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Today's Letters: Proud American, but with worries

Proud American, but with worries

The recent article by James Pettican was an excellent observation of problems confronting the United States. I would have titled it, One nation, under God, in jeopardy.

Now in our 231st year since our founding fathers set the framework for this nation, perhaps it is time to reflect on the past, analyze the present and predict what the future might be. It is time for each citizento take an introspective look at the freedoms we enjoy as compared to the rest of the world. While I remain a person who is proud to be an American, I have concerns about the future of our nation.

While the "War on Terror" is at the forefront of our nation's frustration, there are several other issues that need to be addressed now that will have equal or greater impact on the future of this nation.

We need to find solutions to our problems with Social Security, health care, energy, global warming and the economy. We need to eliminate the political diatribe on these issues and develop a united front to save our nation from further declines in these areas.

As one who has traveled to more than 40 countries around the world, I am thankful that I live in the greatest country in the history of the world.

So, where are we today? Are we preserving what our forefathers fought so hard for a little over 200 years ago? Are we fighting for religious freedom as they did? Do we honor our flag and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives so that our flag flies freely across the land? Do we care about our history and heritage that has been passed on to us by previous generations?

My friends, let me conclude with this: If you live in America, be proud to be an American no matter where your ancestors came from. I am a proud American and I hope you are too.

Kenneth E. Webster, Palm Harbor

Re: Habits may be signs of our decline guest column by Jim Pettican, Oct. 31

Sports adulation a form of idolatry

I am grateful to Mr. Pettican for so eloquently expressing themes that I often utter. The adoration of sports and entertainment figures is a modern form of idolatry, to the detriment of values that really matter to our national survival and pre-eminence. His column should be reprinted on the editorial page of the main section and disseminated more widely.

I believe that Mr. Pettican would agree that our national decline is expedited by the distressing lapses in morality in government, business and countless individuals.

The past is said to be history, the future a mystery, and today a gift, therefore called the present. But I do not see the present as a gift. I prefer to escape it and look ahead - with little optimism - in hopes that our culture might return to qualities that matter.

Seymour S. Bluestone, Clearwater

Re: 'First-class carnival' clamor stirs up Sponge Docks story, Nov. 1

Loudspeakers at school annoying

An article about the noise at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs seems similar to a problem in Dunedin. The noise from the loudspeakers at San Jose Elementary School tells a broad neighborhood all the information that is given to students and teachers who are supposedly in their rooms inside the building. I am not sure why all the neighbors need this.

Also, during physical education class, they use loudspeakers to talk to the children and a sound system to play music with a very annoying bass. Even when the music is not too loud, the boom, boom, boom of the bass is ever present.

I have tried all avenues I could think of to convey to the people in charge that noise pollution is extremely irritating. They still have not gotten the message.

Susanne Gow, Dunedin

Teens are kind, caring, respectful

Teenagers are trouble.

Although the opinion might not be held universally, it is certainly held widely. I know because whenever I respond to the question "So, what do you do?" with the answer, "I teach high school," the reaction is consistently along the lines of "Dear God!"

I get tired of the reaction because it does not reflect even the most remote understanding of the people with whom I spend most of my time.

I recently drove home from the Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg. This is remarkable because I had left my keys in the driver's door of my car, parked on the street downtown.

My keys were in the hand of a teenager who was on a bench next to my car, waiting for my return. "Is this your car?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes," I answered tentatively.

"You left your keys in the door so we (her kid brother was in tow) waited for you to come back because we didn't know what else to do. We wrote our cell number on a paper in your windshield so you could call us for them, but we just wanted to wait a little longer in case you showed."

Her kid brother - I'm guessing 10 or 11 - made sure I understood that they'd waited a very, very long time. I could barely stifle a chuckle; he was none too pleased with his sister's Good Samaritanism. I said my thank yous and went home.

The bottom line is that kids are up against as much or more than past generations have had to face at their age. And not to go all Holden Caulfield, but I have yet to be persuaded that the past generations possess a righteous fortitude generally lacking in the teenagers I have the pleasure to teach.

On the contrary, with every economic scandal brought to light by our news media, I wonder more and more if the oh-so-civil, 50-something corporate execs of our globe could not learn something from the teenagers in my classroom, who not only, on the whole, treat each other with respect and kindness, but understand why it is so important for them to do so.

Kristen Lasher, St. Petersburg

 
Orchestra players deserve better pay

On a beautiful breezy evening, I sat with thousands of others at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg enjoying the symphonic brilliance of the Florida Orchestra. Whether performing a free concert for the community or at area concert halls, these eminently talented musicians give it their all. They always give stellar performances.

So, why then, are these superbly talented individuals, who continue to uphold 40 years of cultural tradition for our community, being asked to accept less compensation than they deserve? Why should the Tampa Bay area risk losing the cultural richness these musicians provide? Why should our youth be denied access to the Florida Orchestra's educational programs? All these will most assuredly happen if the voices of the community are silent.

The Florida Orchestra is near the bottom of the pay scale nationally. These musicians are looking for fairness and equality.

As a concerned member of Citizens for the Advancement of a Professional Orchestra, I ask the Tampa Bay area community to join me in helping keep the Florida Orchestra intact and to ask for fair compensation of its musicians by voicing your concerns.

Connie Cuebas, Seminole

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified November 7, 2007, 19:46:49]