Opinion: Principle takes a back seat in art case at USF

On the Fourth of July, I was looking forward to once again celebrating the many freedoms we have in this country -- that is until I saw the front page.

I can't believe the University of South Florida paid $25,000 to end the frivolous sexual harassment suit brought by the offended art student and her daddy.

Ronald Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts, was adamant that the settlement should not be viewed as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing or inappropriate instruction taking place. But what sort of message does the school think it is sending by settling? Surely university officials realize a settlement tells people that the suit had merit. Can USF honestly believe this result will not promote censorship?

The result is even more ludicrous in light of the fact that the student was warned about the content of the artwork and given the opportunity to not attend or leave. So, I guess people now know how to make a quick buck -- purposely attend all (even remotely) controversial events at this university and then claim offense.

Remember the lesson taught by this institution of higher learning: It is not about principle, it is about money!
-- Ann Marie Mirialakis, Lutz

School should have fought lawsuit

Re: Art or porn? USF opts not to fight, July 4.

It takes imagination to create porn that is only implied. It takes art to imply porn in any fertile or infertile imagination. There have always been and will always be, in a free society, those who see what they want to see.

Early movies had heavy censorship that would allow a steamy situation to fade to dark, or to the next day, allowing the viewer to fill in the blanks according to his or her imagination. Images of twin beds that could be pushed together lingered in their mind's eye.

I, for one, wouldn't give a plugged nickel to see the photograph N----- Lover. Ditto for a painting of the same theme, nor would I buy one using that same plugged nickel.

The disturbing fact is not that the student sued the university. Society will sue over anything it seems. School administrators should never have paid the student. The photo is art, and as art it has every bit of the protections of the First Amendment. The school should have fought the lawsuit to the limits of the law. The jeopardy is in setting a precedent that will create many more frivolous lawsuits.

Giving away OPM, other people's money, is the easier way. Maybe if the administrators had to pay all or part of the $25,000 they gave away, things might have been handled properly, all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
-- A. Moore, Pinellas Park

USF should oppose this "art'

Re: Art or porn? USF opts not to fight.

For that idiocy, not only should the University of South Florida pay any and all objecting students, it should fire the instructor, Diane Elmeer.

No one who insists a photograph of a male and female obviously having sex is college-level art should be allowed to be a paid employee of a state institution which I support by paying taxes.

By the way, please report the official USF management opinion of such trash.
-- Gilbert M. Brown, Dunedin

Gulf drilling proposal is a winner

The proposed leasing of Area 181 in the gulf is a big winner for Florida and a small victory for energy users of the United States. As the lease stood before, drilling would have been less than 20 miles from the Panhandle. With this proposal it's more than the state mandate of 100 miles. It seems to me that the most logical compromise would have been to restrict the northern section of Area 181, as they have, then leave the rest alone because it was outside the state mandate (213 miles). Everyone must be willing to give a little. If we want the tourists to come and enjoy our beautiful beaches, they will need fuel to get here and fuel to go back home.

As far as the oil rigs off the Alabama coast (20 miles from Florida), that's water under the bridge. We only have a complaint if their actions interfere with our well being. I have never heard of -- or seen in the three years I lived in Pensacola -- an oil spill wash up on the beaches. The distance the oil companies will be drilling from our closest Tampa Bay beach is huge and only a little less than before Area 181 was even considered. This gives the oil companies plenty of time to stop an unlikely spill. I'm sure there are people who will come up with all sort of what ifs. There have always been unexpected disasters; we can and will overcome.
-- Joseph Dalzell, Seminole

A "good cop, bad cop' game

Tim Nickens' article, July 3, Sin aside, this deal will haunt Gov. Bush in '02 was right on the money, but omitted one angle. The idea that the very public Bush brothers' "fight" is real is absurd. From the start, this has been nothing more than a simple "good cop, bad cop" game to trick Florida's voters into thinking Jeb Bush is green. He is not, and those of us who pay attention to environmental issues in this state (Jeb's reckless aquifer storage and recovery, Jeb's disdain for real growth management and Jeb's legal "reform" designed to give polluters carte blanche) will not be fooled by such a transparent, staged "fight."

