Letters to the Editor: June 27

Letter of the Day: Senate's turn

Editor, Daily News:

Now that the House of Representatives has done its job, it is up to our Senate to follow through and vote for the new line item veto bill before them now.

Fred Golden , Bonita Springs

Letter of the Day: This magic moment

Editor, Daily News:

As I sat at the lanai window watching a wild rabbit, no more than 10 inches long, nibble shoots in the hedge row, he suddenly lifted his head to stare intently at something.

My gaze followed his and I saw that he was looking at a black snake that looked to me to be two feet long or greater, his head raised three or four inches above the ground, staring, in his turn, at the rabbit.

The standoff continued for several minutes until the rabbit made a short hop toward the snake.

The idea of his attacking the serpent appeared ridiculous to me, but apparently not to the snake, which slowly lowered his head and turned away, seeking a less dangerous way to get where he was going.

The rabbit watched the departure intently.

Then he, in his turn, moved on to less-contested territory.

Arthur R. Lee, Naples

Letter: Money down the manhole

Editor, Daily News:

Why the $1 billion budget?

In front of my business are three Collier County vehicles — five workmen and one manhole cover being dug up

It's good to see some things never change.

Bruce Buchanan , Naples

Letter: No men at work

Editor, Daily News:

I am baffled by the difficulty of doing anything in Naples that is related to one's home. In spite of all the construction going on, it seems almost impossible to find competent and punctual workers. Here are two examples.

My wife wanted some cushions custom made for a dinette set. She found the material, provided a pattern, and got beautiful cushions — except that, in spite of precise instructions, there were no ties to fasten them to the chairs! It took five trips to the shop, and two weeks, to get the ties on right — even the store manager couldn't believe it

Both of us like to cook and had the great (?) idea to install a state-of-the-art kitchen in our condo. We selected the best European cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances. We were told that after cabinet delivery it would take a month to complete the job. Seven months after taking down the old kitchen, we still don't have the new one in place. The cabinets are up — beautiful German workmanship — but my wife has to stand on one foot, holding the door down with the other, in order to load and unload the dishwasher.

Also, months of opening large refrigerator doors without handles is proving to be an excellent finger exercise, and staying home waiting for workers who do not show up provides us plenty of (non-voluntary) rest.

So, if you are planning a redo, be prepared to either lose or acquire patience.

Georges Pardo , Naples

Letter: Who is responsible?

Editor, Daily News:

I am still a little confused over the Manny Touron issue. I am not certain, but don't parents have to take children to register at some other location other than the school itself?

My point is, if students are registered at one location and sent to a particular school, how is it possible for the principal to ascertain the ages of those sent to him? Does the principal review all applications for admissions? Do prospective students have to show a birth certificate? If the principal does not have this information, should he just "judge the book by its cover"?

This action against Immokalee High School principal would appear to be making him a scapegoat. But let's assume for a second Touron did review applications. If he is shown a birth certificate, is he trained to spot a forgery? It is very difficult to spot a forgery, thus cash register attendants have a scanner to check money. Does he interview each applicant before the school year begins, and does he go over their application with them?

I haven't noticed anything in the newspaper (and I could have missed it) indicating to whom the responsibility rests according to procedure. What I have read is that Touron is a dedicated teacher and coach and has now been relieved of those duties. From all indications, he has thrown himself into his profession with gusto and greatly helped the school and its children.

Is punishing him helping to fix the problem or appeasing the powers that be?

James C. Athanas , Naples

Letter: Disgusted at disrespect

Editor, Daily News:

How is it that the barbaric torture and death of our two United States servicemen at the hands of al-Qaida terrorists is not front-page news? Are riding trails, condo conversions, a Golden Gate assault, Aetna and Collier County growth really more important news stories?

We are disgusted by this blatant disrespect for the valiant efforts by the military and the ultimate sacrifice these men and their families endure.

Scott and Christine Bowles , Naples

Letter: Leave Iraq now

Editor, Daily News:

Whether we should "stand down as they (Iraqis) stand up" or whether we should "cut and run" is being discussed all over the media. It is, as The Bard would say, "Much ado about nothing."

