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Today's Letters: An example of courage and strength

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 17, 2007

Thank you for publishing the moving and beautiful story of Steve Stanton last Sunday. In a nation of individual freedom where we encourage everyone to be him or herself, why can't "Steve" be "Susan"? Why can't Largo city commissioners pay attention to work experience and not zero in on appearances? Steve or Susan has the same expertise to keep bringing progress to Largo.

My heart goes out also to his wife and son, Donna and Travis, through these difficult times. In our society we teach everyone to be truthful to himself and others. This is a hard lesson, but I am sure it will bring inner strength and joy to them all in the not-so-distant future. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Susan's relationship to Travis and Donna, as well as the city of Largo, will be better, and her expertise will have an incredible ring of truth that will make all of them - and us - better citizens.

Susan, thank you for your example of courage and strength to be who you really are! I am sure it will work for the betterment of humanity as a whole. My prayers are with you and your family.

Rafael Catala, president, Ometeca Institute, St. Petersburg

Self-centered Steve

The article on Steve Stanton read like a forlorn love story, instead of what it actually is: the insipid selfishness of a man with little regard for his wife, his child or the many people in his charge who are affected by his decision. The story wound its way through Steve's youth, Steve's "awakening," Steve's brave journey, and Steve's confirmation of his true identity as a woman. It was all about poor beleaguered and misunderstood Steve.

But what of the many people who are directly and indirectly affected by his behavior, which is still viewed by the majority as aberrant and totally unacceptable - especially for someone in a leadership capacity? Are they to be brushed aside as impediments to this "new reality" that they object to? Are their traditional values and moral principles to be scoffed at and discounted as "bigotry" or "phobias?" If so, God help us.

Richard Scott, Clearwater

A hopeful opening

As a transgender person I do not presume to speak for the transgender community as a whole. There are many of us who appreciate the excellently written and presented article His second self.

Reading this story was a lot like reading my own life story. My hope is that many readers out there who are not transgender and cannot understand the feelings and emotions we deal with all our lives, approached this story with an open mind and a willingness to learn more about us.

This is not a choice. It is no more a choice than choosing to be left handed or choosing to be black or physically handicapped. In the past, society had looked down on these individuals as being inferior. But through education and enlightenment society came to understand that such presumptions of thought were wrong and born of ignorance. For far too long, people have held these same feelings about us in the transgender community.

This is why the story about Steve/Susan Stanton offers a beacon of hope that many, if not all, will come to understand the plight of the transgender person - to understand that we are no different than anyone else. That we are productive citizens who work everyday jobs. We pay our taxes, love our families, take part in our communities and care about our fellow humans. Our only difference is that we are born with a condition that creates a conflict between our bodies and souls. It's a condition we try to deny and hide because we fear the wrath of an unsympathetic and small-minded segment of society that prefers to believe lies and gossip rather than come to know us as individuals.

Janet Chandler, Palm Harbor

A tale fit for tabloids

Does the St. Petersburg Times believe the "Stanton story" warranted the "above-the-fold" headline and three full pages of the Sunday paper?

I believe Steve Stanton has exploited his wife and son by relating very personal history and stories - even submitting pictures. Deplorable! This story is more suited to the tabloid type of press.

Dorothy E. Karkheck, Dunedin

Live and let live

To those who complain about how uncomfortable you feel over Steve Stanton's pending sex change, think of how uncomfortable this must be for a Steve you have known and respected, and how difficult you are making it for a Susan you don't even know yet.

I once had a co-worker who changed appearance from that of a young woman into that of a young man. Everyone at work knew, without having to be told, that this life-change was a difficult time for this fellow human being. Thankfully no one added to that discomfort by causing a scene. That person remained a valued employee, and I think we all gained from the experience. We don't have to agree with what people choose to do with their lives when we agree to live and let live.

Fred Jacobsen, Apollo Beach

It's too personal

I am tired of Largo City Manager Steve Stanton playing out his personal business in the media and you guys giving it this much credence. I found your front-page story Sunday to be pathetic. I found it amazing that your newspaper couldn't find a newsworthy front-page story other than this one.

If this is what your newspaper finds to be newsworthy I think I have a subscription to the wrong newspaper.

Damaris Gonzalez, Brandon

Give Stanton a chance

Lane DeGregory, Lorri Helfand and the Times are to be commended for your excellent coverage of Largo City Manager Steve Stanton's story.

The in-depth view given to your readers on March 11 not only told us all more about gender identity dysfunction, but also let us inside the heart and soul of Stanton and his family.

I hope those who previously approved of removing the city manager from office now have enough evidence to realize that the opportunity should be given for Stanton to perform the city manager duties as Susan, perhaps for a probationary period, until such time as her performance proves that she can or cannot execute her duties satisfactorily.

I'm betting that performance will be better, because it will be a whole, healthy, happy person delivering it.

