Recognize residents

Your supplement of June 29, Discovering Denton County, celebrated many famous persons shaped by Denton — Phil McGraw, Debbie Denmon, Norah Jones, Pops Carter and others.

But how could you have failed to include:

Larry McMurtry, B.A. 1958, University of North Texas, who was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1985 for his novel Lonesome Dove; and Bill Moyers, famed broadcast journalist, and his wife and television producer Judith Davidson Moyers, who he met on his first day of his freshman year at UNT.

Still living in Denton County is sculptor Mike Cunningham, whose bronze sculptures are displayed throughout the United States.

Also missing is the poet Pete Fairchild, who taught at Texas Woman’s University in the late 1970s and was a finalist for the National Book Award.

His first collection of poems was edited by Denton resident Dr. Richard Sale, himself a published poet. His wife is also an acclaimed artist.

The supplement does applaud the One O’clock Lab Band, but omits naming its longtime director Neil Slater, presently conducting a farewell tour of European jazz festivals.

Just recently, The Dallas Morning News devoted a five-column obituary to television anchor Murphy Martin, who attended North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas.

Denton County is a special place to live, to rear a family and to grow old. When your 2009 edition is published, I hope you will recognize more of the distinguished persons whose lives it has touched.

Roberta Donsbach,

Denton

Gore’s hypocrisy

Since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, his home energy use surged more than 10 percent, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

“A man’s commitment to his beliefs is best measured by what he does behind the closed doors of his own home,” said Drew Johnson, president of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

In the past year, Gore’s home burned 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.

Despite solar panels, a geothermal system and overhauling the home’s windows and ductwork, Gore now consumes more electricity than before the “green” overhaul.

Since taking steps to make his home more eco-friendly last June, Gore devours an average of 17,768 kWh per month — 1,638 kWh more energy per month than before the renovations — at a cost of $16,533.

By comparison, the average American household consumes 11,040 kWh in an entire year, according to the Energy In­formation Administration.

In the wake of becoming the most well-known global warming alarmist, Gore won an Oscar, a Grammy and the Nobel Peace Prize, and saw his personal wealth increase by an estimated $100 million.

“Actions speak louder than words, and Gore’s actions prove that he views climate change not as a serious problem, but as a money-making opportunity,” Johnson said. “Gore is exploiting the public’s concern about the environment to line his pockets and enhance his profile.”

Brock C. Ostrander,

Aubrey