Our position in Iraq is not winnable — period. We are not going to equip the current government with sophisticated weapons — F-16s, etc., to tilt the balance. We know they would soon be turned against us. Restoration of order is not going to happen.

We now support the religious Shia. They have been waiting since A.D. 680 for this chance. They are not going to let bygones be bygones. Once they are more securely established, they are going to clean the clocks of the Sunni and maybe the Kurds, too, and impose a Shiite theocracy.

Hot air from the Bush administration about democracy is just that — hot air. Better to go now than spend more trillions of dollars and more American lives on a losing proposition.

President Bush says let the next president sort it out. That is the real cut and run.

Buck Blessing , Naples

Letter: This magic moment

Editor, Daily News:

As I sat at the lanai window watching a wild rabbit, no more than 10 inches long, nibble shoots in the hedge row, he suddenly lifted his head to stare intently at something.

My gaze followed his and I saw that he was looking at a black snake that looked to me to be two feet long or greater, his head raised three or four inches above the ground, staring, in his turn, at the rabbit.

The standoff continued for several minutes until the rabbit made a short hop toward the snake.

The idea of his attacking the serpent appeared ridiculous to me, but apparently not to the snake, which slowly lowered his head and turned away, seeking a less dangerous way to get where he was going.

The rabbit watched the departure intently.

Then he, in his turn, moved on to less-contested territory.

Arthur R. Lee, Naples

Letter: Councilman should vote

Editor, Daily News:

Your newspaper's recent editorial admonishing Bonita Springs Councilman Ben Nelson's decision to vote on the Imperial Landing development, one of the most important developments that may ever occur in Bonita Springs, portrays again the Daily News' biased agenda.

Did you ever consider that Nelson has an obligation to vote and represent his constituents? Denying him this right disenfranchises one-sixth of the residents of Bonita Springs. Isn't it more important that 7,000 residents be represented than one person denied?

Nelson has passed muster with the state ethics council; and let me tell you, if they ever err it will be on the conservative side. Having worked with Ben for six years, I have found his moral and ethical standards to be beyond your newspaper's reproach. I know from personal experience that if he thought he was crossing the line to vote, he would abstain.

His constituents and the residents of Bonita Springs are entitled to his insight and vote on this most important issue.

Wayne Edsall , Bonita Springs

Letter: A complex matter

Editor, Daily News:

The United States will never remake the Middle East into governments or a people similar to ours. It is not going to happen, ever.

Compare the mistreatment of Iraqi inmates by our military prison guards (with photos of underwear on their heads) to the beheadings of Western detainees, and the recent barbaric killings and mutilations of two soldiers in Baghdad.

Imagine if we had suicide bombers periodically blowing themselves up in crowds at Coastland Center or Germain Arena? Middle Eastern dispute resolution and culture are not the same as ours.

I think that our goals in Iraq should be to: one, do whatever it takes to promote a government, an army and a law-enforcement system in Iraq that will work in their culture, that will be strong enough to function and provide a level of protection so they can protect themselves, and two, then, and only then, dramatically decrease our presence in Iraq without departing too early.

History repeats itself. The first President Bush departed from Iraq too early, and that is one of the reasons we had to return and are there now. The question is: Will our politicians have the resolve to stay long enough and the wisdom to recognize when the time to depart for a second time arrives?

Establishing a set schedule for withdrawal from Iraq at this time will play into the hands of the enemies of our troops, and the terrorists of the world would like to see that. What a complex matter this is.

John Clapper , Naples

Letter: One man's plan

Editor, Daily News:

"I want to draw attention to the heroism, courage and great work of our soldiers on the front line. Every day, they are risking their lives to defend our freedom." — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

My plan to solve this dilemma: All politicians, members of the administration, excluding the president, but including the vice president, secretary of defense, secretary of state and their administrative assistants favoring the continuation of the war will voluntarily enlist in the Marines or Army, 1st Infantry Division, as grunts (for those of you who do not know, grunts are the ones who carry the war to the enemy) to solve this problem on a firsthand basis in Iraq.

