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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2009

The Real Issue On Roads

Regarding the editorial "Expensive Road Study Defies Logic," Jan. 11, I appreciate your additional insight into the ongoing Lithia-Pinecrest study and the problem with continuing the study all the way down to County Road 39.

However, this piece is unfairly critical to both HDR professionals and Bob Gordon (Hillsborough's director of public works).

The study clearly identified congestion by grade, which clearly points to immediate improvement requirements. The involvement of Lithia is a red herring and diverts attention from the more critical problems.

Your second-to-last paragraph is where you should begin: No county funds are available to do anything and that only a "modest" plan is to someday widen Lithia-Pinecrest between State Road 60 and Bloomingdale Avenue.

How sad and tragic is that? It's a question you should be investigating.

Please remain focused on the county's inability to provide infrastructure for the growth it continues to approve. That is the real story.

JAMES R. BISCHOFF

Valrico

Free Pass For Cabinet

The double standard in the media still amazes me. Every cabinet pick of President Bush was grilled on an open hearth except Gen. Colin Powell.

Now comes President-elect Barack Obama. I do not see any new faces. And talk about bringing baggage, from the attorney general to the secretary of state, with little questioning from Congress.

I was flipping around last night, and MSNBC dedicated their program to giving Gov. Sarah Palin a hard time, but nothing about the vetting in Congress.

I read Cynthia Tucker's column lambasting Bush for using Blair House and not letting Obama's children use it early for school.

I remember the media ignoring the Clinton people's campaign of disrupting computers and other less-than-professional things when Bush came to power.

I read Maureen Dowd's column gleefully proclaiming she should have kicked Dick Cheney's shins when she had the chance at recent get-togethers.

When all the newspapers close and these people are writing their life's trials and tribulations and their books wind up in the sale section of the bookstore, just maybe we can get some unbiased reporting.

CHARLES HARRIS

Tampa

Thanks For Cabinet Coverage

Great job with the Sunday edition.

The front-page photos and page-4 details on the nominated candidates provided me with a good education on the pending cabinet.

JOSEPH M. ABAD

Tampa

Don't Ridicule Bushisms

In the Views section of Sunday's Tribune, there was an Associated Press column on page 9 titled "Quote, Unquote." They quoted seven "Bushisms," obviously to ridicule Bush.

I am in no way, shape, or form a supporter of President George Bush. But who among us, during the past eight years, has not made seven mistakes in speaking? What the heck do seven "Bushisms" have to do with his performance in office?

I've lost some respect for the AP for what I would call "low journalism."

BARRY LILIEN

Tampa

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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