LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Sexist Attack?

Watching the election coverage on the news, it seems like every day another Republican is taken to task for supposedly making "racist" remarks about Sen. Barack Obama. Even though their comments might be factual and based on his voting record and statements he has made in the past, Republicans are excoriated for challenging the anointed savior of the Democratic Party.

That is why I was so disheartened to see the apparent lack of outrage from our local newspapers over the "sexist" attacks on our congresswoman's record by Democrat Party operative Fran Earl.

Hernando Today clearly has a double standard in mind if it won't allow truthful comments about Obama, but at the same time allows their in-house Democrat-endorsed columnist to spread lies about U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite. Why is it "racist" for people to attack a black politician on his record, but not "sexist" to attack a woman for hers? Hernando Today owes Ginny an apology for the over-the-top rantings by Fran Earl and should stop this partisan attack dog from writing similar columns in the future.

Laurie Pizzo

Spring Hill

Russell Belongs

In Wrestling Ring

What a lark to read William Vahoviak's letter about John Russell this week. I too have seen Russell in action, and I can tell you that he is not someone we need representing us in Congress. Perhaps on stage at a WWE ring, but not voting on issues that really matter to Americans.

Just to sum it up real quick for people who may not have followed his frequent campaigns for Congress, as reported in the media, Russell has taken a swing at an opponent's husband, and somehow managed to get himself banned for life from Disney World.

Yes, you read that right; a man who wants to represent you in Congress can no longer visit Disney World. Perhaps Mr. Wahoviak needs to evaluate what he thinks is important in a candidate he supports for Congress, because Russell is the wrong person to work on behalf of Hernando County.

Elaine Malone

Spring Hill

Teen Steps Forward

On April 10, during Spring Break, on a very hot, crowded day at Pine Island, a lady was looking for help, calling for a lifeguard. Something happened to the parking lot attendant.

There was no lifeguard, but a teenage boy stepped forward and said he was certified in CPR. He ran to help until the paramedics arrived.

I found out the boy's name is David, and he is an eighth-grader at Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology located at the corner of Tillery Road and Lamson Avenue in Spring Hill, where a course was given in CPR.

It was heartwarming to see a teenager step forward to help.

Maria Loffredo

Spring Hill

An Angel in Brooksville

I am writing to tell a story of a local angel. Her name is Marilyn Wagess.

I was in town setting up a new business in Brooksville and, one day, Marilyn happened to be walking by while my workers and I were out on a break. She had stopped by and asked what kind of store we were setting up. I had explained to her that it was a Tuesday Morning retail store and what we sold. She then asked where I got all my help. She noticed it was 12 to 14 people. I explained to her that I hired local Labor Ready workers in each city that I go to, to help in the setup of the store fixtures.

The next day she showed up with two of her daughters and a van full of cooked food for my workers to have on their lunch break. In my 10 years with Tuesday Morning, I have never witnessed this before, a stranger bringing food to strangers with no strings attached. I asked her why she had done this, waiting for the catch. She said she knows how bad the job market is in the area, and she just wanted to help out knowing that my workers did not have a lot of money. She wanted to save them some money by making them a hot, cooked lunch.

She set up her own table and her and her girls put out the food. She then said she was going to leave and would be back in an hour to clean up the leftovers. When she returned, the men and women I had working for me that day were very grateful to her for her kindness.

Marilyn then told everyone that she was glad that they could have a hot meal; and if it was OK with me, she wanted to do it the rest of the week. In amazement of my workers and me, I said sure. If that is what you would like to do, then it would be my pleasure to let you do that.

Again, Marilyn would not take any money. She just asked all the workers if they get a chance in life to do it for someone else and pay it forward.

That is why I call her an angel. I did have the chance while I was there to take her and her family out to a dinner of her choice. I told her it was the least that I could do and she accepted my offer.

I just wanted you to know you really do have hometown angels in Brooksville, and Marilyn Wagess is one of them.

David Lines

Irving, Texas