Perspective: There are many benefits to aiding cadets

Thank you for bringing to your readers' attention the supportive "bias" of the Florida House of Representatives' Colleges and Universities Committee on Nov. 28 on behalf of Florida's current and future students attending any of our nation's esteemed military academies. Here is the rest of the story.

My vote that day was to help assure that each of the three Florida medical schools within the state university system admit annually two academy graduates with command approval to apply to medical school. The command approval process is highly selective; the military pays for the medical school education, and upon acceptance/graduation the student agrees to additional military service in the medical corps. Florida medical schools provide the education, Florida students become doctors, and newly graduated physicians return to the service of our country. This is all good.

There was also a bill expanding Bright Futures scholarships to students attending our nation's military academies. Since there are no military academies in Florida, I voted for this exception to the current policy, which limits awards to students attending Florida institutions. Although tuition and living expenses are covered by the academy, not all expenses incurred are. Bright Futures monies are awarded on merit to the brightest and the best. It was thought that Florida students attending a military academy, who are committed to service to our country, should be included in Bright Futures consideration. This is also good.

I would like to add that the editorial, in its mission to criticize this committee's majority action on both of the above issues, overlooked a very positive and patriotic element of this meeting. For the first and only time, great technological effort and coordination were made to successfully broadcast the committee's proceedings to the "Enduring Freedom" troops at bases and on board ships in the Middle East and in the United States. The meeting was convened by a cadet color guard, followed by personal comments from cadets, as well as from Gov. Jeb Bush, the speaker of the House and speaker designate. Legislative business was conducted, and upon adjournment of this two-hour meeting, committee members and members of the audience sent greetings to our troops in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Pensacola, Tampa, etc. I thought your readers would like to know this.

God bless our cadets, cadet medical students and their families. I hope they, as well as the majority of Floridians, appreciate the legislative results during this special day in the House College and Universities Committee.

Leslie Waters, state representative, House District 51, Largo

More taxpayer burdens

Re: Transfer policy for detainees has been abused.

Robyn Blumner's Dec. 30 column lacks substance. There is only one mention of a small piece of the actual policy, i.e., no notice is required when transfers take place. Otherwise, the column is laced with a lot of theory as to what the ideal policy should contain. Is it Blumner's intent to convince the taxpayers that food, shelter and clothing are not sufficient for non-U.S.-citizen detainees? Will she have us now provide for their administrative needs as well through the use of telephones and attorneys? (How about e-mail and lap tops, too?)

If this is the case, can we drug-test them, confiscate their assets, require them to take literacy tests in American English and swear oaths of allegiance to the United States as a quid pro quo for what she belives are services they are entitled to?

It is abundantly clear that Blumner is an apologist for the liberal left in its attempt to manage the entire world at U.S. taxpayer expense. What price ordered liberty, Ms. Blumner?

Dean S. Ratty, Seminole

Sentiments to live up t

Thank you for this article. It would be a fine thing if each of us could live up to the sentiments expressed by Capt. James Gormley

David C. Cumming, Clearwater

Strive to set a good exampl

My compliments to both the editor and author Patricia Dalton -- to the editor for placing this column next to Eulogy for a fire captain, which shows an example of character that we should emulate, and to Dalton for bringing attention to actions that should not be copied

This planet seems to contain almost as many "worlds" as there are people inhabiting it, each person intent on "being himself." In accomplishing that, so many appear to appoint themselves as judge, jury and crucifier.

Doesn't everyone know that they are unique? Who else in the world is just the same person as I am? (I can hear the sighs of relief over that!)

Is it any wonder that children mimic what they see? They may not have been taught such behavior by parents, but the "everyone else does it" excuse is still prevalent and used by so-called adults as well as children.

Let's accept a position of leadership (not a manager -- there is a lot of difference) wherever we are and be an example of good character that others can accept and, because they are treated well, do the same.

After almost 75 years' experience on this multiworld planet, I'd welcome the change.

Arthur H. Rounds, Tampa

Uncivilized boors aboun

I was somewhat surprised at the hoopla over the behavior of Cleveland Browns fans -- as if it was an anomaly. Am I the only frequent witness to this kind of behavior

My work does not involve large sums of money, life-and-death matters or irresolvable problems, and yet I have been cursed, threatened, lied to and degraded on many occasions during customer encounters. And I've observed the same of others while shopping, dining out, etc. I can attest that abusers come in all shapes and sizes, ages, genders, ethnicities, professions and backgrounds.

A few weeks ago I was cut off by a car bearing the bumper sticker "What would Jesus do?" Well, I'm pretty sure the Master wouldn't force me off the road.

How did we arrive here? Increasing pressure of the information age? The breakdown of traditional family structures? The nomadic nature of our society and resulting disconnection? The nonaccountability born of our desire to "understand" and compensate those in mental anguish? An unrealistic and outrageous sense of entitlement? It is all of these things and they have brought us to a society of selfishness. We see the complete lack of respect, consideration or empathy for another that allows someone to rationalize trodding on that other person to fulfill his desires, no matter how trivial (like the outcome of a Browns game). It allows the other driver to cut me off at 80 miles per hour, risking the life of my toddler, so that he may arrive at work five minutes sooner.

It doesn't behoove these people to view you as someone's daughter or father, a hard worker or good neighbor, a child of God or even a person. You are just an obstacle. If they rage loud enough, intimidate, threaten or vomit frustration on you, they'll feel better and/or get what they want. And that's all that matters, right?

I pray that my child sees me discerning "What's the right thing to do?" and not "What do I want to do?"

Susan M. Crockett, Tampa

A threat to vocational reha

Disability advocates commend the St. Petersburg Times for educating the public on an issue that we have been screaming about for the past three years

Former Sen. George Kirkpatrick, state Vocational Rehabilitation Services director Carl Miller and their cronies have been preaching that privatization of vocational rehabilitation will increase client choice and improve services. Nothing can be further from the truth!

Their actions have also caused Florida to become the only state in the history of the federal VR program to be designated a "high-risk" grantee.

Thank you for exposing the real motivation for privatizing VR -- controlling the flow of millions of dollars and directing it toward private providers who are associated with Kirkpatrick, the Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission and the Florida Association of Rehab Facilities.

Kirkpatrick is just the tip of the iceberg that is going to sink the USS Vocational Rehabilitation -- unless we can change direction fast. Advocates are confident that Education Commissioner Charlie Crist and the Legislature will "reverse all engines" in order to avoid further damage to the good ship VR and the political careers of those on board.

John L. Ficca, program director, Hands On Educational Services, Inc., Tampa

Pay attention to education

Re: What's N.C. doing right? Dec. 30.

This article reinforces the sad situation of our educational system in Florida. Our children need to be educated or Florida will be doomed in this highly competitive world. Florida is having a tough time recruiting high-tech companies to the area because we do not compete at the national level when it comes to higher education. We need to pay our teachers better and have greater accountability from our parents.

The state was going to provide financial assistance for those children who need tutoring. What happen to that program? Only the rich kids can get the help? This needs to be addressed. These kids are the future. Let's educate them.

Richard Haan, St. Petersburg

Making bin Laden gri

On the same day a passenger's loaded pistol eludes baggage screeners at Tampa International Airport, we learn that regulators are lowering the requirements for baggage screeners. The initial prerequisites, U.S. citizenship and possession of a high school diploma, are now altered to help save the jobs of the same people who got us into the mess our airports are already in!

If Osama bin Laden is still alive, he must be grinning from one side of his beard to the other over these recent major victories for his cause!

Duke Miller, Anna Maria

Back to Perspective

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page