Letters to the editor: Nov. 10, 2003

Letter of the Day -- Peace be with us

Editor, Naples Daily News:

There is anger in this word demonstrated by acts of terrorism, threats of war and high school bands.

There is anger in this world demonstrated by personal thoughts and beliefs.

When we disagree with others, when we are jealous of others, when we break the law and hurt others, we unknowingly all play a part in creating animosity in people we come in contact with.

If we don't all make an attempt to be civil to each other, in our neighborhood, in our city, our state, our country, our world, the enemy will be us.

Peace be with us, and kindness to all.

Governance in peril

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Ben Bova's column in the Nov. 2 paper regarding regaining control of our local, county and state governments was excellent. It was so on target and was written with force and clarity. In Washington, as we know, public policy today is decided by the best-funded and best-organized special-interest groups.

Congress wants to help do the right thing but is wary of its price. In other words, policy is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. It's the public that is losing out on all of this. Neither of the parties seems to be looking out for our best interests. What shall we call it -- institutionalized hypocrisy?

Influence on our city councils and county commissioners by developers and other interests appears to be just as pervasive and there is no effective control over this. In a nutshell, it amounts to sophisticated influence peddling.

There would be a great public service done if the Daily News would undertake a project to research, investigate and put together a series of articles centered on Bova's column -- much like the excellent series on the condition of our Gulf. This could be a little tricky, I suppose, but go for it! It is so important to raise the awareness and noise level on this.

Think inside the bun

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I must say that I'm a bit surprised. Not that certain individuals in Naples have so much extra time and discontent that they would actually write a letter to the local paper's editor to complain about a concession stand at a beautiful Naples beach, but because a voice of reason has risen above the din of incessant whining and been heard!

Personally, I have patronized the vendor at Lowdermilk Park, as well as Naples Pier, many, many times without incident. The staff has always been accommodating and the food excellent.

As recently as two weeks ago, my daughter and I purchased lunch from them (after standing in a long line of eager patrons). I would certainly never have described the food or service as substandard.

For heaven's sake, folks, if you don't like something concerning either, take it up with the proprietor. If you're not satisfied with the results, go elsewhere. In the meantime, please, enjoy your time in paradise!

Night moves

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Sixty-one years ago I was stationed at Truax Field, Madison, Wis.; it hit 25 degrees below freezing a few times. Very chilly for this Virginia boy.

Everywhere, everyone in the nation was preparing for war in a spirit of patriotism. Military camps were jammed with 20-year-olds eager to serve their country.

At Truax the Army Air Corps had us going to school in shifts 24 hours a day. I was dealt the midnight (12 to 8 a.m.) shift.

The graveyard shift taught me to have respect for the millions who do likewise to support their families -- law-enforcement personnel, security guards, personnel who stock shelves, folk who tidy up business places, cooks, newspaper people and hundreds of others.

God intended for all of us to work; the night people are the unsung heroes.

What I have to say is not meant to "kiss up" (army chatter) to Phil Lewis and Jeff Lytle but offer sincere gratitude to conscientious Daily News people. On June 5, 1989, the Daily News changed from an evening to morning newspaper. The staff made a commitment to delivery by 6 a.m. I can recall only five times they missed.

On Oct. 26 we had to be in St. Petersburg for a religious celebration at 8:30 a.m.

Guess what? The newspaper had arrived at 4 a.m. and the World Series final game was played late the night before.

How about that for diligence and prudence in their craft?

Cat story

Editor, Naples Daily News:

My wife loves all animal life. She especially dotes on cats. Somehow a black stray cat adopted us. She sauntered into our courtyard over six months ago. We have named her Midnight for obvious reasons.

My wife set out a tray of cat food and Midnight quietly slinks under our gate and feasts. She's extremely timid and allows no one near enough to establish her gender! The reason I've decided she's female: the other day she brought a guest. Isn't it in the purview of the lady of the house to extend invitations?

Our resident pet cat Frosty takes a dim view of the goings on. Since our condo villa is screened off from the courtyard, she glares behind her Berlin Wall. As long as Midnight eats out of her tray peace reigns supreme. One step past the tray and the wall will surely crumble.

A development we never anticipated began to form. It seems Midnight has informed her wildlife friends about the dining arrangements. So for the past few weeks we attracted a squirrel, a raccoon and a fox!

We are thoroughly enjoying the Midnight capers. You know what? I may have to take a second job to feed my ever-growing brood!

This has to stop

Editor, Naples Daily News:

First a little quiz.

Suppose a bank has been robbed and a police officer responds. He sees the robber running away.

Does the officer:

a. Look the other way because only the "bank police" can arrest him?

b. Put him in the back of his car, give him a ride home, let him keep the money and ask him not to do that anymore?

c. Arrest him and put him in jail?

