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Today's Letters: Take firm stand against expanded gulf drilling

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 24, 2007

I strongly urge Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to stand up and voice vehement opposition to the offshore drilling bill proposed by Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho. There is no way that drilling 45 miles off the entire coast of Florida will significantly increase our energy independence. All that this bill will accomplish is to drastically multiply the chances of fouling up our beaches with potential oil spills endangering the revenue our state depends on from the tourist industry, not to mention the risk of incalculable damage to our environment.

Last year, Nelson and Martinez convinced us all that if we compromised and accepted their policy of keeping drilling rigs 150 miles away from the Panhandle shore and more than 200 miles from west coast beaches our coastline would be safe until 2022.

In reality, it seems that two senators who are not from Florida and who may be influenced by the unlimited resources of the oil company lobby can change the future of our state. With Democrats in charge of both branches of Congress, defeating a change to the current law should be a given.

Bill Nelson's words in future negotiations should demonstrate his outrage at the changes proposed by Sens. Dorgan and Craig.

Florida voters have become an increasing factor in the outcome of future presidential elections. I trust that Nelson and Martinez will keep this in mind when defending their legislation.

When the distrust of politicians is on the rise, as is currently the case, it is imperative that Congress show it is able to keep its word.

Diana Rao, Tampa

We need the fuel

Sen. Bill Nelson opposes more drilling closer to Florida shores and says the threat of a spill is too risky. I wonder if he knows where we get our oil from and how we get it here.

More than 5-million barrels of imported crude oil from countries like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria and Iran cross the Gulf of Mexico on tankers heading to Gulf Coast refineries. Limiting drilling for more oil and gas domestically will not lessen the chances of a spill. It may actually increase the chances of a catastrophic spill from one of these tankers.

Sen. Nelson likes to say he is protecting the military training area in the gulf. Why do we train our service men and women in this area and then send them to foreign lands to defend foreign oil fields and the shipping lanes our imported oil must travel through? The oil industry has a long history of cooperation with the Department of Defense in the western and central Gulf of Mexico. I would expect that any issues in the eastern gulf could similarly be worked through.

We need to increase our domestic oil and gas supply by drilling here and drilling now.

Terry Mead, Gulf Breeze

Bill would bring drilling closer to shore March 14, story

Open an energy oasis

The Security and Fuel Efficiency (SAFE) Act of 2007 recognizes that energy security begins here at home. America has vast oil and natural gas resources that have been hostage to antiquated policies for too long.

The proposal by Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., tries to help quench America's thirst for energy solutions by allowing this country access to its oasis. America's offshore oil and natural gas reserves are capable of heating 100-million homes for 60 years. While the SAFE Act proposes to free American oil and gas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, it provides the 110th Congress a first-step solution to achieving American energy security.

The United States is the only country in the world that restricts and discourages the production of its plentiful and affordable natural resources. The Cuban government already is sanctioning offshore oil and natural gas leases 60 miles off the coast of Florida to energy craving nations like China and India. Why is America the only country that deprives its citizens of their own natural resources while competing energy nations are tapping an abundant supply of oil and natural gas in our own back yard?

Michael Linn, chairman, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Naples

An expert's take on Rays March 9

Rays draw fans right where they are

When St. Petersburg, Tampa and the surrounding communities of our dynamic marketplace unified in the early 1990s to pursue a major league baseball franchise for St. Petersburg's new stadium, the debate on where the most suitable location for a team was finally put to rest.

Since that time, Tropicana Field has established attendance records for National League Hockey, the Men's NCAA Final Four and exhibition NBA games, Davis Cup tennis, arena football and more.

It was disappointing to read Peter Gammons' comments, as reported by Tom Jones, indicating that the Rays' location in St. Petersburg factors into the team's future success. Just as St. Petersburg/Pinellas fans routinely cross the Howard Frankland Bridge to cheer on the Bucs or the Lightning, Tampa/Hillsborough fans already head west to support the Rays - and will do so in greater numbers as the Rays field a winning team. Residents and visitors from points east, south and north already patronize St. Petersburg's tourist attractions, special events like the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and our world-famous beaches. Baseball is no different.

The great thing about the area we live in is that we all share the same amenities, on both sides of the bay. And the great thing about the Rays is that they draw support from throughout the marketplace and will continue to do so, especially as the team continues to mature and amass a winning record.

