Letters to the editor

Rein in unions

The Tribune made a mistake. The article about the police union picketing because its members didn't get a raise was on the front page, but the article about Tampa being among the worst hit in the nation in joblessness was back on the business page.

The United Auto Workers took down Michigan. Is the Tampa Police Benevolent Association going to take down Tampa?

Everyone is hurting. Unions have served their purpose, but now it's a new age.

CAROL BUCKINGHAM

Tampa

Self-centered union

The Tampa police union has been totally self-centered in its ongoing demands for raises when there is no money in the budget.

Of course, they don't care if some of their members must have their employment terminated so that a few will receive a raise, but now it is becoming political blackmail for the upcoming election.

Isn't there a way to get rid of these union officers who think only of their pocketbook and show no concern for the overall financial picture of the community they are supposed to protect, considering they are employed by one of the highest-paid police departments around?

JUNE AMBROSE

Plant City

Dogged security

OK, metal detectors can't screen for explosives in underwear. Pat-downs won't work there, either. X-rays fail to see. Those "poof" machines might get it done, but there aren't enough of them.

So, what's the answer? Dogs! We all wait in the security lines anyway. Dogs can walk the lines doing their thing, with close attention given to where the dog or its walker thinks it may be of help.

ZAK WEIDNER

New Tampa

Leave her alone

I just read your story about the woman with Davy Crockett's marriage license application ("Ballad of Davy Crockett adds a courthouse verse," front page, Jan. 6). Isn't possession nine-tenths of the law, or something like that?

This is just another example of city hall trying to take something from a person. Aren't people getting tired of being bullied?

DONNA L. BAIER

Dearborn, Mich.

Global cooling?

If P-P-President Obama attends m-m-more global warming m-m-meetings, then God will c-c-cause the U.S. to b-b-become p-p-permafrost. T-t-twenty-four degrees in F-F-Florida!

Analyze that, Copenhagen.

CATHY STARNES

Plant City