Friday's letters: Disgust over 'Victory for Life Day,' racial history, Circus City, more
Manatee wrong to celebrate Roe reversal
I must express profound disgust at the Manatee County commissioners for their 6-1 vote praising the overturning of Roe v. Wade (“Manatee County declares ‘Victory for Life Day,’" July 26).
Honoring a decision on an issue that has religious overtones has no place in local politics – or national, for that matter.
The Manatee County commissioners were elected to guide and make policy for the county, not to endorse a ruling that takes rights away from anyone.
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If the commissioners choose to allow their personal beliefs to rule their decisions, rather than doing their primary jobs as commissioners, they should be replaced with people who appreciate the jobs they are elected to do.
Dave Hilsheimer, Bradenton
Remove Piney Point water in tanker cars
I wonder if the geniuses who allowed Piney Point to become such a danger to our Tampa Bay water ever thought of this solution: railroad tanker cars.
Yes, it will cost more than flushing 4.5 million gallons of dangerous effluent and crossing our fingers that the bay can safely accommodate this poison.
A temporary railroad spur line could be built into Piney Point. A tank car holds 34,500 gallons. Only 131 tank cars would accommodate all 4.5 million gallons and could be transported into unpopulated vast wastelands.
As my mother used to say, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Get.”
Steve Edwards, Lakewood Ranch
Undeniable facts that make up our history
There’s no denying the bitter divide in America today, but, when teaching history, I believe that facts are facts. And, as John Adams said, “Facts are stubborn things.”
History teaches us that:
• For 89 years after its birth, America allowed people to own other people.
• While Abraham Lincoln intended for freed slaves to get the vote, his successor worked against it.
• 31 years after the Civil War, Plessy v. Ferguson instituted “whites only” and “colored” facilities.
• Five years later, Theodore Roosevelt was vilified for allowing Booker T. Washington into the White House.
• 20 years after that, the Tulsa Race Massacre led to at least 36 needless black deaths.
• 20 years after that, African Americans were allowed to die for their country in World War II, but not allowed to fight side by side with whites.
• It took 13 more years for the “whites only” signs to come down.
• 44 years after that, three white supremacists chained James Byrd Jr. to a car bumper and dragged him to his death.
• In the ensuing 24 years, hate crimes against African Americans have outnumbered hate crimes against all other groups combined.
What will history teach us in the future? That politicians like Gov. Ron DeSantis thought students were too delicate to know any of this.
Ken Sidlow, Nokomis
Military doesn’t train troops to teach
The Florida Department of Education’s decision to allow veterans and their spouses to teach our children in the public school system without any formal teaching education is beyond belief!
To think that service in the military would provide a person the ability to teach is crazy! And their spouse gets to play teacher, too.
Florida is experiencing a shortage of teachers. Why? Because of the culture wars that have been levied on our schools by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Teachers fear reprisal for unwittingly doing something that goes against DeSantis and his dictums.
The recently much publicized Moms for Liberty was founded in 2021 out of a desire to influence school boards during a very difficult pandemic. Group members have disrupted school board meetings and railed against so many things in schools.
I would hope that Moms for Liberty co-founder and Sarasota School Board Member Bridget Ziegler would oppose the admittance of unqualified individuals to teach children in our public school system.
Paul E. White, Sarasota
Keeping Circus City spirit alive
I grew up in Sarasota during the ’50s and ’60s when it was known as Circus City. We went to school with the children of circus performers. We saw circus equipment in backyards throughout town.
My wife and I have attended the Summer Circus Spectacular for many years. This year’s show at the Historic Asolo Theater was one of the best.
Thanks, Circus Arts Conservatory, for keeping the circus spirit alive and reminding us where we came from.
Pat Miller, Sarasota
Thanks for enlarging Cryptoquip
The Herald-Tribune has once again proved to be a wonderful and supportive newspaper.
The wide smile on my face, the spark of joy to my heart and my unstrained eyes and penmanship all reflect my gratitude to the editor for enlarging my daily Cryptoquip!
You can’t imagine what a struggle solving the tiny print has been, but you listened to your reader and responded accordingly. I sincerely thank you.
Vee Garry-Chiulli, Nokomis
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Disgust at Manatee's 'Victory for Life Day,' Piney Point solution
