Issues neglected

The 2012 presidential campaigns are giving little attention to a region of vital importance to this country. For example, the Obama administration and Congress delayed for years a free-trade agreement with Panama and Colombia. This vital law was finally enacted.

Our support for the growing and besieged dissident movement in Cuba doesn’t seem to be a priority for President Obama. Previous presidents have given vocal support to these gallant people. Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez has cemented military and trading contacts with a rogue’s gallery of American enemies, including Iran, which now has a foothold in our own backyard.

I hope that the presidential candidates will discuss these important issues in the coming weeks.

Tim Seale, Miami

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The readers’ forum

‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show. 1369259411
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force. 1369259411
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered. 1369259411

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