TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letters To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2009

Tarnished Star

One of my stars fell a little lower in the sky. I am a big fan of Tony Dungy. He is a wonderful role model for young and old alike. But I was dismayed to see him play the race card in Sunday's Trib ("The Sidelines Still Lack Diversity At Colleges," Views, Feb. 22).

He obviously feels that the lack of black coaches in the NCAA's Division 1 football programs is racially motivated. I find it hard to believe someone so obviously intelligent would take that stand. He must know that every college president and athletic director (there may be a handful of exceptions, but not many) has as their primary goal a winning football program.

In today's environment, color is not going to matter. They are looking for the person who can build and sustain a successful program, regardless. If he thinks any school would pass up a "Tony Dungy-type" because of color, he needs to re-examine his logic.

JOHN H. BOYET

Tampa

Double Standard

I'm probably committing heresy by taking Coach Dungy to task for his opinion on diversity within the college coaching ranks. No one is more respected for the high professional and personal standards he has set for the rest of us, which is why I found his column so unsettling.

Only the fastest, strongest, most skilled and intelligent players and coaches are successful; and they are advanced by the merit system, not by superficial elements like one's skin color. Mike Tomlin, Dungy, Romeo Crennel, Herman Edwards and Jon Gruden are perfect examples of the merit system: White or black, you win, and you stay. You lose, and you go.

Assuming that diversity is a laudable goal for colleges to achieve, why don't "historically black colleges" find it so? A search of the Web sites of several shows not one displayed a dedicated staffer or department for any diversity effort. I don't for one minute believe these schools are not interested in recruiting and enrolling Hispanics, Asians or Caucasians, but how would I know? And I don't believe that conventional schools are more enlightened than their historically black peers, so why the double standard?

STEFFAN F. CRESS

Tampa

Leap Of Faith

Regarding "Bipartisanship 101" (Other Views, Feb. 22):

The article by Rep. Steny Hoyer is a perfect example of the doublespeak and rubbish coming from Washington. He gauges bipartisanship by "the seriousness by which the work matches the seriousness of the times" and cites last winter's bailout package as a result of Democrats' bipartisan efforts. In reality, that bailout was the beginning of a spending dream coming true for socialist wannabes.

Most in Washington have the best intentions for the future of our country, and most treat these serious times with the seriousness it respects. The diligence of their efforts is what comes into question. Bipartisan efforts begin when a potential law is read, understood, debated upon and then voted up or down on its merits. The latest stimulus package never made it that far. There was never a chance for bipartisanship to take place.

Remember when our parents would ask if we would jump off a bridge just because our friends were doing it? That's what the Democrats (and three Republicans) did by blindly voting for this bill without knowing what's in it. It remains to be seen how much of a fall they will take.

DAVID PIERRE

Tampa

Republicans Shut Out

Regarding "Bipartisanship 101":

The majority leader of the U.S. House is a bit disingenuous in his view of bipartisanship concerning the resent stimulus bill. The Democrats chose to shut out all Republicans from the debate. Not one word in the voted-on stimulus plan was credited to a Republican.

GEORGE REILLY

Tampa

Surrender Ploy

Bipartisanship 101? What a great idea.

Bipartisanship means Nancy Pelosi turning off the lights and shutting down Congress so there will be no more debate by Republicans. Bipartisanship means the stimulus package - the "pay-off-your-buddies handout" - never being made available to be read or debated by the Senate or House by 10 p.m. the night before the vote.

Bipartisanship means a Democratic Congress standing on the Capitol steps in "united support" of a president who lied to a grand jury and the children of this country over immoral practices. It is the cry of anyone opposed.

Bipartisan means throwing your principles and loyal support of constituents back home out the window. It will always mean "Republicans, surrender."

PATTY STANLEY

Sun City Center

Kick Them Out

Regarding "Senator Muddies Everglades" (Our Opinion, Feb. 24):

Sen. Mike Bennett's move to kill the Everglades land deal begs one to question his motive. It smells just like the deal Rep. Ray Sansom made for his college buddy.

Both these legislators should be removed from office as soon as possible. Neither is working for the public good.

CARL LANGLEY

Brooksville

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.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT