TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letters To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 22, 2008

Singing Is No Big Deal

Regarding "Maybe Our Champions Are Humming" (Our Opinion, Aug. 16):

I'm at a loss to explain what the Tribune thinks is so unpatriotic about not singing the national anthem. I'm no less patriotic holding my hat over my heart and standing in silence than the guy who's had a couple of beers and feels like singing.

I don't watch the Olympics in hopes of seeing the USA win and the gold medal winner singing the anthem. I watch to admire their effort in winning the medal.

This isn't an "American Idol" audition. Maybe they're thinking about what they just accomplished, perhaps thinking of a friend, relative or past coach who isn't around anymore to share in their victory. Who knows? But they didn't travel half way around the world to sing, if that's what they choose not to do.

Most fans attending sports games don't sing; I haven't seen the Bucs form a choir line and belt it out before a game, and the Lightning don't sing, let alone stand still on the ice until it's done. Next you'll expect the Rays to come out in the middle of the 7th inning and encourage the fans to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

DAVID LUBIN

Tampa

Striving Not To Offend

Before being quick to criticize our gold metal athletes for not "belting out" our national anthem as the Chinese judo winner did, perhaps we should review the definition of "the ugly American." He is described as arrogant, overbearing, brash, ill-mannered, discourteous and with a "better than thou" attitude.

Does it not seem probable that our young people have been warned to do nothing that could be considered offensive to a host nation that is quick to take offense?

I would also call attention to the lineup of players at the singing of the anthem at sporting events. Most stand quietly, hand over hearts; only a few seem to be mouthing the words. Rather than being critical, let's salute our gold medalists for being politely humble in victory, knowing they have given their best for a grateful nation.

MARGE MacFARLANE

Lakeland

Teammates Left Out

While I applaud NBC's coverage of the Olympics, I must take exception of the gold medal ceremony after Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal. Yes, it was unmatched in Olympic history and he deserves all the accolades being bestowed upon him. But when the American gold medal team took the podium and "The Star Spangled Banner" was played, wouldn't it have been nice to show all of the American team who contributed to this stunning victory? Instead, the cameras focused only on Michael Phelps.

No doubt he is a great athlete, but don't you think the families of those who were part of the team that supported his effort to win an eighth gold medal would have liked to see their family members as they stood there, so proud, while "The Star Spangled Banner" was played? If it was my son, or family member, I would have felt cheated.

Michael Phelps will undoubtedly go on to receive many accolades in his life for his outstanding achievements at the Olympics, but let's not forget those who helped him reach that plateau.

RON DAKIN

Spring Hill

Most Useful Graphic

Regarding "What's Steering Fay?" (front page, Aug. 20):

I commend the Tribune for its front-page side bar in Wednesday's paper about the steering currents that were and are driving Fay's course. Finally, we get some real information to help us understand what is "driving" the storm and plan what we might need to do to protect our property and lives. TV meteorologists have not been providing the viewers and readers with any really helpful information other than the fact that there is a storm out there and that that it is headed somewhere. Most of their reports that refer to "spaghetti models" sound more like reviews of a cheap Italian restaurant. Also, a reference to a computer model is really not helpful without knowing the information on which the model is based.

I hope you will continue to print this information in reports on future storms, regardless of where they are headed.

FRANK J. RIEF

Tampa

TGH Taking Action

I wanted to personally alert the community to a letter and findings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of a complaint survey resulting from the two tragic suicides on our psychiatric unit in late July.

The result of this survey is that the Medicare provider agreement between our hospital and CMS will be terminated on Sept. 6 unless the "immediate jeopardy" to patients' health and safety is removed.

I was saddened, embarrassed and concerned reading the surveyor's observations about our psychiatric unit. I am sincerely committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to prevent this from happening again. We are responding to the findings in an aggressive manner. We are modifying the physical environment, improving observation of our patients, and changing policies and procedures as cited in the surveyor's report. We have already identified independent experts to review our approaches, provide advice on improvements that need to be made as well as oversight for the foreseeable future.

A copy of the CMS survey can be found on our Web site, www.tgh.org.

All of the employees, physicians and volunteers understand that the community must have absolute trust in the operation of our psychiatric unit. Restoration of that trust is our No. 1 goal.

RON HYTOFF

Tampa

The writer is president & CEO of Tampa General Hospital.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT