Letters to the Editors

Patriotism also means caring about others

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 4, 2001

The Fourth of July holiday impels us to honor the principled patriots who brought forth a free and proud nation. Indeed, the freedoms that we take for granted are a veritable byproduct of our patriots' sacrifices. They must be remembered and revered.

We have lost much of the instinct of love of country in this generation. Too many, instead, are in love with money or the beer bottle and drugs. Even the friendliness factor has greatly faded, and folks don't even know their neighbors and have drifted away from their own families.

I guess for citizenry to love our country, they must become more love-laden in general. Truly, love is a great lifter. This Fourth of July should remind us that we have much to be thankful for and should make people more resolved to care about his fellow man.
-- Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg

Monotube issue has gone haywire

Re: The Pinellas Park monotube controversy.

If ever anything has gotten out of hand, this is it! I totally agree that it is not the most attractive item there is. But if anyone is naive enough to believe a $129,000 paint job is worth it, they are fooling themselves. It now looks like a large tube painted brown. Re-do it and it will look like a large tube with a $129,000 paint job! The aesthetics will not change enough to warrant the cost.

Instead, try some landscaping to hide a portion of it. I'm sure $10,000 to $15,000 could help hide part of it. It would be a lot smarter and more economical!

And let's not forget, this is a commercial zone, so how bad is it in reality? Why is no one complaining about an abandoned auto parts store on one corner and an abandoned service station on the opposite corner? I really don't believe anyone has ever considered those two corners "eye candy!" It's amazing what a little media attention will do. Let's try and get this topic down to a realistic level.
-- Alan M. Hancko, St. Petersburg

Striped tube would draw attention

Here is my suggestion for decorating the monotube: Candy stripe or barber pole colors would be loved by children and enjoyed by others.

As a chamber of commerce ploy, it would be shown on television around the world. It is better to exploit it than to camouflage it.

I believe that it would soon become a beloved landmark and a permanent Christmas decoration.
-- Alton R. Masear, St. Petersburg

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