Judge Not, Lest…
Re: Letter from Rebecca Townsend re Suggblog, "'Bama Judge Wars" (Letters, May 11-17) It appears that [Ms. Townsend] has no problem with judges interpreting the constitutionality of legislation. Her only problem appears to be that she wants only extremely conservative jurists to make those interpretations. If she is so concerned about judicial activism, then she should advocate changing the right of judges to make such determinations. That is what this whole thing boils down to. The extreme right wants to make sure that ONLY their judges are seated. At that point I am sure the religious right would have no problem with judges interpreting law and using their power to advance the conservative agenda. It is still judicial activism; it would just be biased toward the extreme conservatives' point of view.
Neil Williamson
Tampa
Strange. My history class on the American Revolution didn't cover the popular uprising against the British courts, or the British Parliament, only the one against King George. It stands to reason, one would think, that the framers of the Constitution were more concerned about a concentration of power at the executive level and not the judiciary. Further, one would assume that aristocrats like Thomas Jefferson and diplomats like Benjamin Franklin were well aware that Parliament legalized pretty much anything George wanted. Perhaps Mr. Sugg and his fans would point out the dangers of failing to learn from history. Ms. Townsend, it would certainly be judicious of you to weigh the resemblance.
As to this Christian morality, I'm relieved that our predecessors relied on their experiences and chose not to signify that the Christian faith or any other faith should have precedent within the laws of our nation. It is certain that their history lessons were replete with tales of the Papal Inquisition in Spain and France, or the several lesser-known persecutions of religious minorities throughout Europe and Britain itself. It seems to me that they chose the wiser course – that of creating a nation imbued with the moral character of spirituality, rather than endowing any particular sect. I'm sure they were aware that the future of our nation depended on an equal opportunity for any person to worship God in whatever manner seemed appropriate and caused harm to no one else.
I think that the law should be agnostic and that the lawmakers should be moral persons. I would count hypocrisy as a moral failing, Ms. Townsend. What say you?
Noelle Haight
Tampa
Bring On The Noise
Zealous enforcement of the noise ordinance indicates that outdoor music in Ybor City is becoming a thing of the past. The ordinance, as written, does not allow for reasonable compliance. Although some think that's a good thing, there are two sides to this story.
During the Puerto Rico Festival our live salsa and merengue band was playing at 4 in the afternoon and was generating noise complaints from unidentified sources. Why bother to have a Puerto Rico festival without Latin music and dancing?
Read the books or listen to the oral histories of Ybor City. For over 100 years, Latin music has been a part of the culture and heritage of Ybor. It wafted through the streets and alleys, into shotgun houses and out the open windows. Latin music was the background your fathers and mothers grew up to in Ybor City. They courted to it. They raised families to it.
The bell the conductor rings on the streetcar is loud. I hope he's allowed to ring it. The whistle the Amtrak train blows approaching Union Station is, too. The ships, backing out of Ybor Channel, blow long blasts on their whistles. Even the motorcycles on Seventh Avenue add to the joyous cacophony of a city neighborhood's vital and exciting "auralscape."
The folks who are selfishly demanding silence need to be careful what they ask for, because soon they will get it.
Ybor is not a suburban subdivision, never has been and shouldn't be asked to become one now. Sterile silence lessens this neighborhood. Call your City Council person and tell them how you feel.
Shere Schiller
Gaspar's Grotto, Ybor City
This article appears in May 18-24, 2005.