Letters to the Editors

Write a letter, defy a terrorist

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 30, 2001

Editor: I am a letter carrier from Port Richey. Every day I have people asking me why I am not wearing gloves and a mask. I simply reply that it really doesn't look very good for me to be handling their mail to them while I am wearing gloves and they aren't.

My true feeling is that I'm not going to let any terrorist activity stop me from doing what I am proud to do -- serve the American people. I served 20 years in the U.S. Navy for the same reason.

We cannot allow terrorist activities to scare us to the point that we begin to lose amenities (such as normal mail delivery). I believe that postal employees and the American people should show no fear to these terrorists by going about business as usual. The terrorists objective is simple, put fear into the American public to totally disrupt their normal way of life.

In our office at Port Richey, we have both the union and management working diligently together to keep all of us employees totally informed on a day to day basis. I am very proud to see the unity that we have in our office and I expect that to continue.

I encourage all Americans to fight back by writing a letter to someone, perhaps someone you haven't written to in a while. I'm sure that it will bring a smile to someone who will certainly appreciate getting that letter in their mailbox that day.

Let us unite and fight back by showing these terrorist they will not deny us the best and most efficient mail service in the world. Keep writing, America.
-- Rich Richard, Hudson

Loophole in drivers license security needs to be closed

Editor: On Wednesday, Sept. 5, my friend and I visited the Florida Drivers License Bureau in Port Richey. Our purpose was to report that her ex-husband, who resides in El Salvador, was going to travel to Miami in November or December to renew his Florida drivers license using the same address as hers. He does not reside at this address, has not for more than two years, and has not been married to her for that period of time.

We asked a manager at the license bureau if it could be noted on the computer to verify the address he would be using before renewing his license. His legal address is El Salvador, not the United States. We were told that due to the software used, this was not possible and nothing could be done to prevent this. Based on what happened on Sept. 11, we were horrified to discover that terrorists had Florida drivers licenses issued to them using temporary or false addresses.

This system must be improved to use more stringent requirements for a Florida license. When will we realize that our generosity has gotten to the point of threatening our own existence and compromising security?
-- John Parese, Hudson

Intolerance of writer was downright un-American

Re: Dress as Americans do and speak English, Oct. 22 letter:

Editor: I was so ashamed to read J.J. Aspenall's letter which was written in the guise of being a "good American." How dare you pick on and single out people whose traditions and religious beliefs dictate wearing certain wearing apparel? How dare you demean their rights as American citizens or their preparation toward citizenship, just because they dress differently? Do you know or even take the time to find out why many new Americans don't speak English (American). Do you know that English is one of the most difficult languages to learn? That there are words and sounds and sentence structure which put blocks in the road of learning.

Do we have to be reminded that this county was built and thrives on its diversity of its people? Must we also be reminded that America has been built upon the basic principles of freedoms for all races, creeds, and religions?

How can the writer forget so quickly that one of the causes of Sept. 11 was the terror from intolerance? The writer is so blind with ignorance because of turbans, yarmulkes, beards, "sheets" and other modes of dress.

I guess it hasn't crossed the writer's mind to help a new American learn the new language or make the adjustment to a new life instead of singling them out to ridicule. I pity you and all people like you, because the people you write about are in fact Americans doing as Americans do and you are too blind to see it.

God bless America and all of her people who make up a beautiful patchwork quilt of life.
-- Louise Goldman, New Port Richey

Bad drivers more of a danger than bad roads

Re: Traffic fatalities at all-time high, Oct. 14:

Editor: Accidents happen because of careless drivers, not because of road conditions.

The speed limit on State Road 54 is 45 mph, not 60 mph. There are speed limit signs on Rowan Road, Little Road, SR 54, County Road 54 and Trouble Creek Road. Very few drivers obey the speed limits, everybody is in a hurry. I have seen a driver pass a red light and no police officers are there to stop them.

I have never been a gambler, but now I gamble with my life whenever I leave my driveway.
-- Alfred DiServio, New Port Richey

The Pasco Times welcomes letters from readers for publication.

Because of space limitations, letters should be of reasonable length (250-300 words maximum as a rule).

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

All letters must be signed and must contain the writer's address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be printed.

Anonymous letters or letters with initials only will not be printed.

Send your letter to Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668.
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