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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2007

Real Issues Ignored

Regarding "Gov. Crist Shouldn't Let CSX Railroad Open Government" (Our Opinion, Dec. 16):

I was pleased to see someone finally spoke up about the shady deal with CSX. I expected Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio would have been first to condemn the deal since it hadn't been discussed with the Legislature - or apparently anyone else in government. But in true conservative fashion, he ignores the real issues to worry about our morals and gambling.

DEAN MORGAN

Tampa

Deal Will Benefit State

I've been reading about Florida Speaker of the House Mario Rubio's court challenge of Governor Charlie Crist's deal with the Seminole Tribe to allow expanded gambling at their casinos. That deal will add money to the state's coffers.

Lately I've also read about the secret deal former Governor Jeb Bush made to give $491 million in tax dollars to the CSX railroad. At the same time the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team wants $60 million in future sales tax revenue to build a new stadium. Both of these actions would drain away tax dollars from the state.

Perhaps Rubio needs to build a taller soap box so he can stand on it to get the attention of his majority Republicans. Maybe then he could get them to do something logical for once and deny CSX and the Rays from dipping into the taxpayers' money and not complain about revenue coming into the state from casinos.

JOHN PARKERSON

Spring Hill

Wrong Jurisdiction

Why all of the complaining about the casino agreement that Governor Crist signed? Don't these complainers understand that the Seminole Casino is not on state lands and they really don't need approval from the state of Florida to make the changes they desire?. All it takes is approval from the secretary of the Interior.

So let's stop this crying in the beer about the casino upgrading their slot machines until we lose the deal and the associated funds being derived from the tables and machines.

Marco Rubio and his cohorts need to stop trying to find ways to waste our taxpayer money on a lawsuit that, if he wins, will result in all of us losing.

RICHARD L. CRAWFORD

Brandon

Lawmakers: Do Job

Regarding "Amendment's Cost Now Revealed," Rusty Birchall's letter (Dec. 14) regarding "Class Caps Will Create Difficulties, Board Warns," (Metro, Dec 12):

To those who feel the voters were shortsighted when they voted the constitutional amendment to limit the size of classes, can't they see the voting public was tired of getting inferior education due to overcrowding for five decades and wanted, in fact, demanded, a change. Thus this "cap" amendment was voted in. But apparently those officials who were elected to carry out the public's wishes didn't see it that way. Those officials were given ample time to put that amendment into effect but they did nothing but carp about the cost.

Education is one of government's jobs. Stadiums for private ball teams are not. The problem lies with those elected officials who refuse to carry out the public's wishes.

JERRY C. HIERS

Tampa

Armed For Protection

Regarding "Praise The Lord, Pass The Ammo" (Other Views, Dec. 15):

I am grateful to see a major article reflecting my views on this difficult subject for lawmakers. Many of us have earned a concealed weapon permit and would like to carry when we go to the mall just so that a deranged individual could potentially be prevented from taking lives. But we are confronted by a sign at the entrance telling us that no weapons permitted and as law-abiding citizens, abide by that direction.

I remember well the mass shootings in the recent past and the familiar feeling in my gut that an armed civilian may have saved mayhem.

THOMAS W. GARRETT III

Temple Terrace

Time For Gun Control

Regarding "A Family Shattered" (front page, Dec. 15):

With great sadness I read the news of the murder of Olivia and Magnus Bernsdorff. Would all the guns of this country be worth one child's life? How many more innocents have to die before we wake up and insist on strict gun control?

Our history is just that, history. Let's move on and apply modern facts to modern problems.

JOHN MANNONE

Lutz

Focus On The Good

Regarding "Amid Hugs, Tears, Applause, Pastor Confesses Porn Habit" (Metro, Dec. 17):

My family and I have been members of St. James United Methodist Church for over 12 years now, so it saddens (but not surprises) us to watch how the two local newspapers reacted to our pastor's revelation this week that he is resigning after eight years.

We are still confused as to why the paper from another county would deem such newsworthy of full-circulation coverage other than to continue expected "journalistic" patterns.

Pastor Brian James and his family have been friends and church family for all their time with us and will continue to be loved. Everyone I have spoken with this week feels the same way. Maybe on the next slow news day, you could fill some blank, unsold ad space with a follow-up article about all the good that our pastor has done for our church, community and beyond with his firm commitment to following Jesus to the best of our ability.

BILL MOORE

Tampa

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