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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

An Offensive Remark

As a community volunteer, I took particular offense when Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stated Barack Obama did not have "actual responsibilities" when he was a community organizer 20 years ago.

As a volunteer, I have worked with people who have considered ending their life, I have helped children who are suffering from a terminal illness and I have worked with those who are hungry and homeless - but I guess these acts don't matter, aren't actual, in the eyes of Sarah Palin?

Just because someone does not draw down a big paycheck does not mean they do not have "actual responsibilities." Instead it means that they put the needs of others before their own. I would prefer someone in the White House who values community service rather than mocks it. What she said not only insulted Obama, but also those who give back in communities across America.

DONNA CACCIATORE

Tampa

Outraged At Comment

According to Sarah Palin: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

I am outraged and disgusted at Palin's total disregard and disrespect of hard-working community organizers.

Our nation has been shaped and reshaped by the efforts of community organizers. Has Palin forgotten about women's suffrage, the labor movement and the civil rights movement? How is community service an inappropriate occupation for a government representative? The foundation of our democracy is our freedom to organize.

As a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, Barack Obama created a job-training program and helped poor people fight the city for asbestos removal. What is wrong with that?

TIFFANY FREER

Bradenton

Past Time To Leave

Regarding "Housing Official Fights Her Eviction" (Metro, Sept 5):

I am furious, and every honest and decent taxpayer in Tampa should be as well.

Several weeks ago the Tribune published a story much the same as this one - about a Housing Authority official, single, living in a four-bedroom apartment, absolutely against the rules and regulations - and that eviction was underway. Then I read that Karen Peoples is still there. I also read that there are more than 200 families awaiting housing.

Peoples is obviously one of those we see and hear of every day, often in positions of authority in local government, who feel the rules and regulations apply to everyone except themselves. The sheriff's office should visit Peoples tomorrow and ask her to leave in 24 hours, and if she does not, return and escort her from her apartment. That would be just.

STEPHEN L. WEBB

Tampa

Foreign Investor Factor

What is the real reason for the U.S. government's takeover of the two largest mortgage holders in America? Could it be the government is uneasy about China and large foreign investors calling in their investments?

ROBERT W. GREER

Brandon

Favor In-State Students

Regarding "University Admissions Will Get Even Tougher" (Metro, Sept. 6):

Yes, university costs are up, and tuition needs to be increased slightly. One thing that needs to be done is to quit recruiting average students from out of state. I can see recruiting national merit scholars, but incoming freshman, outside of the top tier of high school students, should be left to students graduating from Florida high schools.

Yes, out of state students pay more in tuition, but it is not worth telling a high school graduate from a Florida school, "Sorry, you can't go to college here in Florida." Let's keep Florida schools for Florida students.

SKYE COTTON

Tampa

Curriculum Will Help

I'm a student at Sickles High School and I am responding to the Sept. 3 Steve Otto column, "Did District Belly-Flop Off SpringBoard?" The column provided a negative opinion about a new program called SpringBoard. As a student who has this curriculum, I think I can shed some light on the subject.

SpringBoard may not be the right curriculum, but math and English scores have been in decline for a number of years. I interpret that to mean what teachers in general are doing today is not working for us students.

In my opinion, SpringBoard has a better chance of increasing math and English test scores overall because it gives a solid curriculum for teachers and students. SpringBoard is a workbook that is interactive between the teacher and student. Another advantage of SpringBoard is that all students will be exposed to math and English using the same materials.

MELISSA BIKOWITZ

Odessa

Just More Of The Same

Regarding "Express Lanes Urged to Ease Congestion" (Metro, Sept. 2):

Your article supports an outdated, urban sprawl mindset that increases congestion and transportation costs while allowing Tampa Bay to grow in ways that fail to serve their residents for the long term. The sad truth is that expanding highways result in a spiral of further congestion and frustration while the people these systems are intended to serve become slaves to their automobiles and the corporations who build and fuel them.

Local governments and developers need to embrace the concepts of compact, mixed-use developments connected by high density transit corridors that give people options to live near the places where they work while also fostering strong community values that are derived by having varying demographic and generational groups living and working in harmony and in close proximity as an alternative.

GLEN ALMCRANTZ

Odessa

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