Joe Horn

He got involved

Lisa Falkenberg's Tuesday column, "Burden of truth lies with Horn,"conveniently ignored the fact that not only were the two burglars illegal immigrants, but one was out on bail regarding a drug charge. Our justice system continues to turn criminals loose on us rather than, in this case, deporting them. Yet Falkenberg feels we should not protect our neighbors and neighborhood if it does not directly involve us or our personal property. I'm sure if she were to see her neighbor's home being burglarized, she would not want to get involved, as she would not incur any loss personally. Please deliver me from neighbors like her.

Joe Horn did what many of us would do in the absence of a neighbor from his home and possessions: He got involved. Thank God for men like Horn.

JAMES E. McCOY, Houston

Stooping over law

There will undoubtedly be much debate over the grand jury's ruling in the Joe Horn case and its implication for such cases in the future. Regardless of the position one takes in the matter, the fact remains that Horn violated a social contract with the laws of the land when he acted with deadly force. By gunning down those two men, Horn declared that he did not trust the authorities and legal system to deal with these suspects accordingly. Surely no one would have thought less of him had he stayed in his home, ready to defend himself, while the police arrived.

We have mechanisms in place that deal with people like the men who robbed Horn's neighbors, who violate societal standards. Superceding the law, and dispensing justice on our terms, is as much an act of defiance as breaking into someone's home.

If we accept a society that operates on those terms, then we are no better than the criminals we seek to prosecute.

JAY CHRISTIAN, Houston

Imagine a reversal

Some critics of the grand jury decision to not indict Joe Horn believe that the men killed did not receive justice. Let me get this straight: Two Colombian nationals in the United States illegally are shot and killed while committing an illegal act. Let's reverse the roles. Say two American citizens, while in Colombia illegally, are killed while committing an illegal act. How much "justice" would the deceased Americans receive in Colombia?

Gotta love the United States. We play fairly even though other countries may not.

NORMAN DIAZ, Cypress

Peace anyone?

May I say, as someone who lives outside of Texas, that stories like the one about Joe Horn shooting two immigrant burglars and then the irresponsible grand jury decision makes Texas and Texans look very bad. Does any one know about nonviolence in Texas? Are there courses in peace, ethics or morality taught at your colleges?

Texas gave us one of the most violent regime leaders in U.S. history in George W. Bush. Is there any one in Texas who sees another side to these issues, as do those of us who love nonviolence and peace?

DAVE EBERHARDT, Baltimore, Md.

What-if questions

Regarding Tuesday's Page One article "THE JOE HORN DECISION / The case concludes / A Harris County grand jury sees the killing of two burglars as justified, but others call the outcome a miscarriage of justice": I just wonder how amazed Frank Ortiz (a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens) would be if he walked in on two Mexicans burglarizing his home? Would he say to them, "Go ahead. Take what you want, boys, for you're Hispanics and you got the green light to steal anything you want." Or would he be like Joe Horn and eliminate the thieves?

JIM WINDER, Houston

Another name for it

What Joe Horn did was a neighborhood-supported lynching, and I hope the victims' families will ask the federal government to inter-vene and bring charges for what it really was, a hate crime.

WILLIE STOKER, Spring

Our debt to him

Here's the way the grand jury spoke for the majority of us: Joe Horn gunned down two illegal alien thieves, including a convicted, parole-breaking felon, who were attempting to deprive a law-abiding U.S. citizen of his hard-earned property. We owe Horn a debt of thanks for making all U.S. citizens a little safer.

KENNETH C. GRAHAM, Houston

Keep your 'heroes'

The ruling by the grand jury not to pursue actions against Joe Horn is "Texas Law" — shoot first and then ask questions. Texans have lots to brag about: "W.," Roger Clemens and now this. Please keep these types of "heroes" in Texas, where hypocrisy is alive and well.

GEORGE OKAMURA, Rosemead, Calif.

Lawbreakers' risks

Some people have said that Joe Horn was wrong for shooting those two criminals, that property is not worth killing over. But the real question is: Is it worth it to risk life and limb to steal somebody else's property? Bottom line for would-be criminals: If they don't want to risk life and limb, don't commit the crime.

JEFF WISENBAKER, Humble