Jett Travolta's death sparks Scientology debate among readers

When The Juice published the news of the death of Jett Travolta, the teenage son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston on Friday, discussion quickly turned to Scientology.

Jett died after apparently hitting his head on the bathtub while the family was vacationing at their home in the Bahamas. The parents, both avowed Scientologists, are planning to have an autopsy performed on their son, who had a history of seizures.

Preston and Travolta have said that Jett became very sick when he was 2 years old and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an illness that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children. The parents have blamed household cleaners and fertilizers, and said that a detoxification program based on teachings from the Church of Scientology helped improve his health, according to an Associated Press story.

The first tampabay.com reader to comment on the news, Jorge wrote: "Looks like Scientology didn't help him with that."

One reader, Jean, called Jorge's comment "hateful." Another reader quickly jumped in with: "That wasn't nice, this was his son.  I'm sorry to hear, no one should suffer a loss like that," Terri wrote.

Readers offer comfort to man drowning in debt

An It's Your Times member, Buccanay, writes about his financial woes and his search for the Christmas spirit. He and his wife were laid off recently and have sold most of their belongings.

"Christmas, once a happy and hopeful holiday, now serves as a reminder of the things we are unable to do; the New Year, merely a new month with the accompanying bills to fret," Buccanay wrote. "I am seeking motivation; I am seeking understanding why I should continue the struggle."

Readers responded with their words of inspiration:

"You are going to continue to live and make best of what you have. You are going to continue to survive as best you can," Jack wrote.

Selfemployed wrote: "It is very hard right now, and somehow we must shake through the curves and keep moving."

Captainal wrote: "Just as the good times ended in 2007 and 2008, the nighmare will end, also.  We all will survive."

Read Buccanay's essay, let him know what you think.

Not an It's Your Times member? Register now.

Tampabay.com's top 10 stories of the year

They included the tale of a feral child rescued by a Florida family, a Truth-O-Meter ruling on Barack Obama's birth certificate and the politics of Sarah Palin. These tampabay.com stories moved you, maybe angered you or stunned you. In any case, they're the stories that the click counters say you  -- the tampabay.com readers -- clicked on the most.

Here are tampabay.com's 10 most popular stories of 2008:

1. Girl in the Window: A heart-wrenching tale of a girl neglected since birth. A Plant City police officer rescued a 7-year-old girl -- pale, skeletal and unable to speak -- from a roach-infested home. A Florida family adopts her, hoping to make up for a lifetime of neglect. Tampabay.com readers and bloggers worldwide were captivated by this tale, generating nearly a million page views and more than 1,000 comments.

2. Politifact.com: Obama's birth certificate: Is Barack Obama a secret Muslim? Did his name include Muhammed?  Is he truly an American citizen? There may not have been more pressing questions during the presidential election -- at least for our readers. For those still unsure, PolitiFact's extensive research showed his name is Barack Hussein Obama and that he was born in Hawaii.

3. Vote drives defended, despite fake names: The Drudge Report linked to this story nearly as soon as we posted it. Readers must have been anxious to find out what happens when Mickey Mouse tries to register to vote in Florida.

4. One thought pushes fence-sitters to the left: Sarah Palin: HuffingtonPost readers were drawn to this Times report on how Sarah Palin had swayed one group of undecided voters toward Obama.

5. Voter surveys litter I-4 roadside: Highway workers discovered hundreds of papers with voter information on Interstate 4 in Tampa. Readers shared their theories on the source of the littering.

6. Scourge of Scientology dies: An anti-Scientology Web site, Xenu.net, picked up on this tragic story of a Clearwater man's suicide.

7. Gov. Charlie Crist says he's getting married: Our bachelor governor announces his engagement. Readers chimed in from The Buzz, Drudge, TalkingPointsMemo,  Wonkette, TheAtlantic and other political sites to say congrats (and more).

8. Confederate group plans giant flag in Hillsborough: Readers from both sides of the debate had lots to say about this one, posting more than 1,000 comments on this offbeat story.

9. Press kept under watchful eye at Palin rally: The VP hopeful stopped in Clearwater, but the media wasn't allowed near her. HuffingtonPost readers wondered why.

