Brownwood: "Religious" Crusaders & Xenophobia. Heard Daily on KXYL Talk Radio

Xenophobia means fear of strangers or the unknown and comes from the Greek ÉÃÉ√ÉÀÉÕÉ”ÉÕÉ¿É«Éø, xenophobia, literally meaning "fear of the strange". It is often used to describe fear of or dislike of foreigners, but racism in general is sometimes described as a form of xenophobia, as are such prejudices as homophobia. The word xenophobic is often used as a political insult against racists, isolationists, and nationalists.

Local Examples: Boycotters of Art. Boycotters of Gargoyles. Boycotters of Empty Wine Bottles Being Displayed as Art (see Bottle Trees also). Boycotters of Restaurants that serve Alcholic Beverages. Censoring of Astrology Magazines at local retail chains. Boycotters of movies like Harry Potter. Boycotters of Toys R Us because their toy guns aren't real looking. Boycotters of companies where diversity policies are in place.

Response to Steve Nash's "Gotta go" Column

February 27, 2004

To the Editor:

This letter is in reference to Steve Nash’s column of February 26, entitled “Six-twenty-eight, fight in progress…’Gotta go’”. In his column, Mr. Nash has taken the relatively simple (and much needed) task of praising the work of law enforcement officials and created something both misinformed and offensive.
Mr. Nash’s feeble attempt to inject his column with something resembling wit or humor led him to belittle hate crimes by contemplating whether or not “the perpetrator is smiling and/or has love in his heart”. I would remind Mr. Nash that the family and friends of James Byrd, Jr. (who was dragged to death in Jasper, Texas, because of his race), or of Paul Broussard (who was beaten to death with two-by-fours in Houston, Texas, because of his sexual orientation) most likely do not find his brand of humor appropriate or amusing. I would also venture to say that none of the family, friends, or victims of the 2300 hate crimes that were committed in Texas between 1992 and 1997 are laughing. Hate crimes affect the security and dignity of whole segments of our population. They are certainly not fodder for any type of humor.
In another portion of his column, Mr. Nash states that the “the entire law enforcement community in Brown County” is “professional, courteous, and dedicated”. While I wholeheartedly agree that the vast majority of all law enforcement officials meet this description, I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Nash fails to read his own newspaper. As I recall, the better part of the Bulletin’s front page was used to report criminal misconduct within the Bangs police department a few months ago. The story referred to activities that are notably less than “professional”. Please don’t misunderstand my viewpoint. Our police force does a great service and is grossly under appreciated. My problem is not with the police necessarily, but with a journalist who uses his opinion column to contradict facts that his own paper has recently reported.
I cannot say enough that the spirit of the piece to praise our officers is a fantastic idea. However, the type of it-can’t-happen-here attitude that is implicit in Mr. Nash’s recent column is unacceptable. As a reader of the Brownwood Bulletin, I depend on its reporters and editors to expose the best and the worst in our community. To categorically dismiss corruption and hate in our community (in any community) is analogous to burying one’s head in the sand, and it calls into question the integrity of the paper and its journalists.

