Letters to the Editor: June 10

Letter of the Day: Groupies

Editor, Daily News:

I must say I had fun this past weekend, participating as one of 10 (though as not a finalist) in Coastland Center mall's production of Boomer Idol.

I had a few excitable Boomer Idol idle groupies approach me after the show.

One 70ish young woman, with a seeing eye dog, said I "looked great!"

Another elderly woman asked if my hair and teeth were my own.

My favorite chick had to be the 65-year-old who asked me out for a drink — of Metamucil!

The Rolling Stones were right in the 1960s: "What a drag it is getting old."

Mario Sciuto , Naples

Letter of the Day: Your vote

Editor, Daily News:

What with all the terrorists to do in Canada and with its tentacles reaching out into the United States and the rest of the world, we are in great danger.

Once again, we are being told that there is "credible" evidence that the terrorists will strike in the U.S. by the end of the year. Where is our color guide to tell is how bad it is? We need a forward-thinking attorney general to help us into the proper state of anxiety prior to the congressional elections this fall.

Get ready my friends, the spirit of Ashcroft will arise and bestow upon us many reasons to be scared witless so that we will vote for the brave homeland protector and his courageous colleagues.

Leonard Lash , Bonita Springs

Letter: Rock on

Editor, Daily News:

Thank you for your coverage of the punk music scene (Neopolitan,June 8)!

It's great to see young, creative people expressing themselves in their own way.

Whether you like punk, country or good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll, there is a wealth of talent in Southwest Florida.

Now, if we could only find more clubs that feature all types of original music rather than human jukeboxes playing "cover" songs, we could have something unique in Naples.

Musicians want to play close to home and not have to travel out of town to be heard.

I talk to many people in clubs and I think audiences in Naples are ready for a better music scene.

The club owners are not yet convinced.

If you'd like to see original music, speak up to the owner of your favorite watering hole!

Donna Smith , Naples , Keyboardist for Wonderful Johnson

Letter: Not as simple as it looks

Editor, Daily News:

I wish to express my support for my gynecologist, Dr. Wendy Humphrey, who is in the midst of testifying in a malpractice suit by the estate of one of her former patients.

My father was a gastroenterologist who always said that medicine is more than a science. It is also an art that had to be practiced to the best of the data available to the doctor. Unfortunately, even with today's technological advances, there are still no black and whites in medicine.

I am sure Dr. Humphrey is devastated about the outcome of this case, but I hope she can take comfort in the fact that she did all that she could for her patient, as she has always done for me.

My sympathies to the family of Marlaina Leigh Kim, but please do not blame a doctor who is valued by her patients and the Naples medical community.

Alicia M. Astorga, North Naples

Letter: Bullish on doggie dining

Editor, Daily News:

I was saddened to read Naples Mayor Bill Barnett's comments about dogs dining out.

He obviously has taught his bulldogs to beg by feeding them from his table.

I would hope that a public official would not let his personal inability to train his dogs to act in a socially accepted manner to affect his position on this matter.

Those of us who adhere to good nutritional values for our dogs (no table scraps) which, as a byproduct, results in good table manners, should be welcomed with their dogs at those restaurants that wish to accommodate us.

Jerry Lang , North Naples

Letter: Rhetoric and retaking the beach

Editor, Daily News:

I for one am sick of the continuous anti-Bush rhetoric, with no constructive solutions or alternatives proposed. I wish all the serial letter writers would do something positive, instead of attacking their keyboards and president at every turn. Rather than demeaning our president and military why don't they channel their anger and revulsion to positive purposes?

Those who have any knowledge whatsoever, other than of the Daily News' address, would be aware of the America First Committee and its platform prior to World War II. It has been hijacked by Pat Buchanan and the far right, but there is no reason that the anti-war crowd cannot take over America First or create a new party with an anti-war, isolationist platform.

After all, they say that 65-70 percent of Americans support their views. It should be a slam dunk.

I would much rather see constructive political opposition through legitimate means, rather than see a bedraggled Bush-hating protester demean the service and sacrifice of our lost military personnel on the beach in Naples.

