GOP members: How do Trump's actions justify arrest? Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3, 2023
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Shortsighted commission
My question to the members of the Brevard County Commission: Do you understand that it is your responsibility to serve your constituents — or, instead, do you make decisions and vote to serve your own selfish concerns and biases?
Commissioner Rita Pritchard decided that Mims should not have fluoride in their drinking water. Was she interested or concerned about the thoughts of the residents? I think not.
And now the commission has voted to end funding of all arts and cultural organizations. Was anyone consulted about this decision? Or once again did, the commissioners act out of their own self-interests?
Linda Lopardo, Titusville
Is Golden Rule relegated to relic?
Recent articles in FLORIDA TODAY have had a common theme showing how the "Golden Rule," treating others as you would expect to be treated, has been either forgotten or never taught.
The first was "Mom: Football is over for him." How would those high school football team members feel if they were filmed being sexually assaulted? I cannot imagine they would like it or that this would have happened had they been taught and followed the Golden Rule.
Another story, "Richey is new senior chancellor in education department," stated, "No child is defined by the color of their skin." If this is true, why on Aug. 23 did a Florida elementary school have an assembly on low grades but only for Black children?
Unfortunately, people’s "color of their skin" has in the past and present determined whether they were allowed to attend certain schools, sit at a lunch counter, ride in the front of a bus, not be violently attacked when trying to vote or, as just happened in Jacksonville, murdered while shopping. Plus, today it might be unlawful to teach some of these facts of American history.
The last story was ‘Who’s Anthony? Why is his song hot?’ The lyrics from Oliver Anthony's "RIch Men North of Richmond" are nothing but excuses because the only way not to "waste my life away" is not by blaming others but by taking responsibility for choices that define your future. It is, once again, the consequences of the corroded Golden Rule.
We need to bring back the shine to the Golden Rule.
Anita Moore, Merritt Island
What was Trump's crime?
On Aug. 14, the news came out that President Trump had been indicted and must turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta or be arrested. The president complied on Aug. 24 and was released on a $200,000 bond.
The individual issuing the indictment was Fani Willis, district attorney for that area. Willis did not clarify what the president had done to merit indictment and/or arrest, nor did she even hint at any laws that had been broken — only that he had stated that he believed the 2020 election was unfair and had been "rigged." That is not illegal, nor does it justify arrest and indictment. That is a matter of freedom of speech, and anyone who chooses can express their opinion on American election fairness or appropriateness of our elections at any time.
Why did any court address such a complaint? This is America. Freedom of speech and the right to hire a lawyer are American rights. Yet even the lawyers were indicted and threatened with jail. Does anyone know what is going on? If so, please explain it to us. Whatever it is, it's definitely not necessary and probably not even legal — that is, if this is still the USA.
Sylvia Sharpe, Doug Sharpe and Paula Estridge, Melbourne, are members of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee.
Say no to GOP's ACE
So former President Trump has been indicted for interfering in our elections but the Republican Party continues to add fuel to the fire by working to make it easier for future politicians to undermine elections.
The ACE (American Confidence in Elections) Act, introduced by Republicans in Congress does nothing but make it easier for the next person attempting to take over the election just as Trump is being indicted for in Georgia. We need to bring attention to this effort and ensure Republicans who support this act are held accountable.
Susan Ketterer, Fort Pierce
Not voting helps no one
I read the AP article today, "Poll: Biden is 'old,' Trump is 'corrupt'" with abject horror. The general opinion seemed to be that since neither candidate appealed to them, voters would not vote.
No, people. No. Bad idea. How do you think Trump got into office in the first place? Some Democrats and many Independents didn't like Hilary so they stayed home. The Trump people showed up. The Trump people always show up. Think Jan. 6. And we ended up with a career criminal in the White House.
I, too, am not thrilled with electing someone almost as old as me for president, but if we don't, we'll get Trump back again and that is not good for anybody.
Think of it this way: The only thing that can get a bad guy in the White House is a good guy with a vote who does nothing.
Connie McCavour, Rockledge
Guilty verdict vs. 'true innocence'
Two articles in the Aug. 27 edition of FLORIDA TODAY, about the Georgia indictment of former President Trump, contain versions of a quote about guilt of an accused person.
The first "Mug shot a unique American moment" contains the quote "...Trump, like all Americans, is innocent until proven guilty in court." This is a common but incorrect version that often appears in print.
The second in the article "Cash bail meant to deter wrongdoing" contains a more correct version "In the U. S., people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court." This reflects the fact that in the U.S. a person must be proved to have committed the crime of which they are charged before being convicted.
True innocence means that the accused person did not do what he is accused of doing. Sometimes a person is found guilty of committing a crime in court which he did not in fact commit. He is still innocent. FLORIDA TODAY reporter John Torres has written a number of articles about persons in Brevard County who were convicted of murder when in fact they were innocent of that charge.
James Beasom, Melbourne Village
God's plan for the planet
Today’s environmentalists have concluded that global warming and climate change are all about man-made influences on the environment. This belief extends to restricting our influence on nature as a matter of urgency for the sake of life and the survival of the planet.
The current political administration in the U.S. goes so far as to restrict production of fossil fuels and dictating our nation’s future dependence on electric vehicles, as its way of saving earth from man’s eventual destruction of the planet, while making us dangerously dependent on our existential rival, China.
As a Bible-believer, I’ve become convinced earth’s survivability depends, ultimately, on God’s controlling influence on the creation He crafted. It makes no sense to me that He would be unable to preserve that which He created.
More: Could climate change push more croc-like creatures Brevard's way?
If the Rapture (1 Thes. 4:13-18) was to occur today, the Biblical account of earth’s longevity would extend for at least another 1,007 years, through the tribulation, surviving Armageddon and Christ’s thousand-year reign on earth, ending with Revelation Chapter 20. At that point, a new heaven and a new earth will replace our current planet and a new Jerusalem will descend from heaven as the new home for believers on into eternity.
This revelation, from the risen Christ, to John, his beloved apostle, has been in existence in Christianity for over 2,000 years. Unfortunately, even many believers get caught up in the arguments over man’s influence on earth’s destiny. We can conserve God’s creation, but He determines its destiny.
Ed Taylor, Satellite Beach
Here's to laborers past, present
The hard work and tireless efforts of American laborers has contributed to this country’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. The first Monday of every September, also known as Labor Day, is the time celebrate the achievements of American workers. Many celebrate the social and economic achievements of both blue- and white-collar workers by swimming, barbecuing, spending time with family, and watching parades.
The working environment that exists now is the result of the Labor Movement in the late 19th century. Many Americans spent over 60 hours working weekly to afford basic living, children worked to assist their families financially, and working conditions were oftentimes dangerous and strenuous, with little or no workers’ rights and low wages. These conditions led to ample rallies and strikes until Congress made changes. Now, Americans have safe working conditions, 40-hour work weeks, paid time off, sick leave, and labor departments to ensure workers’ rights.
The Florida Commission on Human Relations, Florida’s enforcer of the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Florida Fair Housing Act, comprises a team of dedicated individuals who serve workers and businesses across the Sunshine State. Our phenomenal team strives each day to ensure that Florida workers are treated fairly, given access to all employment opportunities, and not subjected to unlawful discrimination.
As we prepare for this three-day weekend, let's take some time to acknowledge that the American Dream is made possible due to the working class; therefore, all laborers, past and present, are deserving of recognition.
Cheyanne Costilla is executive director of the Florida Commission on Human Relations in Tallahassee.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What was Trump's actual crime? Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3, 2023
