Re: Let's honor Dr. King by focusing on unity, May 10 guest column
-- Editor: New Port Richey is now exporting the freaky Finn fanfare show to Zephyrhills, along with its city policy of sanctifying racism toward minorities, only this time its target is blacks, not American Indians.
I was present several years ago when Deputy Mayor Tom Finn attended a meeting of Florida AIM and its supporters at the New Port Richey Library, and Finn gave an impassioned and of course, rambling speech about how he had wandered through Mayan ruins in Central America and was enthralled by Indian mysticism, thereby justifying his dressing up like an Indian on the Krewe of Chasco float. Sheridan Murphy, director of Florida AIM, asked Finn what his ancestry was, and Finn replied, "Irish." Murphy said to Finn, "So leave our culture and spirituality alone and pursue your own."
Has Finn done so? Has he studied Gaelic and learned of Ireland's tribal history and its centuries-long fight for freedom to practice its culture, spirituality and its own language? Apparently not, or he wouldn't be stealing Native American culture, spirituality and history by becoming a part of the Krewe of Chasco.
So now we have this saccharine sweet piece of pabulum in the St. Petersburg Times with Finn's final solution to racial discord: Get over it and move on! It's not surprising that it sounds a lot like Zephyrhills council member Gina King, whom Finn spoke to and judged pure of motives. Sounds a lot like that moral about a pot calling the kettle black.
But does this nauseating bit of moralizing offer a glimpse of a parallel future? If Finn could wax romantic about Indian ruins he visited in Central America and then jump on the Krewe of Chasco float as though American Indians are not a living ethnic minority capable of taking care of their own images, then now that Finn has visited the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr. and became an expert on blacks, can a black minstrel show float be far behind?
-- Daniel Callaghan, New Port Richey
If racial harmony is what you want, then show it
Editor: There are more important issues at hand in our society today than a bunch of whining so-called adults demanding a street be renamed.
What about the crime rate with our youth today, drugs, guns, gangs, etc.? But all are really setting such a fine example for the youth today, that just continue complaining long enough and change will come about. Well, it does not happen that way.
Now you want to use/waste tax dollars to rename the street in King's memory. I truly wonder what he would be thinking watching and hearing some of the few carry on this way with their distorted view on what MLK's "I Have a Dream" really meant.
I say stop wasting tax dollars and, most of all, stop wasting media coverage on a few who just want to be thrust into the limelight, especially who do not live in the city limits. They claim they want racial harmony. Then start showing it!
-- Martin T. Kline, Hudson
There is more to the story brewing in Port Richey
Editor: Your May 2 column with a headline about the rest of the Lupo story was premature, though it did give you yet another opportunity to disparage the reputation of the Port Richey manager.
You and I both know that his fate was decided long before the election, and true to the well-orchestrated plan of the mayor, the die was cast when she was successful in getting a fourth seat on the council on Election Day.
They are hand-picked and know full well what they are expected to do at each and every meeting. Now that Mr. Lupo has submitted his defense, it is indeed an exercise in futility, and after reading that some council members thought it would not be right to comment before the hearing is laughable.
The outcome is as certain as the sun coming up. Yes, there is so much more to the rest of the Lupo story, and it will play out at the next meeting. The curtain will fall amid handshakes, and back-slapping and meaningless words of thanks. Years ago, it would have been called a railroad job. To those who do not know this expression, witness the definition at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25 at City Hall. There is free admission.
-- Phyllis Grae, Port Richey City Council
Gun show loophole a myth; it's about enforcement
Re: Gun shows do not add to Pasco's attractiveness, May 12 letter
Editor: During the Clinton administration, which favored and implemented some of our nation's most draconian gun laws, the Justice Department conducted a study that determined that only 1.7 percent of federal prison inmates who had used firearms had obtained those firearms from a gun show. In other words, gun shows are not the source they are made out to be.
Another study mandated by Congress, titled "Impact Evaluation of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994," concluded: "At best, the assault weapons ban can have only a limited effect on total gun murders, because the banned weapons were never involved in more than a modest fraction of all gun murders." In other words, so-called assault rifles are not the weapons of choice they are alleged to be.
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of a federal review of the nation's gun control laws. Comprised of 14 academic, business and government health experts, this task force reviewed 51 studies to determine whether gun laws do prevent violent crimes, firearm-related accidents or suicides. Included in the laws reviewed were bans on specific firearms or ammunition, mandatory registration and licensing, mandatory waiting periods, right to carry, and restrictions on firearm purchases. In every case, the CDC task force found "insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of any of the firearms laws." In short, they found no conclusive proof that the gun laws reduce violent crimes, accidents or suicide.