After a reasonable basic training, one that all of them can complete considering their age, ship all of them to the current hot spot in Iraq, be it anywhere except the Green Zone.

Now include, all on a voluntary basis, all American citizens who feel we should stay the course regardless of their age.

Let's make a list to be published for all to see who among the above groups will place themselves in harm's way to support their position.

Martin J. Blied , Naples

Letter: An unsavory lot

Editor, Daily News:

From a strictly nonpartisan point of view, every day brings us more sour news about the members of Congress. They steal, they lie, they are perverts and, in general, are an unsavory lot.

Some of them must have a grain of intelligence that tells them they are bringing shame to a venerable institution, but you don't hear any of them ever admit that or do anything about it. They are busy doing the work of lobbyists and collecting money for the next election. The political parties pander to the lowest common denominator, while this country we love and respect falls further into a state of general malaise.

As voters, we need to do something, but what? We need leadership, from fresh faces, from the media, from someone, but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming.

Ernest M. Sittenfeld , Naples

Letter: End park admission fee

Editor, Daily News:

Since Collier County commissioners have requested input for their Friday budget meeting on allocating surplus tax revenue, I suggest they support non-hindered public access to our parks by reconsidering the heavy fees pending for the new North Collier Regional Park.

Although the park was built with the proceeds of impact fees, admission to the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon will be a significant burden to those most in need of its benefits. A family of five (two parents, infant, 5- and 8-year olds) would be charged $35.50 to enter. Families easily able to pay such high fees are those most likely to also have other personal resources readily available; e.g., a family or community pool.

It should be the primary concern of a public park to ensure recreational access to those without other options. One commissioner compared admission fees to Disney World. The Disney corporation recently announced a stunning profit margin, certainly not an appropriate business plan for public parks.

The Disney World reference indicates an appreciation of the new park as a tourist attraction and tourists would likely find the proposed fees agreeable as part of a holiday. Local taxpayers should not. Collier County needs to create an affordable lifestyle for those so necessary to the continued growth and well being of our community.

Our parks should support families who rely on public space to enjoy the many advantages of this area.

Susan C. Morand , Naples

Letter: Iraq situation worsens

Editor, Daily News:

Letter-writer Georgine Hill Mendino painted an incredibly rosy picture of the situation in Iraq, and reader John Fahr asked why the Daily News fails to publish regularly all the many "good things" happening regularly in the Iraq/Iran area.

According to an International Republican Institute poll conducted in late March, more than 75 percent of Iraqis consider the security environment to be poor and the economy poor or mediocre. That the situation in Iraq has seriously deteriorated in recent years is clearly borne out by a recent report in The New York Times compiled by researchers at the Brookings Institution.

Between May 2003 and May 2006, Iraqi civilian deaths per month jumped from 250 to 1,500; monthly American troop fatalities increased from 37 to 68; Iraqi army and police fatalities per month rose from 10 to 149; the estimated number of insurgents increased from 3,000 to 20,000; daily attacks by insurgents rose from five to 90; and monthly incidents of sectarian violence increased from five to 250.

The number of Iraqis optimistic about the future declined from 75 percent to 30 percent. Instead of publishing "good news," please warn your readers that the light at the end of the Iraqi tunnel is a speeding train coming our way.

Michael Rubner , Naples

Letter: Drinking and smoking

Editor, Daily News:

Normally I don't "waste" a letter responding to those commenting on my letters, but Robert Fulton, drunk on Democrat National Committee Kool-Aid, bears an answer because he actually proved my point!

Towing the Democrat line, he indicates it is better to do "nothing" about Social Security (and let the system go bankrupt) than accept anything President Bush might propose, even if it is voluntary.

Robert, just so you understand, that means one can choose to do nothing and remain in the lousy present system if you want to. And, only one-tenth was to be privatized.

But if Bush suggests it, it must be bad. Let the grandchildren go without any benefits.

Facts have never bothered the Democrats, so they now claim there was a budget surplus. If only that were true. There never was any surplus, only a projection of one and that was before 9/11 and was due, not to Bill Clinton, but to those who held the purse strings — the Republicans controlled the House of Representatives.

