Today's Letters: Old Glory gave you your freedom

Property rules put pinch on patriotism Feb. 25, Andrew Skerritt column

If you're offended by Old Glory, you're in the wrong country, not to mention the wrong subdivision. Being in that subdivision - the freedom to live where you want to, in the fashion in which you freely choose - is what Old Glory has given us as Americans.

What patriotism on behalf of 1st Lt. Geoff Grant. I commend him and all of our troops who have served and are serving our country. I was completely moved by this column. All of his actions stand for, and his tours of duty are for, you to have the choices that we have today. I'm proud of Lt. Grant and his grandfather's service in World War I.

I am a proud American of Italian decent. Oct. 12, I fly the colors of the United States of America first and foremost, and an Italian flag for my proud heritage. No one in our deed-restricted community has said one word. Now that's freedom. God bless America.

Elisa Williams, Hudson

Re: Retailers like what they see Feb. 24 story

Spending locally is good for planet

I'll get to my point in a minute, but first some background and assumptions.

I'm going out on a limb here to say that, for the most part, those who believe in the farce of "man-made global warming" and think we should be paying "carbon taxes" are the same type of people with the mentality that oppose construction of new shopping centers in the county.

It makes sense. After all, those who believe in the capitalist system tend to be from the right side of the political spectrum and say "baloney" to the global warming myth, and those who believe in global warming tend to be leftists who oppose anything capitalistic, plus they never met a tax increase they didn't like.

So, how about you anti-business socialists take an "outside-the-box" look at the growing business retail boom in the county?

According to the article, retail sales are projected to jump from $2.3-billion to $3.1-billion by 2012. That's a year-over-year increase of about 7-percent - far greater than the rate of inflation. That sort of growth means three things:

1. Shoppers, faced with the prospect of having stores conveniently located in Hernando, no longer need to travel to Pasco, Hillsborough, Citrus or Pinellas counties to shop. That equates to sales tax dollars staying in Hernando to feed the huge pig we have in local government.

2. Not having to travel to those distant counties means these people are driving less and therefore buying less gasoline and generating a smaller "carbon footprint."

3. Not driving those long distances means the shoppers spend less money on that gasoline, tires, wear and tear on their vehicles, etc., and now have more money to spend in the county, helping to feed the aforementioned pig.

So, what say you now, perennial gloom-and-doomers and foes of growth? Join us. As an agent of "change" I'm "reaching across the aisle," seeking your support and asking you to "move-on."

Practice good socialism and do your part to save the planet. You'll be helping the poor people of the county save money so they can live better, and keep our porcine friend happy. Be a good citizen and support business growth in Hernando.

Vilmar Tavares, Spring Hill

Re: Humane Society needs your help Feb. 19 letter

Save a life, adopt a pet from shelter

While I agree with the letter William Pierson wrote about the Humane Society of the Nature Coast as to the great job they do with all the animals, I would like to add something.

The SPCA on Oliver Street also does a great job with its no-kill facility. They take in all the animals they can with the room they have. I got an older dog from them a year-and-a-half ago. He was being treated for heartworms at the time. He had been there more than 3 months and still had one treatment to go. He also had never been neutered and had bad teeth.

I brought him home, took him for his last treatment when the time came, and after we were sure he was fine, he got neutered (and had to have all his teeth removed because they were so rotten). He is a beautiful dog, well-behaved and very lovable.

The SPCA also relies on donations and volunteers, same as the Humane Society. They are not connected to the SPCAs that are on television, just as the Humane Society is not connected to the Humane Society of the United States, and gets no money or grants from them.

What I am saying is that they both do a great job with what they have, and both need donations and volunteers. There are far too many people who acquire a pet and do not take care of it, or decide they no longer want it for whatever reason, so they get rid of it.

And far too pets many get euthanized each year because of our "throw-away society." Puppy mills exist and deliver sick puppies to the pet stores. The older females are killed when they no longer can give birth. Watch the Animal Planet and Dogtown on television and see what shelters take in and try to undo what has been done so these animals can be adopted. Why they can't outlaw puppy mills in all states I will never understand.

So, if you need an animal, please go to one of the shelters to adopt. You know Hernando County Animal Control only keeps the animals on average of five days, so look there first, then to either the SPCA or the Humane Society to get a sweet, lovable pet. And please give the pet a "forever" home.

Nancy Eslick, Brooksville

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[Last modified February 26, 2008, 20:12:18]