Rick Mussett, senior administrator, city of St. Petersburg

House tells voters: You pick March 22, story

On taxes, lawmakers are passing the buck

Having failed at their promises for insurance reform, our Legislature now proposes to sidestep addressing the property tax issue by letting the voters decide. Terrific!

This proposal would place this critical issue in the hands of a misinformed, apathetic electorate who, in Pinellas County, just voted to hand county spendthrifts an extra penny of sales tax in return for their unwillingness (or inability) to account for the windfall in revenues as a result of increased property tax assessments.

It would appear to the casual observer that our state legislators are more focused on not offending the lobbyists (who are against tax reform) rather than formulating a revised tax structure that would be fair and equitable to all Floridians. How sad that our state leaders lack the political courage to step up at a time when they are most needed.

If we allow our legislators to "leave it up to the voters," it provides them a perfect opportunity to do nothing. It is time for the state legislators to earn the confidence and trust placed in them by the citizens when they were elected to office.

Ted Greenslait, Palm Harbor

Think of the consequences

The Florida Legislature's latest idea of tax reform is certainly different. I plan to move to a county with no property taxes and shop in a county with lower sales taxes. We will wind up with a very high density of housing in some counties along with few businesses, while other counties will have many businesses and few residents. Who elected these people?

Florida residents should think long and hard about whether they want to do away with property taxes. We are already overdeveloped. Can you imagine the influx of new residents we would have if there were no property taxes? The developers would love it.

Thomas Armstrong, Pinellas Park

Who will help the people?

I personally don't think anyone in this state has a chance at a fair property tax or home insurance rates. We are over our heads in politics so much that even if our leaders could stop and think ra- tionally about what our needs are they would turn it into a fiasco with their constant squabbling over who gets the credit, the attention, the gold star, etc.

Gov. Charlie Crist seems sincere, but he needs to get through the spider web of Tallahassee egotists and their personal agendas in order to make any real changes in the process of taxation and insurance.

The last thing we need is individual counties writing their own policies. The people won't stand a chance unless we put a leash on the hungry dogs of power. We are being driven out of our homes by insurance companies and politicians who really don't care enough to do the right thing.

I think it should be mandatory prior to running for public office that a candidate live for one year the way the poorest of us do. They should live with some of us and depend on nothing but what most of us try to survive on. Maybe a year or more of no steak, no services, no dentist, etc., would make them a little more sensitive to real people and not to the lobbyists who turn the person we voted for into their own pocket puppets.

Then again, after seeing the lousy turnout of voters recently, maybe we just deserve what we get.

Bob Domenichello, Homosassa

Try a mixed solution

Why not try to solve the tax problem with a combination of things? Increase the sales tax, but only 1.5 cents, and charge a very nominal property tax based on a scale. It would work like this: Condo owners would pay $750 per year for property taxes. Single-family homes on less than 1 acre of land and with less than 3,000 square feet would pay $1,250 per year. A single-family home on less than 1 acre with 3,000 to 5,000 square feet would pay $1,750 per year. You get the idea.

I don't think any property owners would have a problem with figures like this, and I think that this might quiet the crying and doomsday predictions of local politicians. This would ease the burden on property owners and also lessen the impact that the increased sales tax might have upon business.

Todd Christofferson, Palm Harbor

The gloom is questionable

I am amazed at the unmitigated greed expressed by the Pinellas County Commissioners and administration. Fresh from the tax victory of the "Penny for Pinellas" campaign, they are already expressing "doom and gloom" over property tax cuts as expressed in the Times this week. While other counties, like Hillsborough, agree that property taxes are too high and are trying to limit spending, Pinellas acts as if things here are just fine. In addition to the Penny, there has been a 60 percent increase in property tax revenue over the last 3 years.

Why increase spending to the level of incoming revenue? Why not rebate some of this largesse to the taxpayer? I for one am not convinced that the "services" in Pinellas County are so much better than in other counties. However, if what the county is saying is true, these "services" are certainly more expensive here than elsewhere in Florida.

Steve Richards, Tarpon Springs

A crazy tax system

I just paid my quarterly taxes on my home of 15-plus years as well as on three rental homes. The differences in the tax burden are lunacy.

