It is a time when many of us question where basic ethics, morality and kindness have gone when people gain favor and acclaim even though they are dishonest, tout themselves in pornographic movies, or otherwise exhibit selfishness and bad attitudes.
I witnessed a shining star on Thursday, June 10.
He wore the current garb of young men today: baggy pants, ratty T-shirt (black, of course) and had some piercings. His hair was unkempt and he walked the lazy swagger of many teens these days. However, he exhibited courage and honesty where many adults failed.
On Countryside Boulevard in front of one of the banks, some unfortunate soul lost an envelope of money and the bills were blowing around on the road. Many accidents almost occurred when drivers slammed on their brakes to stop and grab the flying bills.
There was a bank guard standing on the corner trying to decide how to help. None of the supposed adults used common sense or questioned what to do with the money. They scooped up what they could find and drove off.
This one young man dodged cars and ran into the road to retrieve the only bill that was left. Then, most surprisingly, he gave the bill to the bank guard.
Thank you to the young man, whoever you are. Thank you to his parents and all others that taught him basic honesty and decency and courage. Thanks to him for doing what was right.
-- Jill Melkonian, Clearwater
Veterans who sacrificed deserve more from us
Re: Lack of support for veteran shows cruelty in system, letter, June 11.
It's generally nice to agree with people, but when they are so right, it's also frightening.
Letter writer Joseph Corell certainly hit the nail on the head when he wrote about the disrespect shown to veterans but also the lack of support for our veterans that is being shown by our own government officials.
The youths Corell referred to were never taught respect and probably would show no more concern, even if it was their own relative who was being abused and taunted. When there are no rules and regulations in the home, there will be none when they are away from home. Except for the grace of God, it could be their father or grandfather that some other youth may be taunting.
So many veterans left home and family to fight to keep America free. Many returned beaten and mentally ill, and this is the thanks they get. This must be so depressing for all those in need who are taunted and ignored. May God have mercy on those who choose to abuse and ignore our veterans.
Why is it that so-called Americans always seem to have money to support every sports activity in the world, and millions to support political candidates who forget those veterans who voted for them once they get in office? The veteran has always been promised full medical care when he is released from the service, so how can our government ignore the many serious needs of veterans all over the country?
Why are we as citizens not up in arms about the neglect of the men who suffered to give us what we have today? It seems that those who did the most get the least.
-- Fran Glaros, Clearwater
Traffic laws don't protect law-abiding motorists
I do not know if this letter will be printed but I could not help myself. I almost got into a serious car accident while driving north on U.S. 19. I had the green light but the person waiting at a side road intersecting with U.S. 19 was in such a hurry that she did not want to wait to make a turn into U.S. 19. She was driving a white vehicle and had an Ohio license plate.
While she was on the phone she decided to cut in front of me. I had a freight truck to my left and could not stir to my right because I was so close to her and wanted to avoid a serious collision, so I sounded my horn, stepped on my brakes and hoped for the best. My car skidded and I ended up in the middle lane, missing the freight truck's trailer by a few inches.
The other driver did not even stop to see if any damage had occurred. I followed her until my daughter could get her license plate number. I went back to the scene of the incident and called the police. The policeman said that unless I collided with her or my vehicle sustained damage there was nothing he could do.
Is it necessary for somebody to die or get seriously injured for something to be done? Never mind that we could have been the next hit-and-run in Clearwater. She not only risked her life, she risked the life of my daughter, other drivers and me.
Too bad there are people like that driving around and nothing that defenseless drivers like me can do. My husband is in the military so I have to stick around for three more years. Otherwise, I would move from this place. The traffic laws do not protect people that follow the laws.
Cellular telephone usage while driving should be banned like in New York.
-- Jocelyn Rivera, Clearwater
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