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Ranch family shows the best of Florida values

A love of the land Jan. 21, Floridian story 

Jeff Klinkenberg has written the best epitaph yet for the genuine Old Florida with his article Sunday about the Lightsey family. I certainly hope that they don't move to Georgia, because we need them here in Florida. They embody the best of the old values of hard work and real family values, and the best of the new values of true environmentalism and the love of (what's left of) the real Florida.

Families like the Lightseys are certainly endangered. My wife's family also dates to the 1850s' Central Florida. After 13 years in Washington, D.C., we returned in 1997 to a Florida that was hardly recognizable and has changed even more since then.

Jeff Klinkenberg has done a masterful job of painting a portrait that is wistful yet unsentimental, showing the Lightseys and those like them as real ranchers, not romanticized cowboys or as backwoods hicks.

With Florida probably doubling in population in the next 50 years, it's even more of a shame that families like the Lightseys are certainly the endangered species. As always, Jeff Klinkenberg has captured the essence of the real Florida.

G. Lockwood, Valrico

Families in contrast 

A love of the land and Cher's swanky, televised "Sweet 16" Jan. 21, Floridian stories

I suspect it was quite unintentional on the part of the St. Petersburg Times, but never have I read two feature stories, on the same page, that leave the reader with such totally different effects on the human psyche.

First, you have the story of the Lightseys, a wonderful account of a ranching family that has shoved materialism aside and devoted their lives to land conservation and the protection and preservation of wild animals.

Then, in stark contrast, you have the story of the "Sweet 16" party, a tale of an event reeking in overindulgence and self-gratification, a story that leaves the reader - at least this one - with a feeling of revulsion.

Bill Bravick, New Port Richey

Oprah has contributed much 

Dishing on O and her dough Jan. 21, commentary

I was appalled at Eric Deggans' portrayal of Oprah Winfrey, maligning her for having reaped the benefits of her wealth and celebrity. Having recently visited South Africa, I know firsthand the value of Oprah's school.

Oprah has been a shining light of inspiration, vision, integrity and philanthropy to a multitude of races worldwide. Her wealth is a by-product of her genius and American work ethic. Surely such a woman is entitled to reap the benefits of a few personal indulgences in a life so defined by contribution.

In Deggans' own words, "the critic in me rears its ugly head." This is accompanied by ugly words, which, unlike Oprah, contribute nothing to the wellbeing of anyone.

Amy Bryant, Palm Harbor

Honoring her origins 

Dishing on O and her dough Jan. 21, commentary

Oh, my goodness - Oprah is a material girl. Well, as my mother taught me, if someone had more than you did, be happy for them. After all, they did not steal it from you. Clear enough, is it not?

Then this silly hullabaloo about where Oprah chose to build a girls' school. It is her right and, besides, her roots are in that part of the world. That's clear, too.

Too many Americans never think about their roots. Their ancestors came here to forge a better life for themselves and their children. It is not disloyal to America to have a strong connection and to identify with the pioneers in our own families, who built America - all nationalities and races. Pretty clear, too, I think.

Oprah honors her origins by giving a gift of love to a place from which her ancestors were ripped out and scattered throughout the planet. Very clear to me.

Milka Bamond, St. Petersburg

Tony Dungy: mentor

Tony Dungy did a great job coaching his team to the Super Bowl, but it's the plays off the field that impress many of his fans. During his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dungy encouraged his players to do more than score touchdowns. He wanted them to be major "players" - mentors - in a child's life.

January is National Mentoring Month, and it's only fitting that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Inc. salutes Dungy as one of the best mentors in the country. Not only did he serve as a guest speaker for an agency event to thank volunteers for their efforts, he also recruited others to join in! Many players, including Shelton Quarles, became Big Brothers.

On game day, we'll be here at home cheering, and regardless of the score, Tony Dungy is already a winner - by setting example for others.

De Anna Sheffield, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Inc., Tampa

Gender and learning 

The Mars-Venus approach Jan. 21, story

Approaches to gender-specific learning that leave out aspects of mental, physical, emotional and social development are myopic at best. The article presents several tenuous assumptions: Gender separation only makes sense; stereotypes are nonexistent in the classroom; and achievements are valid when adults say they are.

What boys or girls see as competition and how they "tend" to react is a broad sweep that becomes further disconnected from the realities of individual learning when these programs spread. Gender expectations and tailoring can't be separated from stereotypes whether they are seen as experiments or remedies for differences because they are reactions to how girls and boys ought to perform.

Math and reading scores are measures of historical performance and say very little about skills and abilities. Encouragement, quality instruction and inspiration are not gender challenged, gender supported, or gender neutral. They are facets of individual potential and discovery.

Peter Gamache, Tampa

It could be a trap

While I support the purpose of the congressional nonbinding resolution opposing the president's New Way Forward in Iraq, I am not convinced of its wisdom.

The troop surge may be calculated as the president's exit strategy in disguise. After a few months, and even without measurable success, he can declare "victory," attribute it to the surge, and begin withdrawing.

Those antisurgers who signed onto the resolution will then be tagged as "cut and runners" who had attempted to foil this outcome.

The sentiment of the nation and Congress is clear. Why bait a trap with a formal resolution?

Marty Normile, St. Petersburg

Aim of the advice 

Bill Maxwell's three-part series on black schoolchildren

Although I have read most of Bill Maxwell's writings in the Times, I must confess that I did not always finish the articles. The reason: I would get tired of the "woe is the plight of my people." Same ol', same ol'.

I did, however, enjoy his "trilogy" of late, in the Perspective section. I do agree with most everything he said. My take is that you are, to an extent, a product of your environment and in most cases you should get help or pull yourself out of the abyss. I thought the articles were very meaningful and, taken at face value, very enlightening and great advice.

My only problem is: Who is the intended target? Surely it can't be the kids he speaks of, and I am not really sure how many of his targeted readers (parents of the children that he wrote about) buy the Sunday paper. And what percentage of these people actually read what he has to say - not to mention follow through on his advice - if these people are not serious readers to begin with?

Dennis Condon, Palm Harbor

Another perspective 

Scooter and me Jan. 21, Perspective story

Thank you for publishing this article by Nick Bromell. In a time when only one way of thinking seems to be the norm, Bromell has given the reader a chance to pause and to consider another perspective.

I hope readers will reread the article several times and then share it with their children and friends.

Cynthia R. Street, New Port Richey

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 17:55:10]