With all the publicity about sobriety checkpoints and the legal consequences involved, it is difficult to believe that some people can still drink and drive these days. Too many people place no value on their own lives and are brazen, rebellious and totally without regard for the health, safety and well-being of others.
I believe people who display such a lack of discipline, responsibility and accountability in their lives need to lose their driving privilege permanently on the first offense. There is no greater deterrent. When these people know they will lose the freedom to hop in a car and go wherever and whenever they wish, perhaps then they will think twice about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
How many more innocent, law-abiding men, women and children must be victimized before our lawmakers and judges wake up and put an end to this roadway carnage by getting these people off the road and keeping them off the road so that the rest of us can be safer on the roads?
And while we are on the subject of law-abiding people, there are those who have decorative license tag covers that obscure pertinent information on their tag. I see many license tags are not fully visible. And then there are the stop-sign and red-light runners and speeders.
We seem to live in a society where each one turns to his own way and does what is right according to his own eyes, with blatant disregard for the laws of the land, where total chaos and anarchy are just over the horizon.
You see, it always starts with disregard for the little laws. As soon as we accept that as normal, we move to the next level. It's truly a sign of the times, and, in the past, it has led to the downfall of many a great empire.
-- Len Vivolo, Clearwater
Pet pig's trauma does not compare to livestock stories
Re: Teen accused of running over, injuring pet pig, story, April 9.
Thank you for your article about Sweetpea, the pig. Animals are so sweet and innocent.
I can just hear the moans, groans and sighs of disbelief in your readers about how she was run over and nearly killed by a group of teens. "How terrible!" "That's horrible!" "Crazy!"
Yet how many people are willing to investigate how, exactly, the animals that they consume day in and day out are cruelly exploited, abused and even tortured?
I am vegan. I can shed tears about Sweetpea's plight and not drip with hypocrisy.
I am also an animal protection advocate. My life's work is informing people about the truth behind this country's animal farming agribusiness - how the ruthless, barbaric slaughter itself is an act of mercy following their tormented life of pain and suffering.
We feel so sorry for Sweetpea, then we see nothing wrong with her species being referred to as "the other white meat" during a Super Bowl commercial.
The only reason the suspect was arrested for what he did is because Sweetpea was not a farm animal, plain and simple.
-- Linda Bower, Miami Springs
Let us stick to our knitting; let God take care of our church
Re: Conflict at Calvary Baptist Church.
To members of Calvary Baptist: I'm sure you all remember one of Pastor Bill Anderson's last sermons and how with it, he had a large box of real knitting needles for us all.
Why can't we just stick to our knitting and let God take care of our church?
-- Faryl Schlamp Cox, Clearwater
Tarpon Springs High students' musical performance praised
Last month, I attended a performance by students in the music department at Tarpon Springs High School.
It was a remarkable example of what a group of enthusiastic and dedicated young people can do. The director deserves a lot of credit for focusing these youngsters in such a positive way.
After 30-plus years of attending high school choral performances, I consider myself an expert. The Tarpon Springs High School music department is the best I have seen.
I look forward to the next performance.
-- Nora Stackpole, Tarpon Springs
YOUR VOICE COUNTS
We welcome letters for publication.
To send a letter from your computer, go to www.sptimes.com/letters and fill in the required information. Type your letter in the space provided on the form, then submit your letter to the appropriate section of the newspaper.
Or fax your letter to us at (727) 445-4119, or mail it to Letter to the Editor, St. Petersburg Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756.
Letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and phone number.
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be printed.
