To the editor: I am writing in regards to the PETA ad that ran in the Jan. 14 issue. I found it very distasteful, for many reasons. First of all, Fort Worth is one of the best-known horse and rodeo communities in the country. Many businesses in the area support rodeo and make their living from the western industry. This ad runs during one of the biggest events held in this town, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. The ad's message was very distasteful. I am a huge animal lover, and I rodeo. It's too bad PETA doesn't go after the people who drop unwanted pets off along the side of the road like garbage. Bulls are bred to buck, and believe me, they love it.

The stock show ran an ad on your inside cover, "The Fort Worth Stock Show (Bull Riding Thrills and Spills, and Dirt in Your Face)." I suppose the model in the PETA ad would prefer a much longer ride. After all, 8 seconds is over before you know it.

Jodi Hendrickson
Fort Worth

To the editor: In regards the PETA ad: Pul-eeze tell PETA that there is a rodeo every Friday and Saturday night year 'round at the Cowtown Coliseum, so that they might lay out some more babes for us 10-minute riders! Mind you, I'll be tellin' my honey that I'm pickin' up the Weekly for the articles... .

Jim Hoekstra

Joshua

To the editor: I was very surprised to find out that your Jan. 14 issue has a controversial full-page semi-nude ad for PETA. We expect this type of misinformation from a liberal operation like PETA. But I am shocked that Fort Worth Weekly would take tainted money for this ad, which is very degrading and demeaning to women -- and right before the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo kicked off. My only hope is that maybe you did not research the organization. I think you will be shocked to find out the facts on PETA, from their terrorist comments they have made to the press to their financial support of convicted criminals. Less than 1 percent of its budget actually goes into helping animals. Public opinion in Texas does not support the terrorist ways of PETA. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has over 60 rules that govern the fair and ethical treatment of all its animals. No one loves a dog, a horse, or any animal more than a cowboy or cowgirl loves their animals. They spend millions each year on vet care and nutritional supplements to keep their animals healthy and strong. I hope that in the future you will devote the same space to spreading the truth about our Texas western heritage. You can contact Friends of Rodeo via their web site www.friendsofrodeo.com.

Andra Beatty
Fort Worth

Editor's note: Fort Worth Weekly examined the issues regarding PETA in its cover story ("Food Fascists?") on June 5, 2003.

To the editor: I've never heard the Riverboat Gamblers, but I read Hearsay and the music section, so I can say with certainty that Ken Shimamoto has no room to preach about huge egos. Especially after the drivel from last week's Hearsay ("Riverbloat Shamblers," Jan. 14, 2004).

So Teko has an out-of-control ego because he dares insult the great god Shimamoto? Why is that a sin? Plus, it's made to sound like Teko is some intellectually inferior third-grader who can't come up with a way to communicate his opinion that isn't "funny, erudite" and "reader-friendly" like Shimamoto. Teko's actual comments aren't even used, just that "Shimamoto was essentially a big meanie." Yeah, way to take the high ground.

Fort Worth Weekly's music department is nothing but a couple of guys who get their kicks hanging out in clubs trying to act cool under the guise of being journalists. Hearsay is even worse: The guys talk about where they were drinking and maybe namedrop some bands, all under a nice shroud of anonymity.

Do us all a favor and drink more so you can become non-functioning alcoholics.

John Lamberth
Arlington

To the editor: Just read "Empty on the East Side" (Jan. 14, 2004). Great article and shame, shame on Becky Haskins! That Woodhaven area is a "haven" waiting to explode, and we have the chance to do something about it ... very sad.

Chris Slaughter
Fort Worth

To the editor: That was an interesting article about the poor getting more impoverished in recent years, partly, you say, by official policy ("Poverty by Policy," Dec. 17, 2003). I believe that we could see three times as much material on the subject before the topic would be covered adequately enough.

The first item I would like to see, though, is the contrast. I have seen other recent articles, such as that on Jan. 6 on the Dallas Morning News front page, about immigrants who have come from places even more impoverished, and their condition is improving in America. I would like to see that contrast explored more carefully. I also think that our poor could learn some valuable skills from the poor coming to this country.

(I am currently reading about pioneer life 130 years ago. Our ancestors faced a harder life than today's poor folk.)

David Olson
Arlington

In the Jan. 14, 2004, issue, the author of the Second Thought column ("Who's Better Off Now?") was given incorrectly. It is David Sirota. Fort Worth Weekly regrets the error.