Letters to the Editors

Unlike letter, deputy's story filled with positivity

Re: Story a waste of space, Nov. 8 letter

Editor: Let's see if I've got this straight: A man, after considerable thought and self-examination, decides he'd be more comfortable as a woman. He leaves his job for surgery and returns as a she. Amazingly enough, in a career field not usually noted for its open-mindedness and acceptance of alternative life choices and a county not often touted as the most cosmopolitan area of the state, she is accepted and treated in a nondiscriminatory manner, as everyone should be when their personal choices harm no one. But the letter writer complains that the newspaper should find "something more positive to write about?"

Frankly, the only negative I've seen is that the letter writer found it necessary to remind us that there are still homophobes in Pasco County.
-- Brent Yaciw, Wesley Chapel

Elections are in the past; now let's all support the winners

Editor: The elections are finally over. Like most voters, I am pleased that some of the folks I supported were elected, and disappointed that others were not. However, now that the elections are behind us, I hope we will all take our responsibility as Floridians seriously and support our elected officials, regardless of whether you voted for or against a particular candidate.

Like it or not, each of these people have been elected by majority population. Once elected, they are responsible for the overall direction of our county, our district, our state and, ultimately, our country.

Undermining their authority only weakens the support structure of our community and defeats the system that sets our country apart. We'll all have an opportunity to make our opinions known at the next election. Until then, it is important that we show our leaders respect and teach our children to do the same. While we're at it, let's show some respect to the authority of our police officers and our teachers.

If we want to maintain the freedom that allows us to voice our opinions and make choices on election day, then we must accept our responsibility as voters and citizens once the elections are over.
-- Carol Okula, Spring Hill

Candidates' ads show just how

Editor: Well, the elections and their bitter, antagonistic, and negative political ads are over for a while, or until next time.

The airways were ablaze with candidate ads denouncing one another to the point that when I entered the voting booth the first button that I noticed was missing should have read "none of the above."

The only good things said about any of the candidates were by their own parties. If any of what was said by an opponent was true, we are in a lot of trouble. It seems that the more money there is to spend, the dirtier the elections become.

How nice it would be if every candidate were completely honest and every political party ran only the most qualified person for office. But then, who wants to spoil the fun?
-- Joseph Peck, New Port Richey

Correction

PAWS is attempting to raise funds to fly a dog from Tokyo to Germany, for which the cost of a ticket is $1,900 on Korean Air. An incorrect price was listed by the author of a letter to the editor Monday.
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