Letter to the editor

Farm worker protest

Last week The Tampa Tribune ran a story about farm workers from Immokalee protesting in front of Publix Supermarket demanding higher prices for the tomatoes they pick (Metro, Oct. 26).

I suggest that if they aren't satisfied with the wages they receive, they should return to their own countries and protest there for higher wages.

KEN WALKER

Wesley Chapel

How not to salute

If the White House plans to stage any more photo-ops at the return of our soldiers who paid the ultimate price fighting the war in Afghanistan, someone needs to teach President Obama how to salute (front page photo, Oct. 30). The two generals have it right with the upper arm parallel to the ground. Obama is doing a wimpy "movie" salute.

It'll be interesting to see if Obama goes to Dover Air Force Base for every returning flight from now on. Of course, if he does, as he ramps up the war and leaves 50,000 troops in neighboring Iraq, contrary to his campaign promises, he will find himself spending a lot of time there.

If I were really cynical, I'd guess that he did this to draw attention from his falling poll numbers as he lurches from one crisis to another - sort of like Bill Clinton used to bomb Libya whenever there was a new revelation about him and Monica Lewinsky.

DAVID BROWN

Sun City Center

Homeless need jobs

Once again, the issue of what to do about the homeless has come up, about whether to put them in the Floriland Mall.

What the homeless need is what America needs: jobs with living wages and affordable housing.

Until we put America back to work, there will be more crime and homelessness in your neighborhood, with or without your approval.

Until we put America back to work, there will not be money for more Vietnam wars, insurance mandates, public options, police, teachers, schools, vaccines, libraries, post offices or "change we can believe in."

RON KUHLER

Lutz

Stand up

How can we expect President Obama to effectively stand up against the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan when he can't even effectively stand up against Fox News?

KIT WERREMEYER

Valrico

Change isn't cheap

We did not make a mistake electing President Obama. He is doing what we wanted him to do. But we forgot what it costs to make a change, to make up for the mistakes of the past. I hope Obama stays the course, and we will overcome the shortcomings of the 1980s and those of the last administration.

B. FLANAGAN

Zephyrhills

Identity issue

In response to "American first" (Letters, Oct. 20), the writer dislikes the hyphenated titles of different origins. This is a very complicated matter that has been wrong since the start. The country is not "America." It is the United States of America and shares North America with Canada and Mexico.

The concept of being called "America" is so rooted that to change it seems impossible. Hyphenating clarifies the first origin of naturalized citizens.

MARIO L. DEL CAMPO

Tampa