Letters to the editor: Nov. 13, 2003

Letter of the Day -- Do a good turn

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Scouting for Food is an annual event in which Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers and Venturing crews all over the United States collect nonperishable food for the less fortunate.

The Boy Scouts look it as an opportunity to "do a good turn."

In Collier County, it is a cooperative effort between the Boy Scouts of America Alligator District personnel and several local charities. For this reason, all food donations collected in Collier County go to local charities only.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Scouts will be placing specially-marked grocery bags at homes throughout Collier County. Instructions are on the bags. Residents need only place cans and boxes of nonperishable food in the bags and place them on their doorstep by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, when Scouts will begin collecting the bags.

Residents who do not receive a bag and would like to make a food donation may bring their donation to Lowe's parking lot on Naples Boulevard in North Naples on Nov. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For further information, please call Dawn Peplinski, Scouting for Food chairperson, at 455-5773 or me, activities chairperson, at 649-0622.

Fire up our patriotism

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Over the last 10 months, there have been many letters to the editor, both for and against the war in Iraq. The one constant during this time is the positive support given to our troops by these same people.

In honor of the brave souls who have died, I would like to propose that the city of Naples have a patriotic fire hydrant painting contest. Each neighborhood could work together to paint a fire hydrant in unique ways with red, white and blue paint.

The city could assign the name of a soldier who died in the war to each hydrant painted, and could give awards to the most unique designs.

This would be a fantastic way for our community to show our support for our troops and to spruce up the hydrants in our neighborhoods in a patriotic way.

What do you say, City Council? Make Naples a city that supports our military. Let us all show our support for the military.

No time to quit

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The proposal by the self-appointed Collier County planning staff to close or phase out the Immokalee Airport is not only unbelievable but is very shortsighted. The justification is that the airport is not making money for the county. Since the county established the Collier County Airport Authority to take over the management of the long-neglected airports at Marco, Everglades City and Immokalee, there has been remarkable progress in upgrading these vital landmark facilities.

The authority is committed to a long-range plan to make them financially self-sustaining, and demonstrated progress has rewarded Immokalee with over $6 million in various grants. The county is providing $700,000 this year to supplement forecasted income. The future options of this gem are many. They include the expansion of the current motor speedway; lengthening the runway to bring in large cargo aircraft, both domestic and foreign, utilizing U.S. Customs inspection; and possibly in the future to absorb overcapacity from operations at Miami and Southwest Florida international airports.

The goal is to better the economy and job status in the Immokalee area.

Just say 'no'

Editor, Naples Daily News:

When I wrote earlier that only 1 to 3 percent of our population are homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, etc., several people contacted me saying that the correct figure is 10 to 12 percent.

A coalition of 31 homosexual advocacy groups (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, et al) filed a brief in the recent Supreme Court decision of Lawrence v. Texas dealing with the state's sodomy statute. They stated that 2.8 percent of the male and 1.4 percent of the female population identify themselves as homosexual, lesbian or bisexual.

Don't you believe your own groups?

I understand why people feel they have to accept homosexuals, particularly if they have a child or a good friend who is one. We don't know what causes homosexuality -- heredity or environment -- but the important point is, just don't do it. Be celibate. Homosexuality is not healthy, natural or moral.

Slimiest politics

Editor, Naples Daily News:

For months I've suspected that if the powers to be in the Democratic National Committee (DNC) could regain power of both Congress and the presidency at the cost of only a few thousand Americans lost to terrorist attacks, they would gladly make the "deal."

Their phony pretenses of being concerned about our troops and citizens at home has finally been exposed with this leaked Intelligence Committee memo. And just when I thought their sleazy tactics got as low as possible, they amazed me -- again!

As drug addicts will lie, cheat, steal, even murder to satiate their addiction, the DNC has been exposed for it's own "addiction" to power, and the debauchery it will do to obtain it.

Sure, the Republicans may be in bed with big business, but the Democrats sleep with the teachers union, trial lawyers, PBS, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, wacko environmentalists and extreme feminists -- all other big businesses, so please tell me, what's the difference?

I'll stick with a party that at least still loves this country -- as it was created.

Wake up, Democrats. Your party of old has been hijacked by both extremist liberals hand in hand with socialists, all attempting to sell out America to become part of a one world government -- with them sharing control. Watch them as they sit in the coliseum amidst the extremist Muslims, another power-hungry fanatical group, laughing as they watch the lions in the arena tearing apart the Judeo and Christian populace, values and morality that represent the foundation of America.

