Dear Lt. Gov Patrick:
Though born in New York City I have lived in Texas (Houston, Smithville and Austin) since 1968 except for a year in Sedona, Arizona and a year in the Bronx VA where I went through rehabilitation after breaking my neck in 1973.
I have two degrees from the University of Houston (BBA Economics and MEd – Special Education).
I served two years in the Army (E 4) and was in Vietnam for 1 year 11 days. I am a former President of the Texas Paralyzed Veterns and a Life member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
This February I celebrated my 74th birthday & 47 years as a quadriplegic. I’m active in disability rights organizations like ADAPT of Texas and Not Dead Yet.
I think you owe an apology to me and every Texan, young and old, as well as every American for your outrageous statements on Fox news.
We are in a worldwide Public Health crisis but you chose to pit human lives versus economic gain: Grandma please die so I can eat brisket like a real Texan American.
Your comments offended me personally, as a loyal Texan and American. Extolling patriotism from someone of your age who did not even serve in the military is the height of hypocrisy.
During WWII the Germans tested and perfected their deadly gases on people with disabilities and frail older people in the T4A program.
The Germans supposedly used the U.S. eugenics movement as a model for their extermination plan.
Though I know you are not promoting eugenics, your politically motivated and thoughtless remarks can be misinterpreted, causing unnecessary deaths.
Instead of throwing older people and others to the virus, what about addressing the shortages of needed community attendants.
There is also a shortage of testing supplies, personal protection equipment like gloves and masks, cleaning materials like Clorox and hydrogen peroxide, respirators, and hospital beds? These are part of the economy too. This is what the Rainy Day Fund is for.
Don’t step back, step up and lead to solutions that help everyone, not just your lucky chosen ones.
You can send your written apology to:
Bob Kafka
Austin, Texas 78703
512 431 4085
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above guest columns shows Bob Kafka. (Photo credit: Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon/KUT)
