Friday's letters: 'Perils of Kevin McCarthy,' Harvard education gone wrong

How far will congressman go to win speaker?

It’s hard to watch “The Perils of Kevin McCarthy” without thinking of the play, “A Man for All Seasons,” particularly the key scene when a young former associate of Sir Thomas More turns on him in payment for higher office − in this case a governmental position in Wales.

It was clear that, for this young man, ethics and morality came in second to an increase in personal power, status and wealth. When the situation became clear to Sir Thomas, he uttered the most famous line of the play: “It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.  But for Wales?”

Only Mr. McCarthy knows the truth of the allegations that he stands for nothing but achieving the power and status of the speaker’s gavel, his overt flip-flopping on the Jan. 6 attack and support of Donald Trump notwithstanding.

More:How to send a letter to the editor

Whether or not McCarthy will achieve such office is an open point. But considering that the Republicans’ House “agenda” seems completely empty except for impeaching President Joe Biden and raking his son over the coals, one might be excused for thinking McCarthy is all about personal political power, no more, no less.

In that case, his taking Sir Thomas’ words to heart is in order.

David Cohen, Sarasota

Lying with impunity order of the day

We had four years of Donald Trump spewing lies 24/7.  Lies easily disproved.  But it didn’t matter.

Then a parade of Supreme Court justice nominees looked into the cameras and told us that Roe v. Wade was settled law. Yet, breaking that precedent was one of the first things they did.

The wife of one justice seems to have not read about Caesar’s wife, failing to remain “above suspicion” by appearing to interfere in matters of state when married to a high official. It doesn’t matter today.

Then we had the unraveling of Congressman-elect George Santos, exposing his true self.  He lied.

A news release on his website said Santos was sworn in Jan. 3, but that was incorrect. He will be sworn in after Republicans choose a speaker. His lies obviously don’t matter.

Now it should not surprise anyone that we have a vision of U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy standing around the halls of the Congress handing out promises to gut the ethics committee if lawmakers vote for him. It wasn’t enough to get their votes because ethics just don’t matter to the Republicans.

Peter S. Cohoon, Bradenton

Ladapo has misused his Harvard education

The Jan. 3 letter, “Ladapo handled pandemic brilliantly,” praises the surgeon general’s insight and brilliance.

The letter begins by listing his academic achievements at Harvard as a validation of his qualifications to be Florida’s surgeon general that make him more qualified than many of his peers nationwide.

Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, entered Harvard at the age of 16 and had a brilliant academic career before becoming a professor of mathematics. How an elite education is used can be a reason for praise or prison.

Ladapo’s recent appearance on anti-vaccine and misinformation podcasts gives these sites credibility. For centuries, smallpox was one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with a mortality rate of 30%. The world became free of smallpox in 1980. Vaccines and isolation were largely responsible.

The risk/benefit of vaccines is arguable for different populations. Individuals should be able to make their own decisions, but when false or inaccurate information is promulgated, the best decision won’t be made.

The growing anti-vaccine movement and the distrust of public health experts is a serious threat to public health.

Barry Steiger, Bradenton

Senate president clueless about worker pay

In the front-page story Dec. 30, “Pandemic emptied plazas,” Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, says “. . . a secretary that’s making maybe $55,000, $60,000 a year, can’t afford to live anywhere on the coast."

Passidomo is hopelessly out of touch with her constituency! The average salary for secretaries in Florida is $32,000, according to Indeed.com.

If they made as much as Passidomo claims, they wouldn’t have nearly as much trouble finding affordable housing closer to their jobs.

Ingrid Cardozo, Sarasota

Super story on shrimp industry

The article on the shrimp boat “saga” was a super story told with some super writing.

Thank you for a nice New Year’s Day sendoff ("SHRIMP & GRIT," Fort Myers News-Press, Jan. 1).

Patti Brodersen, Bradenton

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: McCarthy aims for power and status; Harvard not to blame for Ladapo