Wake up! Ask not for whom the bell tolls.

The thanks we get

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I was very concerned at the lack of media interest in the Naples visit of the restored warplane, the B-17. Had it not been for the action of the local Experimental Aircraft Association -- telephoning for some publicity at the last minute -- the event would have passed unnoticed.

Apart from the fact that a valuable connection could be lost to thousands of snowbirds through this habitual political manipulation -- the commercial airlines are already gone -- I doubt that the Experimental Aircraft Association that restored the B-17 will include Naples in its future tours.

Perhaps if our air crews had fought World War II with swamp buggies they could have attracted some media attention. But we would be speaking another language.

Seeing red

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Saturday, Oct. 25, I sat at a red light at Airport-Pulling Road and Golden Gate Parkway, headed south on Airport. The turn arrows went green, and cars went both ways. The light in front of me turned green and the arrow turned red. Must have been the same the other way -- yet nine more cars turned left in front of us before we could proceed.

Why aren't the police taking care of that?

The way it is, should be

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I would like to respond to the recent writer's letter regarding an experience during a visit to the emergency room.

No matter which town you are in these visits are often unexpected, uncomfortable and at times frustrating.

Nationally we realize the poorest members of our communities often rely heavily on the ER for their primary-care needs. This can result in overcrowding and delays. The medical staff's triaging of illnesses and injuries can be time-consuming yet is of paramount importance.

As new hospitals come to our town, promises to share in alleviating the burden of indigent care are not enough. An enforceable commitment in writing to share equally is the right and just thing to do. The proven record for our local charity care shows that 2 percent for a hospital is unrealistic. In our town, reality is 5.4 percent.

Are our hospitals going to be responsible to Main Street or Wall Street?

Humane reminder

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I haven't been to the dog track in over five years because I thought I knew what is in store for the dogs when they are no longer productive.

My Maltese dislocated its left knee. On our way out of the veterinarian's office I noticed a small truck had just pulled up. A lady got out of the truck, went to the side door and helped a greyhound onto the tarmac. I noticed he had a cast on his leg.

Being a nosy New Yorker I asked what had happened.

He's here to have the cast removed, she said, and there is another one in the truck with a broken leg.

I just had to voice my concern about what happens to greyhounds when they are no longer able to race.

She made my day when she informed me that her dogs have never been put down when they could no longer race. They are cared for on her property.

There are people who care!

High on Northwest

Editor, Naples Daily News:

It was Flight 638 on Nov. 1 when a passenger appeared to be suffering a heart attack. He was treated with immediate attention and rapid efficiency by three passenger physicians and one nurse (lucky for him) as well as staff who efficiently assisted with on-board equipment (IV bottle, etc.) while managing to elicit calm and cooperation from the remaining passengers.

Our captain made an emergency landing in Tampa/St. Pete while en route to Fort Myers.

The ambulance removed the passenger and applause boomed through the plane.

The attending nurse was heard to comment as we disembarked, "I just couldn't get a pulse. I was about to call for the paddles ..."

He was alive when he left us, thanks to the staff and the mystery medical passengers.

We now feel very safe and secure flying with Northwest.

Let's be precise

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Isn't it past time for some truths about the Confederacy and the Confederate flag?

Yet one more letter has appeared in your paper calling the Confederate flag an emblem of hatred and oppression.

In today's world the flag has morphed into something completely at odds with its true meaning. The Confederacy and the flag represented a proud and courageous people who fought ferociously for their right to self-government. My ancestors were all loyal members of the Confederacy. They were not slave owners. My great-grandfather joined the army as a drummer boy under the Confederate flag.

It is inadmissible to call our former flag "a Deep South emblem of backwardness, ignorance and hate." It's obvious where the ignorance and hate is, so it's high time to set the record straight.

Time is distance

Editor, Naples Daily News:

A recent article in the Naples Daily News asked, "Where have all the tourists gone?"

I think I may be able to account for around 40,000 Europeans.

Since Naples Municipal Airport lost its commercial services, these tourists have gone elsewhere.

An example: From Europe to Miami, direct flights take approximately nine to 10 hours, arriving in Miami at 4 to 5 p.m. Then you have to get that rental car and spend two hours negotiating the Miami traffic and two hours driving to Naples. That makes about 23 hours without sleep. Europe to Fort Myers involves three flight changes, around 14 hours to Fort Myers, arriving between 10 to 11 p.m., using a rental car into Naples, approximately 25 hours without sleep.

Now when Naples had its Miami service, Europe to Naples airport would take around 12 hours traveling time. This is one very good reason why the local airport needs to subsidize at least one commercial flight into Miami.

It is now over two years since the commercial flights started to be phased out of Naples airport. Now with USAir gone, I understand that American Airlines wants to come back and restart their service to Miami. What's happening here?

This is only a European point of view, but what has happened to all the Americans who used to use Naples airport? I read of all the new flight services starting at Fort Myers -- maybe its time for some new faces at Naples airport.

The European travel consultant's advice: Why go to Naples with all the undue traveling time? Try Turkey, only three and a half hours of flying -- good, cheap hotels, good, cheap food and lovely beaches.

Fighting smarter

Editor, Naples Daily News:

With the advent of the heavy mortar being fired into the Green Zone (where the Americans live) the war in Iraq takes on a whole new aspect; unless we begin firing back, Americans are just "sitting ducks."

There is an urgent need in Iraq for an American-operated radio broadcasting system, manned by native Iraqi speakers. The primary purpose of this system would be to win over the hearts and minds of the native Iraqis, and the secondary purpose would be to warn those people, who are firing the mortars, that the Americans will retaliate with air strikes each time a mortar is fired.

It is generally recognized that air strikes kill innocent Iraqis. But a policy like this might impress the run-of-the-mill Iraqis that they could stop the air strikes if they stopped the people from firing mortars from their neighborhoods.

Comments welcomed.

Then you'd be happy

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Suppose all the terrible snowbirds did not return to your Utopia where everyone is perfect. Your circulation would greatly decline and your columnist Don Farmer, along with a large number of your staff, would no longer be gainfully employed.

If the Daily News feels people-bashing makes for good journalism, Mr. Farmer is your ideal columnist.

I have been a part-time resident and taxpayer on Marco Island for over 30 years (how do you like your roads and beaches?) and never experienced hostility from residents.

Q&A

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Questions and answers, President Bush's and mine.

Q: Is the world a more peaceful place now?

Bush: Yup. I'm campaigning on it.

Me: What?

Q: Why then are there terrorist attacks in Iraq?

Bush: They hate our freedom.

Me: They hate our freedom to rule them, kill them and occupy their land.

Q: How long will we be in Iraq?

Bush: I'm not answering that; it's a trick question.

Me: Until we get smart and leave. Some things are irreparable.

Q: Cut and run?

Bush: Never.

Me: It's called gracious leaving. The human and monetary price is too high for changes that won't last. It's their country.

Q: Are Iraq and we better off now?

Bush: Affirmative. Saddam Hussein's gone -- kinda.

Me: No. Iraq previously had order and cohesion. The Kurds had autonomy. The society was secular. Crime minimal. U.N. inspectors moved freely, and Iraq neither harmed nor threatened us. Now there's turmoil, destruction and killing, and whenever we leave, today or years later, chaotic situations and clashes will occur among disparate factions until another Saddam or an Islamic mullah arises. They'll construct the government they please.

Q: Won't we have terrorism here if we don't fight it there?

Bush: Right.

Me: Foolish assumption. While our president made Iraq a terrorist magnet, he also engendered more terrorists. Our security depends upon our ceasing our hostile posture and feckless intrusions into other countries' affairs.

Q: What type of Republican are you?

Bush: A new one.

Me: A true one.

Just sitting there

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On Oct. 31, at 9 a.m. I was on Pennsylvania Avenue in Bonita Springs making a left turn into Wisconsin Street, where a large truck was coming out (making it impossible to see into Wisconsin).

I slowly, thank goodness, made my turn and there sitting in the middle of the road were two teenage girls. It is a wonder I did not run over them as my vision was obscured by the truck.

As the truck moved I was able to get around them as they did not make any effort to move.

They just laughed, thinking this was very funny to shake up drivers. After I picked up my friend for her doctor's appointment and returned to Pennsylvania Avenue, there were four or five more kids in the road.

What are these teenagers (young people) thinking? There could have been a very serious accident. I could have hit the truck or, worse, run over the kids. Don't the parents teach their children not to sit in the road?

Or is it pure stupidity?