Friday's letters: Americans drawn to Florida, repeating Prohibition, more

DeSantis steering state in right direction

The letter writer who is convinced that people are staying away from Florida must be reading fiction (“DeSantis’ policies will drive away tourists,” May 9). The building boom to accommodate people moving into Florida has the pedal to the metal to try to keep up.

Many are moving here to get out of Democratic-run cities in the North. The reason is not just to get away from the cold. They are tired of being taxed to death and getting little in return.

These cities are open to crime on a daily basis and the courts turn out those arrested to prowl the streets for more victims.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

Our governor has our state going in the right direction – and it is not left as the writer would insist on.

Charles Dawson, Venice

Declare Victims of Slavery Day

Since Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a “Victims of Communism Day” and requires that schools teach students about the victims of communism, it only makes sense that he declares a “Victims of Slavery Day” and requires that schools teach students about the victims of slavery.

He says that our schools must teach the truth, so let’s see it. Or is he just spouting a bunch of racist and right-wing baloney and passing self-serving laws like a dictator?

William Anderson, Sarasota

Abortion could go the way of Prohibition

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Take, for example, the 18th and 21st Amendments to the Constitution.

Recognizing the evils of drink, the “Prohibition Amendment,” banning manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors, was ratified in 1919. Congress added the Volstead Act, assigning enforcement of the new law to the IRS, but it was no equal for what was to come.

The end result was a new wave of illegal activity for production and distribution of alcohol. This fueled a rise in gang violence. Fortunes were made importing foreign liquor during this period.

The rise in gang violence and other crimes associated with Prohibition ultimately brought demand for its repeal. The 21st Amendment ended national Prohibition in 1933.

This scenario is on the verge of being repeated as the Supreme Court yields to those seeking to abolish abortion. If this happens, demand for abortions will give rebirth to the deadly system of illegal abortion practices that existed before Roe v. Wade. As with Prohibition, those lacking economic resources will suffer most.

T. Guy Spencer, Sarasota

Regardless of party, extremists spread lies

Republicans are not the problem. Democrats are not the problem. Extremists of any political party are the problem.

In other words:

• Anybody who spreads proven lies, like “Donald Trump won the 2020 election.”

·• Anyone who is working to suppress the vote.

• Anyone who gerrymanders an election district to penalize minority voters, or to boost one party over another.

• Anyone who wants to control which books we read.

• Anyone who still believes “climate change” is a hoax.

• Anyone who dishonors veterans by defacing the POW flag to claim that the insurrectionists and seditionists of Jan. 6, who are common criminals, are “political prisoners.”

Those involved in any of the above need to step back and act on the facts, not on outright lies or misinformation.

Then, we’ll all have common ground to do the hard work to counter the threats to our democracy.

Gene Jones, president, Florida Veterans for Common Sense

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is a celebration and acknowledgment of the history, traditions and culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders that continues to impact American society positively.

AAPI Heritage commemoration was proposed in 1977 as a weeklong observance of the accomplishments and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in May 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869 due to the assistance of countless Chinese laborers.

This AAPI observance was extended to the entire month of May in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations recognizes the increase in hate crimes, especially those directed toward the Asian community. All Americans, regardless of race, deserve to be treated kindly and equally.

As executive director of the commission, I urge the citizens of Florida who feel they have been discriminated against in the workplace, public accommodations or housing to contact our agency.

Our agency’s vision is to eliminate discrimination in the state, and contacting our agency is the first step to achieving that goal.

Contact the FCHR at 850-488-7082 or http://fchr.state.fl.us.

Cheyanne Costilla, executive director of the Florida Commission on Human Relations

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Governor taking state in right direction, Victims of Slavery Day