous enough to suggest that I sing with a British accent to make the album sound more authenic.

After they kicked me out of the band (thank God!), Mr. Hines forgot to give me writing credit for a few songs that wound up on the Bad Haskells' next c.d. I didn't sue because it's hard to get anything from a turd. Turds don't have money. I've never met anyone who is more in an identity crisis about who he is and where he lives. He used to want to be John Lennon. Well he's dead and he ain't coming back. Now he's on to other things, because he's too afraid to be what he truly is. A fat idiot loser. I know you're probably not going to print this, but all I'm saying is, if someone wants to say he blows goats, well then, his character as a human being wouldn't stop it from happening. Luckily I got my job back in Lookout and we are stronger than ever. I have released a solo album in the past few years with Aaron Ave. Records, and Lookout is finally releasing a c.d., as well. All has turned out well for me, but I will never forget that year of hell I spent with that loser.

Andrew Dutton
Plano

To the Editor: [Drew] Proctor's lawyer, Dan Barrett, advised his client not to comment ("Curry-ing Disfavor," Aug. 23-29, 2001). "I'm glad it's over for him," Barrett said. "Whether he has any culpability or not or whether anybody has any culpability or not, being involved in a litigation proceeding is a stressful thing. Drew's a good kid. Now he and everybody else can get on with their lives."

Everybody else, Mr. Barrett? What about Chad Houston?

Mr. Barrett seems to have overlooked the fact that Chad was the real victim here.

William Dupree
Arlington

To the Editor: Next time you see Little Robert ("Make 'Em Pay," Sept. 13-19, 2001), tell him to have a nice day.

Brian Perkins Sr.
Fort Worth

To the Editor: I don't remember all the details because it was nearly 30 years ago. I proudly joined TSTA (Texas State Teachers Association) in 1972 for the grand total of $16 a year in dues, which included legal defense and the organizational magazine Texas Outlook. You could join for life for $250. About 1973 or '74, TSTA decided they needed to link up with NEA. It was resoundingly defeated by the TSTA membership. My strong belief is that TSTA officials permitted NEA to write/sponsor/influence articles in Texas Outlook that beat on the dead horse of NEA membership until it came to a second vote. I recall that Texas and only one other state were not "members" of NEA. Made us out to be a bunch of yokels and rubes. In a second vote one or two years later TSTA and NEA were joined. It seems that our NEA dues portion was about $45 or $50 alone. From a business sense this took 4.5 or 5 million dollars out of the pockets of Texas teachers for what? There was a Con-Con (convention) in Dallas that had platforms that I don't think most Texans supported. One was an anti-gun declaration. Right, this is when high school kids still had rifles and gun racks in the back of their trucks. NEA presented a mistruth on state membership. If St. Louis teachers chose to affiliate with NEA and voted to do so then NEA could "claim" the whole state of Missouri. Texas never was in the rube status as implied by NEA; they just got snookered. In the end TSTA got snookered out of Texas. Hmmmm, and that's the "Rest of the Story" ("Class Canceled," Sept. 13-19, 2001). I thought you might appreciate a little history as I recall. It probably needs some research to confirm but this gives you a start if you're interested.

John Walkinshaw
Arlington