As Nickens rightly points out, the Bush brothers will pay the highest political price for their callousness.
-- Carter Bundy, St. Petersburg

Just don't swim with gators

I can understand swimming with the dolphins, they're cute, and cuddly and squeak like little piggies. You can hug and nuzzle a dolphin, feed it fish and talk sports with it.

What I don't understand is the nudist colony that lets you swim with the gators. I am not sure this a very good idea, especially if you have been chumming the water, or hand feeding the little darlings. Even though a gator is like a crocodile on Valium, I still don't see them as cute and cuddly. So I would recommend to nudists everywhere that even though you may be brave enough to walk to the 7-Eleven in your birthday suit, you should still avoid swumming with the gators. And don't forget, it's mating season, too. No, no, no.
-- Mike Varner, Clearwater

Attack was predictable

Re: Story on woman attacked by alligator.

I am a sympathetic person within reason. This woman knowingly went swimming in the lake with an alligator, in my opinion, at her own risk. I do not believe that you have to be highly educated to figure out that an alligator plus a small lake equals possible attack. When the Times quotes this woman about the attack where she was "in shock" and "having the people feeding the alligator prosecuted," I was in disbelief.

What is so shocking about getting attacked by an alligator when you know you're swimming with it? As far as prosecution goes, I believe the Dows should look into prosecuting their parents and teachers for not giving them the general knowledge to foresee this outcome. I also believe that an alligator that has lived around humans for years would eventually lose its fear of them. This is my opinion, and I am sure many others would agree with it.
-- Matthew B. Salvin, St. Petersburg

Heed surgeon general's advice

Planned Parenthood applauds U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher for his leadership in releasing the long-awaited "Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Behavior." Sadly, frank discussions of sexuality are all too often avoided because of discomfort with the topic or because of political opposition that is not based on scientific research.

By releasing his findings, Dr. Satcher has raised awareness about the state of America's sexual health and the critical need for more knowledge, more services and more open discussion so people can make informed and responsible decisions. This report will save lives.

Dr. Satcher's call to action challenges us to face reality and get the information we need to stay healthy. Now it's up to politicians, community and religious leaders, educators -- and parents most of all -- to answer the call by reading his report, understanding its message, and taking the Surgeon General's recommendations to heart.
-- Barbara A. Zdrawecky, president/ceo, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Sarasota

Frazzled by all the fireworks

It is once again the time of year for fireworks in Florida. "Time of year" is appropriate because it's not a one-day celebration, but a month long (or longer) annoyance of nerve-stressing aggravation. I have had three nights of interrupted sleep because of the ignorance of others.

My husband called law enforcement on July 3 at 11:45 p.m., because of a group of children on the corner throwing fireworks at each other and onto the property of others. There was no response, as we expected. Apparently, even though it's against the law to use fireworks in this manner, law enforcement only looks the other way.

I know it is also a lack of parental supervision, but the availability of fireworks all over makes this possible. Public displays, controlled as they are, can be safely enjoyed by everyone, and then it is over. Other than that, the situation is out of control. Every year the torment gets worse, and it sounds like a war zone for days, and unfortunately for nights, too.
-- B. Louise Baker, St. Petersburg

Declarations of thanks

Re: Declaration of Independence.

What a lovely and wonderful idea to print the Declaration in your Fourth of July newspaper. I just wish to thank you for so doing.
-- Jean LeComte, St. Petersburg

I just want to thank the Times for printing the Declaration of Independence. It was the first time I ever read it all the way through, and I enjoyed it very much! Thanks!
-- Jon Doozan, Brandon

Chet Atkins deserved better coverage

I was deeply saddened by the passing of Chet Atkins. I'm very annoyed with the Times for not putting his obituary on the front page. You put Jack Lemmon's obituary right on the front page.

Chet Atkins surely should have been given more space, as his achievements were far greater than you reported. I also take exception with putting an obituary of an entertainer on the entertainment page. This is not entertaining. After all, if someone who is well known in the business industry dies you don't print it on the business page. This man could fill your paper with his lifetime achievements. At least the Tampa Tribune saw fit to put it on the front page -- where it belonged.
-- Steve Oromaner, St. Petersburg

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