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Sunday's letters: Russia's uranium assets troubling

 
Published May 2, 2015

Help choose Letter of the Month

Letters to the editor offer a significant contribution to the discussion of public policy and life in Tampa Bay. To recognize some of that work by our most engaged readers, the Times will select a Letter of the Month and the writers will be recognized at the end of the year.

Help us choose from the nominations for Letter of the Month for April by visiting the website listed below by Tuesday. Read through the three letters and vote on the ballot at the bottom of the web page. We will choose the finalists each month based on relevance on topical issues, persuasiveness and writing style. The writer's opinion does not need to match the editorial board's opinion on the issue to be nominated. But clarity of thinking, brevity and a sense of humor certainly help.

To see the three April nominees and vote, go to www.tampabay.com/opinion.

Clintons cast in Russian uranium tale April 25

Sellout of U.S. interests

The money-raising activities of former President Bill Clinton and the political aspirations of Hillary Clinton have created a debacle of incredible magnitude. The national news organizations and pundits have yet to come to grips with the gravity of Russia's dominating control of the world's uranium resources. We have witnessed a sellout of our national welfare attributable to two greedy people, who throughout their public careers have been unable to discern right from wrong.

The sale of U.S. uranium assets to a Canadian billionaire, true loyalty unknown, won a rubber stamp of approval from several levels of the federal government. Apparently there are no responsible federal officials inclined to stand up to, and stop, egregious actions that may eventually threaten our very existence. The thinking in this regard was muddled to say the least.

Vladimir Putin and his cronies surely had some belly laughs while toasting America's gullibility.

V. Don Meyer, Hudson

Noncandidate has megamoney | April 28

Office to the highest bidder

Jeb Bush is delaying an announcement of his presidential campaign so that he can obtain donations without following the few rules that are attached to campaign contributions. While the former Florida governor might be "living within the law," his actions show a profound disrespect for regulations that are in place to keep elections from being sold to the highest bidder. Sadly, with the use of super PACs, the limits on contributions and disclosure regulations are already meaningless.

It is 19 months before the next presidential election and already tens of millions of dollars have gone to campaigns. It is hard to imagine how much money will ultimately be spent on the election. To add insult to injury, a great deal of this money will be spent on messages to disparage other candidates in the race that Americans will be bombarded with for months on end.

It is sad to think of the good that could be done for the country with all of that money were it applied to solving some of our problems. I guess this proves that one of the biggest problems we have is the need for campaign finance reform.

Janet Graber, St. Petersburg

Juror Appreciation Month

A key civic responsibility

To the judiciary, May is special because it is Juror Appreciation Month. I'd like to use the occasion to thank jurors in Pasco and Pinellas counties who have answered the call for jury duty and who have lived up to their civic responsibilities. Their time, service and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.

We live in the greatest country in the world, with the strongest judicial system. And jurors are the linchpin of our judicial system. As they listen to evidence and hand down verdicts, or decide how much responsibility should be borne by the defendant in a civil suit, they are playing one of the most crucial roles laid out for citizens in the U.S. Constitution.

I speak on behalf of all the judges in our judicial circuit when I say we are aware of the inconveniences associated with jury duty and the disruption to jurors' lives. And we know it's difficult to carry out some of our orders during trials, such as those instructing jurors not to research a case. But the importance of jurors cannot be overstated.

There is no greater contribution one can make to one's country, outside of military service. And we hope everyone recognizes, as we do, the sacrifices jurors have made and the example they have set. If you happen to be called to serve as a juror, please fulfill the obligation as other citizens have done. That way, our judicial system can remain strong, and the United States can remain the greatest country in the world.

J. Thomas McGrady, chief judge, 6th Judicial Circuit, Clearwater

Court cites long history of marriage April 29

Uniformity is essential

Whatever position one might take on the current Supreme Court case on marriage equality, a simple example illustrates problems with allowing each state to decide.

Suppose one state chooses to not recognize a driver's license issued by another state. If New Mexico did not recognize Florida's driver's license, a Floridian driving to California would have to avoid driving through New Mexico or risk being ticketed or arrested.

This situation is what many same-sex married couples face when relocating from state to state for marriage benefits or divorce. It is obvious that any decision must be uniform in every state.

Jay Hall, Tampa

Profile of a minimum wage earner | April 28

Tips are income, too

This article says 18 percent of hospitality workers are at or below minimum wage, the highest of any industry. I do not doubt it, but this leaves out a key point: A high percentage of all hospitality workers are servers who make the vast majority of their money through tips. Server minimum wage in Florida is $5.03 per hour. Having been in the restaurant business most of my life, I know that a good server can make $20 per hour and often more.

Gordon Stevenson, Tampa