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Clean lives worth more than dollars, 11/19

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 19, 2006

Re: The loudest noise is the fall of diversity, Diane Steinle column, Nov. 12.

While I seldom (if ever) disagree with Diane Steinle, I disagree with this one on the Next Big Thing alternative rock concert in Coachman Park.

While I disagree with her, I also thank Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard for standing up for what's good and decent, no matter how much revenue it brings to the city. Morals and decency are worth much more than dollars.

In today's already corrupted society, we have more trashy talk and trashy songs than anyone needs to hear. We as adults are supposed to be teaching the younger generation to live clean and decent lives, but when we say anything goes, as long as it's entertainment and makes people happy, we are not doing what's right. As the song lyric goes, "If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything," and that's what seems to be happening here.

Our standard of living has fallen over the years and is much worse today than in the 1950s, when Elvis was performing his body-grinding music. As a society, we can't get much lower without losing all of our moral decency.

Can we as parents live with ourselves if we are the cause of our children going to hell because we didn't have the guts to say no and teach them what's decent music and decent entertainment and what's garbage?

Let's get back to "Father and Mother know best" and not always allow our children to make the decisions about how we should be living.

Fran Glaros, Clearwater

Re: The loudest noise is the fall of diversity, Diane Steinle column, Nov. 12.

Rock is American and well enjoyed

Thank you for your stand on the Next Big Thing alternative rock concert in Coachman Park. The bay area's concertgoers have deep gratitude for your sincere appreciation for rockers and music.

To those who would not want more rock events out on the waterfront of Clearwater, I have the following message:

You live in a dream world if you truly believe that everyone is going to conform to your expectations of behavior. Individuality and freedom of speech would be destroyed if everyone went around living their lives as if they had a halo over their heads. Rock wouldn't be rock if it wasn't raucous and violated community standards.

I have fought for my country. I would hope my city would fight for something my country is globally known for: rock 'n' roll!

When Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard stated, "I don't think it's a good concert for us. I don't think it fits our sensibilities," I hope he didn't mean "us" and "our" as in the 15,000 people who attended this local event. I think you might have lost a vote or two, or maybe 15,000.

Clarence Wisthoff, Clearwater

Re: The loudest noise is the fall of diversity, Diane Steinle column, Nov. 12.

Keep standards and lose revenue

Ms. Steinle bemoans the loss of thousands of dollars for the Clearwater coffers. Do a city and its residents have to abandon all standards to justify revenue?

And speaking of standards, remind me again just why the St. Petersburg Times will not publish verbatim the complete dialog and lyrics from the Next Big Thing concert?

Kenn Sidorewich, Oldsmar

Re: Two of three vandalism suspects arrested, story, Nov. 14.

'Kids will be kids' is not an excuse

What a crying shame that this kind of thing happens so often!

The kids are essentially forgiven by the Largo police officer's comment that everyone makes mistakes. Granted, we all make mistakes, and I have made more than my share; however vandalism was not on the list.

And then, the father of the young man at large has whisked his son out of the county. What is wrong with our community that it mitigates such behavior with a "kids will be kids" attitude?

Firstly, that father should be arrested post haste for obstruction of justice. Kudos to the parents who got their offspring to finally do the right thing.

As for the young people who destroyed the cemetery statues, I suggest the judge sentence them to confinement with the requirement that they stay confined until they carve exact replacements of the statues. And they should be further required to repair the ones they destroyed. Perhaps they won't grow up to be the deadbeats that are so prevalent in this county and beyond and will have learned a skill with which they will earn a living.

My God, aren't there any decent young people in this county? Are they all just following their parents in total alcoholic apathy and laziness? Yeah, so much for the Florida lifestyle!

Nel Bringsjord, Safety Harbor

Looking ahead

What does the recent slowdown of development activity on Pinellas beaches portend about the future of Clearwater Beach? The news isn't all bad. Editorial, today's Perspective section.

[Last modified November 18, 2006, 20:48:47]