Perhaps you forget Clinton's adamant statements that the budget could not be balanced until some eight years after he left office.

But, I don't drink Republican Kool-Aid either. I decry the present spending that gives even "drunken sailors" a bad name.

However, if Robert suggests a Democrat Congress would spend less, he is not only drinking, he is smoking wacky weed.

D.A. Baumgartner Jr. , Naples

Letter: More ado on "Much Ado"

Editor, Daily News:

This summer, in addition to less traffic and shorter lines, Naples locals were served up with a marvelous treat: "Much Ado About Naples."

Correctly identified as a musical satire by local authors Betsy Bennet and Rick Compton, it gleefully lampoons all that is sacred to rampant development. Three of us attended last Saturday evening and laughed the night away.

Compton cleverly but marginally borrows from Shakespeare for scene titles and character names. But make no mistake about it, this is not Shakespeare, it is all Naples, by Naples and for Naples.

Sadly, as wonderful as this welcome respite from the consequences of development is, its local parade at Stage 88 at the Norris Community Center was rained upon by Daily News reviewer Tiffany Yates. I take exception to much of Yates' review, but one comment in particular seemed to indicate that she just doesn't get it. Her comment, "... the jokes are funny only to Neapolitans plugged into current issues, leaving 'outsiders' literally outside the jokes ... . " Ms. Yates, that is exactly the point!

So go and enjoy the show. You'll laugh out loud laughing at ourselves.

Trout Scanlan, Naples

Letter: Commission stands tall

Editor, Daily News:

Bravo, bravo! I congratulate the Collier County commissioners in standing their ground, refusing to change the Abaco Bay zoning.

Attorney Clay Brooker claims the Collier commissioners are only hurting the new owners. What about the former and current tenants? Day after day we hear of the need for affordable housing; yet, this attorney would have us shed tears for real estate speculators who now can rent at a sufficient level to cover their carrying costs.

Brooker would also have us applaud the developer for having created affordable housing. If the developer was so intent on presenting affordable housing, why the high price? At more than 100 units and a purchase price of $7.37 million, that's less than $73,700 per unit. Why then the $120,000 to $260,000 sales price? I'd love a piece of that action.

Further, why not insert a deed restriction imposing a hardy penalty to prevent flipping? More importantly, why not seek the zoning change first?

All too often we read of developers doing their thing and, after the fact, saying oops, sorry and paying a minor penalty. I say no more penalties. Right the wrong, then we'll talk. Years ago, a neighboring new construction in Bristol, Conn., extended past the set-back. The solution: cut a 3-foot-by-3-foot jog out of the back corner of the house.

Stand tall and tough, commissioners. While you're at it, postpone any approvals to Ronto until they've return Parklands to its natural state. If you make it hurt, they'll come to you first.

Ed Welch , Naples

Letter: Reality redefined

Editor, Daily News:

It takes a truly corrupt leftist mentality to continue with their shameless venture of redefining reality. The "Bush lied," foaming-at-the-mouth frenzy by desperate Vietnam era has-beens has itself been proven a lie.

Newly released declassified reports confirm Iraq contained weapons of mass destruction after all. Since 2003, over 500 weapons munitions containing deadly sarin and mustard nerve agents have been located in Iraq and destroyed. All a twitter with great news coming out of Iraq, the White House (Karl Rove not indicted) and Miami (another terrorist plot thwarted), liberals are becoming increasingly despondent. Of course, they will turn a blind eye and focus on more "pressing stories," such as Marines being charged with murder and the Earth's heat wave over the last 2,000 years.

Junk science and Al Gore ("I flunked out of divinity school but know everything about climate change") have definitive proof the Earth has warmed about 1 degree since Jesus walked the Earth. Are earthly events coming full circle?

Jesus talked about the "birth pains" of end times and Paul warned of godlessness and deception in the last days.

Then again, liberals never get upset when lies are told about them. They get upset when the truth is told, so I won't hold my breath waiting for a liberal to acknowledge the certainty of God's truth and good news on the war on terror.

Barry Willoughby , Bonita Springs