Bill Nelson vs. Elon Musk; no aid, conspiracy for Hurricane Ian | Letters, Oct. 12, 2022

Treasure Coast Newspapers
·6 min read

See what happens when politician leads space program?

As I watched yet another perfect launch of Elan Musk’s rockets yesterday, I can’t help but wonder where we have gone wrong with our space program.

I don’t believe Elon Musk can personally build a rocket any better than I can, but he obviously can get one built. Then we didn’t we put him in charge of our space program instead of an ex-senator who lost an election.

Don’t get me wrong, I thought a lot of Bill Nelson as a senator, and I think highly of him as a person. I actually voted for him vs. Rick Scott, but I don’t want to go into that.

If we could get the politicians out of the space program, and the creational folks into it, we could be on Mars by Halloween.

Just think ...

Dan Rothell, Palm City

NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson, delivers the 2022 State of NASA address on March 28, 2022, from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Nelson highlighted NASA’s plans to explore the Moon and Mars, address climate change, promote racial and economic equity, and drive economic growth while sustaining U.S. leadership in aviation and aerospace innovation.

Ian permeates roof, but no help on way

I am very thankful our area was not hit as hard as the west coast of the state, but I am sad to see that there is little to no assistance for those impacted by the damaging winds and rain. We suffered roof damage to our house. As a result, we had water leaks throughout the house along with flooding in our screen and storage rooms.

When I spoke with the county emergency management director, it was basically "too bad, too sad." FEMA won't help, the county won't help, and the state of Florida won't help.

I am on full disability and receive less than $1,200 a month in Social Security. My girlfriend is retired and gets $1,600 a month in Social Security. With the high cost of living, we have to decide whether to pay our rent and eat or pay for our medications. There is no way we can afford a loan to get our roof repaired and we don't have any kind of savings.

So much for the state and the federal government helping. I guess we are out of luck and we are supposed to live with a leaking rook in a state that sees so much rain.

David Butcher, Port St. Lucie

Wilbur Sandlin III looks at his roof that has not been fixed since July when a tree struck his rental home on Wrico Drive Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022 in Jacksonville. Leaks still trickle through and his landlord has not completed the job of a full repair. Despite this, Sandlin III said he will brave the storm. Thousands across the region were preparing as they brace for Hurricane Ian.

Deny climate change, live with consequences

The story you published Oct. 5, "Hurricane Ian was a natural disaster, not a conspiracy to cause Florida devastation," suggested the hurricane was not the result of a conspiracy.

Oddly, I found myself wondering if the intensity of the storm may not actually be the result of a conspiracy to deny climate change.

That would be giving those folks too much credit. They really had no understanding the results of their actions have an effect on the severity of the natural disasters they’re encountering.

George Hallauer, Vero Beach

Campaigning politicians disgusting

I am so disgusted and disappointed.

I cannot believe we still have to put up with the badgering of the political campaigning.

There has been a devastation in our state and there they are with the campaigning. Why don't they put their thoughts into what people are going through? It is always what is good for them. SHAME.

I am sure everyone has already made up their minds on how they are voting. It's so disappointing.

Barbara Nickas, Stuart

Shirtless biker a good Samaritan

I recently saw some amazing human compassion that just made me cry thinking about how such nice people used to help my dad.

On Oct. 2, this shirtless gentlemen riding his big motorcycle was at the light on Indian Street and Federal Highway in Stuart. There also was this elderly gentlemen having difficulty crossing the very busy intersection on his scooter and apparently couldn’t make it all the way across Indian Street. I was in my car waiting to make the turn on Indian Street and watching the elderly man and wondering why he stopped suddenly.

Well, this most thoughtful gentlemen biker rode over to the elderly man and pushed the scooter all the way across four lanes to the corner. I just couldn’t believe how kind that guy was to help that man. Whoever you are out there, you are a great, caring, generous person and I just wanted you to know that!

Linda Ditta, Palm City

Time to consider importance of hearing

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month.

Safety is the "second tier" of "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." Looking at his chart, we can see that hearing loss affects:

• Physiological (tier one)

• Love/Belonging (tier three)

• Esteem (tier four)

• Self-actualization (tier five) (top tier)

All tiers include hearing loss! Helen Keller said, “If I could have only one of my senses then I would choose hearing. Then I wouldn’t feel so all alone.”

Even partial hearing loss can be a safety and social issue that affects all aspects of our lives.

There are over 48 million Americans with hearing loss, and about 15% of 12- to 19-year-olds in the United States have some degree of hearing loss.

Noise is the No. 1 cause of hearing loss. Loudness, brief or repeated, is dangerous to health and safety. There are apps to protect your hearing as well as the hearing of many others. Learn the danger level and wear earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing.

So, what is the No. 2 cause of hearing loss? Over the counter and prescription drugs and chemical solvents can cause hearing loss. Too many NSAIDS, cancer-fighting drugs, aminoglycoside antibiotics, diuretics, and others can cause hearing damage. And, over 750 different groups of chemicals are labeled as potentially ototoxic to the body. And hearing loss caused by drugs and chemicals is rarely diagnosed. Ask questions and read labels for side effects.

Today's important message is: Pay attention and "Save tomorrow's hearing today"!

Cheryl Nolte, Fort Pierce

Why does GOP get Cuban vote?

I'm puzzled why so many Cuban Americans vote Republican when some often treat immigrants with so much hatred. It hasn't been that long since Cubans sought refuge in America and special laws were put into place to receive them.

Republicans speak of their values, but what are their values? God says love one another as I love you. I think we all need more Bible study on what Christian values in God's eyes really are.

The hatred and lies some Republicans say without proof is astounding. Maybe getting information and different viewpoints is not a bad idea.

God loves all human beings equally, not just white Americans. Save our democracy. Some Republicans seem to want to overthrow our government and set up an autocrat like Vladimir Putin. God bless and keep America

Gail Williams, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Space race pits Bill Nelson vs. Elon Musk | Letters, Oct. 12, 2022