I cannot help but wonder why the Naples mayor and City Council allow these protests to go on. The Naples Pier is a landmark in this area, and to have a politically motivated spectacle there every holiday is ridiculous.

If no permit is required, why doesn't the local VFW or other organizations use that section of the beach to honor our veterans, instead of allowing a small group of malcontents to dishonor them?

Robert Trainor , Naples

Letter: From first to worst

Editor, Daily News:

Ronald Reagan said in his first presidential campaign, against Jimmy Carter: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

If this now famous question were asked today and expanded to five and a half years, only a small percentage Americans would answer "Yes."

Even those few who could possibly answer "Yes" would be wrong, once they put aside their greed and political hard-right views, or maybe they just cannot admit they voted for the wrong people.

The damage to the United States and the world inflicted by this administration and our Republican-led Congress is absolutely criminal.

In a survey conducted last month, Reagan, who had a Democrat Congress, was labeled the best president in the last 50 years.

George W. Bush with his Republican Congress of today was the worst.

Joseph Yurko , Naples and Tuckerton, N.J.

Letter: Just tell us

Editor, Daily News:

Every city and county has different requirements.

I have been commuting to Washington as my mother-in-law is ill.

I took my sprinkler system off auto as we had rain before I left.

Came back the other day and the grass needed water so I turned on my system.

At 8:45 (today) the police came and gave me a ticket.

I asked the officer if he had a brochure of rules; he said no.

As we're talking, cars are going by my house at 45 mph — in a 25 zone.

I said why aren't you giving tickets out there. He said he had a dozen more lawn violation to serve first.

Later on I opened my Naples utility bill, which had no reference to watering.

So I called and suggested they should include info on watering, and she said that was a good idea.

This is so confusing.

I suggest the Daily News list the everyday watering restricions in the city and county.

Jerry Grove , Naples

Letter: Nothing — that's the ticket

Editor, Daily News:

A while back I asked all Bush haters, liberals, Democrats, etc., to come up with their own plans for the Iranian crisis ahead of time. Did you notice the avalanche of response? Nothing! Nada, nil, nichts! Because that is always their answer — nothing! Only criticism and griping!

Social Security clearly is in trouble. The Democrat answer? Do nothing – except complain and block any attempt to correct the problem!

Gas prices keep rising. The Democrat answer? Do nothing. No drilling anywhere! No new refineries! No repeal of gas taxes. Nothing except complain and block any attempt to correct the problem!

The illegal immigrant situation worsens daily! The Democrat answer? Do nothing — except complain and block any real attempt to correct the problem!

Terrorists continue their insidious attacks. The Democrats answer? Do nothing – except complain and block any attempt to correct the problem.

Does anyone begin to see a pattern here?

Oops, they do have one thing they always propose — raising taxes! They say raise taxes on "the rich" but somehow it always turns out to be on all of us! I have head it claimed the Democrats would balance the budget! When did the Democrats ever control Congress and have a balanced budget? Never!

Now they want voters to give them control of Congress? You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people ...

D.A. Baumgartner Jr. , Naples

Letter: Step by step

Editor, Daily News:

In order to solve the problem of illegal immigration from Mexico, it is first necessary to state the problem clearly, then try to determine the cause.

I would state the problem as "Many Americans believe that an excessively large number of people from Mexico, a country of a different culture and language, will overwhelm our social and economic life if we allow uncontrolled entrance, and that America as we know it will cease to exist."

This particular definition of the Problem is enhanced when evidence shows these immigrants maintain their own language and customs after they arrive.

In my opinion, the cause of the problem is that the population of Mexico has increased beyond that country's ability to feed and clothe them. The official count of population of Mexico was 50 million in 1970. In 2006 the official count was 107 million, and assuming that an additional 10 million would be added to the official count if they did not migrate to the U. S. during that 36 years, total count is 117 million.

What can a poor country like Mexico do with an additional 67 million persons in that span of time?

A logical solution to the problem would be for the U.S. to spend its money to provide incentives to the people and government of Mexico to practice family planning and reduce the population pressure.

Spending millions for a six-foot high fence against a Category 5 population surge is not a likely solution, especially when there is a corrupt pool of employment on our side of the fence.

