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Don't try to blame the president for T-shirt incident

Re: T-shirt tumult, Feb. 3.

Your lead editorial appears to lend credence to the perception that the Times is critical of President Bush, regardless of the facts. Your subheadline implies the administration had a hand in the State of the Union T-shirt incident. The facts demand a different interpretation.

The Capitol police force is the law enforcement arm of Congress. As such, it is a legislative branch entity. The Capitol police are not responsible to the Bush administration, the executive branch.

In addition, no matter how vague and inarticulate, the rule being enforced by the Capitol police is the creation of the House of Representatives. The responsibility for the incident, therefore, lies with the members of the House and not the Bush administration.

Furthermore, the Times appears to be falling in obeisance at the feet of Rep. C.W. Bill Young and his wife Beverly in absolving them of any culpability. As the Times has so often reported, Rep. Young is one of the most powerful members of the House. Both he and his wife should know and be accountable for upholding the intent and the decorum embodied in the rule. "Shame, shame" lies with the congressman for not insisting in his remarks that the House should better define its rule on demonstrations. "Shame, shame" on Beverly Young for her lack of respect for the House chamber and the president's address to the Congress and the nation.

And "shame, shame" on the Times for not better explaining the source of and responsibility for the rule before blaming the Bush administration.

Appropriate attire shows respect

Re: Capitol collars stir XXL uproar, Feb. 2.

Beverly Young has undoubtedly been a strong, supportive voice for America's military veterans. The same goes for her husband, Rep. C.W. Bill Young. Their actions on behalf of our vets, both publicized and unseen, have been a tremendous blessing to those who have served in uniform.

While respecting the uniform, perhaps they have forgotten that there is still some uniformity expected from this nation's civilian population. Although things are more casual than they once were, a few dress code minimums should be anticipated from time to time.

It's about respect. If you look like you just left the beach while at a semiformal affair, you are probably more interested in drawing attention to yourself than showing respect for the evening's theme. It doesn't matter if it's a T-shirt at the State of the Union speech or wearing a bikini to church: What you wear still says a lot about how much respect you have for those around you, and yourself. As long as we remain civilized there will always be places where appropriate dress will be required.

A lesson in modern politics

Perhaps Beverly Young, and hopefully Rep. C.W. Bill Young, have just learned what it is like to attempt to exercise the right to free speech, only to be forcefully restricted from that right under this paranoid president, just like Cindy Sheehan.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, and even better for all Americans to witness. Welcome to modern America, Mrs. Young!

News media have a vital role

Carlson's Feb. 3 column In newspapers, purpose must come before profit brings to mind Martin Dyckman's Jan. 15 column Farewell, readers - and treasure your Times, in which, among other things, he stated the danger of the decline of independent media.

I sincerely believe Carlson is right in stating, "News media are a vital part of democracy. They are the eyes and ears of voters. They provide a check against government power. They enable the afflicted to seek redress. They help us understand issues and decide how to vote."

Some may think I am over solicitous in my expressions to the editorial board of the Times, but I, too, can see the trend of less independence in all types of media. Dyckman, as one of your own, says it best: "You may - and should - take occasional issue with the Times' editorial and news judgments. But there will never be grounds to doubt the independence behind them." Dyckman ended his column with this admonishment: "The newspaper you hold in your hands is an irreplaceable treasure. Please, please, never let it go."

Kindness in killing?

Re: Lethal injection.

Does anyone else see the irony in worrying about how much pain is inflicted when killing someone? Isn't killing someone the ultimate "cruel and unusual" punishment?

It seems to me that in the context of death, a small amount of physical pain is fairly low on the cruelty scale. Seems pretty fruitless to try to find a "kind" way to kill someone.

Crossbow hunting is cruel

Re: Crossbow hunting season now official, Feb. 2.

I read with total disgust that the state's wildlife commissioners voted to establish a crossbow-hunting season. I became more appalled as the article said it is good news for all wanna-be William Tells, as though it is some kind of fairy tale.

What kind of person shoots an arrow into an animal and then watches as it tries to run while wrenching in pain and dying a slow, agonizing death. It sickens me that someone could actually find this behavior in any way amusing.

Pound animals need rescuing

Recently I had the gut-wrenching experience of returning early from a vacation in order to search for two of my dogs that had escaped through a fence. Hillsborough County Animal Control did a great job of recovering both dogs and keeping them overnight at the Falkenburg Road facility.

As happy as it made me to find both of them alive and well at Animal Control, it made me equally disconsolate to see so many other dogs in cages awaiting probable euthanasia if no one claims or adopts them in the near future.

I urge anyone contemplating getting a dog or cat to go first to Animal Control. When you adopt an animal from the "pound" you're not just gaining a pet, you're saving a life.

[Last modified February 6, 2006, 01:09:14]