New age terrorists, Trump misconduct, Stuart Air Show, Thanksgiving, new Publix | Letters
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Attacks on election workers are attacks on democracy
A new attack striking at the heart of our democracy was recently unleashed with mailings of a poisonous white powder sent to America's election workers.
Election officials from several states report they are receiving this new kind of death threat aimed at both Democrats and Republicans.
Americans of both political parties are now experiencing the terror attacks waged by groups whose goal seems to be to overthrow our form of democratic government.
What more basic way to undermine our government than to destroy our ability to have our votes counted in an election?
As a municipal clerk in Michigan for 16 years, I trained hundreds of Democratic and Republican election workers who worked in my 49 voting precincts.
Most people working in elections are retired senior citizens who are dedicated to counting every vote. They work long hours, for little pay. They do it for their 'love of country' and to protect our freedom to choose our own political leaders.
These patriotic election officials and workers are the best of us.
The hunt is now on to find those behind this new attack.
We saw the Jan. 6 riot on the U.S. Capitol narrowly fail to accomplish the same objective: To overthrow our democracy.
Those behind this latest un-American act should remember there are Jan. 6 rioters now serving up to 22 years in prison.
Ruth Sullivan, Vero Beach
Trump willing to peddle lies and settle scores
On Nov 9, Donald Trump gave an interview that said now that President Joe Biden's administration has weaponized the Department of Justice, he is free to indict his political enemies when he is elected.
Next, Trump will be telling you Mexico will pay for the wall. Let’s all remember the last time Trump told you that "when I get elected, I’m going to put in prison all those investigators of the Russian collusion." John Durham will get Trump's enemies.
Not one investigator of the Russian collusion spent an hour in jail. Not one peso did the U.S. Treasury receive from Mexico to build the wall.
Both sad and comical, his followers will believe every lie, no matter how many different ways Trump will tell them. For four years, Trump tried to put Hillary Clinton in prison; for two years, he tried to put Hunter Biden in prison.
For four years, he tried to put the FBI leadership in prison. By the way, Is that "Sleepy Joe" or a criminal mastermind? The cult believes him to be both, depending on the lie Trump is spinning.
Don Whisman, Stuart
Time to ground Stuart Air Show
The Stuart Air Show can take a flying leap!
The horrible booming noise is scary and I keep thinking there's going to be a crash. The waste of our natural resources in jet fuel is huge.
Then there's the pollution, which we all complain about, which is causing global warming. Come on, is this spectacle really worth it? I think not.
Jenene Skrupky, Port St. Lucie
Let's don't forget Thanksgiving's meaning
Thanksgiving, which originated as a harvest festival and day to offer prayers of thankfulness, has evolved into a day of feasting, football and family togetherness. During this Thanksgiving week, while continuing to struggle with grief and loss, I am writing to express my thankfulness for family and friends.
As a former kindergarten teacher, Winnie the Pooh (A. A. Milne) quotes come to mind, along with several others:
“Anyone can show up when you’re happy, but the ones who stay when your heart falls apart, they are true friends.” “A new friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. “ ― Winnie the Pooh
“We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
“Thankful, I awoke today with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”
“I can no other answer make, but thanks, thanks, thanks.”― William Shakespeare
Along with being thankful this Thanksgiving for our troops and first responders, for food, home, family and good health, be grateful for people who are caring and helpful, when you need them the most.
Donna Long, Stuart
A welcome feature for Sunday reading
Bravo for adding “TV Time” to the Sunday edition of The Press Journal. It really improves the value of our subscription.
We only wish the listings included the programming for the PBS station we receive in Vero Beach, WXEL, instead of just WPBT. The stations have different program schedules.
Phil Kinnicutt, Vero Beach
Subordinates shouldn't undermine sheriff's authority
I was drafted and served in the U.S. Army. The first eight weeks of basic training, we civilians were taught to obey orders, even if we disagreed with them, to be team players and that the mission was more important any single individual.
The Indian River Sheriff’s Office is a quasi-militaristic operation ― lives are on the line for the officers, victims of crime and even the perpetrators of crime. If a member of the sheriff’s office disagrees with the sheriff, the honorable thing to do is to resign. If you continue to seek employment by the sheriff and you tend to undermine him, be critical of him to the media and seek to replace him in an upcoming election, why should anyone vote for you?
The message presented to the community by such a person is that it okay to undermine those in authority. Children are encouraged to disobey parents. Teachers are encouraged to disobey the superintendent. And if elected, you are justifying those working for you to disobey your orders.
When I was and editor in chief of a national newspaper and one of my reporters continued to undermine me and continued take issue with my orders, I fired the reporter or at the very least demoted the reporter to where the sun rarely shined. A daily newspaper involves crisis management, orders to be given, orders to be taken, because news happens quickly and unexpectedly.
Crime occurs like that, too. The difference is that lives can be at stake if your work for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Stanford Erickson, Vero Beach
How did we get here with these presidential frontrunners?
It's always heart warming to watch all the patriotism on Veterans Day. Flags flying, veterans parades, much gratitude shown for these brave men and women who loved this country so intensely they signed on the line to give up their lives (if necessary) for this great country.
And then I ask myself how did we get to this point in time, where the two main contenders for the office of the president, the highest office in this great country, are the bumbling buffoon Joe Biden and the raving, ranting, mad narcissist Donald Trump?
