Do we have a double standard? I read with interest an article that appeared in the Houston Chronicle detailing Harris County’s lawsuit against Shell over its alleged violations at its Deer Park complex. According to this article, the suit, which could result in thousands of dollars in penalties, is among a handful of cases brought by the county against major petroleum and petrochemical plants in recent years. The lawsuit, according to the article, indicates that the, "Deer Park plant has emitted substances into the air in such concentration and duration as to adversely affect human health or welfare… "; and, "…these activities are also in violation of air permits governing emissions". The suit further charges that Shell’s, Deer Park refinery and chemical plant, has "…impeded people’s ability to use and enjoy their property". I applaud Harris County’s diligence and concern for its citizens, at least some of their citizens. Many of my neighbors, and I, have been writing County Judge Robert Eckels and Commissioner Jerry Eversole for over three months now asking them to stand with us against the Houston Airport System’s (and airlines, Continental primarily) encroachment on our homes and property. We citizens, who live near Bush IAH, have written to our elected officials in Harris County about how our ability to use and enjoy ‘our’ property has been impeded by jet aircraft. We have advised our elected officials about how those aircraft fly over our homes at levels as low as 200 feet spewing pollutants from aircraft exhausts, as well as, generating noise at such decibels as to prevent us from sitting in our backyards, talking on the telephone, and carrying on normal conversations. Did we get a lawsuit filed on our behalf by Harris County? No, we did not. In some cases, we did not even get the courtesy of a response to our letters. (Jerry Eversole did forward my letters of concern to City of Houston officials). Now, at least according to the allegations in this lawsuit against Shell, it seems that there is something that can be done. I have to ask, "why is Shell’s impeding the ability of people in Deer Park to use and enjoy their property and homes any more onerous than the Houston Airport System’s and the FAA’s, impeding the ability of people in the vicinity of Bush IAH from enjoying the use their properties and homes? Is it because one is impeded upon by a private entity and the other impeded upon by a government agency. Why does not Harris County sue the City of Houston, the Federal Aviation Administration or the airlines on there continuous impeding of our ability to enjoy our homes. Do not tell me it is because that Shell is breaking pollution laws and the Bush is not, because I submit to you that no one is bothering to check to determine whether Bush IAH, or its customers, is breaking any laws. They and their customers are certainly trespassing on my property when they fly directly over my house at altitudes less that 1000 feet and they are absolutely impeding my ability to enjoy my home. There is certainly a reasonable expectation that my environment is being polluted with emitted substances in the air from the airplanes exhausts. Is any one checking? Where is the equity? Hank Husky