Drivers, walkers deserve safe city

No easy fixes for sharing Bayshore | Editorial, Jan. 16

This editorial misses the point. Our community deserves bold action to make our streets safe and improve our quality of life. Yes, there are more dangerous streets than Bayshore Boulevard. They need attention, too. It’s not an either/or proposition. All of our streets should be safe. As for commuters, widen the Selmon Expressway and offer a toll waiver or discount for workers at MacDill Air Force Base. Invest in transit, including the ferry. Let’s close the northbound lanes and turn them into a park and make the southbound lanes of Bayshore two-way. That would slow drivers but still allow cars. True, the most recent crash involved a driver accused of DUI. But with a different design, that driver would not have been able to drive so fast, and the crash might not have been deadly. Imagine how cool it would be to have a true park along Bayshore that ties into the Riverwalk, creating a recreational and active transportation amenity that stretches all the way from Gandy Boulevard, north to Sparkman Wharf and west to Armature Works. It would be wonderful, a ribbon of green that would distinguish us from other cities.

Janet Scherberger, Tampa

The merits vs. the process

Trump lawyers push ‘no crime’ as defense | Jan. 20

President Donald Trump’s lawyers, who include former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, are sticking to the president’s game plan — attack the process, just like in the Robert Mueller probe. Challenging the impeachment summons on procedural grounds is an indication that Trump’s team is unable to defend the president’s action on the merits.

Jane Irani, Tampa

Students need nutrition

Grease is the word, pupils | Jan. 18

Free and reduced-price lunches are essential for many school children. At times, it may be the only meal that a child eats during a day. Evidently, USDA Under Secretary Brandon Lipps and his agency have decided that these children don’t deserve a healthful meal. Grease-laden French fries and pizza are adequate. How very Marie-Antoinette. Let them eat cake.

Vickie Weiss, Treasure Island

Honor president’s invitation

A celebration with political notes | Jan. 18

I think that pro athletes should take a lesson from the Louisiana State University Tigers football team. They won the national championship, were invited — and attended — a meeting with the president, unlike the pro athletes who refuse to do so. One who comes to mind is former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who didn’t go to the White House after his team won the 2018 World Series. This is the same man just fired by the Red Sox for cheating. Karma is wonderful.

Albert Ravenna, St. Pete Beach

For and against corruption

White House considers changes to law banning overseas bribes | Jan. 18

I’m confused. I thought this administration was committed to rooting out corruption in foreign countries such as Ukraine. Now I read that the president thinks it’s “unfair that American companies aren’t allowed to pay bribes to get business overseas.” Wait, what?

Susan Bullard, Gulfport