OK, I don't squawk often about what the Chron editors do to my letters: space is limited and I've actually enjoyed watching them parse my riffs whilst retaining the jist, but this rendition was severe. You be the judge. Here's what made it into today's Chron:
Bad optics
Regarding "Whitmire, UH chancellor tangle via text - but remain allies" (Page B1, Wednesday), it's easy to read Lisa Falkenberg's column and conclude that state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, is nothing but a crusty, honest man of the people for the way he treated University of Houston Systems Chancellor Renu Khator over her decision to mandate that more students live on campus rather than commute from home. Whitmire may well have had good intentions, but he came across as a self-centered bully. This type of behavior should not be encouraged in our public officials.
Pete Smith, Houston
http://www.chron.com/default/article/Monday-letters-Corporate-taxes-redistricting-5722423.php
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And this is my original post:
Regarding "Whitmire, UH chancellor tangle via text — but remain allies" (Wednesday City & State), it's easy to read Jill Falkenberg's article and conclude that State Senator John Whitmire is nothing but a crusty, honest man of the people for the way he treated UH chancellor Renu Khator over her decision to mandate that more students live on campus rather than commute from home. However, Falkenberg's article is completely lacking the barrage of accusatory text messages Whitmire hurled at Khator. Secondly, it's clear that he went off on her based solely on media accounts of the policy, rather than educating himself on the particulars. Khator was correct in saying that reporters got the story wrong, since they left out - among other important points - the numerous exemptions built into the policy.
Bad optics
Regarding "Whitmire, UH chancellor tangle via text - but remain allies" (Page B1, Wednesday), it's easy to read Lisa Falkenberg's column and conclude that state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, is nothing but a crusty, honest man of the people for the way he treated University of Houston Systems Chancellor Renu Khator over her decision to mandate that more students live on campus rather than commute from home. Whitmire may well have had good intentions, but he came across as a self-centered bully. This type of behavior should not be encouraged in our public officials.
Pete Smith, Houston
http://www.chron.com/default/article/Monday-letters-Corporate-taxes-redistricting-5722423.php
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And this is my original post:
Regarding "Whitmire, UH chancellor tangle via text — but remain allies" (Wednesday City & State), it's easy to read Jill Falkenberg's article and conclude that State Senator John Whitmire is nothing but a crusty, honest man of the people for the way he treated UH chancellor Renu Khator over her decision to mandate that more students live on campus rather than commute from home. However, Falkenberg's article is completely lacking the barrage of accusatory text messages Whitmire hurled at Khator. Secondly, it's clear that he went off on her based solely on media accounts of the policy, rather than educating himself on the particulars. Khator was correct in saying that reporters got the story wrong, since they left out - among other important points - the numerous exemptions built into the policy.
Bottom line, Senator Whitmire hurled accusations without bothering to educate himself about the facts. Then when confronted with the facts, he doubled down and hurled more accusations. Then when Khator acquiesced and apologized, he piled on with another barrage of accusations.
Whitmire may well have had good intentions, but he came across as an ignorant, self-centered bully. This type of behavior should not be encouraged in our public officials.
Pete Smith
Houston, TX
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