Sincerely,
Barry Creek

Steves' Market & Deli - Home of the Legendary Paul Tyson Club

TYSON, PAUL LEIGHTON (1886-1950). Paul Leighton Tyson, football coach, was born in Hope, Arkansas, on October 25, 1886, the son of Marvin and Sue (McDonald) Tyson. He moved to Santa Anna, Texas, with his family in 1890. He enrolled in Texas Christian University (when it was still located in Waco) in 1904, with the intention of pursuing a medical career, and played football and baseball at TCU for four years. He was offered a major-league baseball contract but refused it. Tyson graduated from TCU in 1908 and received an M.A. degree there in 1909. He worked at Tyler High School in 1911 as a science teacher and football supervisor and then taught for two terms at Denison High School. At Waco High School in 1913 he began his extraordinary coaching career; during the following twenty-eight years he became one of the best-known high school football coaches in the United States. He had two leaves of absence during that time: one in 1918 to serve in the army, and the other in 1931 to spend a season with Pop Warner, noted football coach at Stanford University. Under Tyson's direction the Waco Tigers won four state high school championships (1922, 1925, 1926, and 1927) and were in the finals on three other occasions (1923, 1924, and 1929). From 1921 to 1941 his teams won 167 games, lost thirty, and tied in nine. His most outstanding season was in 1927, the year he invented the spin play; in that year his Waco team was recognized as the unofficial national high school champion after soundly defeating Cathedral Latin High School of Cleveland, Ohio, in a post-season game, by a score of 40 to 14. His team won the national high school championship title in 1934. Tyson was widely respected and was often sought after for advice by college coaches. Knute Rockne, great Notre Dame football coach, once remarked that Tyson knew more about football than any other man in America. In 1942 Tyson left Waco High School to coach at South Park High School in Beaumont; he later coached at Jesuit High School in Dallas, after which he worked as a counselor at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and taught at Westminster College at Tehuacana. In 1949 he returned to coaching, this time at Daniel Baker College in Brownwood; he was preparing for his second season there when he died on September 9, 1950, in Brownwood. He was buried in Waco. Tyson never married. He was elected posthumously to the Texas Sports Hall of Fameqv in 1955 and also to the Texas High School Coaches Associationqv Hall of Honor in 1963.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: James Houston, "The Coach They Cannot Forget," Texas Parade, August 1961. Texas Sports Hall of Fame: Its Members and Their Deeds (Grand Prairie: Texas Sports Hall of Fame, 1981).

source: http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/TT/fty4.html
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More on Coach Paul Tyson here:

The Brownwood Connection !

"Cockroaches"

Letter to the editor,

In reply to Judy Smith's letter "By any other name" (ARN Sat. Feb 28,2004) I must disagree with her statement "You cannot compare an animal to a human being " in her response to David Gann's Feb 24 letter to the editor " Marry your pet ".
Comparing humans who “disgust” (Mr Ganns words regarding Gays) you to animals,or insects, is not new. Hitler's propaganda minister (Dr Joseph Goebbels) demonized humans on a daily basis via the “talking heads” of the airwaves and newspapers comparing the Jews, Gays & Gypsies to cockroaches, etc. The goal, you see, is to demonize and dehumanize these " disgusting humans " on a daily basis. This tactic works efficiently when they are targeted as a group because the community at large chooses to remain silent in the midst of the "roundup" ( "roundups" manifest themselves in many forms! ). The same Goebbels tactic can be heard on a daily basis across our nation via many “love the sinner, hate the sin” talk radio stations. One of these in particular is located in our community of Brownwood. Brownwood's KXYL FM 96.9 (Host-James Williamnson-formerly radio host of News & Views KPSM - The Rock) is a prime example of these tactics. Mr Williamnson has quite a track record of using Goebbels proven tactics. His daily barrage of comparing Democrats, Liberals, "Weak Willed Weenie Republicans", or anyone else who disagrees with his Biblically inspired Fundamentalist belief, as cockroaches is very popular in Brownwood.
If I had a choice. and thankfully I do, to become a "Compassionate Conservative Christian" like James, and his supporters, or to become a member of all those he "hates" ( this includes Moderate Christians of which I am ! ), I'd choose the latter.
For the record, Mr Williamson does not speak for all of Brownwood, he just has control of the microphone. Unfortunately, most everyone in our community has chosen to remain silent ! Sounds very familiar/similar to me ! And remember, Hitler's SS wore belt buckles bearing the words "Gott Mit Uns" (God is with us) as they carried out their orders ! Carl Sandburg may have penned it best in his poem "Billy Sunday" to express my views regarding those "chosen folks" who make it their life mission, using God's word, to bully and beat up their neighbors (their track record is quite long). And remember the year is 2004, the year of a Presidential Election, so when anything goes wrong in your life just blame it on the Gays and tell yourself,and others, that God, via Karl Rove and KXYL’s James Williamson, told you so !

Steve Harris-Brownwood

Brownwood Mafia & Marketing

Dear Editor,

As a longtime reader, advertiser & subscriber of the Brownwood Bulletin I would like to offer my thanks to the staff and reporters of the Bulletin who obviously worked tirelessly on the recent edition of Horizons distributed on Sunday February 8,2004. I really enjoyed reading all of the interesting stories that were covered. The Brownwood Mafia story (By Steve Nash), in particular, caught my attention. I did not realize that “everyone who works for the betterment of Brownwood is considered to be in the Mafia” and that “ When anyone asks you if you’re a member of the Brownwood Mafia, the correct answer is ‘yes’ .”

I’ve been fortunate in the last 7 years to know and work with a few of the members listed in the story. I respect many of their accomplishments and have supported their projects ( stadium upgrades & reunion celebration, etc. ). However, I do not consider myself to be a member of this group by my participation in some of their projects.

I believe that the term “Mafia” is seen by many to carry a negative connotation. As Mr Nash’s story reported, the Boston Mafia ( key words: death, drugs, etc.,etc. ) was partially borrowed in the naming of the Brownwood Mafia. If you do not believe the negative connotation, I suggest a visit to www.americanmafia.com.

Many communities, just as prosperous as Brownwood, have similar groups of individuals who love their communities and are working to make their communities better for everyone, but I’ve noticed that these other groups have not attached such a negative word to their groups. The word alone, I believe, sends a mixed message and encourages people to speculate which also promotes a certain level of intimidation in challenging anything the group determines is best for the community.

Is it not possible to congratulate and celebrate the accomplishments of the Brownwood Mafia at the same time we publicly retire the “ Mafia Jersey ” ?
As many marketing and advertising folks will tell you, there comes a time to move on to the next campaign. Is it that time for Brownwood and the Brownwood Mafia ? Since “ all of us ” who are working for the betterment of Brownwood have a voice on this matter, what will we say ?

If “ we “, as a community, decide to not retire the name “Brownwood Mafia”, then maybe we should fully embrace the name and immediately hire GSDM to come up with Brownwood’s next marketing campaign !

Regards,
Steve Harris

Brownwood Christianity

Church marquee sparks angry response
By Dia Catalani
Brownwood Bulletin 01.20.2002
Editors note: The names of two people quoted have not be printed at their request due to fear of negative reprisals.
By Dia Catalani
Brownwood Bulletin
BANGS — Some residents in this community in west Brown county are angry over a marquee at the Bangs Church of Christ which tackles the controversial issue of homosexualaliy.
Michael Light, pastor of the church for almost six years, says he changes the marquee each week and doesn’t understand why some have taken issue with the message, which says “Homosexuals shall not enter into heaven.”
“Primarily, it was just a quotation from the Scripture, which we do every every week,” Light said. “There’s no intent to do anything other than generate interest in the Scriptures.”
Some in the community have come forward to state their issues with the sign, including a parent of a gay student who says the sign is an added form of societal abuse.
“My son is already subjected to cruel taunting and teasing and having to hide his identity from others,” Larson said. “Basically, they’re condoning that behavior.”
According to Light and Bangs school administrators however, to their knowledge, there are no homosexuals in Bangs’ schools or attending Bangs Church of Christ.
A Bangs High School graduate, identified here as Smith, says that’s not the case. Smith said he was frustrated with the topic of homosexuality often being discussed in Light’s services.
“When I went to that church he talked about how homosexuality is a sin just about every Sunday,” Smith said. “Talking about homosexuality is a big thing with him, and that’s why I eventually chose to stop attending that church. And I know there are other gay people in that church, just like I know for a fact there are numerous gay students in Bangs school. But for me, it got to a point where I asked myself “why worship?” There was no sense of hope in it because every Sunday I heard him telling me how I was a bad person.”

Light said he believes that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, one in which every person can choose to do right or wrong by according to the passage.

“We allow anybody and all walks of life in our church,” Light said. “But if we have people in church that are gay, we encourage them to change and hopefully they’ll study and learn and turn towards the way of Christ.”

Light said that the idea is to encourage change.

“If the Bible depicts any action as wrong, we must strive to change that wrong,” he said.

Homosexuals claiming that lifestyle because God made them homosexuals is merely an excuse for committing a sin, Light said.

“I’ve heard people argue that for every sin in the book. Drunkenness, lying, adultery … that’s the whole point. Christianity calls for a change, and those changes will vary from person to person when they examine the text.”

Smith said Light’s attitude of intolerance depicts the exact reason he no longer feels a part of his own family.

After graduating from Howard Payne University, Smith said he has depended upon a close-knit group of friends to offer emotional support in an area of Texas he says is extremely judgmental and intolerant of homosexuals – although many of those same people may have homosexual children and family members.

“Growing up in this town, I learned when I was a little kid this is something I couldn’t share with anyone,” Smith said. “Here I am, almost 30 years old and I’ve never been able to be who I am because I’ve been putting my family’s feelings before my own. I’ve never been in a relationship, because after I told my family I was gay, my dad told me if he ever caught me with someone or found out I was in a relationship it would be over.”

Larson says Smith’s plight is exactly why she is determined to come forward.

“I think it’s time to let people know that by ignoring this issue and teaching children that bigotry and hatred are acceptable is alienating much of society,” Larson said. “There are many, many gay people in this community and our children don’t deserve to have to look at a sign that degrades who God made them to be since they were born.”

According to Light, the same passage has been placed on the marquee twice since he joined the church almost six years ago, and doesn’t understand why people are suddenly upset over it.

Brownwood businessman Steve Harris says Light’s decision to place that particular passage in a public place has many implications – not only against gay people, but of everyone Light sees as “different.”

“On the radio, Mr. Light mentioned this lifestyle is a hurtful one,” Harris said. “Of course it is, and one of the most profound reasons for that is because of the intolerance and hatefulness spread around by those Christians who make it their life mission, based on their interpretation of the Bible, to convert those who are different from them into what they see as normal.”

Light said “normal” is not the issue.

“We turn our back on this instead of examining the passage,” Light said. “You simply have to address it and make corrections or stop practicing (homosexuality) to begin with. Its like there’s a 5-year-old child with homosexual tendencies, that child would have to be taught, just like a child caught stealing, that it’s a sin and he would have to change that behavior.

“But as far as people being offended by the sign, we have to ask: do we have a right to put Scriptures in front of children? That’s just like if there were Islamic children seeing a sign that said you have to be a Christian to be saved. They would be offended by that.”

Harris said the most important issue here isn’t the interpretation of the passage, but of the fact many in Brown County make a choice to judge others.

“Hurtfulness, in my opinion, is a community that has allowed hate to continue without acknowledgement and preventative action,” Harris said. “I firmly believe a man’s character is called into question when he knows of injustice but does nothing to prevent such acts in the future. If these changes could be made then the suicide rate of these kids wouldn’t be so high – just look on the Interent and you’ll see how bad the problem is in Texas.”

Light says hurting someone isn’t his intent in making the subject of homosexuality a part of his services or putting the passage on the marquee.

“Just read that passage and you’ll see what happens to a gay person,” Light said. “This is not a matter of trying to make someone feel bad. It’s a matter of loving someone enough to help them change.”

"Historic" Downtown Brownwood

Wednesday February 16, 2005
Op Ed
Another milestone for downtown

At the heart of any city is its downtown business district, and the heart of Brownwood is on the verge of moving from something great to something incredible.

More recent residents of this city -- and that would include most people age 60 and under -- are surprised when they see photographs of Center Avenue from World War II, when over 100,000 troops were stationed at Camp Bowie and people literally flooded the streets and sidewalks.
Crowds of that magnitude may never be seen again, but a strong mix of quality merchants has allowed the downtown area to maintain a strong economic factor in this community.
Downtown Brownwood Inc. marked its 40th year during the annual membership banquet Tuesday night, and some of the accomplishments of the past and opportunities for the future were highlighted. With the prospect of additional national retailers looking at moving to this county, the next several years could bring another round of major change to the shopping mix. But the downtown businesses in partnership with the City of Brownwood are poised to determine their own destiny through planned development.
Those plans are not only important to the storeowners who are involved and affected, but also to the community as a whole. The most vibrant small municipalities are the ones with a strong downtown base, with a compelling combination of reasons to shop, dine, tour and visit. Those elements are quickly coming together in Brownwood's central business district.
Through the years, Downtown Brownwood has been affected by the economic cycles all of rural Texas has experienced. Meanwhile, the overall retail environment in the region has changed drastically. Yet downtown's position as an important location for stores, meetings, offices, restaurants and historic sites remains strong. Meanwhile, another important ingredient -- residential sites -- is targeted for future development.
At Tuesday's Downtown Brownwood Inc. banquet, reference was made to the period from the 1960s to the 1980s as the glory years," and those days were recalled fondly during a retrospective part of the program. But we're convinced another generation of downtown merchants will look back at this time in history as the beginning of a new era of "glory years," and celebration will continue.
Brownwood Bulletin

