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Letters to the EditorsBest way to protest improper use of flag: Close your wallet© St. Petersburg Times published April 24, 2003 Re: In midst of patriotic burst, remember to treat flag well, April 20 editorial: Editor: The editorial regarding the improper use of the flag for commercial purposes forgot to mention that the improper use is a symptom of a much greater problem in our nation. Americans, in their quest for a greater lifestyle, have become unwitting victims of the great marketing machine. Evidence of this is everywhere, as Americans pay twice as much for designer labels when merchandise of equal quality is available for a much lower price. So, as an auto dealer improperly uses the flag of our great nation to sell cars, people continue to buy from this dealer when the proper thing to do would be to boycott that dealer until he gets the message about improper use of the flag. It is with this concern that I see the people of Pasco County becoming victims of our county leaders' marketing machine, being put into full force to try to sell us a penny tax that is neither needed by the county government or wanted by most citizens. I can only hope that the voters of Pasco don't fall victim to this. They should vote "no" on this tax, and boycott those responsible leaders by voting them out of the offices they hold.
A county free of politics? Re: Speak up, don't let antiwar meetings continue at library, April 15 letter Editor: The letter writer has urged all taxpayers in Pasco County to call commissioners and demand that "political undertakings of any kind be forbidden to take place on county property." Are not the commissioners elected officials? Do they not conduct business on county property? Are they not a political body? Political affiliations affect most of our county government officials, all of whom conduct business on county property. Should they prohibit themselves? Is the letter writer suggesting a monolithic society or perhaps a monarchy, and the rest of us can all eat cake?
Fly the flag, but let it come inside Editor: Unfortunately, pride in country has become a convenience thing. An emergency comes up, such as Sept. 11 or Iraq, and every vehicle is sporting an American flag. Every front yard has an American flag on display. Worse, every used car dealer is using the American flag to advertise his wares. The fervor of patriotism runs rampant. Several months later, if that long, the vehicles will still fly the flags, only they will be tattered and torn. Flags in yards are never taken down during inclement weather and they also are tattered and torn. Yet the flags stay on the vehicles and front yards looking tired and forlorn. Why? Because it is not convenient to take them down and replace them with new ones; because patriotism has run its course and we are back in our what-the-heck mode. We should have enough pride in our country and our flag not to let either fall into disrepair. Replace the old, torn flag with a new one or don't fly it. Patriotism should never be a part-time convenience. Love of one's country is a full-time thing. Respect its emblem as you do the men and women of the armed forces who represent that emblem. God bless those men and women and God bless America.
All who fought, died deserve honor Re: Krewe's actions can't honor American Indian killed in Iraq, April 16 letter Editor: Kudos to the letter writer for his very insightful letter regarding the death of Lori Piestewa. It is unconscionable that neither Lori nor any other Native Americans who were good enough to die for our country, are considered deserving of the respect of the Krewe of Chasco. It is time for these men to grow up and start providing a role model for our youth. There are many of us who feel the same as the writer and know that we are not the minority voice. Peter Altman claims to be a Democrat whose party advocates for minorities. It is a shame that Lori had to take the chance of leaving her child motherless in order to get a college education to lift her family into mainstream America. Mr. Altman is not deserving of Democratic support.
Not concerned about shoplifters Editor: Wal-Mart is confused. Residents around these proposed Wal-Mart sites are not concerned with the crime that happens in the store. We are concerned with our personal property around the store. Let's face it. Not all of the customers are upstanding, law-abiding citizens. Maybe Wal-Mart can have 24-hour surveillance to stop petty shoplifters. What are we supposed to do? Spend thousands of dollars to protect us from Wal-Mart customers?
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