The Oct. 17 Sports section story Stadium singer apologizes for anti-Semitic remark should be made more public. Well-known Irish tenor Ronan Tynan apologized for an anti-Semitic remark. When a real estate agent was showing an apartment in Tynan's building she reportedly said to Tynan, ``They are not Red Sox fans.'' Tynan responded, ``As long as they are not Jewish.''

BUNNY SHEY, Pembroke Pines

Health costs soar

In 2008, I took early retirement from the University of Miami after 34 years of employment. I will not be eligible for Medicare until 2011. I have been paying $514.29 a month for Aetna health insurance. I received a letter recently from UM that as of January 2010 my premiums will rise to $630.10 a month. This is an increase of almost $116 a month.

How can anyone continue to wonder why there are so many uninsured people across the nation and predominantly in Florida?

Healthcare reform cannot come soon enough.

PATTI MUNDY, Miami Shores

Don't discharge gays

Cal Thomas' assertions in his Oct. 17 Other Views column, Don't ask, tell or legitimize, are as absurd as most homophobic arguments. Using misdirected association and illogical conclusions, Thomas' defense of the military's ``don't ask-don't tell'' policy is nonsense when compared to history.

From the Spartan defense at Thermopole by 300 homosexuals (they were the most terrifying force of their time) fighting to the death against 10,000 through two world wars and into the present, there is no solid evidence that heterosexuals can claim being braver or more dedicated, or that homosexuals display a lack of courage or discipline any more or less than any other group.

We desperately need qualified personnel in the ranks. Let's do away with the hypocrisy promulgated by a few whose fears prevent it.

STEPHEN CARNER, Miami

Stadium hard to reach

Every major city has adequate public-transportation to their sports stadiums except Miami. Miami-Dade Transit used to run multiple special buses from all over the county to the Orange Bowl.

But since the Hurricanes moved to Land Shark stadium, there's nothing.

MDT hasn't even increased the frequency and added after-game runs on the existing Route 27 that serves the stadium.

This is unacceptable and unbelievable for a transit system that serves a world-class city with a stadium that hosts college and pro football, not to mention the Orange Bowl Game, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl.

MDT is derelict in not providing this much-needed service. County administrators should fill this glaring void immediately.

CHARLES A. DUNN, Coral Gables

Harder to ride trains

I'm all for progress, but the new fare-gate entrance system at Metrorail stations is wasteful and time consuming. The old system was tried-and-true and cheap compared to the new one that requires you to take too many steps just to take the train.

It must have cost a pretty penny. It's confusing, especially for some older people. Looks to me like someone made money here somewhere.

REY SIERRA, Miami

County waste funds

Re the Oct. 18 story Miami-Dade commissioners sitting on millions in taxpayer funds:

Does anyone else see something strange about what is going on in county government? The mayor came out with his sky-is-falling predictions, yet the final budget did not reflect this.

Now we find out that, while at the same time the county is cutting back on library and park hours while also letting go of county employees, commissioners are sitting on millions of taxpayer dollars. Something is wrong here. At what point do taxpayers here demand change?

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