Donald Trump and the GOP are doing Vladimir Putin's dirty work for him. | Letters

Putin's gains are America's loss

Ukraine loses ground after Congress denies support. Popular right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson sojourns to Russia and broadcasts Kremlin talking points. The Republican presidential front-runner encourages Putin to do whatever he wants to our allies. I encourage readers to boot out Putin’s lackeys in our government while we still have free and fair elections. Watch the documentary “Active Measures” for a deep dive into Putin’s ongoing, effective efforts to dismantle our great country.

Jeanne Martin, West Palm Beach

Florida authoritarianism will start in kindergarten

Many thanks for Frank Cerabino's column on "Kindergarten in Florida: Put away the blocks and talk about Stalin." Reading his humorous spin on a kindergarten-level lesson on communism clearly highlighted the nuttiness of this bill. My take on the bill was darker: I saw it as akin to the indoctrination of students in totalitarian countries as an example of an authoritarian takeover of Florida. We can only hope Cerabino's justified ridicule will open enough eyes to the authoritarian state we're becoming.

Rebecca Cohen, Palm Beach Gardens

More: Florida leaders respond to Navalny's death. Trump weighs in as well, sort of.

Toll mounting in Israel's 'genocidal' war

With 12,000 children, 300 health workers and 45 United Nations workers killed in Gaza since [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu started fighting back, this is not a war; it's genocide. When is the free world going to say not only does it constitute war crimes but do something to stop it? It doesn't matter which side we're on. Genocide is genocide.

Peggy Butler, West Palm Beach

Wanted: Art enthusiasts to support ballet

Miami City Ballet just announced to its subscribers on Feb. 16 that it is only performing two of its four ballets at the Kravis Center for the 2024-2025 season. This announcement should raise the alarm to all cultural institutions in the city, as well as residents who enjoy the arts. Cities that have strong cultural institutions thrive and are an integral part of the communities in which they are located. West Palm Beach has some of the top cultural institutions in the state but many of these institutions struggle with low turnout from the residents and visitors. I strongly implore Miami City Ballet to continue to perform all four of its performances at the Kravis Center, and I advise all residents and visitors to email or call the Miami City Ballet and voice their desire to see this world-acclaimed company continue in West Palm Beach. Once one institution starts to cancel events it sets a bad precedent for others to do the same. A city without culture and art is certainly one I’m not interested in living in.

Patricia Williamson, North Palm Beach

Reforms needed for college sports

The 'transfer portal' has changed college athletics and not for the better. The generous scholarships provided to "student-athletes" should be accompanied by an ironclad contractual relationship lasting four years. The NFL and the NBA should work to establish minor league farm systems as exist in baseball, with no academic connections whatsoever. Only then will America's colleges get down to fully devoting their energies to education, as do all colleges in the rest of the world.

Jack Lippman, Boynton Beach

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Vladimir Putin's gains are America's loss