Stan Breen , Naples

Letter: Slackers all

Editor, Daily News:

I will never vote for any legislator who supports amnesty for illegal aliens.

This is just one more example of of a cop-out Congress that has failed its responsibilities.

I spent thousands of dollars and hours as well as numerous trips to Miami for legal immigration of my wife and two stepchildren. There were numerous application fees, forms, instructions and trips to interact with Miami immigration officials during a 5½-year, grinding process — derived from an interwoven mess of legislation by Congress.

Congress' broad irresponsibility is shown by a long history of Tsunami of illegals, illegals at welfare trough, Social Security surplus theft, lack of energy policy, pork-barrel legislation, vote-buying welfare mess, self-legislation re: excessive pay, benefits and retirement and, arguably, most devastating of all: Failure to make English our official language.

In light of this avalanche of derilect duties, how dare Congress question salaries of executives of successfully run companies!

Rather, the time is long past for Congress to take a long look inward!

This from a disillusioned and disgusted combat vet of WWII.

Gene Nordell , Naples

Letter: What would Hillary do?

Editor, Daily News:

After reading in the newspaper about the brouhaha going on over ineligible students playing soccer and football at Immokalee High School, I decided to call someone who is really in the know — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton — and she said we could clear this all up by calling the ineligible students "age-enhanced guest students."

That way, Immokalee High can keep the trophies.

As far as the $1,000 fine per ineligible student, who exactly pays for that?

Allen Eichler , Naples

P.S.: I really didn't call Sen. Clinton.

Letter: Can't pass this, Buck

Editor, Daily News:

I have been quiet lately, just content to read the same old letters from Jane Varner and her ilk, regurgitating the same old lies about WMDs and the war. The entire world knew that Iraq had them. It is stated over and over again in speeches by Clinton, Gore, Albright, etc.

It is only when George Bush acted on this data that it became a lie.

Now I read an incredulous letter by Buck Blessing, regarding the threat from Iran. He calls our warnings about Iran's nuclear program and support of terrorism "the same nonsense about Iran the they used to start a phony ware with Iraq."

Have you not noticed, Buck, that the rest of the civilized world, and a good hunk of the less than civilized world, is fearful on the path the Iran is taking?

Have you listened to the rantings of their president? Have you seen their teenagers marching in the streets voicing their committment to become homicide bombers?

Why are you calling the fear of what Iran may become a Bush lie? Are you just so blinded by hate for the man that you can blatantly deny the facts as they are to suit your irrational rantings?

I wish we could attack Iran, and stop them before it's too late, but we can't. And we will regret the fact that the raving liberals in Europe and here will prevent us from doing so when they use a nuclear weapon on their designated enemy.

Lou Cohn, Naples and New York

Letter: Big difference

Editor, Daily News:

As a Republican who now regrettably admits he supported Bush, watching the president of the United States shill a gay marriage ban amendment to the Constitution to curry political support from the religious right, positively makes my skin crawl.

I'm embarrassed for the Republican Party. I'm embarrassed for the presidency. I'm embarrassed for America.

Surely we're better than this.

I can appreciate that to Karl Rove the constitutional process is nothing more than another tool to be manipulated for political gain, but we're entitled to a president with higher standards.

Larry Schultz , Naples

Letter: Refute this

Editor, Daily News:

I have been reading with interest the letters on the "abstinence plan" versus contraceptives to reduce unwanted pregnancies, STDs and abortions.

It would be great if Planned Parenthood would also promote abstinence. The unplanned pregnancies, STDs and abortions would really go down (what everyone seems to want).

A letter states that there has never been any legitimate studies proving that abstinence-only education is effective at all — so maybe a study would prove that it is effective!

I have lived in a time when abstinence was the norm and when abortion was not legal. I can say that there were a lot less teen pregnancies and a lot less abortions. Sure there were illegal abortions done by abortionists and there were deaths. But many more abortions are done now by abortionists and there are still deaths.

The teaching to young people of contraception leads to early sex which leads to pregnancy and STDs and abortions. Matter of fact, abstinence has never caused an STD or a pregnancy.

This is a truth — not a deception.

Jo An Carter , Naples