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Sunday's letters: Go to the source and cut carbon

 
Published Dec. 11, 2015

Don't expect Zuckerberg to save the world | Dec. 6, Perspective

Go to the source and cut carbon

The most important line in this article may be the last: "The real flaws in our world are structural."

David Auerbach mentions the climate change talks in Paris only in passing, but the kinds of solutions floated there by the likes of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and many world leaders tend to be technological fixes — more solar power, wind, electric cars, etc. These might be part of the solution, but they won't help stop our accelerating march toward an uninhabitable world unless we change the underlying structural problems. Global warming is like a weed threatening the stable climate system that has allowed civilization to emerge over the past several millennia, and the best way to kill a weed is to choke it to death.

Instead of adding cool new technology, we need to take away dirty old carbon. Keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make all the secondary problems shrivel up and die without the need of high-tech remedies. The best way to keep carbon in the ground is by imposing a carbon fee at every carbon source and distributing the dividend equally to all citizens. Without its blood supply, the carbon-hungry beast will simply wither and die.

Robert Austin, Seminole

Stakes high in intel inquiry | Dec. 6

Human lives are at stake

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's statement, "That's why we are so protective of them," was shameful in light of the investigation regarding the manipulation of intelligence data by Central Command. The article went on to detail how the Tampa business community has no problem with this egregious ethical breach as it does not impede profits.

The mayor, Tampa Bay Partnership and Chamber need to go to the James A. Haley VA Hospital and learn about the consequences of this intelligence manipulation in terms of the very real human costs of war. The profit and prosperity they seek to protect is paid for by men and women who are sent into the field by the CentCom whose ethics are being called into question.

The intelligence analyst whistle-blowers know their analysis is used to make life-and-death decisions and had to speak out. Our community should be outraged on behalf of those who pay the ultimate price when their commanders lie.

Karen Putney, Tampa

Trump: Don't allow Muslims into U.S. | Dec. 8

Pandering and destructive

I registered as a Republican because I believed in some of the core values of the party, as I knew it. But Donald Trump has run a campaign that has completely overturned the concept of a free election conducted by a well-informed electorate. He climbs up on these podiums to grandstand, and beats his chest to drum up votes. He chooses to ignore the idea of educating the public about the actual state of affairs in the world and panders to uninformed, narrow-minded views.

The more we share pictures and stories decrying his policies and agenda, the more light we cast on him, and that's all he needs: a spotlight. Instead of feeding his fire, report on candidates who are well informed and thoughtful.

Will Dawkins, Orlando

How to shut him up

Donald Trump's bombastic, inflammatory and ignorant rhetoric must be stopped. If left unchecked, his rants may lead to more "jihadist attacks" by feeding their propaganda that America and the West are "at war with Islam." To shut Trump up:

1. The media needs to stop giving verbatim coverage to his every insane remark. The endless discussions give him the credibility he doesn't deserve.

2. Republican and Democratic leaders and presidential candidates need to turn up their rhetoric on the ridiculous lies that Trump spews.

3. Give more coverage to the voices that advocate reasonable, rational and practical tools to make our country safer. These should be the front-page news stories.

Diana Rao, Tampa

Standard GOP policy

Donald Trump's "no Muslim immigrants" position simply blows away the Republican smokescreen. Republican governors say no Syrian refugees (Muslims) allowed in their states. Other Republicans say we can only allow a very small number of refugees (Muslims) into the United States and they must go through such an intensive background check they will probably never get in.

While Trump's position is abhorrent, it's really no different from the standard Republican position. He just said it in a straightforward manner rather than hiding behind euphemisms like the Republicans who are screaming about his position. While I'm disgusted by his position, I applaud his candor.

Howard Taylor, St. Petersburg

Kriseman 'bars' Trump from city | Dec. 8

Keeping the nation secure

Although I know that St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman's comment barring Donald Trump was tongue-in-cheek, Trump, as a citizen, has a constitutional right to enter St. Petersburg. However, Jihadi Joe does not have a constitutional right to enter our country. The United States can and does restrict foreigners through visas and quotas.

Homeland Security has announced that jihadists have already attempted to enter the United States through the refugee program. Why is Trump's comment so outlandish? How foolish will critics look if another San Bernardino happens because President Barack Obama lets in a few more terrorists through the refugee program?

Charlie Schutze, Largo