10. Dade city teen charged in mother's allergic shock: Pasco deputies say the 16-year-old girl spiked her mom's food with an ingredient that she knew could cause a severe allergic reaction. Thanks again to Drudge readers who couldn't resist this one.

Hey, we didn't pick 'em! You did!

Zoo president resigns: Readers sound off

All of the news related to Lowry Park Zoo President Lex Salisbury in the past 24 hours has sparked lots of chatter with tampabay.com readers. A number of breaking news stories invovled Salisbury yesterday:

• He stepped down as president of the zoo.

• Salisbury's wife was cited for animal cruelty after leaving 2 dogs in the car

• The missing monkeys that started the zoo investigation were found

• Columnist Daniel Ruth calls it 'Lex's menagerie of malfeasance

What do readers have to say? Here's a sampling:

"Lex Salisbury's resignation is the beginning of restoring trust within our community's zoo. The second step would be to hold all those zoo executives who assisted Mr. Salisbury in his animal and human "dealings" accountable for their actions," Jeff Kremer of Tampa's Zoo Advocates wrote on It's Your Times.

"The man should be put in a cage, the big cage on Orient Road. We would not be so lucky to only lose our jobs if found stealing as he has done," Debbie says.

Minnie wrote about the animal cruelty charge: "Just one more dreary, disgusting, revolting, ironic, descriptive detail in the saga of a couple who thinks they're above the law."

Have your say on It's Your Times.

Outraged over church thieves

Burglaries across the city have risen as the economy has sunk. But police say one brand of burglar has stooped particularly low: They're targeting churches.

And some tampabay.com readers are outraged. They've got suggestions about how churches can protect themselves and ideas for police.

Candi writes: "Invest in cameras maybe in and out of the church. And when there caught, the judge can make them pay for damages. Shame on them. I wonder if they attend a service to case the church out first? Any new faces on Sunday mornings ?"

Mike says: "Don't forget schools. Lakewood, Bay Point and Gibbs (St. Pete schools) have all been hit. The burglars broke into portables at night and took TV's and anything else they could get their hands on."

James writes: "A lot of churches help out with food banks, donations of turkeys, going to missions, donations of blankets, clothes, etc. They are repaid by being broken into which hampers their ability to help others. These thieves are LOSERS!

Got any suggestions for the churches or police?

Photo: Trinity United Church of Christ Pastor Gaye Bosley-Mitchell opens the office door to her church where thieves broke in. James Borchuck | Times

TMI in those Christmas letters? Tell us about it.

Dear readers,

Happy holidays! Hope this letter finds you well.

It’s your favorite time of year! You get to hear the horrifying news that Cousin Susie, who has always been better than you, just earned her 4th PhD. To celebrate, she climbed Kilimanjaro and performed cleft palate surgery on orphans. Also, her new diet is working great!

You get to hear that Uncle Bernie made pork chops over Easter. Also, Grandma had that cyst removed and the scar is kind of purple, but she’s following up with a specialist next month.

Holiday brag letters. You probably get at least one each year – maybe you write your own. We want to see the craziest, the most mundane, the most bizarre brag letters you’ve ever received or penned. We promise to block out the names before publication in print or online, so your holiday dinner doesn’t devolve into groin kicks and fist fighting.

Send a copy of your letter (we can’t return them) to Kelley Benham, Deputy Floridian Editor, at 490 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 33704, or e-mail them to features@sptimes.com by Dec. 17. Put “Brag letter” in the subject line.

Of course, you also can post letters and comments here.

-- Stephanie Hayes, Times Staff Writer

Girl on boys basketball team: Readers take sides

Tampabay.com readers have lots to say about Aliyah Farley, the 13-year-old girl who joined the boys JV basketball team at Westside Christian School.

School officials support her playing on the boys' team. But Rick Preslicka, the head of the Suncoast Christian Conference, declared Westside's recent victory a forfeit because Aliyah played with the boys. The conference's board will vote on the issue Wednesday night (Dec. 10).

The case has roused strong emotions at Westside -- where the administrator and athletic director are women  -- and on tampabay.com.

"If she's good, what's the problem? Are the boys intimidated?" tampabay.com reader Butch asks.

David says: "In the FHSAA, a girl is allowed to play football, so why the ostrich head in the sand for this situation? Let's wake up to the modern age of equality you doofs."