For you liberals out there, the answer is C.

Instead of what we do now when we catch an illegal, I suggest this:

Fence off about 30 acres and set up some tents. First offense, one year; second, five years; third, life.

Hire them out as labor; use the money for their upkeep and more officers.

The borders would dry up in under five years and we could spot the terrorists a lot easier.

Also, don't wave your flag in my face, demand I learn your language and say how proud you are to be from your country.

You deserted your family and countrymen and did not have the guts to stay and fight to change it. I am sure the ones you left behind are not proud of you.

Bush-haters rebutted

Editor, Naples Daily News:

For all you Bush-haters out there:

You always say that you can be patriotic and spew your hatred for our presence in Iraq at the same time. But this is not good for our military. If you saw the unbelievable video of Iraqis being tortured and killed by Saddam Hussein's ghouls and still believe that this regime didn't need to be taken out, you are in a dream world.

True, it should not always be America that comes to the aid of the downtrodden.

But George Bush sees the big picture for world peace. He has put his presidency on the line to achieve it for everyone. The Iraqis know that a Democratic president will pull out and leave thousands of them to be killed by the Baath party. What was in the video would happen again and again.

I admit we need to find Sadaam and Osama bin Laden, and we will. A democracy, by its very nature, gives bad guys the freedom to hurt us. A Muslim terrorist from any country can do great harm. We must never forget 9-11! The men who did this were from "our friend," Saudi Arabia. I don't care if they hate us! We can't bring back the Ottoman Empire for them. The whole world except them moved on.

For the Bush-haters who criticize him for going to Iraq at all, I would like to add this quote: "If men and women are in chains, anywhere in the world, then freedom is endangered everywhere." -- John F. Kennedy.

The big test

Editor, Naples Daily News:

It was the worst possible day one could imagine in Iraq, with the loss of 16 brave freedom fighters. Doesn't it make you wish we could bring home every soldier tomorrow and abandon the "hopeless" mission of fighting terrorism?

But, that's the point Saddam Hussein has always counted on from day one. He wanted to turn this into another Somalia, knowing full well many in this country would not have the "guts" to stick it out.

I fear these people. I fear them because they can kill our confidence and corrode our will. The one thing they mock and spit on is the physical and moral courage they have never known. The increasing polarization of their hate lays the groundwork for something dangerous and falls right into Saddam's hands, hoping trust as a basis for our civil society cracks.

Terrorists can then pry open those cracks into chasms. As a 78-year-old great-grandmother, I have witnessed many events in my time. This is one time our resolve as Americans must not fail, for to give up now will turn this into the "Land of the Guilty" and "The Home of the Terrified."

We cannot let them and Saddam do this.

Slime gets too deep

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I am tired. I have been a resident of Naples for 21/2 years and began reading this paper and the letters to the editor immediately upon arriving. Soon I began to participate, writing mostly about politics. I really enjoyed it.

Then came Sept. 11, 2001, and everything changed. Slowly and steadily the anti-Israel anti-Semites in our community began coming out of the woodwork. They were always here, but now they had their raison de etre to spew their hate. As time passed they became bolder and you printed their vitriolic poison on a regular basis.

Myself, and others in the community, wrote to you, refuting the spurious and hate-filled diatribes we read, seemingly on a daily basis. Some of these haters seemed to be thumbing their noses at the good people of our community, as if to say, we are bigots -- do something about it.

Last week was the last straw for me. There were letters on both sides of the issue printed as the "dialogue" continued. Then the final nail was driven. One of your readers wrote in that Israel should be on the president's list of evil empires. A democratic country; that made the desert bloom; that developed an industrial base with a high-tech industry that is the envy of the world; that has a world-class education system. He lumps this country in with Iraq, Iran and North Korea (and I would add Syria) -- countries responsible for sponsoring and participating in flagrant acts of terrorism around the world.

It is a shame that a place as lovely as Naples harbors such people and that you see fit to print their slime.

Giants -- one and all

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The Daily News carried a wonderful story of love, sacrifice and devotion in the person of Sandy Prawdzik and her adopted family.

She overcame personal tragedy by giving love to the least of us -- our neglected, abused and cast-off children.

As I read this story, Mother Teresa came to mind and I had a wonderful feeling overcome me.

Bob and Cindy Kelly also described life as adoptive parents of unwanted children -- a life not without trial and tribulation -- as one that offers rewards, tenfold.

To paraphrase Tiny Tim, may God bless them, one and all.

He's a hero

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Just watch the morale of the troops drop to a serious low if Lt. Col. West, a decorated, 19-year minority officer (which we have too few) is court-martialed or removed from service.

