Invisible Rights
Re: "Disappearing Acts" by Gregory Palast (March 22-28)
It is incumbent upon all of us to contact Gov. Bush and question why felons whose rights were fully restored in other states were unable to vote after moving to Florida. Was it because the majority was black Democrats that this "mistake" came about? Then we must badger all of our state legislators to allow Florida felons who have served their time and paid their debt to participate in the business of government by voting as good citizens are supposed to do. Last, why the question "race" on voter registrations?
Adele Ida Walter
Tampa
… … …
This is how they have "restored the honor and dignity" to the office of president? Looks to me like the Florida Republicans did this to the people of America "without a kiss." Thanks to Gov. Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris, I'm embarrassed to admit to being a Florida resident.
Diana Piotrowski
Via e-mail
Pig Out
Re: "Pork Chop Politics" by John F. Sugg (March 22-28)
So, Blubber the Dung Sponge has finally been charged with a crime! His show has been a crime for years! This whole controversy would have been a good time for the local alternative press to inform the public of how much pressure the corporate media lobby has with our government. Case in point, the recent backpedaling by the FCC on the micro radio licensing. While we are very fortunate to have an excellent community-based radio station, WMNF-88.5 FM, and a wonderful weekly alternative paper, Weekly Planet, how long before they too become tainted by the corporate world? Look how NPR betrayed the public by siding with corporate media in the micro radio debate. Whilst it is nice to have Blubba to kick around, it seems the alternative media have missed the forest for the trees. What a shame!
Kurt E. Polakoff
St. Petersburg
… … …
Once again, everybody is all outraged. They will tell you it's because of what Bubba did. The real reason is because they don't like what he says. They see this as a chance to get someone that upsets them. But they're just a bunch of hypocrites and I can prove it. And not just because they're not vegetarians. Yes, Bubba had a pig killed. So did the No. 1 show in America: Survivor. Where is all the concern over the pig and chickens killed on national prime time television? You may not like Bubba. I don't either, but he is No. 2 in the market. If you don't, then don't listen. Please, just try to be consistent in your beliefs and actions. It's too easy to see the real motives.
Bill Heyen
St. Petersburg
… … …
It has been documented that those who abuse children start off torturing animals, and if Bubba is allowed to get away with teaching that torturing an animal is funny, we are all to blame the next time a child is harmed. On a Montel Williams show, which documented the link between animal and child abuse, he closed the show with asking: "Do you know who is to blame for this?" He pointed to the audience saying, "You" and "You" and "You" … if you hear about an animal being abused and you don't get involved including writing and calling your legislators. May I suggest that those who care about animals visit the Web site of ADAPTT, one of the many groups keeping tabs on this situation and contact the remaining advertisers of this station: http://www.adaptt.org/unclearchannel.html. Clear Channel may not comprehend the word h-u-m-a-n-e, but surely they can understand the term: "loss of revenue." Until they adopt a policy so that no animal will ever again be tortured and killed to escalate their ratings, no one should support any of their advertisers.
Jayn Meinhardt
Via e-mail
… … …
It's pretty pathetic when Clear Channel has to resort to on-air animal cruelty to boost ratings. Next thing you know, they'll be beating llamas in the parking lot! For shame!
Chyrisse Tabone
Tampa
This article appears in Apr 5-11, 2001.
