Sound off

Hats off to Terry Tomalin and the Times for lifting the veil of secrecy and deceit surrounding the long-line fishing industry on the central west coast of Florida. The backroom deals and collusion surrounding the buyout program have been amazing. The proposed long-line buyout plan will destroy 900-1,500 small fishermen and enrich 25 big-time operators. This is not how America works.

Thanks, Terry, for the terrific job.

Bob Bryant, St. Petersburg

Thanks to Terry Tomalin for exposing the shady underbelly of the long-line grouper fishing industry. They are starting to scramble like cockroaches with the light turned on. I just finished a letter to Congressman (C.W. Bill) Young asking him to distance himself from these individuals and abandon support for the long-line buyout plan that he sponsored.

Richard Taylor, St. Petersburg

Terry Tomalin's work covering the grouper regulation debate, and his work exposing long-line and regulatory agency activities, are a public service for which he and the Times should be commended.

The Bucs' win over the Saints was a gift. Once again Jon Gruden's playcalling was rudimentary, lacking any creativity or ferocity. He has all the weapons a coach would want - a premier running back with great backups, a deep-threat receiver and two others who can produce big numbers, a tight end with great hands, a fullback with strength and a quarterback who can throw a deep, accurate pass. Any other coach would take advantage and mix up the plays.

Tim Robinson, St. Petersburg

[Last modified December 11, 2005, 02:15:36]