Lincoln was a president who made wise appointments
Letters to the Editor
Published October 23, 2005
Re: The Bush administration's 15 biggest hacks, Oct. 16.
Abraham Lincoln spoke of ". . . government of the people, by the people, for the people . . ." Well we are the people and we are responsible for the current political situation.
George W. Bush says he accepts responsibility on a federal level, while we the people - the voters - are responsible. Bush put former FEMA director Michael "Brownie" Brown in his position, and he was relieved of his responsibility. Maybe we the people should relieve Bush of his position.
The Perspective section's article about all the Bush hacks was just a few pages away from two book page items about Lincoln. To explain why he chose enemies and opponents for his Cabinet, Lincoln said, "We needed the strongest men . . . I had no right to deprive the country of their services."
It is a privilege to serve the people. You don't serve the people because you are privileged.
-- Ali Rae Duffy, Brooksville
Focusing on the wrong things
Re: The Bush administration's 15 biggest hacks.
The founding fathers of this great country are likely turning over in their graves after seeing the power of the press abused by the St. Petersburg Times. It's despicable how you focus on the 15 biggest hacks of the Bush administration rather than on the Iraqi election, the new constitution and what it means to democracy in Iraq and the liberation potentially of the entire region.
There is so much to be said and written about America's accomplishments both politically and in actual progress on a wide variety of fronts. Your credibility would be enhanced greatly if you focused on being more objective about the realities of the world instead of on the political gains you can make by bashing Bush.
I think your readers would agree that it would be much more enlightening to see how the rights of women and minorities in Iraq are being furthered or by reading about the postioning of various Iraqi factions related to the election, rather than the steady drumbeat of your liberal bias.
-- Evan Jones, St. Petersburg
What about Clinton's hacks?
Re: The Bush administration's 15 biggest hacks.
Very interesting. So, what's new? I must have missed your comments on the hacks in the Clinton administration. If you can send me a copy it would be appreciated.
-- Raymond A. Raiczyk, Port Richey
Real news was displaced
Re: A body finds peace at last, Oct. 16.
No doubt there is news value in stories that make us recognize how the hardships of Katrina didn't end when CNN stopped live reporting. But what editorial policy makes front-page headline news out of a story about a carousing truck driver's unfortunate death when there is so much other hard news to be reported?
The Iraq vote did make the front page, but I had to get to Page 4 to learn what happened at the "Millions More March" in Washington, and that Judith Miller finally testified she doesn't recall who told her Valerie Plame was a CIA agent!
I can't help but feel your choice of a lead article last Sunday simply plays to peoples' innate interest in the tragedies of others, and did so in place of other timely, legitimate and important news.
-- Kenneth Rosenberger, Palm Harbor
A flat tax is a fair tax
Re: A far-right tax fantasy, editorial, Oct. 16.
Call it a far-right fantasy if you want, but taxing all income at the same rate is fair. Charging all taxpayers the same amount is even more fair. When you buy a loaf of bread, the clerk doesn't ask you how much money you make. Why can't governments do the same?
Yes, such a flat tax should be accompanied by repeal of itemized deductions. Just imagine: A short and simple income tax return, a smaller IRS, and fewer lobbyists with special access to our representatives. I suppose that last one is a fantasy of citizens on the left and right.
-- William AuCoin, St. Petersburg
Take a stand for decency
Re: The McCain amendment.
Where is our national sense of morality and outrage? Sen. John McCain's statement in the Senate was so clear on why the United States must continue to stand for the principle of human decency. Our country must not promote or condone the use of torture and other forms cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, without exception. This must be the case anywhere in the world by our own personnel or by "contracted" agents of our government.
The administration's insistence that this amendment will "tie its hands" is outrageous. As one editorial said recently, "When Americans feel free to treat other human beings, even evil ones, with the kind of cruelty that the whole world saw at Abu Ghraib, their hands deserve to be tied".
I will be calling Rep. Bill Young to express my support for the McCain amendment. I will also ask him to support establishing a truly independent commission to investigate allegations of torture by agents of the U.S. government around the world. It is time to take a stand for decency and morality.
-- Wanda Schwerer, Belleair Beach
Find a better approach
Re: The Crusaders, Oct. 16.
As noble as the intentions of Turn Around St. Petersburg are, it is irresponsible to depict chain-smoking Jeanne Shearer as a role model.
Dragging your child into the streets to be threatened and possibly seriously hurt by suspected drug dealers is child endangerment. Feeding a helpless dog alcohol, which can be fatal, is animal cruelty.
Maybe groups like this should focus on providing more opportunities for young people in these neighborhoods rather than harassing the 90 percent of law-abiding citizens who reside in them.
-- Amber Thomas, Largo
Not the best role model
Re: The Crusaders.
I would note the following regarding Jeanne Shearer and her self-appointed role as an antidrug crusader. She smokes, drinks and enjoys getting her pet dog drunk. She has also taught her daughter to harass and malign people who live in a "high-crime" neighborhood - people who may or may not be involved in drug trafficking.
A former user and the mother of at least one other user, she's obviously forgotten that addicts are people first and no one is helped by constant harassment and strong-arm tactics. Not my idea of a great role model, thanks just the same!
-- Bonnie Navin, Gulfport
Appalling treatment of a dog
I was really enjoying the article about these antidrug crusaders, and the impact they are having on the crime and drug areas of St. Petersburg, until the last paragraph.
How dare Jeanne Shearer get her dog drunk, and then laugh and brag about it to a police officer. I am appalled! I hope every single animal rights activist asks for an inquiry into this disturbing incident.
-- Julie Holmes, St. Petersburg
[Last modified October 22, 2005, 00:54:02]
