Astros’ McCulla, His Children Are Death Threat | May 12
Indecent behavior
Do baseball players and his children get death threats because he had a bad game? With all decent names, what is the problem in our society? It is clear that he has lost his moral compass. Ultimately, it’s a fallen creature.
Steve Cassidy, St. Petersburg
Conclave chooses America’s Pope for the first time | May 8th
Rejoice Pope Leo
As a former Franciscan clergyman for five years, I volunteered for the US Peace Corps in Peru, so I have a reason to rejoice Pope Leo XIV. The new Pope is a product of St. Augustine’s international religious order. It is a missionary order that promises to live a life of poor, in need, simple, community.
The fact that Pope Leo served the poor in Peru for 20 years, and rose to the forefront of their human rights and immigration from Venezuela that arrived in Peru is extremely reassuring. Moreover, he has been a Peruvian citizen since 2014, and for the first time in the history of the church, he has become a truly international pope without a real border.
Despite my happiness with what Pope Leo represents and who he is, I am a strong critic of the American bishops and Catholic faithful, especially because of their conservative silence towards the light letter of US immigration under the Trump administration.
I hope that, in addition to the new Pope’s long-standing commitment to immigrants and those in need, his more sophisticated skills of being modest, humble and reserved will enhance his diplomatic skills, transform America and strengthen Catholicism around the world. You can’t hurt being an American either.
Brian Patrick Moore, Spring Hill
Rethink the Tropsite as St. Pete Commons Column
Yes in the park
Thank you guest columnist Rick Baker for explaining the much better plan for the 86-acre Tropicana Field Site in St. Petersburg. The public doesn’t need to subsidize sports teams. The owner of a wealthy team must pay for it in exchange for enjoying profits and fame. This is how capitalism works.
What a beautiful park in the heart of our city. Zoning buildings around the Commons allows the city to guide development without taxpayer money. Turn the money we save towards repairing low-income housing and infrastructure.
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Diane Love, St. Petersburg
Rethink the Tropsite as St. Pete Commons Column
Another yes vote
Rick Baker’s plans for St. Pete Commons on the Tropsite are exactly what our city needs. It is beautiful, viable and financially sound.
William C. (Bill) Ballard, St. Petersburg
Rethink the Tropsite as St. Pete Commons Column
Better ideas
There are already parks with hundreds of feet of character to the south of the Tropicana Field Site, including a recreation center, swimming pool, baseball, basketball and skateboarding. What’s the problem with that park? It is on the other side of the low-traffic Interstate 175. Replacing the interstate with a highway will result in a quick walk or bike ride from the Tropsite and the rest of Downtown.
The interstate is scheduled to be rebuilt soon. Create a boulevard, plant trees, install fountains there, and pull down the interstate walls. Collect taxes on wise and crowded developments.
Martin Frobischer, St. Petersburg
The Duck is a Duck | Letter, May 11th
We are socialists
I think the discussion about socialism is fascinating. Most people simply lock them onto the label rather than considering whether it is useful or not. In fact, socialism is essential to human social order. Almost everyone in this country and in the world is a family member of a socialist organization. In families, members contribute according to their abilities and get according to their needs. Classical socialist beliefs. That family socialism is essential to our species.
Ed Bradley, Boynton Beach
I’m very grateful
When I bought it on my Target Checkout Belt, I discovered that my passport and car keys were missing from my cart. I ran into panic, left the grocery line and left the items. I returned to the area where I last shopped. I couldn’t find my wallet or key anywhere.
I went to the manager and she instructed the staff to look for a cart that was thrown away with my wallet and keys. Soon she approached me and said another shopper had found my wallet and keys with a candle. Her name was Beverly. Really, I was overwhelmed by joy and thanked her in a hug.
Back in the check-out aisle, I was told that the gentleman behind me had bought my groceries for me. I was stubbornly grateful to the Lord that there are heavenly people on earth.
For that gentleman, your unconditional act of mercy will be repaid with blessings forever.
Kind personal good-looking, fellow target shoppers.
Cynthia W. Fletcher, Treasure Island
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Submit your letter at www.tampabay.com/opinion/submit-letter/. The letters are edited for clarity and length.
