News

Try showing some positive images of our troops in Iraq

Letters to the Editor
Published November 28, 2004

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I was reading my Sunday Times as normal last week and came to the Perspective section. Three-quarters of the page had a dreadful picture of our troops walking past bodies in war-torn Fallujah.

I would love to see the paper for once show a photo of the good work that our men and women are fighting to do and the good humanity they encounter. I realize the people are depending on updates of the war on terror, but do we really have to go to the extremes of showing the terror in the paper for our children to see? I may get the argument that is an area for parental supervision, but as an adult, I find this disgusting.

I do support our troops, and I know they must be going through hell and back for us. My question is just how much newspaper sensationalism, with explicit photos, does the Times need to keep the readers informed? Yes, again I will hear the comment that to capture a story, a photo is worth a thousand words.

How about remembering the stories that our troops are working so hard to spread: "Freedom" for all the people of Iraq and the Iraqis' thanks for it. Or do those photos not sell enough papers?

-- Wendy Kiral, St. Petersburg

Photo was insensitive

Re: Fallujah, by Rashid Khalidi, Nov. 21.

The Times has stooped to an all-time low, publishing a graphic photo of Army Spc. Travis Babbitt, wounded in combat in Fallujah. This man subsequently died from his wounds. Is this war a joke to you editors of the Times?

Your insensitivity is disgusting. Think about the grieving wife of Spc. Babbitt and even his parents and other relatives.

What a way to thank and remember our military.

-- Hank Grogan, Largo

To judge a Marine

Re: Marine shooting an enemy soldier.

As millions of other Americans, I have read some of the thousands of words written about that incident. Some of the editorial comments have been thoughtful, some have been ridiculous. As a former Marine, and the father of a former Marine, I have only two comments to make. Anyone who has never been in combat has no basis for judging that Marine. Secondly, it is a good thing there were no NBC cameramen "embedded" with the Marines at Iwo Jima.

-- F. Darrell Thomas, Trinity

Arabs weren't forced from homes

Re: An unsettling plan, Nov. 21.

Susan Taylor Martin's front-page article was a fair, unbiased and accurately reported portrayal of the many issues faced by the Jewish residents of Gaza. The newspaper should be complimented for sending her to the area, and she should be praised for her insightful reporting.

There was, however, one inaccurate statement. Martin stated that ". . . as many as 600,000 Arabs - soon to call themselves Palestinians - flocked to Gaza after they fled or were forced from their homes in the new Jewish state."

History shows that the 600,000 Palestinians who abandoned their homes in 1948 left of their own accord to avoid the invading Arab armies, or because they were encouraged to do so by the Arab leadership. Much of the propaganda at the time encouraged the local Arab population to leave in order to allow the surrounding Arab armies to defeat the new Jewish state. In fact the Jewish leadership tried to persuade the Arabs to stay. They offered reassurances and guarantees to them, and those who did stay were given full citizenship after the War of Independence. They were never "forced from their homes."

-- Sandra Worman, Pinellas Park

Pork comes in partisan servings

Re: For his finale, Young slices his pork thick, Nov. 21.

The article lists projects and agendas that are dear to liberals and the St. Petersburg Times' heart. "Let the federal government do everything, and let the other guy pay."

If Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., was Rep C.W. Bill Young, D-Fla., the headline would have been:

"For his finale, Young courageously fought and won funds for Florida."

When a Republican appropriates funds it is pork. When a Democrat appropriates funds it is a right and an entitlement!

If it is pork, why don't you write editorial after editorial suggesting Florida return it to the U.S. Treasury?

-- G.P. Sevachko, Holiday

Young works for his constituents

Re: For his finale, Young slices his pork thick.

Thank you, Rep. C.W. Bill Young, for the consideration you give to your constituents. Despite the many derogatory allegations of "pork," the efforts to return the taxpayers' money to worthwhile local projects is the reason the Constitution provides for sending representatives "of the people" to Congress.

If this money was not funding these projects for localities, what could possibly be expected to happen to it - except for it all to be given to some purely government bureaucracy to support itself? Thank you again.

-- John Horsting, St. Petersburg

Grateful for a community's sympathy

On behalf of the entire RadioShack family, I want to share our thanks for the words and deeds of the community following the shocking and tragic events that took place earlier this month at our Gateway Market Center store. While it's impossible to describe the disbelief and sadness we are all experiencing, we take comfort in the outpouring of compassion by the wonderful people of Tampa/St. Petersburg.

Just as people in the community have done, we, too, give our heartfelt sympathies to the families of RadioShack team member Joana Cruz and customer Kenneth Powell, two innocent young people who lost their lives in a senseless and random act of violence. Our prayers also go to RadioShack team member James Dolan and his wife, children and extended family as he begins his long and difficult rehabilitation.

I have personally been inspired by the impromptu memorial in front of the Gateway Market Center store. This spontaneous tribute of flowers, cards, letters, pictures and stuffed animals - many from people who didn't even directly know the victims - has surely provided reassurance and strength to those who have needed it the most.

Thank you, Tampa/St. Petersburg, for your generous sharing of sympathy, support and love for the victims and their families. We may never know how or why this tragic event happened, but the radiant light of your kindness will surely help ease the darkness and give comfort in the days ahead.

-- Leonard Roberts, chairman and chief executive officer, RadioShack Corp., Fort Worth, Texas

[Last modified November 28, 2004, 00:41:12]

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