The letter writer refers to ". . . the wide-spread call in the GOP's interest for the dissatisfied poor to waste 2-million votes on some third party . . ." and thereby falls prey to the Myth of the Wasted Vote.
An election, especially a national election, is neither a horse race nor a football pool. There is no reward for correctly guessing the winner beforehand. Given the current crop of candidates, there appears to be no punishment for guessing wrong, either.
Indeed, there are no wasted votes other than those we cast while holding our noses because our choice is "the lesser of two evils." As John Quincy Adams so well put it: "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
Those who exhort you not to waste your vote by voting for a candidate who cannot win are, in fact, asking you to fulfill that self-fulfilling prophecy.
I exhort you to vote for principle.
-- Frank Clarke, Oldsmar
Voters, take charge
I just don't get it. The war is on - not the one with Iraq - the one for votes. It now means the opponent is a liar and has lost touch with the people. It means a vote for me will solve the ills of the world.
What we don't get is we let them get away with it. We are responsible for the policies of this country. Stop complaining. Vote. Write letters with your concerns, take a position. Most important, take some time and learn what the candidates stand for. Don't take the easy way out and not vote, or let the media tell whom to vote for.
We need to take back the government and make people responsible. Most of all we need to be responsible. Please vote, no matter the party. It is important.
-- Steve Kovalik, St Petersburg
Kerry's fighting spirit
Re: What John Kerry did in the war, Feb. 8.
I enjoyed reading the story about Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's Vietnam War experiences. Times staff writer David Ballingrud did an excellent job putting the story together. The photo of Kerry and his crew on a U.S. Navy "Swift" boat was very revealing of some patriotic young Americans' wartime service 35 years ago - lest we forget. It was a tough and dangerous tour of duty in which Kerry became a highly decorated Vietnam War hero.
Today, 60-year-old Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is in a different kind of fight. He is the front-runner in the Democratic race for president. I believe the American people will welcome the opportunity to support Sen. Kerry, a man of integrity and fighting spirit. He definitely represents what's right with America.
-- William A. Crutchfield, New Port Richey
A questionable record
From what I know and from reading Philip Gailey's column (Kerry, Edwards take a spin with special interests) I'd say that your Feb. 8 lead article on Page 1, instead of being titled, Record makes Kerry hard to label, should have read, "Record makes Kerry inconsistent and opportunistic."
Possibly we should take another look at the candidacy of Howard Dean whose accomplishments as a governor honestly and accurately predict what he can deliver as president.
-- Nancy Hoppe, Largo
War's positive effect
Re: Hatred of U.S. apparently on wane in Iran, Feb. 12.
Whether you are someone on the right, the left, Democrat, Republican or otherwise, this article absolutely identifies the positive side of the Iraqi war and the impact of what is and has been accomplished so far. Whether there were WMDs or not, our troops are now being seen as the true diplomats of the real America. Iranians are now changing their attitudes toward the United States because of the liberation of Iraq, of a suppressed and abused people, and because of encountering real, live Americans and their humanitarian kindness.
I for one am very proud of our American armed forces and find purpose in the many lives that have been sacrificed. God bless America.
-- Bob Broege, Palm Harbor
See the big picture
We went to war with Iraq for several reasons, all of which seem to have flown over the heads of the liberals and Democrats. Yes, WMD may have been the major reason, and yes, Saddam Hussein had months to get rid of the WMD, probably sent to Syria, which is an open door for the terrorists to get into Iraq. But they forget, or do not care that this man and his regime raped women and children, tortured his people and even sent some through a wood chipper while still alive. They forget the stories and pictures that have shown this. They forget that had we not gone into Iraq, Hussein would have strengthened the terrorists and funneled millions to them, which would have brought the war to American soil. But they do not seem to want to see the whole picture, but want to dwell on the WMD.
-- As for the money spent, it takes money to keep America safe.
Garry Hoffmann, Valrico
Keep campus speech free
Re: On campus, free speech causes indigestion, Feb. 8.
I sometimes take issue with Robyn Blumner's opinions, but was she ever right on target with this one!
It is shocking to learn that some of our universities - which should be indoctrinating students in noble principles such as freedom of speech - have adopted such a repressive stance. Have they stricken the teachings of philosophers such as Voltaire ("I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.") from their textbooks? You might expect to find restraints of this nature in the schools of a fascist dictatorship but certainly not in those of a constitutional democracy.
Students should be encouraged to express and support their views, not forced to submerge them. And if these views happen to offend the delicate sensibilities of some others, so be it. As a certain savvy politician once said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
-- William A. Crawford, Palm Harbor
A welcoming church
Re: Do gays have a prayer in churches? Feb. 8.
You bet they do, side by side with heterosexuals in calling for a world where all are loved and valued because we all are wonderfully created by God!
I am pastor of an "Open and Affirming" United Church of Christ. This means we are a congregation in which persons of all orientations are welcome, challenged to be engaged in ministry and urged to take on positions of leadership. At First United, we believe that hospitality is a key teaching of the Bible. It is much more than good manners; it is the second commandment of Jesus Christ: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
There are 31,110 verses in the Bible. Sadly, many churches have taken five or six verses out of their historical context and used them to practice a harsh inhospitality toward persons who are homosexual. Just as persons are born left-handed while the majority are right-handed, so, too, some people are born homosexual rather than heterosexual. It is not a lifestyle; it is not a choice. It is how we are created by a loving God who knows, more than we, the value of diversity.
-- Dr. Warren Clark, pastor, First United Church of Tampa, Tampa
Problematic parenting
Re: A bias that hurts children, Feb. 8.
After reading about an appeals court upholding Florida's ban on homosexuals adopting children, I decided to do an informal survey of my gay and lesbian friends, asking them one simple question: Were/are your parents heterosexual or homosexual? Amazingly, 100 percent responded that their parents where heterosexual. That's right, 100 percent. I found this to be a very disturbing statistic, and I hope that Florida will investigate this thoroughly before allowing any more heterosexuals to adopt children.
-- David Nelson, St. Petersburg
Problematic pirating
Re: Photo of the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla, Feb. 8.
A tragedy that may happen must be prevented. Hundreds of "pirates" were on the overloaded boat. How many life jackets were there and can the pirates get to them? Did the Coast Guard just watch? What kind of example is this to the other boaters? We need equal enforcement.
-- Dennis P. Mueller, Dunedin
[Last modified February 15, 2004, 01:15:45]
