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Airport's appeal seems geared toward a few, 12/3

The little airport that could - bloom, that is Nov. 26

Living in St. Petersburg is exciting for my husband and me, and we would like to feel positive about the efforts to promote the city's appeal to a greater number of people.

Ostensibly, "airport boosters" want to promote Albert Whitted Airport and its public appeal. I see nothing appealing to the general public in their plans.

Unless the food in the proposed restaurant is unique and fantastic, it is unlikely that locals will return once the novelty is experienced. How often do people want to dine with airplane noise when there are better alternatives?

The park seems to have limited appeal. Again, good for a few visits, but otherwise why not take the kids to a local park?

And what about those of us who do not have children? The terminal, while attractive in the drawing, is appealing only to those who will use it - the wealthy few and their friends who have private planes.

The airshow draws a crowd, mostly from outside of the downtown area, does not seem to help business downtown and is noisy for those of us who live in or near downtown.

We came to St. Petersburg too late to vote on the airport, but it looks as though it is maintained by and for a small percentage of the population, with very limited and specific interests.

Since it is such a large tract of land, it seems that those in charge could find a more widespread appeal if they really wanted to. Do they?

I urge broader participation in the decisionmaking and deeper appreciation for a wider range of people, interests and taste.

Tina Spangler, St. Petersburg

Author stresses basic moral issues Nov. 22

Right to life is most basic

I read the phone interview with the Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ USA.

The context of the article and Edgar's book Middle Church shows exactly why he and middle America have missed the boat on morality issues today.

He states moral issues such as peace, the environment and poverty should take precedence over discussions about homosexuality, abortion, civil marriage and stem cell research. He states, "We don't know enough of God's wishes on any of that."

Our basic moral issue decline is abortion or human rights. That main human right is the right to life. It is not about women's rights, gay rights and the rights of the disabled. It is about human rights.

When the rights of any segment of humanity start trumping the rights of others or taking their lives, it is against God's law.

Bob Edgar further states we should follow the example of Christ in loving those who are different. The religious right understands Jesus' message of "love thy neighbor as thyself" but also understands Christ's message to the sinner, "Go and sin no more."

Once the war on abortion is over and we end this dark chapter in our history, all other moral issues will fall into place.

Shawn Bayes, Seminole

Not even flag made here

The other day a good veteran was sitting in the hot sun in front of one of our supermarkets, offering a flag for a donation, as they do every year.

I'm a vet also and did my duty and got my flag.

Once home, I happened to inspect it more carefully. Printed on very thin, transparent plastic and attached to a 10-inch plastic straw, the flag had the right number of stars and stripes. But in small print on the edge of the flag was, "Made in China."

Does anyone care anymore? Is there a company in this whole country that can supply the VFW with flags made in the United States without going bankrupt?

Some day you may find your paper currency stamped "Made in China." Almost everything else is.

Harry W. Zutell, Tarpon Springs

Health care nonsense

I had an experience last month that left me outraged! I went to the Pinellas County Health Department to get my annual flu shot, and while waiting, another gentleman also requested one. When he was asked about insurance, he stated that he had Medicaid and was then told that Medicaid did not cover flu shots. So if he wanted to get one, he would have to pay $25.

This makes no sense to me. Not only do I have a problem with the morality of this, but it also seems to me that we should all be entitled to good health care whether we are rich or poor. It doesn't even make sense in regard to cutting the cost of health care.

So instead of the state using our tax dollars to pay for a $25 flu shot, the state is willing to pay thousands of dollars for the possible hospitalization of this disabled person when he gets sick. Who are the idiots making these decisions?

The other issue I have is in regard to the county Health Department. I may be wrong, but isn't the Health Department's mission to keep healthy those citizens in our county who cannot afford minimal health care?

Doesn't it make sense to want as few people in our community vulnerable to spreading the flu as possible?

The only regret that I have about this whole incident is that I did not think to offer to pay for this person to have a flu shot myself. By the time I did think of it, he was gone. Perhaps the day has come when we have to start thinking of taking care of each other, because obviously the government does not have the welfare of our citizens as one of its priorities.

Frank Beekman, Largo

Make area affordable

In the obsession over buying, selling and building real estate - sometimes at the expense of relatively poor people - may the developers be less mercenary and more merciful.

May those responsible also improve the bus system. It is hard for a working person to wait - sometimes in discomfort - for transportation to a place of employment.

I believe I am not the only one concerned about making this area more affordable.

Hunt Roberts, Pinellas Park

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[Last modified December 2, 2006, 23:01:19]