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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2008

Internet Fills A Gap

Regarding " 'Whitey' Lie Is Just The Beginning" (Commentary, June 22):

Joseph Brown's column laments rumor-mongering over the Internet, particularly pertaining to Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. Indeed, many Internet stories are just that, fiction. On the other hand, there are very credible and newsworthy stories that are being investigated and reported upon through the Internet.

I suggest to Brown, The Tampa Tribune and other major city newspapers that it is the lack of investigative journalism and the lack of fair and balanced editorials that are giving rise to Internet reporting, good or bad. For instance, did The Tampa Tribune even comment on the Rev. Wright fiasco when the story lit up all over the Internet? Has the Tribune investigated Obama's odd home deal with Tony Rezko, another story all over the Internet?

It is a shame that newspaper journalism today is either ill-equipped or too lazy to compete and serve the public with investigative political journalism - dare I say, fair and balanced. It is time to get to work or go the way of the buggy whip!

DON MARSHALL

Plant City

Past Campaigns Nastier

I was really taken aback when I saw Joe Brown's headline in his Sunday column. He is one of the best and fairest of columnists on the Tribune's staff, and I'm appalled he should put these innuendos at the feet of one "race."

I am Caucasian and have been around many years. I recall the nuclear bomb propaganda against another Arizona senator, Barry Goldwater, by LBJ. The Adams-Jefferson race was a "vivid" one also. Anyone making comments that this campaign exceeds those hasn't read much history.

My objection to Barack Obama is his lack of background or knowledge to be president of the USA. His work experience is short - only two terms in a state senate and two years as a U.S. senator, with no employment other than government. How well can he really relate to the "working class?" He hasn't been there any more than he's knowledgeable about European culture or South America.

If he were to run four or eight years from now, I might vote for him.

RUTH CORDES CANTWELL

Tampa

Grist For Rumor Mill

The Joseph H. Brown column " 'Whitey' Lie Is Just The Beginning" could have actually been a positive editorial with a message for every American, not to mention Floridians. Racist remarks really have no place in society, be it against a white, black, yellow, red, blue or otherwise man or woman. The Web site referred to is one that Obama started to combat rumors; it is a good thing to combat any rumors.

Sadly, Brown pointed out that things could get worse between now and Nov. 4 election day. I just didn't think that they would in his column. Unfortunately he, too, had to pass along a rumor about the other candidate, thus being no different that those he criticized.

It's a shame that he couldn't be more objective and set an example instead of succumbing to the rumor mill that he admonishes us about.

D. HARDY

Tampa

Don't Blame Seniors

It seems every other week someone lambastes the older generation for draining the Social Security fund. You'd think they were criminals. Take a few minutes and check out the Social Security Web site.

Besides retirement benefits, they pay survivor benefits, disability benefits (spouse dies, eligible family members draw their benefit), supplemental security income (disabled adults and children with limited income) and, lastly, Medicare.

This fund benefits more than retirees, and I would bet money that fraud exists, but that's another subject.

BONNIE RAIFORD

Seffner

Give Carter Credit

Regarding "The Real Energy Shortage Is Washington's Timid Reaction To Problems" (Business, June 25):

As Americans worry about $4 a gallon gas, we forget that in 1979 a proposal was made to get us off foreign oil by 1999. It was called "A War on Energy." The president was Jimmy Carter.

In the above article, a Republican named Randy Forbes called for a "Manhattan Project" to end foreign energy dependency within 20 years. It should be called the "Jimmy Carter Project II."

Now Carter's idea is suddenly a Republican idea. Carter actually had great ideas about the future of energy and America. McCain recently blamed Carter's "failed policies" for creating the $4 a gallon gas we now pay. Wrong. Blame Ronald Reagan, who made great speeches but failed America by stopping our need to be off foreign oil by 1999.

R. DAVID FIRST

Apollo Beach

Reaping What We Sowed

It doesn't take a degree in economics to predict that a country that becomes caught up in greed at the top ends up in disaster. Company administrators who claim multimillions as "salary;" moving factories overseas to get yet a higher profit; those with American workers laying off huge numbers, then telling those remaining there's not enough money for their pension plans; not reinvesting into American factories and workers; those with companies remaining on U.S. soil hiring low-paid workers from a large pool of in-sourced folks; and the administration "rolling back" federal income taxes on the wealthy which vastly reduces revenue from which to operate government programs such as infrastructure, roads, bridges, etc. Then they decide to go to war on top of all that!

Quoting a former politician, "This looks like fuzzy math!" We set ourselves up for this big dive. We deserve it. We got caught up in our own greed, running up plastic debt, buying houses way over our income levels, believing greedy mortgage lenders that it's OK, driving big gas hogs. Doesn't anybody do math anymore?

SUSAN SCHUBERT

Tampa

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