I just don't get it that these two are currently the front runners from their respective parties. Aren't we better as a nation than this? I certainly hope so.
I love this country and all my freedoms and opportunities, but I have to say I just don't get it.
Maybe one of your readers can explain it to me in plain simple language, so that I can understand ... but honestly I don't think there is a valid explanation.
Jan Belwood, Palm City
No need to switch Medicare plans
This time of year all the people on Medicare Advantage change plans. They think they are on Medicare. They are not on Medicare. I am on Medicare and have had my plan for nearly 20 years.
I do not change plans. Medicare does not require this change. Medicare does not advertise. Medicare is available online at Medicare.gov.
Medicare Advantage is a corporate welfare plan. It is run by private insurance companies that are allowed to take money out of Medicare to "help them compete with Medicare."
I find this bizarre. Why would our government help insurance companies compete with an excellent government program? As I recall, George Bush set up this program.
Someone else said it was Bill Clinton. At any rate, we now have it. It is time for people to realize what the program is.
Georgeann Allard Calendine, Vero Beach
New Publix will cause traffic jams
The decision by our civic leaders of Indian River County to allow Publix to build an unnecessary and unwanted store on 510 (just east of Highway 1) is ill-advised and will create a disastrous traffic problem for this already very busy intersection.
During the seasonal period (especially during normal rush hour), this store location will result in a toxic jam stretching from the 510 causeway to 66th Avenue. And it will only get worse after the completion of 340 new homes being built at this intersection of Highway 1 and 510.
Frankly, this decision by our county bureaucrats will rank up there with the other memorable one by this group, like the one that paid the Los Angeles Dodgers $8 million to leave town.
And considering the duration of this situation, it may even exceed the Dodger taxpayer gift.
C. Stephen Lewis, Vero Beach
Charles 'Charlie' Sullivan was a friend to all who knew him
When you woke up in Vero Beach Nov. 9, did you notice something was different – in a sad way?
I did, and many other Veroites did. You see, people in Vero Beach woke up for the first time in decades knowing Vero Beach attorney Charles "Charlie" Sullivan Sr, was no longer with us.
Charlie died in the arms of his family, in the Vero Beach home he loved, and with the tears of his many dear friends close by.
It was an honor to personally know Charlie for over 50 years and an even greater honor to be counted as one of his friends
Charlie was the friend everyone wishes they had ― the one you call when you find yourself in a bad situation. The one who always picks up the phone. The one who never hesitates to help. The kind of friend who always has your back. That was Charlie ― and yes, I loved and cherished him dearly.
And now, for the first time in my adult life, I wake up realizing Charlie is not standing by that phone. The sadness overwhelms me as it should all of Vero ― because my loss is theirs.
I cherish the last year Charlie and I were able to get together and celebrate dinner, lunches and talk about old times. No one can make you laugh like Charlie did, and now no one has made me cry like Charlie.
Vero Beach is left with only memories of one of its greatest legal minds and kindest friends. A loving father and husband and a man who knew how to be a “old school” friend.
I am one of many who feel the loss so deep my tears will never reach the bottom.
Goodbye, ole friend. You will never be forgotten. I promise you.
Connie Bishop, Vero Beach
Will new motor club be accessible to the public or not?
Recently, I’ve seen confusing articles regarding the possibly upcoming motorsports complex in St. Lucie County. Early articles described it as a private club, only to be available to residents of the accompanying private community, while more recent ones seem to make it sound like it will be great for all area residents because it will give local enthusiasts a place to safely enjoy their on- and off-road vehicles.
So, has the original plan changed? Will the complex be available to anyone, or is its exclusivity being purposefully downplayed in order to win widespread approval from local residents who mistakenly believe that they will actually benefit from the complex?
Kevin Donovan, Port St. Lucie
Water, water everywhere, but soon not enough to drink
It is hard to comprehend that Florida, surrounded by water, where it rains year-round, could face a water shortage. Despite its proximity to water and abundant aquifer systems, Florida consumes water faster than it can be replaced, so clean, drinkable water is becoming scarce. This higher demand for clean water has Florida facing a crisis.
Stuart has maximized and possibly overreached its water capacity for new development. Stuart's plan for a new well is staking its claim into the seemingly endless Floridian aquifer. But the Floridian is getting dangerously low from over-extraction. Too many people are taking too much water from the aquifer.
Underneath the Floridian is saltwater, desperately working its way to the surface. Only the weight of the aquifer holds it at bay. Saltwater intrusions happen when too much water is removed from the aquifer and is naturally replaced by seawater seeping in.
According to National Geographic, Florida is in trouble due to over-development. A recent Natural Resources Defense Council study predicts Florida is facing a high risk of water shortage.
Environmental groups and fish and wildlife biologists have argued for years that the health of Florida’s fish populations, riparian vegetation and wildlife have been sacrificed to ensure adequate water supplies for agriculture. The repercussions of which are mounting exponentially.
Our wetlands, which are being decimated, are the watershed for the aquifers supplying our drinking water. Without them, the water runs into the rivers instead of replenishing the wells. Development impedes the natural draining process and increases usage. We are cutting off the supply while taxing the demand to death.
Legislators are enacting conservation efforts to slow the depletion while encouraging and approving more development. The contradiction is baffling. We are drowning in denial while grasping for water.
Nick Gulotta, Stuart
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Terrorists, Trump, Stuart Air Show, Thanksgiving, new Publix | Letters
