Letters to the Editors

Meetings at library help people explore the issues

Re: Speak up; don't let antiwar meetings continue at library, April 15 letter

Editor: I am a member of that discussion group the writer rails against.

I believe that all Americans have the right -- no, the duty -- to speak out on public policy. The First Amendment is not for cheerleading official policy, but for airing dissent so listeners can form opinions for themselves. Since political speech is the most protected form of speech, her charge that our speech should be banned as political, puzzles me. On the other hand, perhaps she is alleging bias in the party affiliation of individual members. If so, I think she is wrong; I think it runs the gamut, but I have never heard it mentioned.

She expresses concern that we might undermine the troops and give comfort to the enemy. This is a legitimate worry. So isn't it best to confine the discussion to the four walls of a meeting room, as we do now? If we were to take it to the street, as she suggests we should, it would become more public, thus more likely to do the things she is concerned about. But even if not, there is no need to take to the streets "so everyone can see who [we] are and what [we] stand for." Just come to our News and Views meeting in the Centennial Library on Moog Road in Holiday at 10 a.m. any Thursday. Everyone is welcome to express any view on any subject. This is how Americans form opinions on tough issues.
-- John Chase, Palm Harbor

Kmart closings signal fewer choices for shoppers

Editor: Attention shoppers: It's Kmart closing time.

Move over Big Brother, you are being replaced by the ubiquitous and iniquitous Wal-Mart super stores. To the dismay of loyal Kmart shoppers, the Wal-Mart conglomerate is, like a greedy octopus, spreading its unwanted tentacles.

The continued demise of clumsy, disorganized Kmart will culminate in the final disastrous collapse.

My wife and I, and others we have spoken to, bemoan Kmart's final departure, when it comes. My wife deplores the labyrinthine layouts of the Wal-Mart stores, unable to find a few simple items. But, face it, if you take the trouble to patiently learn the ropes and join the millions who clog the sprawling Wal-Mart parking lots you will, I must admit, find their prices on many items put expensive stores to shame. The wise shopper is a comparison shopper.

For the approximately 37,000 Kmart employees about to feel the sting of the corporate ax, and the remaining thousands living on the edge, only the sincerest and profound empathy will do. Those of us as family breadwinners, who have suffered similar devastating setbacks, can fully understand the impact these firings bring.

So fellow consumer. Your choices are waning. Sheeplike, you must follow the crowd. It has been said that Wal-Mart, in addition to the gas it sells, may one day sell new automobiles. Need I say more?
-- Leonard A. Peterson, Holiday

Rezoning decisions should consider neighboring property

Editor: Rezoning Land: County commissioners rezone the land for the land not the people.

Isn't this statement a little ironic? Aren't they rezoning the land for developers to build their structures? Well if they are rezoning for those people, shouldn't the people adjoined to this property also be considered?
-- Krista Dollar, Holiday

Representative didn't mention cut in veterans benefits

Re: For a war long ago, vet gets his award, April 16:

Editor: U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite was in Brooksville this week to present a long-delayed Purple Heart medal to Thomas Sacco. Sacco was wounded in 1945, but because of bureaucratic delays and a fire that destroyed records, he never received the citation until now.

One wonders if Ms. Brown-Waite relayed to Mr. Sacco that a few weeks earlier she had voted to approve the President's budget. That budget provided $1-trillion or so for his wealthy friends, but in order to afford that, it was necessary to cut veterans benefits.
-- Neil A. Hilmer, Weeki Wachee

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