A. This is my home (with the highest market value).

B. This rental home has taxes 235 percent more than A.

C. This rental home has taxes 272 percent more than A.

D. This rental home has taxes 326 percent more than A.

The Save Our Homes tax cap has had an unbelievable affect on who pays their fair share of Florida's taxes. All my tenants are young, some with children, and can least afford to carry other citizens' tax burden.

Now people who have lived in their homes many years want to carry this advantage forward when they downsize or just want to purchase a new house. Are they crazy? They haven't paid their fair share of taxes in years. Are they going to let their fellow taxpayers share in their capital gains?

Ken Lang, Spring Hill

Our schools ignore Bible's importance March 17, commentary

Bible classes inappropriate

Religious literacy should have a place in the life of undergraduates or youngsters in our communities. But Bible classes in our public schools are simply inappropriate and would pre-empt time necessary to teach mathematics, English, geography and other relevant subjects necessary to function in our society.

There are numerous diverse beliefs and attitudes of devotion among families and the many existing religious denominations. And there is a sizeable segment of our population who do not practice any religion. Most people are likely to think they are able to make decisions about civic and political problems without screening through biblical literacy.

Harry Fisler, Oldsmar

Alternatives to violence

There is a way to peace. Is this a "pipe dream"? The specially trained people in the Alternatives to Violence program know that there is an answer.

They have seen it in schools that have been troubled with gangs and racial violence, and changed the entire atmosphere; in prisons where attitudes of the inmates and guards are changed; in Guatemala, Sudan, Nicaragua and many other countries. Citizens there ask for more help from AVP in learning how to get along with themselves and with their enemies. These are the so-called "drops in the bucket."

What would happen if our Congress moved funds from an impossible war and expanded this program to include offices in the Pentagon to house experts to direct a nationwide Alternatives to Violence program? Why not a department of peace?

A "pipe dream"? Not if the citizens of this country are fed up with the slaughter that is taking place in many parts of the world and are concerned enough to investigate this peace program, then take action to insist that our lawmakers become informed about a system that truly works.

Jean Schendel, St. Petersburg

Hospitals get low grades March 21, story

Rankings can mislead

Recently you reported on the rankings of bay area hospitals with regard to performance on government-created medical practice guidelines. Our medical association is concerned that patients may misinterpret the importance of such guidelines and rankings. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations has created measures of the "process" of medical care which includes such things as the timing of certain medications. It would be a mistake to assume that complying with these government-created guidelines is the same as providing the best medical care for patients.

Several recently published studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association have found "compliance" with the process measures does nothing to improve the actual outcome of the patient receiving care. Unfortunately, such government-issued guidelines have begun to turn into "cookbook" medicine and have lead to "gaming" by hospitals and physicians to look good on a report, while not actually providing better care. Further, those patients who are sickest may be avoided by doctors and hospitals seeking to have a good report. This certainly does not help patients.

Patients should be cautious when interpreting such reports. It would be better to develop a trusting patient-physician relationship and for the patients to ask their doctors about their incidence of complications and success than to assume that a central committee in Washington, D.C., knows a better way to practice medicine.

Edward Mackay, M.D., president, Pinellas County Medical Association, Clearwater

Fighting falls with fitness March 21

Stand firm, seniors

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the National Athletic Trainers' Association highlighted the importance of strength training, exercise and safer homes to keep older Americans from falling.

Right here in Pinellas County last year there were more than 14,000 calls made to 911 because of falls. Sadly, many of these falls result in hip fractures, other injuries and sometimes death. The good news is that most of these falls can be prevented.

In recognition of this serious health issue, a group of interested organizations and businesses formed the Pinellas County Fall Prevention Coalition in 2006. The coalition, which meets monthly, has the goal of preventing falls in our community. Members of this volunteer, grass-roots coalition are involved with education, home inspections, media, legislative advocacy, research and much more. Speakers are available to teach about fall prevention strategies. There is an easy-to-follow fall prevention checklist to help find and fix hazards that may cause falls in and around your home.

Information is available by calling the toll-free Senior Help Line, 1-800-861-8111, and by visiting the Web site www.pinellasfallprevention.com.

Mike Taigman, Largo

[Last modified March 24, 2007, 01:44:38]