Features

Southeast Texas big three options for November

The first couple of weeks of November are two of the best you’ll experience on the right side of Texas. Deer and duck seasons are open, and fishing on Sabine Lake for trout and reds under the birds is red hot.

The entire month of November is prime time deer hunting in the Pineywoods. There is one reason why – bucks are in the rut and running does all over the place night and day. It’s not easy to get the jump on a mature buck, unless you hunt the rut.

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Do oil companies need help?

I don’t hate oil companies. Gulf Oil gave my dad a job near the end of the Great Depression. Gulf and 40 years of hard work by my family allowed me to have a wonderful education.

What I am having a hard time understanding is why Republicans are so reluctant to make big oil pay its fair share. Tax breaks from Texas amount to more than $20 million a year. Some of the refiners in Texas are suing to get even bigger tax breaks. Our U.S. tax system gives British Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Shell and others millions more.

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Promise to make gift is not enforceable

Q. I recently moved into a new apartment. The apartment pays a referral fee. I told them my friend referred me. My friend actually did not refer me, but I knew he lived in the complex. When I told my friend he was going to get the money, he agreed to split it with me. Now he refuses to share. Can I take him to small claims court?

A. In my opinion, you do not have any basis for a lawsuit. Your friend promised to give you a gift. He simply agreed to share his money with you. Such promises are not enforceable.

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Medical myths

Two most prevalent medical myths are that America has the best health care system in the world and that tort reform provisions capping damages for medical malpractice has made medical treatment cheaper for the consumers of Texas.

P.T. Barnum of circus fame once said there was a sucker born every minute. Unfortunately, enough money can make suckers out of otherwise thoughtful voters. In fact, Texans have been sucker-punched more than once by the big money behind “tort reform,” as they call it.

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Cool weather sets up perfect East Texas state park escape

Just recently, I was kayaking on B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir near Jasper and couldn’t help but notice the number of tent and RV campers in the adjacent Martin Dies Jr. State Park. It was a cool Saturday morning and aside from folks cooking breakfast around their campsites, I saw hikers, bikers and lots of people on the water paddling rental canoes.

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