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Time to stop shouting 'fire' and start talking about health care

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By STEVE OTTO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2009

Topping your Otto Graphs in the mailbag this week is a note from the Rev. James Harnish, who holds down the fort at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. When Pastor Jim speaks, people listen.

"Thanks for your words about the lack of civility in our country these days," he writes. "I thought you might be interested in a piece I wrote on that subject for my online message a few weeks ago."

Included in his message he wrote: "The hyped-up fury of angry, fearful, and biased people on all sides of this debate will never result in a solution to the very real problems surrounding health care in this country. Bad manners are still bad manners, whatever your political persuasion. Government policy should not be determined by the tyranny of the loudest voices.

"Intimidation is no more a part of freedom of speech than shouting 'Fire!' in a crowded theater. My sense is that the shouters have had their 15 minutes of fame and it's time for all of us to focus our attention on people who are willing to have respectful, honest and thoughtful debate rather than the folks who make the most noise."

You can read more of the Rev. Harnish's messages at www.hydeparkumc.org

Saint Tim

You know, I saw this one coming when I mentioned Tim Tebow in the same column with movie director Roman Polanski and NFL quarterback Michael Vick. Didn't matter that I said the column was not about the three of them as much as it was the way Americans react to celebrity. Nope, didn't matter. The letters are rolling in. Here are two:

"Steve Otto - I know you are loosing it (your brains) for some time now, but your ravings in today's paper proved it. You are now completely gone; it is time for you to pack it and leave it, with no more raving from you.

"How could a sane person ever write what you did, putting Tim in the same category as those other two. And the only ones that has been trying to put Tim on the fast track to sainthood is some of your newspaper jerks. Just because Tim is a Christian and always trying to do the right things you jerks always try to put that person down. Do us all a favor and pack it up - CK."

Saint Tim II

"Oh my, you've done it now. Prepare for the onslaught!

Can't even put Tebow, Vick and Polanski in the same conversation Steve!

I get what you're saying about star worship and our shallow culture - but honest, with Tebow this is not the case.

Tebow has the star quality of the others; brilliant at what he does, amazing accomplishments in his field. Others look up to him. But that is only the tip of the iceberg with Tim. He himself would tell you that football is only a game, and just a small part of all that is important in his life. What could be more important? He'd probably say the Philippines mission, Croatian trips, etc. etc. including visits to sick kids. I've stood on Gator Walk to watch him come by - gracious to us old folks and always polite. But if there is a small child on the curb, that is the one who gets the handshake and smile." - Caryn McDermott

Keyword: Otto Graphs, for more of Steve Otto's musings.

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