Eunice Fisher, St. Petersburg

A cruel move

I am a Republican conservative, a seasonal resident and a practicing Catholic.

It is incredible, unjustified, hypocritical and just plain cruel for city officials of Largo to fire a respected and competent city manager of 14 years.

Is this the "City of Progress," as Largo's emblem proudly displays? I don't think so! Try "stupidity" and "mean-spiritedness."

Catherine M. Casile, Treasure Island

The pastor's view

I am pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Largo. I would like to comment on what I said Feb. 27 at Largo City Hall. I said of Largo City Manager Steve Stanton: "Mr. Stanton is not a role model. ... He's proven that. I believe for the sake of our young people today, you need to do what's right and that is terminate him. ... If Jesus were here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated, make no mistake about that."

I cannot believe the negative response I have received over this - all the hate calls and mail.

First, I offer no apologies for what I said, and I believe that what I said is 100 percent the truth from a biblical standpoint. I believe the Bible is the word of God and that there are no errors in the Bible. I also believe that Jesus is God.

The biggest criticism I have received over this is what I said about Jesus. I believe most people today are confused about who Jesus is. The liberals and scripturally uneducated people think Jesus is only the Jesus who walked this earth and is only good, loving, kind, etc. Of course, Jesus is good, loving, kind, etc., but there is another side of Jesus that they do not want to face.

Their false Jesus does not exist today. The Bible says Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. He claimed to be God, and claimed that no one could get to heaven except by him and that they must be born again. Jesus also spoke a lot on hell, he did all the miracles spoken of in the Bible and more, was crucified and rose from the dead, proving he was God.

This is the Jesus who lives today and the Jesus I was referring to. I believe almighty Jesus would want Steve Stanton fired.

If you read the Bible, you will find God (Jesus) is a very strict God who hates sin. The Bible tells us that when we die, he will either be our savior or our judge. For those of us who have received him as our savior and repented of our sins, we will go to heaven. For those who have not received him as their savior, Jesus will then sentence them to eternal hell because they have not been forgiven of their sins.

I have sent Stanton a letter offering him free pastoral counseling, and I called and talked to him on the March 7 Kathy Fountain Your Turn show on Channel 13, and again offered him free counseling.

We need to pray for Steve Stanton, that God will help him change his mind and deal with his problem. Also pray for Mrs. Stanton and their son.

Ron Sanders, pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Largo

What Jesus does

I want to thank you for allowing us to see the humanity of Steve Stanton and other transgender individuals.

As a pastor, I am puzzled by the mind-set of those who are so sure of the answer to the question: What would Jesus do? I think a better question is: What is Jesus doing? My understanding of the Scriptures tells me that Jesus always chose to comfort the disinherited and marginalized. I fully believe that Jesus is with Steve Stanton during this time of being forsaken.

Also consider the idea that our sovereign God is quite capable of deciding for herself who is righteous and who is not. God does not need our help, thank you. And I would like all of us to consider a concept of sin that accepts that our brokeness stems not so much from breaking God's law (legalism) as it does from breaking God's heart (grace).

I believe our moralist friends have deeply offended God and Steve Stanton. Perhaps it is they who should be asking God for forgiveness. You really can't claim you're "saved" if you go around persecuting and judging others. I, along with many other people of faith, will continue to pray for Steve Stanton and see him as the child of God that he is. And no surgical procedure can ever change that.

John R. Gallo, pastor, Tampa

What if you had to defend John Couey? March 10, Floridian story

Even the worst deserve to have due process

I find John Couey's actions as loathsome as does any member of this community. However, even this aberration of humanity is entitled to a zealous defense. Our principles of liberty and democracy absolutely depend on it, regardless of how you feel about those whose professional ethics require them to provide such a defense. In his book Democracy Matters, Princeton University professor Cornel West said that one of the definitive signs of a civilization or empire in decline is that of an "escalating authoritarianism." This article concerning John Couey's lawyers illuminates a growing mythology in our society that is a symptom of this very thing. That our criminal justice system is "broken" I take to be accurate. But that this brokenness consists of "coddling criminals" I regard as contrary to the facts.

That our courts are lenient on crime and criminals and that the answer is always to "get tough on crime" is a rhetorical illusion useful to politicians pandering for votes. This myth is further promoted to a naive and paranoid public by the news media and in popular television programs. It is not consistent with reality.

For example, research will show that most state attorneys' offices in Florida have conviction rates of over 90 percent. The plea bargaining system ensures that a vast majority of criminal cases will be settled with guilty pleas without a defendant ever going to trial. This is especially the case if the defendant is poor and unable to afford quality private representation. In Florida, inmates are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences before being eligible for release and Florida has no system of parole. Many other states have adopted or are in the process of adopting similar policies.

Aberrations like John Couey notwithstanding, as one professor of mine once expressed it, "hard cases make bad law" and the right to due process is the most basic insurance policy we have against tyranny.