While on active duty in Iraq, Col. West was interrogating an Iraqi police captain who was found to be a spy. The colonel was getting ticked off and shot a pistol into a barrel then in the air to frighten the captain. It succeeded and the captain advised the colonel about planned attacks on Americans and they were defused, thanks to the fast thought of Col. West.

There was no touching or beating of the captain, only some God-forsaking fear. That was a blessing. The colonel felt he may have violated the Geneva Convention rules on war conduct and turned himself in.

The Geneva Convention was after World War I, and we are not fighting conventional forces but terrorists who abide by no rules.

If Col. West is made to suffer or disciplined for his actions and good work in saving American lives, watch our troops. Maybe he should get a reprimand -- slight slap on the wrist -- but Col. West should be given a medal and sent back to take over his command again.

He was indeed Semper Fi. Yes, Army guys are too.

Rules for our roads

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Welcome back, snowbirds!

Naples is a great place to enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

However, while you are going out to enjoy the beaches, restaurants, etc., there is a large population of us who are going out to work.

The traffic makes this journey much too long. Having a job that puts me in traffic 10 or 12 times a day, I have seen a lot of accidents and near misses that could have been avoided.

Perhaps if both full-time and part-time residents would follow these rules of the road:

1. Use your turn signal!

2. Turn from the appropriate lane, not the middle one! If you do find that you are about to miss your turn from the middle lane, don't stop, turn on your signal and wait to get to the correct lane! It is far better that you pass your turn and have to backtrack than it is to cause an accident by stopping and blocking traffic flow.

3. Keep your eyes on the road! Your passenger can hear you even if you don't turn to look at them, so don't! This will also help in noticing signal changes.

4. Slower traffic, keep right! If you have an aggressive driver behind you, move over to the right like the sign says! They might be speeding, but that is their problem, not yours! Don't cause an accident by forcing someone to pass you on the right. Save your stubborness and pride for elsewhere!

Let's all drive attentively and safely!

Republican Cons

Editor, Naples Daily News:

While President Bush is fighting his war using soldiers from the blue-collar class, America is at war within itself. The struggle for power is between those who want to impose their way of life upon others versus those who would allow freedom of choice.

Those who want to impose their way of life upon others are identified using two words -- conservative Republican. These words, however, are incorrect. A true conservative is a Libertarian, and they truly don't want government to interfere in the lives of individuals.

Conservative Republicans pay lip service to that concept. In reality, they would love to have us all live in their image. Perhaps the words Republican Cons would be a more correct identifier.

These people have created an American icon and idol they call Ronald Reagan. They have e-mailed, made phone calls and used radio talk shows in order to affect censorship of the CBS miniseries "The Reagans."

Even though the producers of that miniseries can verify every scene, the Republican Cons want us to see only the truth they created. To show their idol in reality is a sin, and they won't have that.

The Republican Cons have found a way to beat free speech and hide reality by their censoring of the TV miniseries "The Reagans." These con artists are destroying America from within. They are termites eating at our foundation.

Republicons

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Boy, the "Republicons" are getting a little touchy these days. I guess it's because the president is taking a hammering in the polls. Funny how we haven't heard too much from the local Republicons in the past few months. Hiding?

Letter-writer Barry Willoughby talks about lies from liberal spinmasters. Excuse me while I gag. Spinmasters? What about the spin G.W. Bush put on the weapons of mass destruction. Now it's the programs of mass destruction because no weapons have or will be found.

And talk about lies. GWB 43 looks like Pinocchio more than Pinocchio himself.

Barry has a pretty good memory. I am from Canada but I'm not a socialist, unless you call a person who likes universal medical coverage a socialist. He makes it sound like I'm the only person in favor of universal coverage in the United States.

He must be another person covered by a medical plan who doesn't have to pay his own way. And as I said once before, I have a pre-existing medical condition that prevents me from getting coverage. At any price.

But I have an out. Being both a Canadian and an American citizen, I can live and work in Canada for six months and then be covered in both Canada and the United States all year. And never see a bill. Ever. Nice, huh?

One last thing for Barry. I have lots of names for GeeDubya but they wouldn't publish them here in the Daily News.

Twisted values

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I guess my concern started with the removal of God in our schools. Next we are starting to clean up the courts so there is no evidence of a Higher Power on the properties.

The news the other night had me sit up and take notice. David Letterman had a baby.

Actually he didn't, his girlfriend did. He is not married.

Even so, the baby has his family name. Being a famous person must make having a baby out of wedlock OK.

How does a parent explain the virtue of marriage to a teen-age child? The news media seems to think that this birth is something great.

Maybe we should just have marriage for gays and the rest of us just live together.