Friday, May 15, 2009

We now have president who listens to citizens

I am writing to you because, for the first time in recent history, our president is hearing the voices of little people like me. He actually knows and cares about what is going on in the real world, and he is making great strides to improve everyone's quality of life. What a total contrast this is to the past administration's policies.

I am asking you to encourage every one of your readers to get involved with the wonderful changes that are taking place in our country and world. Every citizen in America now has a voice that will be heard. It is time to come alive for America and the world.

Kathy Snyder

Islamorada

Rescue showed shelter staff's compassion

At 2 a.m. [one recent morning] I discovered a sick cat in my yard. First thought, call the shelter. One small problem -- it was 2 a.m. I did anyway and got the answering machine.

Not five minutes later, the phone rang and it was Liz from the SPCA shelter. She said she'd be there as soon as she could. Fifteen minutes later she was here helping this poor paralyzed creature.

She told me she would call Tuesday to let me know what happened. Unfortunately, the cat had to be put down. You see, it had licked antifreeze.

I want to thank her and everyone who took care of this precious animal [for] their level of service and compassion. It takes a great person to overcome their own needs in order to take care of a nameless and faceless creature. Liz, with all gratitude, I thank you for reviving my faith in humanity. ...

Richard W. Tidd Jr.

Key West

Crime cliché doesn't always ring true

[Letter-writer] Carla Hale, [referring to Monique Acevedo, wrote:] "If you do the crime you do the time." That's how she thinks things work here in America.

To that I say Rush Limbaugh. Need I say more?

Kathleen Shackle

Big Pine Key

Life on earth depends on greenhouse effect

In response to some recent letters backing the cap and trade program, I would like to point out that the program does nothing to help eliminate carbon emissions. It only taxes producers of carbon emissions (power plants, manufacturing plants, car producers, steel plants, etc.) who will then have to raise their prices accordingly. The entire cap and trade program winds up taxing the end consumer without reducing carbon output one iota. Even the backers of cap and trade admit that electricity rates will go up between 35 and 50 percent to pay for the tax. Conservation, less unnecessary car trips and using non-carbon producing power are great goals. I am all for solar, wind, nuclear and water power.

But please stop insulting those of us who have a different opinion about the amount of influence that man has on climate change. One letter stated the "vast majority" of scientists believe that man is the cause of global warming. Actually, the main cause of the global warming theory is a faulty computer program and measurements taken without regard to surroundings (air conditioner exhaust, tarred rooftops, etc.).

The most recent report on worldwide temperatures has shown a decrease over the last seven years. The biggest source of global warming is the activity of our sun, combined with water vapor in our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide makes up less than .04 percent of our air. Water vapor is listed as making up 72 percent of the cause of warming, while carbon dioxide is listed as making up between 9 and 20 percent.

By the way, without global warming, we would not be able to exist on earth. Our atmosphere collects the warming rays of the sun so that we have a livable temperature on the planet as a whole. Without the "greenhouse effect," no plants or animals could exist. So please quit insulting those of us who question the motives of the people who earn their living by promoting man-made global warming. The temperatures on earth have been going up and down for centuries with or without man's input and will continue long after we are gone.

Phillip Condella

Key West