The numbers add up
Imagine if a squad member called a general a stupid pig. Tucker Carlson just did it | Chronicle, July 29
While columnist Max Boot is on hand to denounce false conservative bloviers like Tucker Carlson, he is raising a false red flag. He says the military has a problem because around 10% of those arrested in the January 6 riot in the capital were serving or retired military personnel. Sorry to pour cold water on this argument, but at least 7% of the American population are veterans and 1% are on active duty. The 10% of those arrested Boot quotes should have mentioned law enforcement. Correctly cited, this represents almost exactly a random sample of America.
It’s not that the military has a problem, military recruits from America, that’s where the problem lies.
Steve geiger, Saint PETERSBOURG
God be judge
US Catholic Bishops Agree on Possible Biden Reprimand | July 18
I have been a faithful and practicing Catholic for over 80 years and I am very disturbed by the position of American Bishops possibly denying Holy Communion to any Catholic because of their perceived beliefs. It is not for the clergy to judge what is going on in a person’s mind and then deny any sacrament. It is the same thought that led the church before Vatican II to deny a Catholic burial to a person who committed suicide. The church ruled that this person had committed the sin of despair and was therefore in a state of sin unto death. The clergy should serve and not judge. God will do it for all of us.
Henri Kempf, New Port Richey
Enough of “cruel” interviews
In Search of Life and Answers in the Surfside Building Collapse | Editorial, July 30
I understand that the collapse of a building in Surfside is important news. Also, updating on the progress and methods used by first responders to search for people in the building who may still be alive is worth covering. However, repetitive interviews with emotionally upset family members are not newsworthy. It is macabre, exhausting and transforms the news into a melodramatic soap opera.
As research papers in my discipline – communication – although these interviews may help news networks to broaden their audience and thereby earn more money, they are inappropriate. This rhetorical practice, of course, is hardly new or unexpected. For many years, news networks have intentionally exploited the emotional outpouring of people experiencing traumatic events, knowing it would titillate their viewers – just as people cannot look away from car crashes. The tendency of networks is to stick a microphone in the face of victims and ask them, “How does this (the traumatic event) make you feel?”
This attack on people’s loss and grief is cruel. Unfortunately, I have little hope that news networks will eliminate this practice. As long as it has the potential to increase viewership, we should expect more of the same.
Richard cherwitz, Austin, Texas
Dedication to Largo PD
Florida Police Reform Bill Hailed As “A Good Start” By Senate Heads To DeSantis | April 18
Considering the rather negative press towards the police, I am doubly motivated to shout my sincere gratitude from the rooftops (and since the Tampa Bay weather) Largo Police Department officers who spent an inordinate amount of time helping me locate my elderly parents, residents of Largo, late Friday night. Special thanks to Officer Rice who pledged to help me until my parents are found. I know he and his colleagues were “just doing their job”, but they did it with professionalism and with a great deal of benevolence and calm, which is essential when it comes to dealing with disturbing circumstances and emotional. I cannot thank them enough. Well done!
Anne Simonet, Largo
Meat has problems
Top 10 Tampa Bay Area Events For The Week Of June 28 – July 4 | June 28
The scarcity of animal meat caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will ensure the safety of our outdoor barbecues on this Independence Day. People who grill hamburgers and hot dogs face the wrong choice. The American hotline for meat and poultry recommends grilling at high temperature to avoid food poisoning by bacteria E. coli and Salmonella. But the National Cancer Institute warns that cooking processed meats at high temperatures generates carcinogenic compounds.
Fortunately, we no longer have to choose between possible food poisoning and carcinogenic compounds. A group of enterprising American food processors have taken on this challenge head-on by developing a rich variety of convenient, healthy and delicious plant-based veggie burgers, veggie dogs, and soy nuggets. These products do not contain nasty insects or carcinogenic compounds. They lack the cholesterol, saturated fat, drugs, hormones, and pesticides of their animal-based alternatives. And, they’re waiting for us in the frozen food section of our favorite supermarket, with nut-based ice creams and other dairy-free desserts.
On this Independence Day, let’s welcome practical, delicious, healthy, environmentally friendly and compassionate plant-based meats and dairy products to our kitchens!
Count Blanchard, Redington shore
