Editor, Times-Union: The next time someone claims government programs don't really cost an arm and a leg, tell him about the federal shark-stock rebuilding project, which has apparently contributed to a 325 percent increase in the number of vicious shark attacks off the coast of Florida.
"As amazing as it sounds, politicians appear to have created a federal program that increases the likelihood of shark attacks," said Steve Dasbach, the national director of the Libertarian Party. In an effort to protect one species, politicians have endangered another one, human beings.
So, the next time you read about a surfer being attacked or a small child being savaged by a shark, there's one thing you should keep in mind: politicians can do more than just take a bite out of your paycheck.
In a story published in National Review Online, the federal government began a shark-stock rebuilding project in 1993, in an effort to protect what some said was an endangered species.
New federal regulations shortened the commercial shark fishing season and strictly limited the number of sharks that could be harvested. As a result, as many as 236,900 fewer sharks were caught in 1999 than in 1993.
In Florida state politicians followed suit and instituted a strict one-shark-per-person fishing limit. They also banned two common fishing techniques, which created a shark "sanctuary" near shore, where most attacks occur.
Shark attacks jumped to 51 last year, up from only 21 in 1993. And in Florida, the number of shark-attack victims rose by an astounding 325 percent, to 34 last year.
Time magazine has labeled this season, "Summer of the Shark." In one horrific case, a bull shark tore the arm off an 8-year-old Mississippi boy who was swimming near Pensacola, Fla., on July 6.
While it is impossible to say with 100 percent certainty that the shark-stock rebuilding program directly caused those attacks, there must be some connection, said Dasbach.
On one hand, hundreds of thousands of additional federally protected sharks are swimming around off the coast of America. On the other hand, there has been a sharp rise in the number of shark attacks. You don't have to be a marine biologist to figure out that more sharks are going to lead to more shark attacks. It's obvious unless you're a politician.
The shark-stock rebuilding program appears to be a classic case of the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Politicians pass a law to "solve" one problem and unwittingly cause another problem, frequently worse than the original one.
For example, welfare programs intended to alleviate poverty end up getting poor people addicted to government handouts; minimum wage laws designed to help the poor find good-paying jobs, end up causing unemployment; and federal mandates forcing employers to provide medical care end up increasing healthcare costs.
So why should we be surprised that a program designed to protect sharks also has an unintended consequence, jeopardizing the lives of swimmers? One way or another, problems always seem to get worse when politicians sink their teeth into them.
Daniel Stevens Warsaw
Flavor Of Freedom
Editor, Times-Union: RE: "Between the Lines," Times-Union, Aug. 16, "Corpus Christi."
"First Amendment - freedom of speech," how easily those phrases flow from Mr. Slone's pen.
I venture to guess, Mr. Slone, Mr. Gilbert (director) and the cast members have never, ever accomplished anything in their twisted little lives to help, assist or defend their Constitutional rights.
Some time ago a noted ball player was chastised and verbally sanctioned for making his personal feelings known about homosexuals. Where are his rights?
We older citizens who have lived and fought through three wars are fed up with "political correctness."
Homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle. God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.
If you, Mr. Slone, want to go see a heretical play, go, but don't clutter up the newspaper with your ravings and your idea of "moral value."
For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
For God and country. Don Guard Leesburg
Tolerance Doctrine
Editor, Times-Union: I recently heard it said that the last acceptable virtue of an amoral society is tolerance. It follows that judgment would be viewed as the only remaining sin.
David Slone pontificated on tolerance in his Aug. 16 article, "Corpus Christi Provokes Thought." He proved to me that tolerance can be fashioned into its own religion. However, it will forever be true that "Christ alone" not "tolerance alone" saves us sinners.
Joan E. Tarr Winona Lake
Narrow-Mindedness
Editor, Times-Union: As I have read various letters and commentaries on the play, "Corpus Christi," it has become apparent to me that some of those closest to the play appear just as narrow-minded and prejudiced toward Christians as they claim Christians are toward certain groups in society. In David Slone's article, printed Aug. 16, he quotes Jonathan Gilbert's director's note from the playbill, which suggest that the "modern Christian church" needs to examine its "morals, values and positions" in relation to the "actual teachings of Christ." As a member of the "modern Christian church," I am well-aware of my need to continually examine whether or not I am modeling my life after Christ. In my church and in many others, this is something that is taught and studied on a regular basis. To suggest that the Christian church as a whole is failing to live up to Christ's teaching is to overlook the countless individuals and congregations around the world who are truly striving to set a Christ-like example.
Even more disturbing to me was "Corpus Christi" author Terrance McNally's suggestion in his introduction to the play that Christians in general are incapable of separating the "sin from the sinner." Mr. McNally, I wish you knew some of the Christians I know. Again, to make a blanket generalization like that exhibits the same type of prejudice that Christians are so often accused of. Yes, there are people out there who are so filled with hatred and bigotry that they are blinded to the truths of Christ's teaching and at times commit horrendous acts - such as that done to Matthew Shepherd. But please don't assume that those people represent the Christian church as a whole. Unfortunately, you don't hear much in the media about Christians who are quietly going about the business of serving God and exhibiting Christ's love to others.
I'm sure as Mr. Slone wrote, that the play, "Corpus Christi" does provoke much thought and discussion. However, I would suggest that there is no writing more compelling and thought-provoking than what is found in the Bible itself. The more I read and study, the more I discover how its message applies to the world today. More importantly, it reveals most clearly and accurately the life and teaching of Jesus, who came into the world to reveal the depth of God's love for all human beings. Unfortunately, the beauty of Jesus and His teachings are so often overlooked by those - on both sides of the issue - who are too busy attacking one another's positions. David Slone makes the comment regarding the play that it "cannot help but elicit emotional responses from the crowd - as long as the hearts of those in the crowd are not cold and bitter." Funny, I would say the very same thing about the Bible. It cannot help but demand a response from its readers, but its eternal message of love, hope and joy will be missed by those whose hearts are - for whatever reason - cold and bitter.
