Editor: I was turned away at the gate, the same person who gets up every morning, has coffee, puts my pants on one leg at a time, pays taxes, works hard, plays with the grandchildren, rescues kitties and loves the office of the president.
I waited in line like everyone else to get my tickets to the rally for Bush. I live one street over from Sims Park, so on Tuesday morning I dressed myself decently and walked around the corner to join the rest of our citizens waiting to see the president. Most of you would say I had the misfortune of meeting the protesters, but I want you all to know that I was honored to meet the young people who cared enough to attend and support their candidate.
When I arrived, the crowd was quiet and the supporters of Kerry were holding their signs and minding their own business. I talked with them for a while and realized how aware they were of what is going on in our country and the war. I soon heard angry words from the Republican line accusing the Kerry supporters of being "baby killers."
Well, that did it for me. I stood with these wonderful kids who cared enough to be there (unlike a lot of registered voters who were too busy). Perhaps everyone did not agree with their views, but at least they stood up for what they feel is right and true. One part of your article commented on their piercings and cigarettes. Oh, my God. They surely must be horrible people.
I remember way back in the '70s when a lot of us were persecuted because we had long hair. Do any of you remember that? I finally commented back at the rude and insensitive adults who were waiting in line. My time came to join the line to see my president. Two of the young girls from the Kerry support team came with me. Although they did not support Bush, they were honored to be able to see him. When we arrived at the gate, it magically closed. We were told, "You may not come in. You are protesters. This is a private party, we paid for this park, and you do not have happy faces on."
I think my property taxes may pay for the upkeep of that park. If so, where is my share of the rent for this shindig? Tempers started to escalate, so we left. In former times I would have stayed and been proud to be arrested. I realized I was dealing with volunteers who sometimes get carried away with their power.
My heart is sad. The most important lesson I learned is that if I have a different opinion from others, I will not be invited to their party. How sad that this particular party only wanted to hear its own opinions validated. How will they ever learn new ways or ideas if they never allow new thoughts to be introduced?
If I ever had a doubt about who I would vote for, it is certainly solidified now. I am proud of these young people. Think about it. They are our future and I would rather have them rallying, protesting, supporting, and paying attention to our world than getting into trouble. Please remember, clothes do not make the person. I wish you all peace and love and may the best man win.
-- -- Mary Villa, New Port Richey
Lessons learned from home recycling bins
Editor: Hurray for home recycling bins, and the discipline they help instill.
My husband and I are recent transplants (six months) from upstate New York, and we are puzzled as to why it has taken so long for the move toward everyone having one of those handy recycling bins in their household.
In the small upstate village that my husband and I lived in for 19 years, recycling bins were a way of life. They were a convenient way for us to do our part to ensure our children and their children inherited a cleaner world. Our sons grew up knowing which items always went into the recycle bin and which did not. In fact, it was not unheard of to hear one of the boys say, "Hey, who put this in the garbage. Don't you know it's supposed to in the recycling bin?"
-- -- Patricia L. Allen, Trinity
Pasco should follow Orlando's example
Editor: I used to live in Pasco County and recall very little publicity about the blue bag recycling program. My neighbors hardly ever had a blue bag out, and neither did I.
I moved to Orlando a couple of years ago, and since then, once a week, I see blue and red recycling bins out in front of every home. It's a great thing.
I don't know if Orlando has advertised these bins, but I know they are easy to use and easy to get. By simply calling a number on the side of a bin, or contacting the county, residents can have a blue bin and a red bin delivered to their doorstep.
I think if Pasco County's government is serious about addressing the absolute need for recycling, then they should simply follow Orlando's example.
While there may be a need for a test to judge people's attitudes toward the plastic bins, I think the evidence in Orlando shows that with the plastic bins, residents are happy to participate.
I strongly encourage the Pasco government to contact the city of Orlando and get on the way to their own recycling success story.
-- Edward Doyle, Orlando
Turned off by support for Krewe of Chasco float
Editor: I cannot understand why the taxpayers of Pasco County allowed their money to support the Krewe of Chasco float.
Native Americans should profit from the festival and I thank them for sharing their culture. I thank Daniel Callaghan for bringing the Chasco pageant to an end.
It is a shame Daniel Callaghan was found guilty. It's a shame the officer was hurt. It's a shame I will never visit Pasco County again if the racist ways continue.
-- -- Mary Ellen Gallagher, Kingston, N.Y.
Wal-Mart cannot be faulted for heavy traffic
Editor: I have lived in the Regency/Embassy area for more than 10 years and was here when Wal-Mart moved and expanded to its new location. For the past 10 years, the traffic on the corner of U.S. 19 and Ridge Road has been horrible. Wal-Mart has re-routed some cars but I find the traffic on my commute to and from Tarpon Springs every day no worse since Wal-Mart has moved to this location.
The road in that area has been improved. Property values, in my subdivision, have gone up substantially in the last couple of years. I do believe crime is worse in our area now, but I believe that can be traced back to an apartment complex built here a few years back.
-- --Frances Van Buren, Port Richey
Campaign-speak, and what it could mean
Editor: The electorate soon will cast votes in the general election. Terms likely to be encountered during the next few days might include:
Candidate: One able to stand on a platform, sit on the fence and lie on the spot.
Gifted candidate: One who accepts gifts from special interests.
Middle-of-the-road candidate: One caught between traffic light changes.
Newspapers' recommended candidates: Those recommended to be voted for by those able to read a newspaper, but unable to decide themselves for whom to vote.
Noncommitted candidate: One who takes a parachute to lovers' leap.
Reliable candidate: One who, when bought, remains bought.
Successful candidate: One who everyone claims having gone to school with.
Unsure candidate: One who gives voters a definite "maybe" or "perhaps."
Other terms might include:
Absentee ballot: That missing at the end of the final count.
Ballot box: A means to determine whether opinion polls were correct. See opinion polls.
Opinion polls: A means for determining results of an election before it is held. See election.
Secret ballot: A means to enable voters to claim they did or did not vote for successful candidate.
Tellers: Election officials who tell ballot secrets.
Voting: Choosing a lesser of two or more evils.
Bribe: A gift that is legal if given to a candidate, but is illegal if given to a police officer.
County government: A system always short of our money.
Speech: Something easy for candidates to conceive, but difficult to deliver. For example, a baby.
Stalemate: Candidate's soured relationship with spouse.
Yawning: Voters' involuntary mouth-opening when candidates promise to introduce honesty and frugal spending to government.
An understanding of these terms will help to ensure wrong candidates are the winners of popularity contest known as a general election.
-- -- James A. Willan, Brooksville
[Last modified October 25, 2004, 15:03:53]
