TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2008

LETTERS

Don't Trim The Editorials

I have been a Tribune (home delivery) subscriber since 1978 in Pinellas, Hillsborough and now Pasco. For this occasional writer of letters to the editor, your July 13 editorial was very much an obituary.

For Pasco County readers, your page (and not just the letters section), was an important public forum in which a diversity of views and opinions - one's own, those of others and of the paper's editorial staff - could be espoused and debated.

No component of a newspaper better exemplifies the true meaning and spirit of the First Amendment than its editorial page(s). Conversely, nothing more parallels the evil intent and effect of the McCain-Feingold bill, especially with the forthcoming elections. Nor is there a more effective way to limit - dare I say, "control" - political dissent and adversarial debate.

Despite the present-day economic realities and the need to make hard business decisions, I question the rationale for this decision and the priorities used to justify it. In terms of space, there is plenty of "pork" which could have been cut instead, such as the comics and many other icons of print trivia.

Those of us who have, in the past, contributed to the content of the Pasco editorial pages should be under no illusion that the "playing field" in the main section will be a level one or that Pasco issues and letters will receive the same attention and unbiased distribution of space which we have so enjoyed over the past 10 years.

And one more thing: Thank you, Mr. Editor.

P.J. CORR

Wesley Chapel

Editor's Note: The Pasco Tribune will continue publishing letters to the editor on Sundays and other days, along with occasional guest columns from community leaders. Send letters to 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542, Attn: Letters Editor. E-mail submissions to jscullin@tampatrib.com or mmccoy@tampatrib.com.

OK, But English First

I think Tom Jackson made a mistake. He called for a "multilingual America," when I think he meant "multilingual Americans." Seems insignificant, but there's a big difference.

Look, I believe Americans - anyone - should know a language other than their own, be familiar with other cultures, all that. Like foreign travel or broad reading, it just broadens the person.

But a multilingual America? Two countries that are multilingual, Canada and Belgium, come to mind. They both have such national unity (chuckle).

I'm all for knowing a foreign language. But it's a foreign language.

We have one language: English.

ERNEST LANE

Trinity

Stop Domestic Violence

Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and community of Lenora Michelle Ferguson and her son, Gabriel. We are deeply saddened by this act of domestic violence. Her death is a stark reminder that we still have a long way to go to achieve a community free of violence in the home.

To prevent future domestic violence in our community, we must all make domestic violence our business. We all need to make a commitment to intervene and reach out to our sisters, our mothers, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors - anyone that we suspect is being abused.

Sunrise Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center provides free services to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, including a 24-hour hotline, an emergency shelter, support groups and legal assistance.

If you need help, call (352) 521-3120. To get involved, call (352) 521-3358.

CHRISTINA BATES

Social Change Community Organizer, Sunrise of Pasco County Dade City

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Have something to say? Submit a letter to the editor, and let your neighbors know what you think about issues affecting the community or whatever's on your mind. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Please include your name, where you're from and a phone number. Most letters will run on Sundays, but we'll run more timely submissions during the week. Send your thoughts to:

Letters to the Editor

38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542

E-mail submissions to jscullin@tampatrib.com or mmccoy@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT