I am incensed over the Times' pointless attacks on my religion. I have been a Scientologist for over 20 years. I was baptized a Presbyterian and still hold its basic Christian values as the cornerstone of my belief system.
I do not understand why you continually print editorials or articles which portray Scientology in such a negative light. I do not see any such treatment of Christianity or Judaism.
The Times has a constitutional right to print whatever it sees fit, just as its readers have their right to express their opinions. We all share our right to choose and practice our own religion. These are fundamental rights which led to the founding of this great nation.
As a practical matter, however, we see all around us examples of how exercise of these rights can lead to prejudice, bigotry and even war. In most cases, ignorance and lack of understanding are the causes of this. I feel it is the responsibility of the Times in its exercise of its rights to be careful not to promote an atmosphere where discrimination and mistrust can grow.
Religious intolerance has been part of man's history since the dawn of civilization. Your contribution to it by publishing inflammatory articles and editorials on Scientology is irresponsible and brings your motives into question.
We all know that good news doesn't sell newspapers. Unfortunately, there is plenty of bad news and controversy around already. The right of freedom of religion should be respected by all Americans and is not news.
-- John J. Beachy, Belleair
Don't forget church's past excesses
I would like to respond to a letter regarding the Church of Scientology in which the writer addresses the federal crimes that senior members of Scientology were convicted of more than two decades ago.
Although I agree that past errors should not be a basis on which to judge an organization for eternity, in this instance it is wise to remember. When the FBI raided Scientology offices at that time, some of the documents that they recovered included plans to set up then-Clearwater mayor Gabe Cazares for a staged hit-and-run accident; to infiltrate local newspaper offices; and to set up a former Scientologist who had written a book on her experiences. In fact, Scientology so successfully accused her of crimes which she had never committed, that she was arrested until the truth came out in those seized documents.
Does the letter writer believe that, even though much time has passed, this woman has forgotten what she was put through? Has the letter writer ever spoken with Cazares about how he feels about what Scientology tried to do to him?
Additionally, the tired line that it was just a few bad apples back then spoiling the whole bunch and that those bad apples have since been purged is Scientology PR spit out of the mouth of one lacking the facts.
This very paper ran a story in March of this year that included information on Richard Weigand, who is still a very active member of the church and who was convicted of one of those "past mistakes." The mistake was conspiring to conceal theft of government documents.
Mary Sue Hubbard, wife of Scientology's founder, was also convicted. Has she been purged from the church?
I was a member of Scientology for 20 years. I have lived in the Clearwater area since 1995 and have no intentions of leaving. I love this area. I want to say: Do not forget what happened in the past. Do not forget that all of Scientology's activities are, per their own policies, geared only toward forwarding their own aims and purposes. Always look beyond the PR.
The people of Clearwater can see with their own eyes what Scientology has contributed to them; we are not led by the nose by the St. Petersburg Times. However, it is by remembering the past and keeping a keen eye on the present that we will be able to embrace the future from a fully educated viewpoint. The Times has a duty to aid in this education, regardless of whether or not it pleases members of Scientology or their friends.
-- Teresa S. Summers, Dunedin
Retirees' plight worse than reported
Re: Retirees recoil as benefit costs soar, story, June 14.
Staff writer Lisa Greene's article, though factually correct, did not contain some other information. Some costs were presented at the mentioned personnel meeting, but not retirees' costs, including one proposal that totally eliminates any contribution from the county. County employees present at this meeting wanted to address this topic but were not allowed to by the board.
County Administrator Steve Spratt's current proposal, not mentioned in the article, actually is $5 per year of service per month; i.e., for 30 years of work, the retiree gets $150, same as the state provides. While this is better than nothing (the first proposal), it is next to nothing when looking at (health insurance costs of) $1,618 a month.
Mr. Spratt and the Board of County Commissioners need to get realistic. County employees are hard working, loyal and dedicated people. They signed up for benefits and they expect to receive them. They are not highly paid, have not gotten good raises (like Mr. Spratt did!) and, my guess is, benefits were a very important consideration in deciding to work for the county.
Look at the Sheriff's Office, ranked 14th in pay out of 17 law enforcement agencies in the area. Lowest pay of all sheriff's offices in this area. Now they are going to take away benefits. No wonder so many leave for other agencies.
The County Commission and Mr. Spratt expect loyalty and dedication from their employees. They need to remember that employees expect that from them, also. All retirees in Pinellas County should watch this issue very closely. If the commission and Mr. Spratt are willing to do this to their own retirees, just imagine what's in store for the rest of the retirees living in this county.
-- Gary Brown, Seminole
Attack on Oldsmar mayor in poor taste
Re: Mayor's words cause trouble, letter, June 26.
Mr. Paul Kuykendall's letter to the editor was in poor taste. Ironically, his letter exhibited the very quality that he accused Oldsmar Mayor Jerald Beverland of being: unprofessional.
I am an Oldsmar resident that is not a personal friend, business associate or political ally of Mr. Beverland. However, I do know right from wrong. It should be common courtesy for journalists to interview or speak with people prior to writing articles concerning them. Mr. Beverland has even offered to do this in a public forum. This makes perfect sense to me and speaks volumes of his character and leadership skills.
Perhaps Mr. Kuykendall should concern himself more with the leadership skills of his own community rather than those of Oldsmar.
-- Joe Murphy, Oldsmar
Don't equate smokers with losers
I wasn't going to comment on the "loser smokers issue." However, I just have to.
Yes, I am a smoker. I believe there are many other types of people who are much more worthy of comment regarding being a loser. Let's see, shall we start with child molesters/rapists, women and their boyfriends who tie a newborn in a trash bag and dump it in her neighbor's trash bin, the horrible abuses of our elderly. I could go on and on about that.
I am happy for the nonsmokers. I do believe they should not have to inhale our smoke in restaurants. I am an American; I understand the concept of majority rule. I am a U.S. Army veteran and very proud of my service to my country. I do not, nor will I ever, consider myself a loser just because I smoke cigarettes.
-- Janet T. Bryant, Palm Harbor
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