I take no issue with anyone expressing their opinion. It is one of the great freedoms we enjoy in the USA typically. I would submit that the author, whose name I choose not to mention, may want to consider that his opinion was premised in a mindset of being on a certain side. I think it is imperative that we not engage in violent or derogatory dialogue to reach a balanced solution, but rather get more eligible voters getting engaged.
I will share a personal story from early fall of 1969. I was a 17-year-old new freshman student at then Southwest Texas State University. After my first two days of classes, I took my required books list to the on campus book store to seek out my mandated books. I had sticker shock. Only new books were offered by the staff of the store.
I did not buy any as there was no way I could afford them. My parents had paid my tuition, fees, dorm cost, and my cafeteria card for the semester. These expenses were the limit of what they could manage as my father had just retired from the military services with 2 kids right behind me. I knew going in that I would have to deal with the book cost, get a job or two, and could only expect a $7.00 a week allowance. My father has 3 wars listed on his tombstone, WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, one for good reason, 2 with shame on our politicians and their special interest cronies.
Back at my dorm, someone mentioned I should try looking at a place called the Colloquium Bookstore. I set off walking down the hill to the place where it was located, just across the street from the edge of campus. I walked in the store, got my book list from my pocket and proceeded down various aisles. I found a couple of different needed books, but they were new. The prices were a little lower than the campus store, but still out of my economic reach.
I was standing there trying to figure out how to work this out, what to get now, what to put off, thinking if I could get a draw after one day or two to get my other books, take the best notes in class that I could take, or hope for kindness from another who had the book to share it. Then someone said, “Is there something I can help you with?” I turned and met who I came to know later as Bob Barton. I said I was looking for my course books, but told him I could not afford all of them. He said, “Hey, we got some of these that are used and will save you some money.” With his help, I discovered I could get used books for all but one course. I could afford that. What a huge relief.
The message is that the root of the Hays Free Press started a long time ago with Bob Barton and his wife, Wynette. The content of the character of those good human beings as it manifested itself to me as that 17-year-old freshman when they could have sought advantage is still the premise of the journalistic endeavors I see to this day. I have not always agreed with all the editorial opinions, but respectfully would take issue with any one that would question the openness or fair treatment of their opinion by the Hays Free Press.
Richard P. Edwards III
Austin
Owner, Kyle Interstate Business Park
