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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2008

No Insult Detected

Regarding Sept. 11 letters to the editor "An Offensive Remark" and "Outraged at Comment":

It is no coincidence that these writers attempt to misrepresent Sarah Palin's comment comparing her service as mayor with Barack Obama's stint as a community organizer. Palin's statement was an obvious response to the hypocrisy of the left-wing media's criticism of her background as a mayor, while the same media overlooks the Democratic presidential nominee's lack of political experience. To insinuate that Palin's remarks in some form insulted volunteers is simply absurd and disingenuous.

Unfortunately, this type of deceit can be expected throughout the remainder of the campaign given the desperate state of Obama's supporters. Luckily, Palin will be the first woman to serve as a vice president in spite of the baseless attacks and "faux outrage."

DOROTHY SCHRAGE

St. Petersburg

Lesson In Semantics

A letter writer tries to discredit Sarah Palin for denigrating "community volunteers." She did no such thing.

Palin specifically addressed Barack Obama back when he was a paid, party-supported organizer of voters on the South Side of Chicago. As such, his paid job was to get votes for the party, and giving things to people can get votes. Did he ever "organize" someplace where he couldn't get votes? Much of the stuff he got for the community, for their votes, benefited everybody, supporters or not. That's the cost of doing business, but don't confuse it with the efforts of real volunteers. It is not.

Has Obama ever defended community organizer, a position in the party organization? No, he changes the wording to "community volunteers" and sends his followers out to wail in righteous indignation at the cynicism of those who know the difference. The writer could use some courses in political science - and semantics.

ROBERT GAREAU

Tampa

What Did He Organize?

There has been much in the media about Barack Obama's experience as a "community organizer." I, like all people, have lived in communities all my life and yet do not recall ever having been "organized" by an "organizer."

Who did Obama "organize" and for what purpose did he organize these people? Who was his employer and how much money did he receive for this organizing?

I sincerely hope the Trib has some investigative reporters who can dig into this and get the information, as I have never seen it reported. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your efforts.

NELSON J. GOUGH

Tampa

Palin More Experienced

I was quite surprised with the "outrage" concerning Sarah Palin's comment regarding Barack Obama's community organizing experience. I also am a community volunteer, but didn't take offense at all.

Sarah Palin isn't running for president of the homeowner's association or a local organization; she is running for vice president of the United States of America. That position requires executive experience that running local community groups do not provide. She will be leading thousands of government employees, not just a few volunteers. I felt her explanation was right on.

My community leadership skills certainly don't prepare me to assist running a country! I believe with all my heart that Palin is a huge supporter of volunteerism and community activism. Her comments have nothing to do with belittling community work; only pointing out that this experience isn't executive experience.

JAN ROBERTS

Wesley Chapel

Her Son Doing Fine

Regarding "Politics Not The Biggest Challenge Palins Face" (Other Views, Sept. 9):

I found Ellen Crosby's article to be rather sad and certainly not representative of most of us who have children with disabilities. My son, now 23 years old, has Down syndrome, and he is one of the greatest joys of our lives. Yes, there have been some challenges, but there were some challenges with all three of our children. That's life! Our son has certainly not led a lonely life; he is very friendly and has many friends.

He is a very active young man, and our lives have been much richer because of him, along with many other people whose lives he has touched.

I realize that many families have very difficult situations, and I am sorry Crosby has apparently had it so hard with her son, but don't assume it is that way for all of us. The joys far outweigh the challenges.

Also, Palin has given us a great opportunity to teach the media and society in general to use "people first" language. Don't identify persons with disabilities by their disability. BEVERLY BRIMER

Lakeland

Waste Of Public Money

Regarding "Protecting Community Standards" (Our Opinion, Sept. 8):

Your editorial applauded the small town of Lavonia, Ga., for buying up a strip club that some deemed inappropriate for their town and then subsequently torched their signage as a way of showing that such businesses don't belong in the "Bible Belt" of America.

Two things:

1. This establishment was open for seven years before being bought by the city. I find it hard to believe that every single patron who spent money there was from out of town, so who gets to decide what the "community standards" are?

2. If this "purchase" was funded through a bond that had been originally intended for a water treatment upgrade, who's going to upgrade the water treatment plant now?

One-million dollars was a third of Lavonia's annual city budget. I wonder how many schools and libraries and parks could've been upgraded for that price tag? It's nice to see that the beliefs of "dozens" are still able to waste the money of thousands in the "Bible Belt" of America.

SCOTT SEVENER

Tampa

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