LETTERS: Helene yet another all-time worst storm; remembering Henry Berger
As I see the awful images of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, and listen to victims and weather experts make assertions such as, "We have never seen anything like this," "The devastation is beyond imagination," and "It will cost billions of dollars and take years to repair the damage," (unless another hurricane strikes), I ask myself again: How many record-breaking storms, floods, fires, droughts, and blizzards will it take before Americans realize that climate change threatens the entire country, and will only get worse unless strong action is taken to curb the burning of fossil fuels.
Please listen to the scientists, not to the oil companies and politicians who are in their pocket.
Larry Oliver, College Station
"Dove season is finally here!" exclaimed the radio announcer. Texans hunt the bird known as an international symbol of peace. The United Nations International Day of Peace logo features a dove with an olive branch. In the story of Noah's Ark, doves were a sign of peace. The New Testament compared doves to the Spirit of God that descended on Jesus.
To justify this shameful activity, Texas game wardens are on record describing doves as an invasive species. They also admit their only crime is "discouraging other species from using bird feeders." Some say they eat doves, but consider one weighs around 4 ounces. Once shot material is removed, there's barely a forkful. Claiming doves are food or a troublesome species is a stretch to support something that's really done 'just for fun.'
Texas leads the country in animal cruelty offenses, according to the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System, and is one of just a handful of states to allow and promote a nearly five-month slaughter of peaceful doves. Texans kill about six million doves each year -- more than any other state, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. That's not a leadership position to take pride in.
Hunters' tactics to attract the birds are insidious and unethical. Decoys trick innocent doves into thinking they're entering a safe place with their own kind. Instead, they're ripped apart by shotgun pellets. Many wounded doves linger for days before dying. Using deceptive practices for 'the sport of it' isn't a good human (or humane) quality by anyone's standards.
In a country whose citizens are increasingly advocating for more kindness, can't we start in Texas by reconsidering an unnecessary hunt for an animal known worldwide as a symbol of peace?
Linda Robertson, Conroe
Editor's note: Robertson is Texas State Director for Animal Wellness Action, a national nonprofit that promotes enacting and enforcing good public policies to prevent animal cruelty.
Henry Berger and I were having lunch at Luby's in Bryan when a total stranger said to Berger, "You did the music at my grandparents' 25th wedding anniversary. I cried."
Another stranger would say, "You played the organ at my son's first Holy Communion. The music was beautiful."
When the parish received a new pastor and music director, Berger was told his well-performed services would no longer be needed.
Berger had been organist and choir director at St. Joseph for 46 years. His severance meant a salary loss of $1,200 a month. He could not find work elsewhere.
Berger could sing Schubert's "Ave Maria" and play the pipe organ at the same time. Having studied violin, he could sight sing any music.
Berger played at scores of funerals at St. Joseph. He passed away, indigent.