Climate change
TO THE EDITOR:
I am very disappointed in the Gazette for continuing to publish misleading opinion and information by climate change deniers. I am referring to the recent op-ed by Cal Thomas (June 30, Thirty years of ‘global warming’ panic). Mr. Thomas writes in a way that will make people think there is doubt about human-induced climate change and he cites material that mainstream climate scientists have refuted.
The facts are that the climate is warming and it is mainly due to human impact. We can see the signs already in rising sea level, heat waves, and many other important climate-related processes. Ninety-seven percent of the scientists who study climate agree that the change is occurring and it is human induced. Thomas writes like there is a debate. There is no debate as far as the science goes.
A good website for people to check is https://www.skepticalscience.com/argument. This site shows reliable information that refutes the climate change denial. We must ask ourselves what kind of world are we leaving for our descendants and take action now.
David David W. W. Allard Alla rd Texarkana, Texarkana, Texas Texas
Park dispute
TO THE EDITOR:
Although I no longer live there, I was born and raised on College Hill so I am a bit familiar with the attitude of the citizenry in reference to the name change of the Hobo Jungle Park. At least in my lifetime we have never been the rich part of town, nor have we ever been an area that feels like we have received our due from this city, whether justifiably or not. However we are a citizenry that is proud of our up bringing our traditions and memories as even the most affluent areas of this city.
The city council needs to the lesson in this issue. As you must first look at the manner that this was done. This was in fact done whether intentionally or not, with a bit of an under the table mystique to change something that long stood as a huge part of the history of this area. Done with little or not input from the people of the “Hill,” I might add. You add the fact that the sign was already made before the change was even voted on, (you cannot get a sign like that made in one day) further shows the boards apparent lack of consideration for the feelings of the people of College Hill. Maybe this adds to the furor that has become front page news. I think the people of the “Hill’ once again feel quite slighted.
I do not believe that this has anything to do with race, as the “Hill,” is quite a diverse area where this same citizenry seem to get along just fine. I say all this to give you some insight into how they feel about their part of town. I have nothing but respect for Ms. Pondexter, and I do not think anyone is attempting to change the acknowledgments of her accomplishments.
If I may offer a possible solution that may bring some relief to the tensions over this issue, and bring peace back to Texarkana Ark. Move the sign directly into the center of the baseball fields, and let the sports complex be named in her honor. Leave park name the same, including the main gate acknowledging of the Hobo Jungle Park. No park name change, but at the same time doing honor to Ms. Pondexter. I do not claim to know that this will satisfy everyone, but I think it is a reasonable solution to the issue. Michael Mauldin
Texarkana, Ark.
TO THE EDITOR:
Hobo does not mean homeless, tramp or bum. It means “Homeward Bound!” This what our young men out looking for work and adventure, our soldiers (veterans) coming home from their military duties and our migrant workers would shout on their way back home. That is why they called then hobos.
An old-timer told me that back in the day you could always hear the men shouting “Homeward Bound!” down in the wooded area near the railroad tracks. They would stop at places like this, camp out, have a good meal, share stories of their adventures, and people would help them on their way. This was mostly during WWI, the Depression Era and WWII.
Before Hobo Jungle Park was a park it was a residential area known as Hobo Jungle. The people of that area sold their land to the city with the request that the area keep its original name to honor the people. The park was named for the people, by the people and of the people.
The area had been called Hobo Jungle for as long as anyone could remember. The name is probably as old as Texarkana itself. There were also some Native American Indians living down there back in the day.
Hobo Jungle is a historical name, place and landmark, which is part of our family, city and railroad history. The area could be a tourist attraction if it were marketed that way. Many people are into Railroadiana these days.
If you listen you can hear the train coming, the whistle blowing and the men shouting “Homeward Bound!” “The wind blows where it wills and you can hear the sounds thereof, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the spirit,”—John, 3:8. “That which is born of the spirit is spirit, and that which is born of the spirit can never die,”—Proverbs 14:31, James 2:5, Hebrews 13:2, John 3:6 …
I think Hobo Jungle/Homeward Bound is a beautiful name for a ballpark. Wanza Bryan Good
Los Osos, Calif.
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