John Feeney, St. Petersburg

Jury recommends death for Couey March 15, story

Savage sentence

John Frank's lead in his Jessica Lunsford story says that the jurors deliberated for about an hour before deciding that the killer should die.

Well that's kind of glossing over what they truly decided. That the killer would die is a foregone conclusion. Just as it is for all of us: We are doomed to die from the day of our birth. What the jurors decided, during about an hour of premeditation, is that the killer should be killed.

That set of civilized citizens opted for the savage sentence based on a vicious morality which calls for "A life for a life." Isn't it time that we put into action what we proclaim to be our heritage, and turn away from killing?

Couey deserves to be shut away from his community and society for his odious crime against the child, and her family. But to kill him is to behave as he does.

Mortimer Brown, Lutz

On Intelligence Summit, Times has a "hidden agenda" March 10, letter

A conspiracy?

I read with interest the letter by John Loftus in response to the March 6 investigative report about the Intelligence Summit. In his long rebuttal, he never refuted his alleged abuse of the tax-deductible status of the International Holocaust Education Center (IHEC), where he is a registered agent, to raise funds for his political conference. He has asked donors to make checks payable to a nonexistent International Homeland Security Education Center, (borrowing the acronym IHEC). Furthermore, Loftus also did not dispute the report's fact that his summit's main contributor was denied a visa to enter the United States, since 1999 because of alleged ties to the Russian mafia.

Instead, Loftus chose only to cry conspiracy theories, and to try to discredit the St. Petersburg Times, calling it a defender of Sami Al-Arian, who he alleges "was operating a stolen car ring, then smuggling them to Iraq to be used for car bombs." Loftus thought that no one would remember that Al-Arian was indicted and arrested on February 20, 2003, a full month before the invasion of Iraq started on March 19, 2003.

Mohamed Ghabour, Valrico

Detainee admits planning Sept. 11 March 15, story

Low credibility

The Defense Department has released a transcript from one of its extraconstitutional military tribunals of a detainee admitting, "I was responsible for the 9/11 operation, from A to Z."

What are Americans and the world to make of such a document? It could be true. But after all the lies pouring out of Washington these days, why should we believe any of it?

This administration claims the right to torture people, and the real purpose of torture is to extract confessions. The Holy Inquisition and the NKVD in the Soviet Union found that given enough pressure, almost anyone would confess to almost anything.

The detainee, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, was quoted saying he was subjected to duress previously, but not now. His statement doesn't have that ring of defiance that one hears in charismatic terrorists who were not egregiously abused. What sort of pressure would have reduced such an allegedly formidable enemy to whine that "I don't like to kill children" and to plead for our government to "be fair with my people"?

The release of this transcript can only further undermine the already damaged credibility of our nation and its government.

Gregory McColm, Temple Terrace

Detainee admits planning Sept. 11 March 15, story

Weary of spin

From the same folks who gave us "Saddam sought nuclear materials in Africa," "Mission Accomplished" and "Weapons of Mass Destruction," we are going to believe that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed did every crime committed since 1990?

This administration will do anything to take the spotlight off firing U.S. attorneys, poor care at Walter Reed, inadequate armor for our troops, skyrocketing oil prices and more.

I do not believe anything they "spin" anymore. Especially if they got it through torturing people "overseas."

Martin L. Daugherty, St. Petersburg

Capital farce

I used to think that the current administration was composed of mediocrities. Now I realize that I was giving them far too much credit. This is the sorriest collection of incompetent misfits to attempt to govern our country since ... who? Warren G. Harding? Ulysses S. Grant? James Buchanan? Daffy Duck?

The latest fiasco - the simultaneous dumping of eight U.S. attorneys (all of whom were appointed by George W. Bush) - further illustrates that this administration is cerebrally challenged. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' March 13 news conference is a perfect example.

Gonzales gave the lame excuse that the firings were legal since all members of the executive branch of our government (U.S. attorneys included) serve at the pleasure of the president. But the legality of the firings is beside the point, as Gonzales ought to know. What is legal isn't always what is right.

The U.S. attorneys were punished for failing to conform to the political agenda of this misbegotten administration. Who knows how many other U.S. attorneys have knuckled under to its demands?

Edward Cherney, Sun City Center

Gonzales should go March 16, editorial

What scandal?

Imagine my complete lack of surprise when I opened the Opinion page Friday and saw an editorial calling for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to be fired over the U.S. attorney nonscandal.

No crime was committed. Nothing unethical was done. Yet despite the law saying U.S. attorneys serve at the president's discretion, meaning he can fire them as he pleases, we find you once again calling for the head of a Republican.

I wonder if the Times called for the firing of Janet Reno in 1993 when she fired all 93 U.S. attorneys at the behest of the Clinton White House?

This nonscandal is being used by partisans both in Congress and in the media as part of their continuing struggle to tear down a presidency.

Tom Alday, Seminole

[Last modified March 17, 2007, 00:40:27]