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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2009

Respect The Anthem

When I was growing up we were taught that when the national anthem was being played, it was proper to wait until the song was finished before applauding. What has happened since then? I have yet to hear the sports crowds let the song finish before they start hooting and hollering.

When in Scotland a few years back, I was fortunate to see the Tattoo (precision marching and competing bands) on the parade grounds of Edinburgh Castle. Although there were thousands of people in the stands, you could hear a pin drop when their national anthem was played prior to the start.

This leaves me with two questions: Why can't sports fans show more respect for our national anthem and wait for the end? And why must the singers do their own rendition of the way it was written?

Wouldn't it be nice to find that people can show the respect that this song deserves?

MARY CAULFIELD

Dade City

Spotlight's On Us

I realize that this appeal is probably much too late, but would it be possible that the national anthem at the Super Bowl be sang with the dignity and reverence that it was intended?

Tampa is being watched by an enormous audience, and we should be putting our best show on.

I was appalled when I heard the inauguration presentation of "The Star-Spangled Banner." It is a difficult song to sing, but liberties should not be taken to personalize the tune to showcase the range of the performer.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm sure I speak for many citizens of the Tampa Bay area.

NANCY HEILMAN

Tampa

Insurance Questions
Many years ago, while living in New York state, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it there was a New York state trooper. He told me that my insurance company had notified the state of New York that we had not paid our premium for the past month, and he was there to confiscate the license plate.

In New York you had to have insurance for every car registered. We would get the plate back when the insurance company notified the state we were current again.

Why am I asked each time I apply for a new decal to give my insurance information in order to get my decal for the following year? Do people say they have insurance but really do not? Do they cancel insurance once they get the decal? Does the state of Florida have no interest in both these cases?

Do insurance companies let policies lapse and not notify the state? Who is minding the store for the insured motorist?

STEPHEN KAYE

Lutz

Schism In The Church

It would be best if Rabbi Ricardo Di Segni stayed out of theological disputes within the Catholic Church. The status of Richard Williamson as a valid bishop has nothing to do with his opinions on an historical event. The Pope always has the option of forcing Williamson to retract his statements about the holocaust, and bishops can be transferred to an extinct diocese in the Sahara Desert, but that has nothing to do with the technical validity of a bishop.

The Pope is dealing with a schism within the church, and expelling a bishop can make things worse. There was even the case of a married bishop who was readmitted, as well as that of a case of a bishop who was given permission to leave to get married. A canon lawyer can easily make the case that Williamson is a valid bishop, although perhaps a disobedient one.

The Catholic Church cannot be criticized for allegedly not giving Martin Luther a chance and then turn around and not give a valid bishop a chance to retract his views. Besides, how will this affect disputes about Anglican and Greek Orthodox religious orders?

LEONARD MARTINO

Tampa

Highway Heroes

While on business in the Tampa Bay area recently, I had a flat tire on the interstate, which could not have occurred at a more inconvenient time. Changing the tire on a narrow shoulder while bracing morning rush-hour traffic, I struggled with an impending sense of limited mechanical ability, fatigue, safety and my upcoming professional appointment.

Somehow, I felt that each passing moment was close to my last. It was at the point of quiet desperation that a road ranger drove up and helped me get on my way.

This guy really helped me. His only reward was my gratitude.

I am in hope that careful consideration amid a straining budget will allow funding to continue for this service and not place another human life in jeopardy.

ED KELLY

Palatka

No Delay Needed

I find it ironic that after a year or more of bulletins on every network and virtually every program, that the U.S. Senate and House proposed a delay in implementing the digital TV conversion.

Is it any wonder that the people have no trust or respect for Congress? How stupid do they think we are? If one hasn't gotten the message and prepared themselves by now, delaying the deadline will not hasten them one iota.

WALTER E. CARTER

Riverview

Bad Choice For Treasury

Tim Geithner was confirmed as Treasury secretary despite being an income tax cheat. Yes, he paid the back taxes, including interest and penalties, but only because he got caught. If he were a member of the other party he would have been crucified by Dems and the media.

Obama should have withdrawn his nomination as soon as the facts became known. Harry Reid, however, referred to the revelation as merely a minor bump in the road, and an honest mistake. You don't make an unknown $32,000 mistake. We now have the fox guarding the henhouse.

JIM SILHAVY

Valrico

He's Shamed Office

Now that a tax cheat has been confirmed as Barack Obama's Treasury secretary overseeing the IRS, the April 15 tax deadline should no longer concern any law-abiding, tax-paying U.S. citizen.

The Congress and new president have installed an individual who has already brought shame to his office, and this is not the change America voted for.

KEVIN B. KAMEN

Palm Harbor

Where's The Choice?

"They" call it the Freedom of Choice Act. But where is the freedom of the moral and ethical health care professionals who choose not to participate in ending the life of a child in the mother's womb? Their choice would be to act against their moral principles or choose to end their career. On a larger scale, many health care institutions will have "no choice" but to cease operations.

And you think we have a health care crisis now? Just project what it will be if the more appropriately named "Choose Abortion or Else Act" were to be imposed on society.

BRIAN LANE

Brandon

Tampa Goes Green

I was thrilled to read that the Florida Green Building Coalition awarded Tampa a gold level certification for taking certain steps to protect our environment.

Thank you to Mayor Iorio, Tampa City Council members and city staff who worked to make this happen.

The next most important step now is for city officials to order a greenhouse gas inventory.

This creates a baseline measurement for comparison. Then, when new efforts are made the city can measure their progress.

Keep up the good work!

BEV GRIFFITHS

Riverview

Lend Money Directly

Here's the answer to the credit crisis:

If the billions of dollars we are giving banks are being hoarded by them, the government should set up a department to lend the money directly to small businesses and worthy borrowers.

Let the banks live or die with their bad decisions.

TONY PALE

New Port Richey

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com.

Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

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