Today's Letters: Hard to believe story of prayer

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 23, 2007

Ramadan a time of prayer and charity Sept. 5 story

Are the Muslims killing Americans in Iraq aware that it is a time for prayer and charity? Are these Muslims not aware of Dr. Adel Eldin's "beauty" within Islam?

Denounce these Muslims, Dr. Eldin. Then I might believe your wonderful story of prayer, self-sacrifice and charity.

Michael Congemi, Spring Hill

Extremists need to stop bloodshed

At the risk of stirring an already boiling pot, and offending some very nice, sincere and loving people, I have to say this about Dr. Eldin's request for more understanding of Muslims during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan:

I have met Dr. Eldin and his family, and I participated in his health fair last year. I have nothing but admiration and praise for what he has done and continues to do for this community.

What we need is not a better understanding of Islam as a peaceful, loving religion, but for radical extremist Muslims to stop the bloodshed around the globe in their misguided and tragic efforts to convert the world to their medieval concept of Islam.

It is not the archbishop of Canterbury, the pope or leaders of Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches who are inciting their young followers to strap explosives around their bodies to blow up Muslim shopping malls, schools and buses. It was not Hindus, Wiccans or Catholic priests firing guns in the air in celebration of hijacked airliners slamming into the World Trade Center, killing 3,000 people who were just peacefully doing office work. The churches of Christianity are not schools full of students being taught the equivalent of jihad or havens for bombmakers and terrorists. The Rev. Billy Graham is not hiding in a cave in Georgia threatening to attack Mecca or destroy the Arab world unless his demands are met.

If we increase our understanding and acceptance of Islam as a kind, loving and peaceful religion, will the followers of Islam stop killing us and each other? If we accept Muslims as full partners in our world, will the Muslims stop trying to convert the rest of us at gunpoint?

Tolerance is a behavior that works both ways.

GB Leatherwood, Spring Hill

Commission gets the message Sept. 15 story

Commission does not understand

Not from where I'm standing! There will never be any true understanding of the "message' on this commission. There is just too much finger-pointing and unwillingness to accept blame.

Vindictiveness, reluctance and lack of knowledge on issues are the driving forces behind this board's failings. Isn't it strange that those voting against the will of the people all have backgrounds in education?

I watched the budget hearing from start to finish. I feel everyone had the opportunity to speak. Anyone attending that meeting should have known beforehand that it would be a marathon session. So, if you were not prepared to stay late, you could have watched from your easy chair at home. Or, if you don't have access to cable Channel 19, neighborhood groups should have been formed to watch at someone's home who does have cable access. Doing that, you could have seen every minute without interruption, then put on paper your questions/solutions for the next meeting. Better yet, there are two more commission meetings before the budget will be passed; attend those with your questions and comments. There are more chances to see that the "commission gets the message."

On another note, of all the residents who spoke on Sept. 13, maybe two or three showed a little disrespect for the board. However, it was noted (by this observer) that more of the county employees spoke with indignation toward residents.

Finally, Commissioner Jeff Stabins conducted the meeting in a very fair and orderly manner. I may not agree with him on all issues; that's the right we all have - free thought - and I know he respects that right.

Pete Yachimske, Weeki Wachee

A ban on pit bulls would save lives Sept. 17 guest column

Pit bulls can be gentle and loving

This is in response to Mary Kousathanas' thoughts on the ownership of pit bulls and how they should be banned.

First, I would like to state my sorrow for the people who have experienced any harm by these dogs. I am an owner of a lovable, red-nose pit bull, along with four other dogs. She is loving and I consider her an example of man's best friend.

Hopefully, people who read Mary's commentary didn't consider it 100 percent accurate, because it is not. The media loves pit bull stories, even though a lot of times the vicious dogs they are describing are not even pit bulls.

Mary also says that 30 percent of dog attacks are pit bulls. Which dogs cover the other 70 percent? Poodles? Dachshunds? Shitzus? If dog bites are such a problem, why don't we just outlaw all dogs? Then we will be completely safe. To outlaw such a loving animal is crazy. She mentions that some cities like Miami and Denver have actually done this and that we should follow suit.

What Mary doesn't know is that the dogs are not the reason for them being outlawed. The reason is because of the owners who fight the dogs, gamble and indulge in the drug-induced atmosphere that dog fighting brings. She also mentions we are not allowed to keep tigers as pets because of their vicious nature, so it is only reasonable to do the same with pit bulls. What? There is so much wrong with that statement. For one thing tigers are huge, not domesticated, and keeping them would just be cruel. Pit bulls are domesticated, smart and love people.

I doubt Mary has had any contact with these beautiful animals. She has been misinformed by the media, and I hope others who read her ridiculous statements are not.

Billy Russell, Spring Hill

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[Last modified September 22, 2007, 20:44:31]