The man behind Piggly Wiggly

H.S. Osborne wrote in his book of memories, which he passed on to this family, that in 1990 we came to the conclusion that the type and size of stores we were operating would become obsolete over time. He continued to discuss how the chains were building massive stores two times our store size and the younger generation preferred to shop in them. Our loyal customers were older people whose number would gradually decrease.

It was with this conclusion that he sold the business and retired at the age of 91. Ten years later, that time has come and we are saying a final goodbye, but we did put up a good fight.

Piggly Wiggly is a name that has already left a dent in my heart several years ago when my Grandpa, H.S. Osborne, passed away. He was the man behind that family-oriented business.Now, as the stores close, that dent is bigger because I will no longer have the luxury of driving by that humorous name as well as the mascot attached to the business and recall a little piece of my Grandpa.

To be honest, and from what I have read in the newspaper, the heart of this community will also have a dent. For those of you who have spoken so kindly about him and the business he invested in, I would like to extend my appreciation. However, despite these sad times, my grandfather would say that he believes that optimism will outscore pessimism every time.

Kimberly Faulkner,

Denton

Dissent and free speech

Why do leftists so often accuse those who disagree with them of using “hate speech” (Lainey Black, Letters, June 10), essentially demanding they shut up? Let’s examine some fundamental rights and duties of American citizenship.

However much I may disagree with activist Cindy Sheehan, she has the right to demonstrate peacefully, nondisruptively against Bush. She also has the right to express her opinion with offensive language. Even the vile language used by many leftist activists against Bush is protected.

If some overwrought fanatics employed violence against Bush, they would be responsible, not Ms. Sheehan or other Bush opponents, unless they had explicitly called for such violence. Mere passionate disagreement would not make them “complicit in these crimes.”

Similarly, however much Lainey Black may disagree, anti-abortion activists and opponents of Obama have the right to demonstrate peacefully, nondisruptively. Like Ms. Sheehan, they have the right to express their opinion publicly with what some would regard as offensive language.

If some overwrought fanatics employ violence, they are responsible, not opponents of abortion or of Obama, unless they explicitly call for such violence. Mere passionate disagreement does not make them “complicit in these crimes.”

We Americans have the right to demonstrate and express our opinions openly, and we have the duty to defend that right even for those who disagree with us. Certainly we also have the right and the duty to punish anyone who does engage in disruptive action or violence or who does explicitly call for violence.

Lee Nahrgang,

Denton

The annoyance factor

OK, is it just me, or has Tupperchefbob in the classified ads surpassed the political letters-to-the-editor diatribe on the annoyance factor? Come on, DRC. I was only slightly bothered paying 50 cents for an embarrassingly few sheets of newspaper, but now the classified ads and the letters to the editor are dominated by a select irritating few.

Is it possible to place a limit on how many letters a person can have published a week? Can the families of these men buy them a 2,000-piece puzzle to occupy their time? Take them to dinner; rent them a movie and watch it with them. Do anything to keep their minds off publishing an opinion or rebuttal.

Seriously, how many times can we reword jabs at opposing political parties?

Whew! I feel better now. And yes, this will be my one and only submission.

Kiso Zamora,

Cross Roads

Bubba’s birthday call

Bubba called to wish me a happy birthday and razz me about my age. He and the boys would be by later for ice cream and cake.

Bubba read a great letter in the Herald Democrat (www.heralddemocrat.com) by Star Parker on health care and personal responsibility. Our nation is going broke paying for all the “rights” demanded by the liberals. Where do we draw the line on “rights,” and where do personal responsibilities start?

Bubba was amused and saddened at the same time over Mr. John Nance Garner’s letters. Bubba said if Mr. Garner were a horse, Bubba would swear old John had grazed in some loco weed. Bless his heart to live with such vitriol in his life. Not exactly how Bubba said it, but close.

Bubba reminded me that two important things happen in July: 1, their baby is due; and 2, July 25 is National Day of the American Cowboy. I told him there were more than just two important things, but as I was warming up on those, Bubba had to get off the line. The oldest boy had roped an armadillo and was last seen heading for the tall grass chasing the end of his rope.

Bubba is going to have to buy that kid a roping machine.

Alice Gore,

Denton

My yard; my stuff

Code enforcement thinks there are problems with my grass and my stack of computers in front of the garage. Denton routinely does all the same things it persecutes its residents for. I wrote them a letter last year but received no reply.

Denton’s lawyers apparently feel that silence is golden. I call it yellow!

Absolutely nothing in the Texas Constitution says cities can legislate about lawn care and computers. Also, the space around our residences is private, even the front yard, and government is supposed to have a search warrant, supported by oath or affirmation, to do what legally is a search or surveillance.

I know that my father, when he signed a “street easement,” never gave Denton the right to park out front and scrutinize us by peering down our driveway; the street’s for coming and going on, and for the city’s utility wires and pipes.

I want to sue the city and argue this to a jury, but I never can get that far; courts and lawyers favor oppression rather than citizen liberty!

I say that when we can’t trace government power from something specific in the Constitution, we don’t have a so-called republican form of government; we have government by tyrants, and not limited government! I guess I will get over feeling this way before too long, since my age is 67!

Ross Melton Jr.,

Denton