Today's Letters: Brown-Waite is simply wrong

Wrongheaded remark warrants swift apology Feb. 3 editorial

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite is wrong. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.

This is not white America. This is not black America or Latino America. This the United States of America. Brown-Waite should recognize that this is not the time to inflame racism by making disparaging remarks about Puerto Ricans as "foreigners."

We have been American citizens at birth since 1917. Ever since, Puerto Ricans have fought in all the wars the United States has been in. The most thrilling account of our patriotism and loyalty to the U.S. was when Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Regiment were almost entirely annihilated defending our country, despite the fact that 95 percent of the regiment could not speak English. Puerto Rican soldiers have distinguished themselves in Germany , Japan, North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan and everywhere U.S. soldiers have been needed. (And that's even after the volunteer military, because before soldiers were drafted and had no say.)

The U.S. military draft board had offices in Puerto Rico and offices in all the states where Puerto Ricans lived. The offices for Commonwealth states had translators for those who could not speak English. Not speaking English was not an excuse to opt out of service in the U.S. armed forces.

This is only one little grain of salt in which Puerto Ricans have given this country. And 90 percent of the Puerto Rican majority is not complaining about being part of this great United States of America society. I know my family and friends are happy.

So, Ginny Brown-Waite, please zipper your mouth if you really made derogatory remarks against Puerto Ricans as "foreigners," or about any other Hispanic citizens.

Luis B. Rosario, Spring Hill

Viable challenge is what she needs

No, U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite has no reason to apologize for her inane comments about Puerto Ricans being foreigners. She also has no reason to apologize for sustaining President Bush's veto denying health insurance to children in low-income families. It doesn't matter that thousands of low-income families are her constituents. She doesn't represent the needs of these families.

This is the bonus we get for living in a "safe" congressional district. A politician elected from a pocket borough can act with impunity. Brown-Waite is simply not accountable for her disgusting comments or her closed mind that creates such outrageous pronouncements.

We will not receive any apologies from her until she is confronted by a viable opponent. How long must we wait until Democrats recruit and finance a candidate to run against this embarrassment? Until then, we will just have to treat ourselves with antinausea Composine.

C. D. Chamberlain, Spring Hill

Standing up for Brown-Waite

I read with interest the editorial attacking Rep. Brown-Waite and what got me more than anything else was the statement made about securing the border by building a fence, in which the writer referred to it as being an extreme position.

With all due respect to the writer of the editorial, what is so extreme about wanting to protect your borders? Isn't that part of Brown-Waite's duty as a representative of the United States, to do what is right for this country?

Was the writer of the editorial trying to say he or she is for illegal immigration and for open borders? It certainly sounds like it to me. I would hate to think that the writer is so clueless that he or she was unaware of the recent attacks on our border guards, including the recent death of a border guard due to a hit-and-run attack by a drug smuggler. Knowing that, does the writer of that editorial think the congresswoman's position regarding the border is extreme? If anything, it's the St. Petersburg Times, that has taken positions out of the main stream.

I thank God every day for having someone like Brown-Waite representing me and my family in Congress, and I will do anything I can to help get her re-elected.

Peter Stathis,Spring Hill

Strong support for trail extension

I would like to thank Pasco County commissioners, the city of Dade City, the Department Of Environmental Protection, local and regional representatives, the Rails to Trails Withlacoochee nonprofit and a great turnout at the Rails to Trails meeting Tuesday at the American Legion Hall in Dade City.

The idea of extending the Withlacoochee from Trilby to Dade City had a overwhelming positive response. The goal is to go from parking at Owensboro Park, riding your bike down Old Trilby Road to hook up to the trail on Christian Road, turn left down Powerline Road and from there connect to Dade City. This trail extension has been on the table and agenda for 10 years.

For the east side of Pasco County this is our best and least expensive route. Please continue to let Commissioner Ted Schrader know we want this long-awaited trail extension.

Denny Mihalinec,Trilby

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[Last modified February 6, 2008, 22:48:28]