Free circus animals, vote for freedom, governor shows backbone, more | Wednesday’s letters
Circus no fun for abused animals
I am writing because I saw your coverage of the Loomis Bros. Circus – and I am dismayed.
The article contained extensive coverage of the circus itself, and the journalist also spoke with people from Loomis Bros. However, the journalist failed to interview the group of protesters, which included me.
If the journalist had done so, your paper could have informed your readers about the atrocities that have happened and continue to happen to the animals. Loomis Bros. receives animals from Frazen Bros. Circus, as does Garden Bros. Circus.
More: How to send a letter to the editor
Brian Franzen was convicted of animal cruelty and faced federal enforcement action for repeatedly striking an elephant in the face with a bull hook.
The circus may be fun for those who attend it, but it is certainly no fun for the abused animals. The animals do not want to perform tricks for humans – they do so through the use of force. We need to evolve, and we need to be better. The animals deserve better.
– Traci Lipton, Sarasota
Freedom, health and safety on ballot
I moved to Sarasota to go to New College in 1978, and I came back with my husband in 2006. I returned because I loved this community of smart, philanthropic people who cared about each other.
What happened to us? Today, culture wars threaten our health, education and safety. GOP-funded political action committees push out lies and hate-laden rhetoric to distract from focusing on fixing real issues.
The Republicans say they are about freedom, but that means freedom from being told what to do – and freedom to tell the rest of us what to do.
We aren’t free when teachers can’t teach real history. We aren’t free when women can’t decide what is best for their families. We aren’t free when government dictates what kind of family is appropriate.
We aren’t free when hospitals can’t protect patients by providing proven, scientific medical care. And we aren’t safe when our freedom is at risk.
Thus, the importance of the August elections. Vote for School Board members who care about kids and teachers. Vote for hospital board members who have made the Sarasota Memorial Hospital system an example of excellence, not those who seek to dismantle it.
Our future is up to you. Vote wisely.
– Felice Schulaner, Sarasota
Good riddance to state attorney
Your article Aug. 5 regarding Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren makes it appear that Warren has done nothing out of the ordinary. How far from the truth (“Removal of prosecutor ignites range of views,” Aug. 5).
Every prosecutor, as he or she takes office, takes an oath to uphold not only the Constitution, but also the law. The law is what the legislators promulgate, not what Warren would like it to be.
The governor did what should have been done: he got rid of Warren. If Warren doesn’t like the law, let him run for the Legislature.
Then the people he claims have been mistreated because they voted for him, can vote for him again.
Good riddance and thank God we have a governor with backbone.
– Richard Malgran Esq., Sarasota
Kicking out DeSantis would bring freedom
The age-old adage, “Nothing is for free,” is particularly true here in Florida. In fact, there is a heavy price to pay living here, thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In fact, the only freedom Floridians have is to follow the governor’s edicts or else.
Disney, a state attorney, educators and health care workers have all fallen victim to the governor’s vengeful spirit.
Day by day, DeSantis has limited Floridians’ freedoms: freedom to vote, freedom to teach history and gender-related topics, freedom for women to govern the care of their own bodies and freedom for health care workers to treat their COVID patients.
On Nov. 8, we get the chance to put an end to the governor’s authoritarianism. Vote for real freedom, a DeSantis-free Florida.
– Elana Carnes, North Venice
Medigap costly, but worth the price
In your Aug. 7 edition there was an excellent article by columnist Elliot Raphaelson about the possible disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
I retired at 67 in 2006 and at the advice of a trusted friend signed up for a Medigap plan, which I have had ever since. I have never had to pay an annual deductible or any other costs, except for pills while in the hospital and that cost was removed some years ago by Medicare.
In the three years ending Dec. 31, 2020, my Medicare-approved expense amounts have been in excess of $600,000. Of this, I paid nothing.
I am lucky I can afford the Medigap insurance because of several serious medical conditions, but with it I have no concerns about future medical expenses being passed on to my wife.
– John Lester, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Protesters object to circus with animals, freedom on the ballot
