Media reports about suicide need to be more sensitive
Letters to the EditorPublished January 10, 2006
Re: 911 tape reveals Dungy hanging, Jan. 5.
When there is a high-profile suicide like James Dungy's, it affects so many people in so many ways. There is the obvious affect on people already on the edge of suicide, and it also affects those who are survivors of a loved one's suicide. Sensationalism is what gives the media a distasteful name.
Articles like this one regarding the 911 call about James Dungy and the running commentary are perfect examples of newspaper writing at its worst. Who needed that information? Certainly not those who are highly vulnerable to this type of descriptive writing.
Please use the power of the press in a positive way. Always include warning signs and risk factors and numbers for people to call in times of crisis whenever you write about suicide. Suicide is the No.3 cause of death for teens and the ninth leading cause of death for all ages in Florida.
It is time to pay attention and educate ourselves about suicide. We can stop this preventable death.
Bonnie McClelland, chapter director, Suncoast Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, Seminole
Leave the Dungy family alone
Re: 911 tape reveals Dungy hanging.
The article regarding the means of death for James Dungy was unnecessary. The article says: "Exactly what happened the night James Dungy killed himself still remains a mystery to the public." The "public" only cares that the Dungy family is comforted and can somehow put the pieces of their lives back together.
The "public's" knowing the means of death is irrelevant as there is nothing we can do with the information. If we knew "exactly what happened the night James Dungy killed himself" what difference would it make? I would suggest you leave the Dungy family alone to put their broken lives back together.
Richard Behers, Largo
A pointless invasion of privacy
Can someone please explain to me the purpose of releasing tapes and/or transcripts of any 911 calls? I do not feel the need to hear people in crisis, during their most vulnerable moments. I cannot understand what benefit it serves to override their privacy - aided by the local media.
The only 911 call I want to hear is Lassie on speed dial because Timmy is stuck in a well.
Susan Massarsky, Safety Harbor
Tony Dungy helped to define us
Re: Tony Dungy made Tampa Bay residents proud to be Bucs fans, Jan. 7.
Thank you, Times, for publishing Andrew McAlister's article on the "coach." While Tony Dungy works elsewhere, he remains one of our prominent citizens. As a resident of the west coast of Florida and a Times subscriber for 40 years, I've found it gratifying to witness this man help us to define our Tampa Bay persona, that part which illustrates our deep Judeo-Christian beliefs.
The fans and the players for the Bucs have put Tampa Bay at the top of the list of caring communities. It was a pleasure to live here in 1960. It is with pride to do so now.
Ken LaPorte, Crystal River
Children behaving badly
Re: Parents are oblivious while their kids run wild.
In answer to Karin Klein's Jan. 5 column, I agree that putting up with badly behaved children is now the norm, not the exception. I worked in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years, and I can pinpoint the day that I noticed children were no longer being disciplined. It was during a stint as manager in a popular chain restaurant in 1998. The customers came in and immediately the child demanded her "macncheese-macncheese-macncheese" at the top of her 4-year-old lungs. I was walking by and laughingly asked, "What's the magic word?" And the next thing I knew the mother was furiously telling me not to teach her how to raise her child.
I apologized, went to the kitchen, got the mac-n-cheese and, to myself, wished the little darling the best of luck in a world that most definitely was not going to revolve around her.
P.S.: Has anyone noticed the proliferation of etiquette classes for children? Perhaps if adults remembered that they were trained how to say please and thank-you, not to talk with their mouths full, and not to drape themselves over their food, they would not need to spend the money on expensive classes. My parents were my parents, not my friends. And they raised me; I did not just grow up. As a child, I may have resented their continual corrections, but as an adult I will always be grateful they persevered.
Anne Fagan, St. Pete Beach
Light show missed an opportunity
Re: Lights on Tampa.
I'm usually the last to show up with a wet blanket, but in a time of heightened consciousness about responsible use of energy resources, this exhibit with its superfluous, albeit aesthetically pleasing, consumption of electrical energy seems out of touch with the times.
The organizers missed a good opportunity for incorporating a more progressive, conservation-minded message by powering their exhibits, at least partly, with alternative sources of energy: solar panels, wind turbines, even stationary bikes with generators hooked to rechargable batteries. With such bikes, patrons could participate in the art's creation by actually making the needed energy - illuminating minds along with the art.
David Westmark, St. Petersburg
Tampa water fee deserved debate
Re: Tampa's new water fee surprises building industry, Jan. 7.
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's new water impact fee may be a step in the right direction for ensuring that growth pays for itself, but she went about it the wrong way. An important public policy decision should not be rolled out like this. A policy of this magnitude deserves public involvement and debate in the sunshine for all to see and be heard, even if it may be a good idea.
If there's a case to be made against a county mayor, it is this move by Iorio. So much power should not reside with just one person.
Iorio is wrong to make this tax increase without meaningful debate. That is un-Democratic and becoming this City Hall's modus operandi.
Gene Wells, Tampa
Protection priorities
I am grateful that Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms and others are protecting me from "go-go" dancing, gay parades and library displays. Anybody know how they're doing on preparing for future hurricanes and a bird flu epidemic?
Mortimer Brown, Lutz
Exercise for the mind
Thanks for Sudoku. What a pleasant way to exercise those aging brain cells. It would help if the boxes were a bit larger.
Al Younghaus, Belleair Bluffs