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Gay-Straight Alliance has no place in public schools

Re: "Michael's Agenda," March 17

Michael Freincle is free to choose for himself what sexual orientation he so desires, as are all of God's children. What he is not free to do is to force that sexual preference on the public. The public school system in which Mr. Freincle currently attends is not "free," but paid for by the hard-working citizens of Hillsborough County, the state of Florida and the United States of America.

By trying to force taxpayers to subsidize gross immorality, the Gay-Straight Alliance, Mr. Freincle is forcing his sexuality on the public. This is wrong.

I, as a taxpaying citizen, am strongly opposed to GSA clubs in the public school system. I have a duty to see to it that my money, forcefully taken from me by the government, is spent in a way that does not violate my conscience and sense of moral obligation. If the parents who pay taxes and support the education system under which Mr. Freincle attends decide that they are opposed to GSA clubs in the public school system, then the School Board should represent those parents whose children they govern.

The government is accountable to the people and taxpayers about how their money is used and spent.

- Leslie Burnett, Valrico

Seat belt laws are meant to help us, not hinder us

Ever since my 16-year-old granddaughter, Katie Marchetti, lost her life in a recent auto accident, I have looked for the answer: Why?

The driver survived because he wore his seat belt. I can no longer ask Katie why she chose not to wear her seat belt that evening on March 3.

But I now ask everyone I encounter: "Do you wear your seat belt?"

Surprisingly, the adults who do not wear their seat belts tell me, "I don't want anyone telling me what to do!" I thought we blamed teenagers for being defiant.

Teenagers tell me that the seat belt is "uncomfortable." Or they say, "I forgot," or, "I was in a hurry." If we lived in an ideal world, then rules or regulations to tell us what to do would not be needed. But we live in a very real world full of consequences for our actions.

There is a bill before the Florida House of Representatives now to enforce the wearing of seat belts. The intent of House Bill 97 is not to take away your rights, but to ensure your rights to a (long and safe) life, (responsible) liberty, and the pursuit of your daily happiness.

The founding fathers of our Constitution realized early on that the real world needed protection. House Bill 97 is for your protection. Support that bill.

Call state Sen. Tom Lee at 744-8683 and state Rep. Rich Glorioso at 757-9110 now! Seat belts do save lives. Katie would still be with us if she had worn her seat belt that fateful night.

- Diane Ford Sipe, Valrico

[Last modified March 30, 2006, 14:04:16]