March Letter of the Month
The winning letter for March is from Olivia Breazeale of Tampa, who wrote about solar energy.
Strong coalition for solar power
I was happy to see the opposition to Sen. Jeff Brandes' solar energy bill, as it would do more harm than good for solar in Florida by undermining the current ballot initiative petition effort.
It has been inspiring to see a coalition that includes both the tea party and environmentalists standing together to fight for solar in our state. Through the ballot initiative, we can help take control of our energy future, rather than allow big monopoly utilities to dictate it for us. We see people from the left and right standing together on this issue because there is currently a fundamental power shift over who should control the energy economy. We need energy that is owned by our communities, not monopoly utilities. With the initiative, we can ensure access on our own terms.
Utilities often use the argument that solar hurts low-income communities, but it would do the opposite. As solar becomes more affordable, individuals throughout our region should have access to it. Dirty energy production continues to cause health issues for low-income communities, and solar can help alleviate that while creating jobs.
Brandes' bill would mean more fees for those who want access to solar and additional authority for the Public Service Commission.
Olivia Breazeale, Tampa
For too many in U.S., Israel can do no wrong April 6, Bill Maxwell column
Reality is more complex
In his recent column, Bill Maxwell distorts the facts and ignores nuance in his critique of the state of Israel and the essential relationship between the United States and our longest-standing democratic ally in the Middle East.
Understanding how we can be strong supporters of Israel while remaining concerned about specific actions or policies requires a much deeper analysis than he presents. Maxwell's depiction of the Palestinians ignores the violence, pain and suffering created by Hamas (the terrorist organization in political control of Gaza) and the Arab nations that are also part of the complexity that underpins the current reality. Maxwell's bias against the state of Israel is revealed by implying that its strong military is the "euphemistically called Israel Defense Forces" — ignoring the fact that Israel has existed for its entire life surrounded by nations and groups that publicly seek its annihilation.
Many Americans and many Jews share serious concerns about the plight of the Palestinians that Maxwell articulates, but that does not mean that America ought not be the strong supporter of our only truly democratic ally in the Middle East. In fact, many Israelis also share those same concerns. Polls consistently show that a majority of Israelis support a two-state solution allowing for the self-determination of both peoples. Maxwell's simplistic condemnation of Israel and his simplistic view of American political support of its ally lack any insight into the internal dialogue that exists within Israel about its future and its relationship with the Palestinians. His presentation lacks the nuance that is essential to understanding the complex reality of Israeli-Palestinian relationships. Many of America's allies act, at times, in ways that raise concerns, but Maxwell has not condemned them with nearly the hostility that he directs toward Israel.
While Israel, like any other nation, has made some mistakes, unlike so many of its neighbors it has wrestled with the consequences and allowed free and open debate, like all responsible democracies do. As a country committed to the same democratic ideals and human rights principles that define America, Israel warrants our strong support as Americans, as moral beings, as people who care.
Rabbi Betsy Torop and Rabbi Michael Torop, Largo
Greyhound racing
Animals paying the price
The first national report on greyhound racing reveals cruelty in the industry, including incidents where dogs were paralyzed by injuries and tested positive for cocaine.
Florida is one of only seven states that still operate greyhound racetracks. Greyhound racing here is so unpopular that the tracks actually cost the state more to regulate than they deliver in tax revenue. So why is Florida still home to 12 dog tracks, more than any other state? Under a loophole slipped in by industry lobbyists and their politician friends decades ago, facilities can offer other types of gambling, such a card games, only if they also run greyhound races.
During this legislative session in Tallahassee, several lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would end the dog track mandate, so that Florida would no longer be artificially propping up a dying industry.
The recent national greyhound racing report, called "High Stakes," uses public records data from nearly 600 sources between 2008 and 2014. The report was produced by the groups GREY2K USA and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Nationally, there have been 11,722 recorded greyhound injuries, including broken legs, broken backs, crushed skulls and electrocutions. Dogs in the racing industry endure lives of confinement in cages. More than 900 greyhounds died in the industry, including some that perished from starvation and lack of veterinary care. There is also data showing that 16 greyhounds tested positive for cocaine.
The nationwide data don't include injuries suffered by Florida's greyhounds, because our state does not require tracks to report injuries.
That could change. A bill filed by House Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Coral Springs (HB 129) would require greyhound tracks to report all injuries to racing greyhounds that occur on the track. Owners, kennel operators and trainers would be required to file reports of injuries that don't happen on the racetrack. The reports would have to be available to the public for seven years.
Requiring tracks to report injuries would give us all a better picture of what's happening to the greyhounds unlucky enough to end up in the racing industry in Florida. And ending the dog track mandate would let the free market decide whether the public supports this industry or not.
Jennifer Leon, Tampa