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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 26, 2008

Ban Flag Burning

I find it shameful that while we observe the solemnity of Memorial Day, Congress refuses to pass the flag-burning amendment.

To suggest that this amendment would seriously tamper with the integrity of the U.S. Constitution is ridiculous. I would remind these myopic cynics that we have successfully tampered with the Constitution 27 times to address the inequities and problems unforeseen and unimagined by our Founding Fathers.

Our Constitution was forged in the precious blood of all those brave Americans who fought and died beside our nation's banner. If, indeed, I could speak to our fallen heroes, I would tell them, "Whenever Old Glory falls to the ground in flames, I will think of you, my friends. You are every flag waving in wind all across this beloved land."

TONY D'ANDREA

Largo

Support Military Families
This Memorial Day, there are forgotten heroes among us. On a day meant to remind us that the freedoms we enjoy are the product of tremendous sacrifice, we should also remember the thousands of military families that have also given so much for their country. These families have endured long distances, modest incomes or perhaps the disability or loss of a parent.

There are ways that we can offer tangible, meaningful tributes to our men and women in uniform by helping their families. And the need is great. Our organization, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, provides scholarships to the children of U.S. Marines who, without financial assistance, would have limited options for higher education.

Supporting our military families not only honors our veterans and active duty soldiers, it gives hope to a new generation of heroes who are their greatest legacy.

GENE A. DEEGAN

Tampa

McCain's NRA Flip Flop

John McCain's attempt to garner votes by speaking before the National Rifle Association's annual convention and mouthing the usual NRA myth's about the many rights of gun ownership will surely leave these true believers conflicted as McCain has supported more than one initiative to control illegal firearms in the Unites States.

Just recently Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition of the many mayors saddled with high rates of gun violence, launched a TV ad campaign showing videos of McCain, Clinton and Obama, each saying they support closing the gun show loophole, designed to draw attention to the bipartisan common ground that exists between all three presidential candidates.

The true believers at the NRA convention will have no part of any candidate who would in any way restrict their right to any gun anywhere at any time without any legislative constraints and until McCain delivers that promise, he is not going to get a single NRA vote.

ARTHUR C. HAYHOE

Zephyrhills

New Road Rules Needed

Regarding "More Must Be Done To Prevent Teen Deaths Behind The Wheel" (Our Opinion, May 15):

It is true that more must be done to prevent teen deaths behind the wheel. Lawmakers need to implement more rules before allowing teens to drive.

First, the driving age should be raised to at least 18 due to the number of careless teen drivers who do not view driving as a privilege or take it seriously.

Another main problem that exists in the state of Florida is the fact that parents are able to sign off for their children stating they have had enough experience. In reality, how credible are all of these parents to say that their child is an experienced enough driver to be able to remain safe on the highway?

The biggest issue I feel that exists regarding teen crashes is the use of cell phones while driving. Ever since text messaging came around, I have noticed that a great number of my friends have been in serious accidents and totaled their cars.

JENNA GREEN

Tampa

They Learned Elsewhere

In response to Tom Dusz' "What Happened To Turn Signals?" (Letters, May 18):

I am 70 years old, born and raised in Florida and lived all but 10 years of my life in Florida. Where is Dusz from? What state is his car tag from? If it is from Florida and he is from somewhere else, he is "disguised" as a Florida driver, just like 90 percent of people driving in Florida.

Floridians are not bad drivers; most of them come from somewhere else. Think about that the next time you complain about "Florida drivers."

MARY LU DIXON

Brandon

Marina Slipping Away

In July 2007, a money-saving idea was presented to the Tribune for consideration by the Tampa City Council: a small investment by the city can result in new revenue to the city. Let's examine the fulfillment of this concept offered by city council.

A $5 million bond issue was used to improve the Marjorie Park Marina. Much of the money was used to build a state-of-the-art dockmaster building, which left little money to install slips that would bring in monthly income. More than 100 people are currently on a waiting list for slips. However, the completed marina only has 30 slips, obviously not maximizing its potential but instead draining city funds. The present condition could be likened to an investor building a 100-room motel and then equipping only 30 rooms with beds.

This project should be moved ahead of others that will demand added expenses without any income potential. A prime example of this is the Riverwalk.

SANDY LOUGHRIE

Tampa

The writer is committee chairman of Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. The writer is director of Florida Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Inc.

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