Judging from the July 2007 articles by Marlys Hersey and Patricia Kerns [“Summer Fun: Exercising My Civil Rights” and “A Civil Rights Primer for the Borderlands”], the ACLU is thriving in Big Bend. The contribution by Hersey was especially disgusting. What an unfortunate shame that a storied and picturesque region should be so contaminated by mentality that enjoys control of the press.
I have been a regular visitor to Big Bend since 1972, and now own vacation property there.
In my many driving trips throughout the area, I have never met with anything but courtesy and respect: from the Border Patrol.
Hersey, Gossein [sic], and others with an attitude provoke confrontation and deserve what they get.
Law officers must ask questions and investigate, rather than waiting around for a crime in progress to appear.
One hot day agent Jeff Hampton was curious about my activities at the base of the bluff overlooking Paso in Lajitas, in what is now called “the Bird Sanctuary” but with few birds anymore. He questioned me and looked in my vehicle.
One morning before daylight at the Alpine checkpoint, an agent crawled around in the back of my little truck to see what or who was in there. And recently there was a similar experience on 170 between Lajitas and Study Butte.
And on 2810 south of Marfa.
The dogs used to sniff but I have not seen them in awhile.
All these experiences were welcome, politely and professionally handled, and made me feel safer.
I will not debate the legal opinions and conclusions of Kerns, but I will say that sometimes it just does not make sens to put form before substance and stand on your rights. Old time lawyers had expressions like “A poor settlement is better than a good lawsuit;” “A lawsuit avoided is cheaper than a lawsuit tried and won,” etc.
“Probable Cause” and “Reasonable Suspicion” are vague and depend on the specific facts of each case. One little twist or turn can make a difference. The officer will, and should, get the benefit of every doubt. The suspect may ultimately prevail at the Supreme Court level; $thousands$ of dollars later. Better to just answer the questions; submit to the search; and get out of Dodge. Lawyers may disagree as they make no money that way.
Even when you are dead right, bail bonds and legal fees support the local economy right out of your own pocket.
Big Bend locals like the open border how it sued to be. I liked it better than too. But if it were that way now, what a magnet it would be for undesirables.
The Border Patrol is mainly interested in drugs, smuggling, and illegal aliens. Why should South County be immune from standard, consistent law enforcement practices?
5/10 (May 10, 2002 at The Trading Post) was indeed mishandled and should not have happened that way.
With respect to the Hispanic invasion, there is a vast culture difference between Big Bend and urban metropolitan areas. Cross border come and go traffic is one thing but conquest by the hordes in big cities is something else.
Racial profiling may be politically incorrect, but how many illegals or terrorists are there with blond hair and blue eyes?
If witnesses describe the suspect as a 30 year old 7 ft. tall 350 lb, red haired white male, are 100 lb. 80 year old white haired Hispanic ladies to be equally detained for questioning?
If the suspect license plate is XYZ, do you stop and search every car?
Did ACLU and constitutional rights flag wavers help get us 9/11?
Pat McMurray, Attorney at Law
Irving, TX
I’m helping Cynta de Narvaez, who is organizing the 2007 Terlingua
reunion, Viva La Historia, October 26, 27 & 28. We are the
only event in Texas that is a bicultural, historical reunion during Dia
de los Muertos. It is a heartwarming reunion of the Chisos area miners
and their families.
As part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration, we maintain the cemetery, remember those who have gone before, and encourage the interaction of Terlinguans past and present. Viva La Historia will include a weekend of reuniting with loved ones and friends, a night of dancing under the stars, of potluck BBQ’s and bonfires, a full moon, live corridos, a Sunday morning mass, collecting oral histories, and much more.
We are pleased to announce that six families of the original Chisos area miners are purchasing stained glass windows for the 70-year-old Santa Inez Church in the Ghost Town. This year, over 300 invitations were sent to Terlingua miners’ families.
I am writing for your help in sponsoring this historical reunion. Your tax-deductible donation will help with sponsoring this year’s event, with additional funds going to the church restoration project. We would appreciate any donation. Those gifts over $50 will include your name, dedication, or business name to appear on the event bulletin and welcome banner. Please send your check to Terlingua Preservation Foundation, a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, care of Cynta de Narvaez, P. O. Box 296, Terlingua, TX 79852, and we will send you an acknowledgement and receipt in the mail.
If you know of anyone who has formerly lived in the Chisos Mine area in Terlingua who wishes to be invited, please have them contact Cynta at (432) 371-3127, or send names and addresses to the above address.
I sincerely thank you for your help in sponsoring this year’s reunion. ¡Viva La Historia!
Adrienne Evans
Terlingua
