Clearwater's Downtown Docks - Had several interesting calls after last week's column about downtown Clearwater adding boat docks at the waterfront. After listening to comments from people who are either supportive or not supportive of the "downtown docks" project, suffice to state there is a wide difference of opinion from citizens.
Vista?
Unless there would be commercial building construction at this site, which at this time is not a part of the "downtown docks" development plan, it is difficult to support such a reason to stop the project.
Development of downtown Clearwater.
There will be redevelopment of downtown Clearwater. Having city-owned boat docks (an enterprise fund) can only help Clearwater taxpayers.
As I had previously stated, facts should drive the issue of supporting (or not) this Clearwater project, not name-calling.
Clearwater is a wonderful waterfront community that needs more boat slips. (Actually, Clearwater also needs more high and dry boat storage facilities.)
If you have comments regarding this pending city project that will be a referendum item on the November ballot, send them to the Gazette.
Day's Inn Is About Gone - The old Day's Inn on Clearwater Beach is almost totally gone. There is a mound of debris to remove; then all of us can enjoy a view (from Coronado) of Clearwater's beach.
The old Day's Inn is to be replaced with a modern high-rise condo/hotel . . . and that is great news.
Florida's Senator Bill Nelson Is A Liberal? - I noticed that some media folks, mostly liberals, are referring to Florida's Senator Bill Nelson, in a creative writing mode, as moderate.
Moderate?
One thing Sen. Bill Nelson is not is a moderate. Nelson votes to the left (liberal) in most of his recorded votes in the U.S. Senate.
Does this make him a bad politician? No, it makes him a loyal Democrat and loyal supporter of Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.
Big deal? Not really. But, let's face it, Nelson is a loyal liberal.
On The Ballot - Should one-man and one-woman constitute a marriage?
This issue will be on the 2006 ballot. It will define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Illegal Immigration And Protestors - I ask: What is the operative word when politicians talk about illegal immigration?
Illegal.
Yes, only in America is illegal immigration tolerated.
In places like Mexico, illegal means illegal. For example, if you are from Columbia and illegally cross into Mexico and are caught, you are immediately deported. Caught again, you go directly to a Mexican jail. Now, that is tough immigration enforcement. U.S. elected officials are being pressured by, get this, illegal immigrants protesting in mass, by the thousands, against proposed illegal immigration reform. Illegals do not want tough enforcement in America.
Protests?
Quick, check the ID's! It's hard to believe protestors, some illegal, demanding America to change its laws regarding immigration.
DNA - It is difficult to imagine the horror of a young 29-year-old man when police knock on the door and arrest you for rape. Worse, the horror bottoms out when you are picked in a line-up as the rapist.
You did not do it, but can't prove your case - because you were home watching television when the alleged rape occurred and you had no witnesses.
Again, you are 29-years-old when arrested.
You are convicted by a jury and sentenced to 50 years in jail. You served 18 years in jail when you asked for DNA tests to prove the innocence you had always proclaimed.
You have the DNA test. You are proven innocent. You could not have been the rapist, according to modern DNA tests (which are incredibly accurate).
You receive an apology from the court and might receive $250,000 for all the years you had spent in jail
True story about a former factory worker.
Imagine what this young man had gone through in prison!
Money? $250,000? There is not enough money to make this tragedy right. His youth is gone, most of his manhood is gone, and he might receive $250,000 for all of the horrific time in jail. Not enough. Not enough to make this case even remotely right. The system must pay an enormous amount of money when it makes this type of mistake. How much? Millions of dollars.
What about the unfortunate woman who picked this young man out of a police line-up? She must feel terrible for what she did to this man thinking she was fully correct. Sincere, but sincerely wrong.
The original judge? He is retired and must feel the pain of this injustice.
The jury? I wonder how they feel today.
It is amazing how modern science can now help decide some tough rape cases when, not many years ago, there was a lingering question of guilt.
Odds of making the same mistake today? Not good, but that does not help this gentleman.
Friends - Real friends are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job. - Erwin T. Randall