A word on beach renourishment

Army Corps won’t budge on erosion | Sept. 9

Apparently, Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers gave the solution to the hubbub over “public” access for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete beach renourishment, telling the Corps, “When we write policies, we tweak the language to make it read the way we intend it to read.” But few listened closely. Beyond the bounds of beachfront property owners’ statutory riparian rights and statutory rights of “the public,” a narrowly defined easement allowing beach access to the Corps of Engineers, in perpetuity but only for the purpose of “beach renourishment,” seems uncontroversial. We already live with such easements — power, cable, domestic water, sewer, reclaimed water, traffic signals, etc. — every day and with little consciousness of their presence on “our” private property and with minimal to no adverse affect on our day-to-day living. Such easements don’t in any way signal public free access to the private property.

Though Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet” questions “What’s in a name?” in this instance the sticking point seems to be the nomenclature “public easement.” Instead it seems it would be much clearer to call what’s needed a “private perpetual easement for the Army Corps of Engineers and their designated civilian contractors for the sole purpose of beach renourishment projects.”

Neil McMullen, Clearwater

My money, my beach

Army Corps won’t budge on erosion | Sept. 9

Why should I pay for beach renourishment in Pinellas County and not have access to the beach? I shouldn’t, and I hope the Army Corps of Engineers stands firm. Insurers are leaving Florida, and I am paying a lot more for my homeowner’s insurance, in part, so those who can afford property on the beach can rebuild after every storm. If you can afford to own a home on the beachfront, then you can afford to replenish your sand. If I am paying for it, I want to walk on it.

David Burg, Tampa

The power of tribe

A lesson in party polarization | Column, Sept. 10

Beliefs are powerful and hard to change. Our evolved tribal tendencies lead us to form coalitions with fellow like-minded people and to demonize others who hold differing beliefs. This makes it more difficult to change our minds in the face of new evidence, or to have open-minded civil debate. There are some who exploit this tribal instinct for their good and for the detriment of the rest of us. Modern technology has made this easier to do. Education might help us to form our beliefs around science and facts. Something must be done to stop this destructive cycle of indoctrination, propaganda and intergroup tribal rhetoric and conflict.

Charles Michael Sitero, Ormond Beach

If this, then what?

A lesson in party polarization | Column, Sept. 10

I found the survey on political polarization interesting. Most of the results from either side were basically in the same general range. Hypocritical, selfish, moral, etc. Not surprising. However, several results deserve further thought and contemplation. Democrats overwhelmingly think Republicans are “mean.” Republicans overwhelmingly think Democrats are not “hardworking” and are not “patriotic.” So does expecting someone to be hardworking and patriotic make them mean?

Doug Hardin, Dade City

My body for science

Texas med schools turning to unclaimed bodies for education | Sept. 10

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I was heartened by the article regarding the tremendous good donating your body to science can be. However, I was saddened by the pitiful percentage of donated bodies for medical study. Everyone wants the best medical treatments available but they don’t want to help? If anyone can justify spending thousands of dollars on a fancy casket and funeral when your donated body can do so much good for medicine, I’ll cancel my membership with the Florida Board of Anatomy. Your body is going to rot no matter how much preservative they use. So why take up space in the ground or in an urn on a shelf when you can help even just one medical student graduate? I’m going to the University of Florida’s Medical Institute and be chopped up in labs, and I’m proud of it. If interested, please read the book by Mary Roach titled “Stiff.” She explains, with just enough humor so as not to sound morbid, how medical colleges perform studies and how each and every part of you can help others have a better quality of life. Please consider donating your body to science instead of burdening your loved ones with burying costs.

Harriet Browder, Clearwater

Not 3 words on a placard

A doctor wonders where to call home | Sept. 10

This article highlights the complexities, nuances and profound effects of the abortion restrictions being imposed in Florida. By concentrating on the dilemma posed to one OB/GYN, the reporter, Lauren Peace, brings home the reality of this law and the painful decisions the OB/GYN and her family have had to make. Rest assured that they are not the only ones being forced to make the choice to leave. To me, the main point is this: Abortion is one of many complex issues facing our society and cannot be reduced to three words on a placard.

Susan Sumnick, Riverview