Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Family's story necessary to show all sides of Iraq war

I am completely mystified about the vitriol aimed at the Times and its staff concerning the article Her baby goes off to war that ran Aug. 15. I do not understand how simply allowing a family to express its concerns over the deployment of a 19-year-old family member to a war zone somehow constitutes a liberal bias in some way.

I believe the story brings to light an alarming trend, that of underaged individuals signing enlistment papers. Even with parental approval, I cannot see the harm in letting an individual wait a few months more before making such an important decision on their own.

This country seems to be in the grips of an unhealthy social attitude, that is, "If you are not with us, you must be against us."

The irony of those who subscribe to this mind-set is that America has never been a place of homogenized opinions, and thankfully we have laws in this country that allow for all to think as they please.

This war may well prove the defining event of Pfc. Denna Poucher's generation, and the Times would be remiss if it did not cover all sides of this story - even the side that would displease those who see all objection as "liberal" or "antitroop."

Firsthand contact shows mayor has no "moral virus'

Re: Moral virus continues to rage on in Safety Harbor, letter by Jack Bray, Aug. 22.

Mr. Bray, of Dunedin, I suggest you return for further study to the "moral medical school" you apparently attended, as you have clearly misdiagnosed the moral "virus" you think Safety Harbor Mayor Pam Corbino has.

You might do better focusing your efforts in your own community and diagnosing what is wrong with two of your fellow residents who wrote recent letters (Not everyone in Dunedin embraces diversity, Aug. 21, and City deserves no praise for events promoting gay lifestyle, Aug. 23). You might find evidence of a moral virus there!

With regard to the content of your Aug. 22 letter, it is apparent that you do not know Pam Corbino nor have you worked with her in any capacity.

Additionally, it seems as though your opinions are founded on newspaper articles, editorials and letters to this editor with no direct or firsthand knowledge of a person whose behaviors you have compared to an impeached president and commited felon. I would guess that you sent that letter because you could, for the sake of freedom of speech, not because you wanted to make the issues in Safety Harbor any better for the community.

My family and I have been Safety Harbor residents for several years and have known Pam Corbino as both mayor and middle school teacher. We support her and acknowledge the many good things she has done while in office. Both of my children were students of Mrs. Corbino and each have said what an excellent job she did as an instructor and motivator. My son, who is in his second year of college and employed by Apple Computer, was fortunate enough to have her as his first computer teacher. To quote you, sir, "Enough already!"

Commissioner's actions are an abuse of power

I just reviewed the Aug. 15 Safety Harbor City Commission meeting and was appalled at hearing the controversy surrounding Commissioner Kara Bauer and her neighbor, Patrice Charles-Platteis.

This is a clear case of abuse of power and of the public trust by an elected official.

Bauer had the city hire a consultant to condemn seven trees on the property adjacent to hers, owned by Platteis.

The trees were healthy, but Bauer feared that if there was a hurricane, they might fall on her house.

This action by our city's staff on behalf of an elected official has set a precedent in Safety Harbor that the city will pay for a consultant to come in and inspect trees to be removed on either citizens' property or a neighbor's property.

This whole incident is shameful and very self-serving.

One can only wonder how much more of this type of behavior we can look forward to for the remainder of Commissioner Bauer's term.

[Last modified August 26, 2005, 01:36:21]