Finally, on Jan. 23, 2004, ABC aired a 20/20 news show special titled "Lies, Myths and Downright Stupidity" by John Stossel, co-anchor, which addressed "Myth No. 3 - Guns are Bad." In addition to debunking other gun control myths, Stossel interviewed some incarcerated maximum security felons in New Jersey and reached the same conclusion the NRA has stated for years - criminals ignore the Brady law and, furthermore, they would have no trouble getting guns if they want them, even if more gun laws are passed.
The gun show loophole is a myth, a propaganda tool. Laws in every state that pertain to the sale of a firearm in a gun store or in a private home also pertain to the sale of a firearm at a gun show. There is no separate law for gun shows, and there is no loophole. With over 30,000 gun laws in this nation, the subject is well-covered, all it is now is a matter of consistent enforcement.
-- Edward Mejias, Land O'Lakes
Gun laws are same at gun show as any other place in Florida
Editor: Gun shows do add to the attractiveness of Pasco County. They provide a place where law-abiding citizens may meet others who share a common interest. They bring business to the county, adding to its economic health. They provide diversified vendors who may be offering civil war memorabilia, leather goods or just a nice conversation.
Gun shows are hardly attractive to criminals or terrorists. In fact, the only study done showed that less than 1 percent of convicted felons got a firearm from a gun show. One reason might be the presence of the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) or even Pasco County deputies. All of these agencies have been in attendance, at least in Pasco County's only gun shows.
The writer's rhetoric is abysmal. His reference to "assault rifles" is completely incorrect, and he mixes that misnomer with words like "terrorists" and "criminals." A true assault rifle has the capability of automatic fire, and all automatic firing rifles have been controlled by the government since the gangsters of the 1930s and Prohibition.
Congress has banned the sale of assault rifles altogether, erroneously defining them, not by their automatic fire abilities, but by cosmetic features. In reality, they are all semiautomatic rifles that operate no differently, nor have any higher firepower, than common hunting and sporting rifles.
There are about 60 counties in the state of Florida that have declined to join the handful of six or seven counties that have been duped by the writer's rhetoric. Each county was given an option, a choice, to enact such laws, and about 90 percent have declined to do so.
Gun laws at a gun show are exactly the same as they are any other place in the state of Florida. They should be enforced, and they are enforced. It is illegal for a felon to possess, much less purchase, a firearm, and to do either will invoke severe penalties due to Florida's 10-20-Life law.
According to an article the same day, gun crime in Florida has declined nearly 30 percent since 1998, and Pasco's crime rate dropped by 5.5 percent in 2003. Terrorists and criminals at gun shows? I hardly think so.
-- Lee Hanson, Hudson
Food, concert setup at park was a negative experience
Editor: My husband and I went to the Cotee River Seafood Festival at Sims Park to see the classic cars, the boats and to enjoy the seafood.
We were surprised to find that the powers that be decided to put up an orange plastic barrier surrounding the food vendors and charged $5 a person to get in, stating that it was for the concert. When we told them we only wanted to eat and not go to the concert, they told us to go around to the back of the vendors. That's where the vendors kept their supplies, and it was difficult to get close enough to get their attention so that we could order something to eat.
My husband and I left, as I am sure others did too. I'm guessing the committees thought that if you didn't pay the $5 for the concert that you couldn't hear the music. Surprise! You could hear that music blocks away, and there were people who had their chairs set up outside of the barrier and enjoyed the concert.
What a disappointment the festival was, and I doubt I would go to anything at Sims Park again. Remember, bad experiences are passed on faster that good experiences.
-- Roni LaFleur, New Port Richey
Lexington Homes' service has won loyalty, praise
Editor: In response to the recent stories in your paper regarding Lexington Homes and two disgruntled customers, there are many rotten builders in Florida, and we all know who they are. As a satisfied Lexington Homes customer, I can tell you that I did plenty of research prior to signing on the dotted line, and here's what I know: They pay their bills (on time, according to the many subcontractors I questioned) and if something is wrong, they make it right.
The owners of the company, Craig Fiebe and Craig Gallagher, understand the importance of making the customer happy and building to such a high standard - they always stand behind their product. One can't say that about very many builders anymore. I had a small problem with my shower tile close to the end of the warranty period, and they moved very quickly to resolve the matter and make me happy.
Lexington Homes still gets a grade A in my book; I will continue to recommend them to all my friends and family.
-- Mona St. Clair, Brooksville
New Port Richey firefighters thank citizens, pledge support
Editor: The firefighters of New Port Richey would like to thank the citizens of New Port Richey for their support during the April elections. The voters have always been supportive of the Fire Department, and it is our goal to always meet the needs of the citizens.
-- Lt. Bill Mutz, New Port Richey
[Last modified May 14, 2004, 01:02:21]
