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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 25, 2007

Show Some Compassion

Christmas in our society is the premier holiday of the year. It's the season of giving and thinking of the less fortunate. But are compassionate people becoming an evaporating core?

One begins to think so, with the thunderstorm of derisory condemnation of the "homeless bums." Nevertheless, people do become sensitized to hardship cases around us and to the displaced, dispirited derelicts on Christmas.

Do average Christians feel that citizen castaways count? Is not everyone entitled to a minimum level of subsistence or should they just be cast into the outer darkness? I remind Christians to re-read Matthew 25. On this holiday of Christmas, one should contemplate embarking on some sort of restructuring of poor people to prevent their proliferation in public places.

ROBERT B. FLEMING

St. Petersburg

Recognize Depression

For most, the holidays are a season of warmth and comfort, family and friends. The period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is usually filled with joyful parties and cheerful gatherings. But for some, this festive period can be a time of loneliness, self-reflection, sadness and anxiety. Long, tiring days, unrealistic expectations and potential isolation for those who can't be with their families around the holidays may make the season difficult.
Major depression is a common and serious illness that affects almost 19 million Americans and can occur at any time of year. The symptoms are broad and may include sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight and bodily aches and pains. The symptoms can occur temporarily during the holidays, commonly referred to as the "holiday blues," and can go away once life has returned to normal.

If you find the pressures of the holidays weighing you down, it is important to make a conscious effort to stay active, focus on the positive things in life and surround yourself with people you love. Set realistic goals for your time and your finances and give yourself permission to say "no."

If you are currently under the care of a physician for depression or mental illness, be prepared with an adequate supply of medication and continue to take it regularly. Following the holidays, if you still feel overwhelmed by the season, your feelings may be more than the holiday blues and you should speak to your physician.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Florida offers a free information and referral line that can assist in finding local resources. The toll-free number is (877) 626-4352. Recognizing depression can help you or someone you care about get appropriate treatment.

LINDA MCKINNON

Tallahassee

Some Role Models

Now that a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is on the ballot for 2008, I look forward to the role models in both the political, religious and entertainment arenas to stump for this most important amendment.

Pamela Anderson should get top billing with her latest marriage lasting 72 days and her prior "lifetime commitment" lasting three months. Former President Bill Clinton, Sen. David Vitter, Sen. Larry Craig, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Brittany Spears, Mark Foley, Florida House Rep. Bob Allen, Rev. Ted Haggard, Debra Lafave, presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani, former New Jersey Mayor Jim McGreevey and Jim Bakker should all get equal billing on this sanctimonious platform. Oh, and lest we not forget, the views of 40 to 50 percent of heterosexuals who make up the national divorce rate on how they feel that removing the man + woman = marriage label will "sully" their sacred bond.

This old, married white girl would love to know the answer.

LYNN CANNELLA

Tampa

All About Politics

People who plan to vote "yes" on the so-called Marriage Protection Act should understand that they are being cynically used for partisan political purposes. The measure, which would enshrine anti-gay bigotry in the Florida Constitution and remove rights from other unmarried Florida citizens, isn't necessary. Gay marriage is already illegal under Florida law and federal statute.

So why is John Stemberger, an ambulance-chaser based in Orlando who chairs the Florida 4 Marriage group, spending so much time and money on this effort?

Because the former political director of the state GOP hopes the ballot initiative will encourage "values voters" to show up at the polls. That's also why the Republican Party is the primary funder of Stemberger's crusade.

A visit to the group's illiterate Web site reveals that they are heavily targeting churches. I hope the state's pastors and parishioners will decline to be manipulated for partisan gain and vote "no."

SHERRY CIURCZAK

Apollo Beach

Correction

The last line of Rosemary Goudreau's Dec. 23 column, "Patient Beware," was inadvertently cut off. The final two paragraphs of the column read as follows: "Never, by the way, did the surgeon who performed George's bladder operation ever call to check on him. Perhaps now he'll discover the surgery wasn't a success."

The writer is president of the Board of Directors for NAMI Florida.

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