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Friday's letters: Violence only breeds more violence

 
Published Sept. 18, 2014

Most compelling moment | Sept. 15

Violence just breeds more violence

Good for former NFL receiver Chris Carter. He is one of the few who has made any sense regarding spousal and child abuse, not only in the NFL but in general. What applies to children also applies to girlfriends and wives: "This is the 21st century; my mom was wrong. … And I promise my kids I won't teach that mess to them. You can't beat a kid to make them do what you want them to do."

Carter is right: Violence breeds more violence. Put an end to it and the world will be a much better place.

Larry Pugliese, Tampa

New pier can't be same old, same old Sept. 15, editorial

A walk over the water

Your editorial seems to imply that the Pier approach should be shortened. The current distance allows people without the luxury of boat access to view our beautiful skyline from afar.

You assume the length keeps people from going out to the Pier. Are people really that lazy? Navy Pier in Chicago is more than twice the length of our approach, with no cars or trolleys. At the end is a beer garden with live music. On a day that hit 93 degrees and muggy, the beer garden was busy.

There are plenty of active locals and visitors in St. Petersburg. For the less active, an electric trolley would be available. Retail on Navy Pier was close in (say on our uplands), because that's where the shoppers stopped. The walkers kept going.

I am over 70, and I walk to the Pier now, just for the exercise. I would love a cold drink at the end of my walk.

Hal Freedman, St. Petersburg

State halts K-2 school tests | Sept. 16

Testing and teaching

Thank you and kudos to Susan Bowles, a kindergarten teacher from Alachua County, for taking a stance against kindergarten testing. I taught kindergarten for 23 years in Pasco County (I am now retired) and saw how testing escalated. It certainly was not for the best. It takes away vital teaching time.

Teachers need to teach. Yes, we need to be accountable, but testing is not the complete answer. When I first started teaching, we gave a test at the beginning of the year to see what knowledge and ability the child had. At the end of the school year, the same test was given to see improvements. This was a fair test. During the course of the year, teachers did their own assessments.

I am delighted that testing for K-2 has halted. I thank Bowles for her stance and courage and for Commissioner Pam Stewart for listening.

Marilyn Satinoff, Palm Harbor

Save on energy-efficient products | Sept. 16, letter

Small change vs. big savings

In his letter to the editor, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam details the tax-free weekend for energy-efficient appliances totaling up to $1,500. It's a positive step but small drop in a very large bucket.

Still, I would race out and buy a new refrigerator, except some years ago my wife discovered this new invention. It's called the solar panel. We had some installed (sorry Duke Energy), and now we have very energy-efficient appliances. We save energy each month, and our carbon footprint is nearly zero. By the way, the state's contribution was also zero.

In an ironic juxtaposition, the letter next to Putman's questions why so many Northeast states are dotted with solar panels while the Sunshine State lags far behind. The letter asks if "Florida's Legislature (is) looking out for the petroleum industry and not the consumer." Yes.

I have to wonder if the tax-free holiday was thought up during hunting trips to King Ranch.

My recommendations: Keep your old appliances, put up solar panels and vote.

Richard Downing, Hudson

Condo owners fight loophole | Sept. 15

Homeowners hurting

When the real estate bubble burst in 2008, values on single-family homes and condos plummeted. The consequences for many home and condo owners were terrible.

Now, the unintended consequence of a Florida law passed in 2007 is rearing its ugly head. The state legislators who voted for it, with one exception, failed to see the ramifications in the wording of the bill. Their focus was on the gravy train of campaign funds from the big real estate corporations. And as big real estate corporations ravenously bought up these bankrupt dwellings, the greed that caused the bubble in the first place continued unabated.

Legislators should amend this law and kill the loophole in the 2007 bill. Let's hope this time they will get it right for the Floridians who now may lose their condos after dutifully paying all their bills.

Florence Laureira, Hudson

First a loss, then shock | Sept. 17

Following the rules

It is unfortunate that Joseph Maas died on the last day of the August. Sheila Maas had to pay back the benefit her husband received for August.

Mrs. Maas asks, "Who's making these decisions?" It is not a cruel and heartless Social Security employee. The Social Security law states that benefits end the month before death. There is no exception based on how long the beneficiary lived during the month.

Social Security employees do not have discretion on whether or not the benefits can be paid. They must follow the law.

James Demer, Tampa

War now tests Obama | Sept. 17

Secure location

Wouldn't it have been easier to provide the necessary security for President Barack Obama if he had stayed at MacDill Air Force Base?

This should be a consideration for future presidential visits.

D.W. Deck, New Port Richey