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2005/02/16/op_ed/editorial01.txt


Wednesday February 16, 2005

Downtown merchants mark 40 years

By Gene Deason -- Brownwood Bulletin
Photo by Gene Deason -- Brownwood City Manager Gary Butts, left, received a special award of appreciation Tuesday for his work with Downtown Brownwood Inc. in recent years. DBI President Jessie Hamilton made the presentation.  

Members of Downtown Brownwood Inc. roared with laughter Tuesday night at tales from years past, but they also heaped praise on those involved in much more recent projects which have revitalized the central business district.

Brownwood City Manager Gary Butts, who has announced he will retire next month, received special recognition for spearheading the City of Brownwood's efforts in cooperation with downtown property owners.
"I starting listing the projects Gary has worked with us on just in the last six or seven years, and it's mind-boggling," outgoing DBI President Jessie Hamilton said in presenting Butts with a large plaque of appreciation. She listed beautification projects around the Depot, downtown gateways, Center Park, the Carnegie extension, the downtown master plan, facade improvements and last year's successful "streetscape," to name a few.
But that came after a program featuring the recollections of downtown businesswomen Johnnie Beth Pitts and Mary Jane Sanford, who were among those who helped start Downtown Brownwood 40 years ago. With the narrative of Executive Director Eric Evans, they related various humorous stories along with other memories which went back to Camp Bowie days. Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey, who served as master of ceremonies, sat in on the panel in the absence of a third panelist unable to attend, Pat Arthur Cox.
Hamilton paid tribute to her board of directors and to the City of Brownwood in her remarks.
"We were truly amazed with your efforts and hard work," she said. "We had a magnificent impact on the central business district."
Massey, speaking on behalf of the city staff and council, offered thanks to "all of you who are in business in downtown Brownwood for your understanding and perseverance during the Center Avenue project. Others around the state marvel at how this was able to come about."
Bill Fishback, DBI second vice president, handed out awards in three categories. The City of Brownwood won Best Public Facilities Project for the streetscape of Center Avenue. Wilson Cleaners was named Best Facade Renovation. Hamilton's was honored for Best Complete Renovation.
Other officers serving with Hamilton, whose terms expired Tuesday, are Don Martin, vice president; Tammy Nance, secretary; Gene McCartt, treasurer; and Jodie Blanton, past president. The new year's officers were to be elected at a board meeting after the banquet.
Also serving on the board were Mike Blagg, Brenda Goodwin, Wayne McCrane, Ruth Pierce, Bob Pritchard, Reed Smith, Cody Stone, Mary Stanley and Jane West.

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2005/02/16/news/news03.txt

see Brownwood Bulletin articles listed below for background info.

Citizen asks for ordinance
A Brownwood restaurant owner went before the Brownwood City Council again Tuesday requesting the city adopt an ordinance to save historic buildings in a designated area. Steve Harris, owner of Steve The boundaries for the designated historic district...
3.4K - Mar. 22, 2000; scored 516.0

Why main streets downtown are important
As we all know, over the last several years, Brownwood Now, the survival of our downtown should be a priority. Not only should the City of Brownwood and the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation stand strong to save downtown, but also the commun...
4.0K - Feb. 9, 2000; scored 537.0

