LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Election Can't

Come Soon Enough

I wonder why Cheney (he's the real president, right?) sent in uniformed troops to Georgia with supplies, when our service people are already stretched thin, with two wars, plus National Guard people helping out.

Wouldn't people without uniforms, like the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Peace Corps, U.N., etc., at least look like charity givers? Sounds like saber rattling to me. All it will take is for one of our people to get fired upon and shot and guess what, war number three.

Let's hope this doesn't happen. We have to stay positive. These people will be gone come election time, and I don't care who gets in, they'll be 1,000 percent better than the current occupants.

Ian Turnbull

Spring Hill

Proven Dangers Of Fluoride

The dangers of fluoride are well proven and easily discovered for those who really care to know. The fact that so few people know anything about this subject (other than the sound bites they're occasionally fed by the media and the dental profession), speaks to the general laziness of people. This is not a criticism, but a fact of human nature.

For example, this is why John F. Kennedy said in 1961 (before the Yale graduating class), that "people prefer the comfort of their opinions rather than to endure the discomfort of thought." (Go to http://tompetrie.net/id14.htmlfor more on the topic of thinking.)

Please prove that you can be an exception to this general rule! Click the following Web site to learn "60 Reasons to Be Opposed to Water Fluoridation": http://tompetrie.net/id6.html.

Tom Petrie

Spring Valley

Democrats To Blame

After reading Frances Earl's recent column this past Thursday, I have come to the conclusion that the people of Hernando County must not watch the news or are just plain naïve.

In her fawning over John Russell, she claims that U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite has done nothing about our energy situation. She, in fact, puts the blame on the Republicans using the old line that Republicans are in the pocket of "Big Oil."

I have a question for Ms. Earl: Who called Congress into recess and refuses to propose any energy legislation? The answer to that is Nancy Pelosi, who decided to use that time to promote her book. In the meantime, a number of Republicans are still in Washington, D.C., demanding a vote on an energy bill.

She writes about a proposal about making interest on credit card interest tax deductible. Really, Ms. Earl? As someone who use to worked for Internal Revenue Service, I remember when that was once deductible on Schedule A for itemized deductions, but the Democrats took that away from people

People were also allowed to deduct all their medical expenses as well on a Schedule A at one time but, thanks to the Democrats, not any more. And, of course, let's not forget the other good thing the Democrats did for the people, and that is taxing Social Security benefits! In fact, thanks to the Democrats, they have made it nearly impossible for a middle-class family to itemize their deductions.

So much for being the party of the middle class.

Ever since the Democrats took over Congress they have done absolutely nothing. In fact, they have spent less time in session than the previous Congress when the Republicans were in charge. No wonder their approval rating is worst than President Bush's. What say you to that, Ms. Earl?

Peter Stathis

Spring Hill

Rhetoric Without Foundation

I attended the candidates' forum last night and, once again, Robert Neuhausen, spewed rhetoric without foundation. He's made another platform on someone else's toes.

Mr. Neuhausen, please check your facts when slandering Hernando Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Alexander. We needed someone who could start to fix our school system and, wow, we're an A-rated county now.

While a superintendent needs to listen to teachers, he wasn't hired to be their best friend. He was hired to be their boss and to make sure our children are taught by the best every teacher can be.

Your whole platform is based on opinion without facts. In less than a year, we attained an A rating, we have a gifted center, we have career academies in each high school and we have a superintendent anyone can get into to see. We have someone who not only listens when parents complain, he'll fix the problem. For goodness sake, the man has worked like a dog putting out fires his first year. He has accomplished much so far.

We already have a fantasy world in this state called Disney; we don't need one in Hernando County that you create. I'm sure there are people who don't like him, but there are those who do. Once again, don't count on my vote!

Cindy Hall

Weeki Wachee