Letters
Letters to the editor
TBO.com
Published: February 27, 2012
Prison privatizationPublished: February 27, 2012
Gov. Scott is pushing the privatization of prisons as one of the main goals of his tenure in office. I believe that if we are going to talk about prisons, the main goal should be lowering the crime rate.
Look at it this way. Suppose you were a guard and a prison riot broke out where you might have to put your life on the line to restore order. Does it make more sense to say, "I'm fighting for my state, for law and order in my community," or does it make more sense to say, "I'm fighting for the profits of my employer?"
Some functions just don't privatize very well. In some jobs, loyalty to the community and to the public interest is more important than counting nickels.
Florida has one of the highest crime rates in the country, and that is what the governor should be trying to do something about.
Dale L. Gillis
Sebring
Bicyclists have same rights
This is in reply to Deborah Steward's letter about bicyclists. I believe the gist of your letter seems to be possibly that the bicyclist was riding on the wrong side of the road. Florida law says bicyclists are to ride on the far right side of the road in the same direction as traffic. But honestly, for every one boneheaded mistake a bicyclist makes, incompetent motorists in this area make a thousand more.
People operate their cars without care, concern or respect for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
They seem to think the roads are for cars only, and being in a car makes them a god somehow. Florida law says pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists all have the same right to the road cars do.
I got rid of my car long ago and get around by walking, bicycling and motorcycling. I did this because of both health reasons and the fact that it's the right thing to do in this overpopulated, polluted world. My Victory motorcycle gets 52 MPG and I'll pit its engine and reliability against any car. I use the bicycle around town, even for work. Bad weather? You simple dress for it.
Anyway, on the bicycle, I wear bright colored clothes so I can be seen. It doesn't work because motorists don't care and actually seem to want you run over.
The sad thing is, just about every day, you hear about a car running over someone, and the incompetent driver gets a slap on the wrist. Most people seriously underestimate the speed seasoned bicyclists can attain.
I wish I had a dollar every time some couch potato in his car cut me off, making a right turn in front of me in his haste to get to the mega-fat cheeseburger window. Cars crossing U.S. 27 don't even bother to look out for bicyclists, they just go. I've had some unbelievably close calls because of that.
I pay more than my fair share of taxes and have every right to be on the roads no matter how I choose to get around.
Jerry Nargelovic
Sebring