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The recent dust-up concerning Planned Parenthood's receipt of funds from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation raises an interesting question. The Susan G. Komen organization presents itself as seeking a cure for breast cancer. If I were to donate to the "Society for the Study of Left-Footed Cockatoos," should I not expect those funds to be used for the study of left-footed cockatoos? And no matter how worthy the cause, should donated funds intended for cockatoos be given to the care and feeding of canaries?
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Last week, in the midst of unrelenting Super Bowl hype, there was a great moment in Tampa sports history. In the waning seconds of the Lightning's hard-fought victory over the then-division-leading Florida Panthers, a play was made that epitomized loyalty and team play.
"Did Florida miss out on big rail profits?" (front page, Feb. 6) raises more questions than it answers.
Regarding "Bill bans stamps for junk food" (front page, Feb. 6): Sen. Ronda Storms is really on to something. She should take her cue from a sheriff in a nearby county who wants to serve jail inmates a nutritious, but monotonous, diet of tasteless goop every day in order to make jail even more unpleasant. Perhaps a steady diet of spinach, peas, carrots and unrecognizable "meat" will remind recipients they are not as good as regular folks who can afford items such as steaks, lobster and potato chips.
"Lottery winner won't quit job" (Feb. 3) amazed me how much tax the government takes from a lottery winner. ("A winning card was good for $1 million to Alexandra Chaar, who opted for a one-time payout of $700,000.")
Regarding "Fasano booted from budget panel" (Briefly, Feb. 2): So state Sen. Jim Norman is the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxes. Perfect, since he knows how to obtain a half-million-dollar loan at no interest (from Ralph Hughes) and it doesn't have to be paid back.
It is so interesting to see how anti-Catholic sentiments have blinded so many people. The many letters you have printed about the Obama administration's Department of Health and Human Services' decision to force health insurance providers to pay for contraception, including abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization procedures, have borne this out.
On Wednesday, less than 24 hours before the Florida Senate Transportation Committee was scheduled to meet, an amendment was filed to Senate Bill 1866. The amendment would have major negative impacts on the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority's (THEA) ability to function independently and significantly limit local control.
Regarding "Don't fall for smears against Girl Scouts" (Other Views, Feb. 1):
"Area blood banks merge" (Jan. 28) is another well-written article by the Tribune's award-winning Mary Shedden. January was National Blood Donor Month, and America needs more quiet heroes.
The insurance companies are reaping record profits. Last May Allstate bought Esurance for a billion dollars. These companies run commercials begging for your business. Why then are they crying about personal injury protection fraud and tort reform? The number of staged accidents is infinitesimal compared to the number of legitimate claims and is no threat to their profits. Fraud is sexy, so they use that as a ploy to raise your rates.
Regarding Thomas Sowell column critical of muckraking "Is anybody serious?" (Views, Jan. 29).
As we near the qualifying period for candidates seeking office in Hillsborough County, have you ever wondered why so much focus is on the collection of monetary contributions instead of qualifications, and job performance if they are a current elected official? As I browse the supervisor of elections website, I can't help but notice the focus is on money.
"Illegal immigration" by Chris Ingram (Views, Jan. 22) reminds me of a quote from the U.S. House floor more than 100 years ago: "I shall not be speaking to the House, but to Buncombe …" (Buncombe County, N.C.), wherein originated the term "bunk."
Up to now, the voting for our Republican nominee for president has been up to anyone who wanted to vote in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. For the most part, these have been "open" contests. If Republicans are trying to sort out who will run against President Obama, what sense is there in hearing from day-of-the-vote-switching Democrats or independents?
In regards to "Board chided about Islam" (Metro, Jan. 25): I am a student in Dr. Kelly Miliziano's AP World History class at Steinbrenner High School. I attended Hassan Shibly's presentation on Islam and found it perfectly appropriate, as it tied into our study of the post-classical era. I don't feel like I was being converted and certainly don't feel I was being "brainwashed."
Your editorial "Hope for Alzheimer's patients" (Jan. 22) gave me hope for the future of older individuals. I buried a dear friend, my mother and my husband, who all suffered with the disease. How different so many lives would have been had there been earlier detection and more treatment or prevention. Thank you for making us aware of the early testing techniques available now and the possibility of additional treatment and prevention in the not-too-distant future. I won't worry quite so much now when I can't remember a name or what I went into the next room for. Please continue to keep the public apprised of the legislative and research activities concerning Alzheimer's.
I was sitting on my sofa half asleep when a vibration shocked me awake. The loud thumping vibrated my home. Items shook on tables; pictures turned. How loud is too loud? If your car stereo can mimic an earthquake, it's too loud. We live in a community that shares common values and has social cohesion. One of the main rights we have is to live in peace. Kudos to our officials for stepping up and trying to give the noise law teeth to prevent those who would be inconsiderate to invade our space with a blast of sound resembling a catastrophe.
As a recently retired educator reared in the Greek Orthodox faith, I read with particular interest Michelle Bearden's excellent column on Tarpon Springs' dive for the cross on Epiphany this year ("Diving into Epiphany fallout," Baylife & Travel, Jan. 22). She relates that the priest was left "very sad" by the behavior of the young divers.
Regarding: "This game makes kids the stars" (Sports, Jan. 18):
The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is being asked to grant Florida a waiver to expand a managed-care experiment for Medicaid recipients across the state. I am urging the federal government to deny the waiver.
A marriage based on the concept of "my way or no way" is doomed to fail. Our elected officials appear to ignore this basic principle of life. They ignore it at our peril. United we stand; divided we fall.
I keep reading where some people say they want to "take this country back." My question to them: Where do they want to take it back to?
The announcement by the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association of state Sen. Jim Norman being named "Legislator of the Year" is stunning, to say the least. I await with bated breath for the PBA to name Jim Greer "Most Accomplished Leader for the Republican Party of Florida"; recognize Mark Foley in furtherance of family values; name Paul Hawkes "Jurist of the Year"; recognize Kevin White for his work as the Hillsborough County Commission's sexual harassment adviser; and name Mike Haridopolos the state "Senate's Most Published Author."
The irony of the incident involving the Marines urinating on dead Taliban is that it takes a good outcome — three dead Taliban — and turns it into an action that strengthens the enemy.
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