Letters

The Best Team wins!

To the editor:

Now what kind of true Southern Belle would I be if I did not stand up for my town while Mr. Stow makes his critical judgements on a town that he probably has never visited (Letters,4/9/08).

It is apparent that Mr. Stow is just as close-minded as he accuses our cities residents to be… By using such word as RETARDS, LOSERS, and even saying the this city has some of the DUMBEST people in the WORLD and that Mobile is a cesspool of degenerate inbreeds. DUMBEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD Mr. Stow that’s a little harsh don’t you think, considering we are all from the richest country in the world that provides an education to all those whom would like it. I would say the DUMBEST people are from some where that education is not provided or required, and I for one am not an inbred degenerate so Mr. Stow your generalizing was not 100% correct, which again means YOU are just as CLOSE-MINDED and RETARDED as you are accuses us to be….. Mr. Stow your uneducated name calling only shows us Mobilian what the real issue at hand is…..

Before stating such information about a city in which you know nothing about you might want to review that facts, not only about Mobile but about Boeing, such as 1) Boeing WAS a leading provider of planes but they have for the last few years produced planes that are far behind in schedule and 2) Mr. Stow is correct that Boeing has been a provider for 50 years, but out of those 50 years there has been ZERO competition against them up until NOW and may the BEST planes WIN….

The real issue at hand is not where the plane will be built which seems to be what everyone is crying over but the issue is WHAT plane is best for our military?

Why would our military want to use a team that provides a lesser quality plane and will take twice as long to put into action?

The Facts are the quality of Northrop Grumman/EADS tanker plane was keys here. The Military deserves the best that money can buy when it come to products and their protection.

Welcome Mr. Stow to the great USA were we like to compete and the BEST TEAM ALWAYS WINS…... STOP CRYING CAUSE THERE IS NOW SOME COMPETITION. We in the SOUTH call those type of people SORE LOSERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

The Southern Belle

Washingtonian responds

To Rob:

I’m writing this in response to the letter sent by Jeremy Stow. I don’t know if Jeremy’s letter was intentionally stupid or a hoax, but in case of the former, I feel the need to send a rebuttal.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I was a Washington state resident for over 30 years. I would like to assure you and your readers that not every resident of the northwest is as pig-headed and dull as Jeremy. There are passionate zealots, such as him, but on the whole people tend to take this whole silly tanker fiasco with some humor. Of course, you wouldn’t know this reading the local presses as you have lawmakers up in arms, flailing about. But, as always, it’s the loud individuals you hear over the general murmur of the crowd.

Not having been awarded the contract, western Washington’s economy will certainly notice it, but let’s put it into perspective. They’re not losing jobs, they’re just not gaining additional ones. Furthermore, their economy is in such a state that it’s not going to make any sort of a significant impact. There aren’t going to be shutters closing across the region due to this.

In contrast, Mobile’s economy will benefit greatly from this contract. The impact is much greater, and in my opinion it’s a better use of the money for that reason. I’m not saying that it’s the reason the contract should be awarded, but instead that, all other things being equal, I’d like to see the biggest economic bang for the buck. It’s nice to see the contract affect a community that was really pulling for it. In Washington, all I heard from about it were the lawmakers and “business leaders”. Down here, I heard people talking about it in grocery stores and coffee shops.

Now, in defense of Jeremy’s passion, I’ve been reading the reporting about the contract in the Lagniappe as it develops, and it has been one-sided and a bit childish. There has been name-calling and poking, not unlike Jeremy’s tirade. Not nearly to the same degree, admittedly, and thankfully, but you have to be careful how you pull your punches. Otherwise, you’re inviting letters like Jeremy’s. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, maybe you like the press and the exposure, I can’t pretend to know your business.

I don’t know where Jeremy lives, but let’s hope he’s calmed down a bit and that his letter was just a way for him to vent about the Sonics leaving Seattle. Now, if he wants to rant about something that WILL affect Seattle’s economy, that would be a good one.

K.C. Oaks

Get that pooch spayed

Dear Ms. Toland:

I read with interest (and a big smile) your column about the city of Mobile’s latest crisis over dog poo and ecstatic cats. The heart of the problem is not poo or barking or yowling-it is the fact that Mobile has no mandatory spray and neuter law in place. The pet crisis in Mobile County is overwhelming. As a volunteer for several organizations which try to rescue unwanted animals, I can say that it’s impossible to keep up with the need of pets that are allowed to breed indiscriminately. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t call me about a cat or dog that’s been tossed out or abused or left to starve.

The mayor and city council could so easily take a step in the right direction with mandatory spay and neuter laws. This would alleviate many of the other problems such as yowling cats and unwanted poo in yards. The city could simply pass a law stating that neutering is mandatory and put a sizable fine on those who refuse to comply. Or the city could offer a small tax break or other incentive for each certificate of neutering a resident shows. There are numerous and creative ways to approach this problem so that it isn’t punitive too those on fixed incomes. Any income generated from the fines could go toward a fund to pay for spaying and neutering of strays-so that good homes could be found for them.

For those residents on fixed incomes, there are Maddy’s Funds available. A cat or dog can be spayed or neutered for $10 by those who have a Medicaid card. Simply call your local vet and ask if he/she participates in this program. Almost every vet does participate.

I’ve spoken with several county officials about the horrific problem of strays in the county. County Commissioner Steve Nodine says such a bill would have to be passed by the legislature. I am checking into that to see what can be done. But it is my understanding that the city is more independent and can pass laws that don’t require state action.

Each week, the overpopulation problem gets bigger and bigger. Veterinarians will tell you that spaying and neutering ADDS to quality of life for a pet; it doesn’t detract. While I love puppies and kittens, I don’t want to see them end up in cages, waiting to be put down, because no one wants them.

I urge the mayor and council to take on this important issue and take action.

Carolyn Haines

Mobile

Alabama on the fishing sideline

To the editor:

In a recent interview, a local Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) spokesman criticized NOAA Fisheries for its management of red snapper and the recent shortening of the red snapper season. The spokesman went on to solicit support for CCA by promising that CCA would work to get these regulation changed. Before you go racing for your checkbook there are some facts you might want to consider.

The irony of these statements is overwhelming. In 2005, the CCA filed a suit against NOAA Fisheries for how it was managing red snapper. The CCA won this suit in 2007. Here is what NOAA Fisheries says about the suit in regards to the two snapper limit and the much shortened season: “A court ruling in 2007 required NOAA Fisheries Service…. To revise the red snapper rebuilding plan with a goal of having a 50-percent probability, or greater, of ending over fishing for red snapper between 2009 and 2010 and rebuilding the stock by 2032.”

This court ruling led directly to the two fish limit and the June 1thru September 30 open season. Subsequent actions by Florida and Texas to keep the season open in their state waters with a four fish limit and the force of the CCA lawsuit has now resulted in a two fish limit and a June 1 thru August 5 season.

The irony deepens when you consider the CCA was founded in Texas and has a very strong influence in Texas, but Texas is not abiding by the regulations the CCA lawsuit brought about. As a result, Alabama with its three-mile territorial sea compared to nine miles in Texas and Florida gets to sit on the sideline while our neighbors get to fish.

Ask the charter boats that went out of business this year and the many businesses that are experiencing reduced revenues how they of feel about the CCA and their lawsuit.

Pete Barber

President

Alabama Seafood Association

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