CC says: "Someone needs to let him know the 1950's are over."

But all readers aren't cheering on Aliyah:

A mom writes: "I have a son who plays in this (conference). My son has stated that he does not want to play against her due to the close contact. He says it goes against what he believes as a Christian man."

"Anyone ever met Rick?" asks Robb. "I have. Great guy. Not a pig. Just a guy, doing right, and gettin' heck for it. As usual, eh?"

Your take?

Showdown time for Kenneth City's neatness police

Opponents of a proposal that would allow Kenneth City officials to enter homes and businesses they don't think are up to snuff are expected to descend on City Council tonight.

City Council members will discuss a 26-page ordinance created to help clean up the city, but critics are comparing the council to Hitler and Castro. One tampabay.com reader, John, wrote: "Not even the Soviets or Nazis dared to do stuff like this. This is bizarre."

Other readers expressed similar shock and outrage over the proposal for the small Pinellas County town.

Randolph said: "These council people should all be removed from office, the attorney needs to be disbarred and the people in this town should be commended for standing up for their rights."

Bob wrote: " You have to be kidding me!  This story reads like something out of a science fiction story."

There was at least one supporter of the ordinance among tampabay.com readers:

"Read the ordinance, people. There is no unconstitutional power in this ordinance. They must get a warrant from a judge if they are denied access to a house. This is a health & safety ordinance more than neatness and (reporter Anne) Lindberg is egging you all on," Tyler wrote.

The council's workshop will be held at 7 tonight in the town's Community Hall to go over the ordinance one paragraph at a time. Council members cannot vote at workshops, but they can decide to drop the issue, send it forward to a council meeting for a final vote, or send it back to the drawing board.

Does the sound of a 'neatness law' offend you? Or is the city simply looking out for the city's health and safety?

Touched by Summer Moll's story

Cheryl Lassiter, a former St. Petersburg resident who is director of a Volunteer Mobile Emergency Response Unit in Austin, Texas, writes about how touched she was by the story of 4-year-old Summer Moll. The little girl was critically injured in a head-on crash in September that killed her mother.

"I am the mother of six children and could not even fathom the thought of even one of my children facing such a reality as this. The truth is no one can and more than likely you (the Times) have offended a small percent of the readers in the St. Pete Times area and that's ok too," she writes on ItsYourtimes.com.

She followed up with an e-mail later saying "I pray that many will take this story and apply it to their everyday lives so that not one more person dies like Summer Moll's mother did."

He's got no sympathy for Linda Bollea

An It's Your Times writer, John Masterson of Spring Hill, offers some perspective for Linda Bollea and her financial woes.

Masterson reminds us of the case of Venecia Lonis, a 4-year-old Haitian girl who suffers from malnutrition.

Masterson writes of Bollea: "Poor baby may not be able to watch cable T.V. and worse then that, may have to wash her own windows."

Read his full piece, offer your comments on ItsYourTimes.com.

New taxes for schools? Readers have other ideas

If it would prevent more budget cuts to Florida schools, would you pay a dime more for a frosty brew down at Four Green Fields? How about a quarter more for that pack of smokes? How about 1 percent more for just about everything else you buy?

As Florida's revenue continues to shrink by the billions, jittery school leaders are talking taxes.

" 'Tax' is not a four-letter word," said Jim Warford, executive director of the Florida Association of School Administrators.

Tampabay.com readers wouldn't necessarily agree on that point. They share some other ideas for keeping schools in the black.

Debbie says: "I bet us 'normal' people could get rid of millions of dollars of waste -- in both money and useless positions. More $ thrown at schools doesn't make a better education."

A teacher wrote: "Schools waste so much money -- mostly on the 'higher ups.' How many staff developers & curriculum specialists do you need anyway? We have plenty of people at our own schools to help w/ curriculum. Trim the fat!"

Lee said: "Realign the school budget so 75% of all dollars are spent directly in the classroom and THEN come back and ask me to raise my taxes."

Opposed to new taxes? How would you suggest schools cut costs?

Jailed for his brown lawn

Everyone's talking about the grandfather in Pasco County who was jailed for having a brown lawn. So far, more than 1,200 comments have poured in relating to the Times' coverage of Joseph Prudente's arrest.

Tampabay.com readers have expressed outrage at the judge and the homeowner's association, and praised the residents who helped get Prudente released from jail.

Only the most recent 35 comments appear with each story. The conversation on Mr. Prudente's ordeal continues on It'sYourTimes.

Outraged, saddened by Danielle's story

The heart-wrenching story of Danielle, a feral child rescued by Plant City police three years ago, has prompted an outpouring of response from readers. The number of page views for the special report and comments posted have far exceeded previous coverage on tampabay.com.

Hundreds of readers have posted comments on tampabay.com, others have e-mailed writer Lane DeGregory or called the Heart Gallery offering help.

The Heart Gallery has set up a fund for those who want to help Danielle's new family. Checks can be sent to: The Heart Gallery -- Danielle Lierow Fund, 1002 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33605.

Also, a fund has been set up for Danielle's long-term care. Donations can be sent to: Danielle Lierow, c/o Mr. Doy McPhail, Wachovia Bank, 7128 Estero Blvd.,  Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931.

Some tampabay.com readers have sent their wishes to the family:

Tim: "Everyone who gives of themselves for this girl will be rewarded. God bless her new brother for his understanding. Bless them all."

Others vent their anger over Danielle's neglect, as Natalie did: "This is so awful. I don't see why they didn't take the other children also. I don't think that people like this should be allowed to have ANY children ever. This lady is sick and needs to be locked up for good in a mental hospital."

A number of ther Web sites and blogs are linking to the report. Here is a sampling of comments from those sites:

Care2: "This is so heartbreaking. What a wonderful new family she has. Her new brother giving his room up to her. I am so happy she has love now. I hope her evil mother suffers for the rest of her raunchy life. This poor child has lived in hell because of her."

Minor Matters: "I started the day worrying about the little problem of my baby’s physical development.

But this worrying vanished when I read Danielle’s story."

VegPeople: "I am speechless. And horrified. My heart goes out to Dani and her new parents."

Currently tampabay.com displays 35 of the most recent comments. You also can post your comments here or e-mail writer Lane DeGregory at degregory@sptimes.com.

Do you have questions about what was involved in the reporting of  'Girl in the window'? Post your questions here and DeGregory and photographer Melissa Lyttle will answer them.

Weekend buzz

Our wet weekend may have kept many of you indoors, too. Here's a look at what readers were finding on tampabay.com Friday through Sunday:

• Tampabay.com's Ultimate Bartender Contest: It was the last chance to vote for fave; voting ended Sunday night.
• Caliente is handed a task list: Homeowners at Caliente Resort & Spa want the nudist resort to clean up its reputation or face a lawsuit.
• 2 bars go for naghty/nice ambience: Our critics review 2 new joints serving wings and winks in the Clearwater area.
• Where offshore drilling goes, beaches suffer: Dr. Beach says oil drilling and white sand don't mix.
• Buy-and-bail home hopping is latest scam: This switcheroo exploits a lending loophole that lets people take out two mortgages.

Your faves this week

A quick look at tampabay.com stories that were most popular this week:

• Bucs' top picks get chance to make impact
• A scientist uses brain scans to map the soul
• Road rage victim leads attacking driver to cops
• Chapter 13 standoff thwarts foreclosure on St. Pete house
• Confederate flag rises

And your favorite blogs this week:

• Stuck in the 80s
• This Just In
• The Gradebook
• The Juice
• The Buzz

Father's Day reading

On this Sunday morning, tampabay.com offers lots of Father's Day content: 

• A feature story by Lane DeGregory on a Gulfport man connecting with his daughter for the first time in 41 years.

• A story highlighting Hernando residents' lessons from their dads.

• Remembrances of trucker Ray Neumann, who died earlier this month when the fuel truck he was driving plunged off an interstate overpass and exploded.

• A  fun Fathers Day quiz and listings of events to do with dad.

But what's getting the most traffic this weekend?

• Our Ultimate Bartender Contest (don't forget to vote for your fave).
• A story about a soldier who is unable to get out of his Tampa apartment lease.
• A Trinity bartender gets fired for laughing (with audio of her laugh) and then the follow-up about her prospects for  landing a new job.
• And readers are checking in on these tampabay.com blogs: Stuck in the 80s, This Just In and The Juice.