To the editor: Thank you for the informative article on Brazos River rock-mining ("Mud Wrestling," May 12, 2004). I'd like to point out a much larger cause of the deterioration of river health that the article didn't cover: the American diet. Although it may seem farfetched, the food we eat is more than just a metaphor for consumption on the global scale. The erosion of sediment from farmlands not only causes the mud your article spoke of, but also dumps fertilizers which, in addition to increasing crop yield, makes the swampy, green moss in our rivers grow out of control. Fifty years ago, our rivers were clean. Now the fish are dead because crop runoff contains chemical pesticides that are toxic to aquatic life.

There is a solution: organic farming. Not only is organic food healthier for our bodies, but its lack of pesticides and fertilizers means healthier lakes and rivers. Yes, organic food is more expensive, but so are the health problems caused by ingesting all those chemicals.

Curtis Heath
Fort Worth

To the editor: Well, obviously everybody likes a kind word, so it seems a bit specious to say thanks to Jeff Prince for doing his job on the preview of the Sultans' performance at Skippy's Mistake (The Show, May 5, 2004). An outside observer might say, well, sure you liked the article -- it was all complimentary. But that misses the point: I think that's the best single piece ever written about the band, not because it sings their praises, but because it's the most accurate. You really summed up the appeal in a relatively few words. I've been writing releases since '85 and never turned the phrase "jaw-droppingly good," which I particularly like (envy?), as they still make mine drop. Also please relay my regards to whomever wrote the calendar copy -- captured the Skippy's flavor nicely.

Mike Hinshaw
Fort Worth

To the editor: One gets the impression that there is no funding crisis in public education. After reading about the Fort Worth school superintendent's gross mismanagement and the nauseating payout for his departure ("Back to the Schoolhouse Future," May 5, 2004), it's obvious there is a management crisis instead. The state comptroller's "Texas Performance Review" is an available tool to lay the groundwork for financial accountability in school districts. Rather than the comptroller's power being cut, as has been proposed, it should be expanded. The state needs to re-direct some "zero tolerance" from our children and focus it on the school boards and superintendents who waste millions in taxpayer dollars. The thieves are at the door because they know they can produce inflated test scores to get unquestioned business and community support. They can remove all the internal checks and balances intended to prevent fraud and corruption, keep everything quiet and hidden from inquiring school employees and taxpayers, and be home free. They did it for 10 years in the Fort Worth ISD until the FBI showed up.

Stephen Watson
Fort Worth

To the editor: I would like to comment on the letter sent in by Cody Burris of Garland (Letters, April 14, 2004) about anti-rodeo activism. I have to say that while I am not an anti-rodeo activist, I do have to agree with the statements made by Scott Walker. I think rodeo is abusive to animals to a certain extent. Animals don't have a voice to tell us how they feel about such treatment, and for us, as humans, to assume that it's OK to misuse animals for our own pleasure is completely selfish and close-minded. So what if the rodeo industry brings money to Fort Worth? If we didn't have rodeo, the money would still come in from other areas, just like other prosperous cities in this nation. Since we're on the subject of money, how can it be right to put financial gain ahead of the well-being of an animal that can't make a decision for itself? All kneel to the almighty dollar! I have even heard some rodeo people say that the animals enjoy the work that is displayed at these events. I do admit that some of the performances given at rodeos seem to serve a purpose, such as calf-roping, team penning, and cutting. The events that I am opposed to, such as the bronc and bull riding, are harmful and completely unnecessary. How can you justify strapping a belt so tight around a horse that it bucks like crazy to get it off? Why would you think any animal would like that?

I am not suggesting that we should ban rodeo. But the only reason animals cooperate with humans is because we train them to do so. They are useful to our way of life, so we take away their right to be free. Do you like it when someone takes away your free will?

I think the only person showing "egotism" in this case is Cody Burris. You count yourself better than everyone who has an opinion different from yours. Put yourself in another's shoes. You might find the experience quite rehabilitating.

Cherie Leonard
Fort Worth