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Make hurricane shutters a requirement for insurance

Re: Hurricane protection .

God helps those who help themselves, and this should be the policy of the state of Florida. With another hurricane season approaching, and Citizens Insurance facing a financial crisis, it is well past the time to close a gaping hole in the state's insurance program.

In 2004, as St. Pete Beach was being evacuated in the path of Charley, we buttoned up our condo and left. But we were appalled by the numbers of condos, houses and even some businesses that had done absolutely nothing to protect themselves against the predicted onslaught.

Yet these same people will expect insurance to cover the damage that they could have easily prevented or, at least, greatly mitigated. It is time for a sharp wakeup call to be sent to these apathetic people. Citizens Insurance should adopt a policy of "no shutters, no insurance." There have been numerous studies proving the effectiveness of proper shuttering. It won't cure all of Citizens' problems, but it will help avoid millions of dollars in preventable damage.

The responsible people in Florida are fed up with having to pick up the tab, for people who won't do a thing to help themselves.

If you want to live in Florida's beautiful coastal areas, you have to be prepared to pay the cost, instead of asking others to pick it up.

What about self-reliance?

Re: Katrina cleanup.

Let me first make my bias disclaimer: I am sick and tired of hearing about Katrina and New Orleans. More specifically, I am weary of all the complaints about how poorly the cleanup is being handled.

That said, I have tried to look at the complaints somewhat objectively. Some obvious facts become crystal clear. The loudest and most frequent complaints come from folks with different agendas. First are those who view the situation as a racial issue. Then those who see it as a poverty issue. Then, of course, those who see it as a president-bashing opportunity. All of these groups can be defined by the old cliche, "Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is made up."

Sadly, however, in addition to the aforementioned groups, there are many, many people who feel that no matter what the government does it is not enough, and it is not done fast enough. Can no one do anything for themselves anymore?

Better power line maintenance helps

Re: Keeping the power on, Feb. 27.

Thank you so much for an excellent editorial. It indeed has to be a priority to maintain facilities better and to get as much as possible underground as soon as possible.

It impressed me to read in your reporting of Hurricane Wilma that power through underground lines had been restored in two or three days, while power through overhead facilities was expected to be off for three to four weeks.

And I've had personal experience with the effectiveness of upgraded maintenance: In 2003, in huge frustration about four major outages in six weeks (one of which cost me about $2,000) and unable to reach a human at Progress Energy, I wrote to the PSC. As a result, maintenance people were swarming all over my lines and connections for a couple of weeks. The next summer, in the four major storms, when people a block away from me were without power for weeks, my total loss of power was about 20 minutes. It's just anecdotal proof, but it sure suggests to me that upgraded maintenance can significantly reduce the dangers and inconveniences of power outages.

I think it would be excellent for all readers to let the commission know how much we appreciate their efforts to keep our power on and to let them know we want no slacking off! Here's the information: Florida Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850. Phone: 1-850-413-6100. Complaint Line: 1-800-342-3552. Fax: 1-800-511-0809. Web Page: www.floridaPSC.com

And thank you once again for keeping us informed on this very major issue!

Abortion considerations

Re: Turning back the clock on abortion, March 10.

Your recent editorial on South Dakota's outlawing of abortion was excellent but left out three other important points.

First, by simple virtue of biology women are the child bearers. Men, on the other hand, don't suffer any of the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy, other than perhaps paying child support, which is still rarely enforced these days. Fathers of these pregnancies will once again escape any consequences if women and doctors are prosecuted for abortions.

Second, outlawing abortion will not stop it. You did mention back alleys, and that will be one of the few choices for poor women. But rich women always will have access to abortion, either by leaving the country to get one or by having a doctor that will provide it and call it a different procedure on paper.

Third, you neglected to mention the consequences of having even more unwanted children brought into the world. How many unwanted children are languishing in foster homes and state run centers? How many times do we open the paper to find yet another story about a child murdered at the hands of a parent or step-parent?

The situation will not improve until we start teaching real-world sex education from an early age, empower girls to make informed choices about their bodies, and raise them with a great deal of self-esteem to counter societal pressures. Oh, and it would be nice, too, if people actually thought about the consequences of bringing new life into the world before they actually do it.

Women need to be more responsible

Re: We just can't let women choose, March 8.

Molly Ivins' column raises the question: When are women going to choose birth control instead of using abortion as birth control? The mother of two finds herself pregnant with a third child she can't afford. What was this woman thinking? With all the birth control available today she could have prevented this pregnancy instead of ending it. Women need to take responsibility. If you don't want children don't get pregnant in the first place!

And in the case of rape, there are plenty of people out there who want to be parents through adoption. Abortion can be just as traumatic as the rape itself. Give the child up for adoption. There are plenty of choices available. Abortion does not have to be one of them. Women need to take control of their lives by being responsible.

We've had enough secrecy

Re: Confidentiality important in state economic development, letter from Gov. Jeb Bush, March 10.

Once again our governor, Jeb Bush, does not like an editorial written in your newspaper. In his response to your editorial, Unseemly secrecy (March 7), he states, "Confidentiality is important in economic development business dealings." I am sure that's true; it also helps in criminal activities.

Here's an idea: If your business wants to keep its business dealings private, don't accept corporate welfare.

I think there's been enough business done behind closed doors with people claiming executive privilege. I for one have had enough!

[Last modified March 13, 2006, 00:58:12]