Saving Grace-Historic buildings are being brought back to life
Downtown Brownwood is in the midst of one of its most prolific stages of growth of a half century, and city officials are commending the private sector for saving and revitalizing some of this town's most historically significant buildings. And with ...
4.2K - Jan. 26, 2003; scored 504.0

Real estate eyed in downtown district
The historic section of Brownwood, once considered an eyesore in Brown County, appears to be spinning on its grid after news of its renovation caused widespread interest in the area as prime commercial property. "Location, location, location," the ma...
4.4K - Jan. 30, 2004; scored 502.0

City skyline more than a place for banners
Two Saturdays ago, I took my sister on a little windshield tour of downtown Brownwood. The tour was a little grim, but at least we had beautiful blue skies that day to add some brightness to the blighted areas downtown. I enjoyed filling her in on th...
4.6K - Mar. 22, 2000; scored 406.0

Consultant: Towns should work together
Dan Houston, a partner with Civic Economics, a company that studies retail development and its economic impact on communities, says he's never been a guy who could add 2 and 2 and come up with 6. So why the side-by-side communities of Brownwood and E...
3.3K - Jul. 11, 2004; scored 358.0

Catching a vision
Brownwood residents who think they The graduate-level architectural students from Texas Tech University, who are in the midst of internships with Halff Associates of Dallas, presented their concept of how downtown Brownwood could some day look. The s...
4.3K - Aug. 8, 2001; scored 358.0

Former UPI President Shares Views on Terrorism

“One has to be irredeemably myopic not to see that the breeding grounds of transnational terrorism are in regions that are impoverished and where 60 percent of the population is less than 21 years of age,” he said. Now editor-at-large of the Washington Times, de Borch-grave noted that terrorism has traditionally been “the weapon of choice of the weak against the strong” and acknowledged President George W. Bush’s statement that poverty does not transform poor people into terrorists and murderers. “But despair breeds violence among the helpless and hopeless,” de Borchgrave said. “The ever-worsening misery of the Palestinians in those refugee camps does indeed beget terrorism.”

source: http://www.bakerinstitute.org/Pubs/bipp200302_13.html

Bush on Iraq casualties: ' We're not going to have any '

Robertson: I warned Bush on Iraq casualties
President's response: ' We're not going to have any '
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of the U.S. Christian Coalition said Tuesday he told President George W. Bush before the invasion of Iraq that he should prepare Americans for the likelihood of casualties, but the president told him, "We're not going to have any casualties."
Pat Robertson, an ardent Bush supporter, said he had that conversation with the president in Nashville, Tennessee, before the March 2003 invasion. He described Bush in the meeting as "the most self-assured man I've ever met in my life."
"You remember Mark Twain said, 'He looks like a contented Christian with four aces.' I mean he was just sitting there like, 'I'm on top of the world,' " Robertson said on the CNN show, "Paula Zahn Now."
"And I warned him about this war. I had deep misgivings about this war, deep misgivings. And I was trying to say, 'Mr. President, you had better prepare the American people for casualties.' "
Robertson said the president then told him, "Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties."
Robertson, the televangelist who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, said he wishes Bush would admit to mistakes made.
"I mean, the Lord told me it was going to be A, a disaster, and B, messy," Robertson said. "I warned him about casualties."
More than 1,100 U.S. troops have died in Iraq and another 8,000 troops have been wounded in the ongoing campaign, with the casualty toll significantly increasing in the last six months as the insurgency there has deepened.
Asked why Bush has refused to admit to mistakes on Iraq, Robertson said, "I don't know this politics game. You know, you can never say you were wrong because the opposition grabs onto it: 'See, he admitted he screwed up.' "
Even as Robertson criticized Bush for downplaying the potential dangers of the Iraq war, he heaped praise on Bush, saying he believes the president will win the election and that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush."
"Even if he stumbles and messes up -- and he's had his share of stumbles and gaffes -- I just think God's blessing is on him," Robertson said.
As for Bush's Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry, Robertson said, "I don't think he's a leader. He's a ponderous debater, a good senator probably."

source: http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/19/robertson.bush.iraq/index.html

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A mosaic of soldiers who have died in Iraq:

copy and post this address : http://photomatt.net/2004/04/07/mosaic/