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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: There's too much speed on our roads

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 12, 2007

Re: Largo moves to slow drivers on busy road story, June 7

Speaking as one who uses Clearwater-Largo Road frequently, I was pleased to see that Largo leaders have moved to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph. There is absolutely no reason on earth why this move is not in the best interest of all citizens, not just drivers.

I don't agree with Largo Commissioner Gigi Arntzen's stance that there will be "a lot of unhappy people." Why should there be a lot of unhappy people?

This move will be a safe and sane way to slow traffic. Perhaps Arntzen will see the light and agree with the other members of the commission and make it a unanimous vote for final approval on June 19.

Additionally, I hope the Largo Police Department will write many tickets. There is no such thing as educating drivers. The one big thing that makes an impression on a driver is when it hits his pocketbook.

As a matter of fact, there is much too much speeding on all of our county roads, period. Sorry to say, but many drivers just thumb their noses at speed limit signs.

Jack Keller Sr., Belleair Bluffs

Re: Lost bracelet back on owner's wrist story, May 28

Evidence some still have integrity

How wonderful to read the article about the return of the military memorial bracelet. I know that there are honest people out there, and it was a pleasure to read about.

I wasn't so fortunate. I lost an envelope containing more than $4, 000, and no one has taken the time or the effort to see that it might belong to someone. I would certainly have given a reward, but I feel that there are people out there who don't have a conscience or any integrity left in them. I know I would have made every effort to return what didn't belong to me.

Thank God for the Jason Fritskys of the world.

Fran Lurie, Largo

Re: Hubbard wasn't first letter, May 27

Greek thinker deserves credit

I should like to comment briefly on the letter by reader Christina Tischner on the similarities she notes between the Study Technology of L. Ron Hubbard and the educational principles of Italian psychiatrist Maria Montessori.

While there are a few similarities between the two - both respected human dignity and the individual liberty of children - it should be noted that the principles which underlie Dr. Montessori's "new education" originated not in Italy, but in Greece with Aristotle.

It was Aristotle who first applied observation and reason to the job of understanding facts, to the gathering of data and the formulating of knowledge.

Every scientist or educator who followed him was forever in his debt.

So perhaps when we acknowledge the remarkable success of Mr. Hubbard's Study Technology in resurrecting the once decaying public schools of Louisiana, we should acknowledge our Greek forebearers for sparking the idea. Mr. Hubbard did.

He openly acknowledged Aristotle, Plato, Voltaire, Descartes and 20 other great minds of Western civilization without whose "speculations and observations" his work would not have been possible.

As a professional practitioner of Study Technology, I have applied it with equal success in the world's largest corporations, in the universities of Africa, in the refugee camps along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, in the monasteries of Tibetan Buddhists, in the best of our private schools and in the worst of our inner-city schools and churches.

The great step forward Hubbard alone should be credited with was his realization and subsequent proofs that incorrect study methods produce physiological reactions that can be used by trained teachers and students alike to identify barriers and then precise methods for remedy of that error, and thus produce confident students who cannot only apply what they've learned, but become independent and lifelong learners.

I participated in the Louisiana project and I can personally assure you that the remarkable results achieved by Study Technology in a school which everyone else had given up on stand as a testament to the practicality of Hubbard's Study Technology and to the courage of the administrators who had the good sense to recognize sound educational practices and go with what they knew would save their children.

As Mr. Hubbard said, "Save the child and you save the nation."

Geoffrey Barton, Clearwater

[Last modified June 11, 2007, 23:28:12]