Letters to the Editor for Feb. 4, 2013

Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 11:11 p.m.

Cynical farce

Have you noticed how mellow Gov. Scott is acting? He's not champing at the bit for budget cuts like he did. He's all warm and fuzzy, with calls for teacher raises and more funds for UF, so it can chase the bogus title of a top-10 school.

He's speeding down the slippery slope towards re-election. You can't wield power if you're not in power, so expect more comical antics from a guy who doesn't care about you, the environment or the ever-growing gap between haves and have nots.

I'm a moderate Republican, and understand this cynical farce will turn as quickly as a diamondback if he wins in 2014. Just once I'd like to see my party put forth a candidate who can relate, whose ethics are never questioned and who looks for long-term goals for the betterment of all, rather than the quick buck for the pockets of a few.

Raymond D. Harris,


Bravo to UF show

The University of Florida department of theatre has done it again! Its production of “A Servant to Two Masters” is an entertainment as good as anything seen on Gainesville's stages this year.

The very fine cast is lead by Joseph Urick, a third–year MFA Acting student whose wit, timing and energy kept the audience riveted. Michelle Bellaver, who starred in the Hippodrome's “Other Desert Cities,” was also a revelation playing a woman disguised as a man.

The elaborate and intricate set was extremely clever and allowed for a wonderful and hilarious flow of movement. In addition, the costumes, musicians and the entire cast all are to be commended.

Most significantly, Judith Williams has added another wild success to her directing resume. Bravo!

Melanie Saxon,


Hagel's hearings

Why did John Kerry breeze through confirmation while Chuck Hagel is being skewered by his own party? Why didn't John McCain demand a yes-or-no answer from Kerry regarding his 2003 vote against authorizing the use of force in Iraq?

Of course, the answer to these questions is obvious. The Republicans want Kerry in the Cabinet so his Senate seat will be up for grabs. On the other hand, there is no political upside to allowing a retired Republican moderate to serve in Obama's cabinet. That might obstruct them trying to paint Obama as the most left-wing nutjob in history.

Don't fool yourself, their objections to Hagel have nothing to do with Iran, Israel or the surge in Iraq.

Watch, once they oust Hagel, the Republicans will (weirdly) propose a sitting Democratic senator for the post and make it sound like they are being magnanimous. Everything is politics in Washington.

Tom Lyons,


Half the story

David Jenkins (Sun, Jan. 30), like so many others who are opposed to regulating 30-round gun clips, only quote half of the Second Amendment.

The amendment clearly states that a “well regulated” militia is necessary to the security of a free state.

When that state has police, the National Guard and all kinds of federal law enforcement agencies including the most powerful army in the world, it's unclear whether would there ever be a need for a militia. I am a gun owner several times over, but am not opposed to being well regulated when it comes to modern-day weapons.

When I was young and immature I joined the National Rifle Assocation and stayed a member until I realized they were nothing more than a lobbying tool for firearm manufacturers.

Charles Williams,



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