Book bans; wokeness; Joni Mitchell & Martin growth; civil discourse; inflation | March 16

Banning books hinders free exchange of ideas

I am writing to express my strong belief that we should not ban books. Books are a fundamental aspect of our culture and have played an essential role in shaping our society over the years. They have the power to enlighten, inform and inspire us, and they give us the opportunity to explore different perspectives, beliefs and ideas.

Banning books, on the other hand, is a harmful and dangerous practice that can have severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole. When we ban books, we limit people's access to information and knowledge, and we deny them the opportunity to form their own opinions and beliefs. This can lead to ignorance, prejudice and a lack of understanding among different groups of people.

Moreover, banning books can stifle creativity and freedom of expression. Writers, artists and other creators need the freedom to express their ideas and beliefs, even if they are controversial or unpopular. By banning books, we send a message that certain ideas and beliefs are unacceptable, which can discourage people from expressing themselves and contributing to society.

Banning books can have a chilling effect on academic and intellectual inquiry. When books are banned, scholars, researchers and students may be afraid to explore certain topics or to express their opinions openly, for fear of repercussions. This can hinder the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of truth.

Books are an essential part of our culture and society, and they play a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and beliefs. Banning books can lead to ignorance, prejudice and a lack of understanding, and it can stifle creativity and intellectual inquiry. Let us continue to promote the free exchange of ideas and information, and let us cherish and protect the freedom of expression that is so vital to our democracy and our way of life.

Chrisi Thanos, Port St. Lucie

Joni Mitchell's song describes Martin County's development

Martin County, Florida … “Paradise” is an accurate description of this once-quaint, always-lovely area in South Florida. With its climate, natural beauty and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, Indian and St Lucie Rivers, it offered a myriad of fishing venues, including bridges and canals.

For many years, flower farms beautified roadways while providing light industry and jobs. Those flower farms are gone now; replaced by shopping centers and townhouses.

Of course, growth is inevitable, but how sad that nearly everywhere in this county, growth is rampantly taking over. Natural hammocks and environments for many creatures are being destroyed so that yet another housing development or gas station can be built.

Joni Mitchell’s "Big Yellow Taxi"’s woeful refrain runs through my mind every time I drive around Martin County:

“Hey, now, now, Don't it always seem to go"That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot!”

Donna Long, Stuart

Inflation hits nonprofit caregivers hard, too

Inflation is at a 40-year high. When the price of goods and services goes up in the United States, everyone from rich to poor feels the effects. The Pew Research Center recently found 70% of American adults view inflation as a major problem in the United States. Some of the hardest hit in these troubling financial times are nonprofits.

During last year’s legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis and our legislators, including Sen. Gayle Harrell, took the time to listen and understand our direct care worker crisis. The initial step they took is greatly appreciated and the funding they provided was critical to ensuring our ability to retain and attract our core workforce. While we are grateful, we still need additional funding to address non-wage inflationary-related expenses.

When legislators look to fund the Agency for Persons with Disabilities budget, Florida’s home and community-based waiver program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities this year, operational costs MUST be addressed. A joint survey conducted by two disability associations found the new rates don’t cover the costs for 85% of their agency provider members.

At the ARC of the Treasure Coast, we provide support and services to more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We have 220 employees working across five counties and 16 community-based group homes in three counties.

That equates to more than 170,000 meals a year, more than $500,000 in insurance premiums and 56,000 one-way trips to various doctor appointments, school, work, church, shopping and other community outings.

On behalf of programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I am asking the Florida Legislature to please consider a little bit larger allocation once again to account for inflation. Florida ARC programs rely heavily on state funding and donations from people and companies, just like other nonprofits. So, thank you to all who donate.

Keith W. Muniz, Stuart

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What's so wrong with being 'woke'?

"Woke" means awake and aware. When Buddha was asked the source of his teaching, he replied: "I am awake."

Samuel Longfellow wrote a prayer for being awake: "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, dawn upon this mind of mine. Word of God and inward Light, wake my spirit, clear my sight. Amen."

We should all say this prayer daily, especially before voting or going on social media. Naturally, tyrants are opposed to wakefulness.

Georgeann Allard Calendine, Vero Beach

Banning books has echoes in Nazi Germany

I was appalled as I read the headlines of a recent morning’s newspaper where it stated: "Martin Schools remove books," "GOP seeks 6 week abortion ban" and "DeSantis says 'you ain’t seen nothing yet.' "

Our country was founded on freedom of speech, freedom of the individual to make decisions about his or her personal life and body. Our forefathers fled oppression for freedom.

Yet here we are in 2023, banning books because a woman named Julie Marshall says we should. A woman who admits she is not a teacher or a librarian, but that Jodi Picoult’s books and Toni Morrison’s books should be removed by the schools.

Children’s books by Ben Hatke about fantasy and adventure have also been removed.

If you think that this means nothing, you are wrong. In America, our rights to read anything that we want and to be whoever we want has historically been protected. How is removing books any different from the countries who censor what their citizens can read or say?

How is this different from book burnings during the Holocaust? The Nazis determined that certain books were inappropriate and they were destroyed. Certain people were found to be inappropriate and systematically eliminated.

Reading the headlines made me physically ill, as we are taking freedoms that people have fought for for centuries. Fifty years ago, Roe v. Wade gave women freedom to make decisions about their bodies.

These new laws are not just about abortion, they are about taking from all people their freedoms. We need to stop this and stand up for our right to read what we want, be who we want to be and say what we want to say. If you do not think this is a serious problem, you are wrong!

Karen Steger, Stuart

Florida political discourse is devolving, rather than evolving

I am a native Floridian, a seemingly rare distinction. I am a product of Florida’s education system at both the high school and college undergraduate levels.

My first dose of shame for the vitriolic nature of our political system occurred back in 2000, when parents thought it prudent sending their young children to school with “Sore Loserman” and similar signs.

At that young age, I became aware of the combative nature of our system. I witnessed the growing tendencies to defeat, invalidate and ridicule our peers' opinions and beliefs. I hoped we, children of a new millennium, would see these sentiments wane as we came of age. I fear now more than ever that was a naive notion in this state.

I watch as Tallahassee divides us and restricts us under the guise of “freedom." Six-week abortion bans, banning books, House Bill 1557, the overrun of the board at New College, it seems we are moving backward.

Quite frankly, I am not surprised; just disappointed.

My first child is to be born over this summer and I despair at her or him knowing a Florida of fewer rights and books, and less education and tolerance than I knew.

My solace is knowing that, in time, a more enlightened generation will look back and view Ron DeSantis in the same light as I view George Wallace; a divider under the guise of “freedom."

Tyler King, Jensen Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Joni Mitchell & Martin growth; civil discourse; inflation; book bans