Hypocrisy and book bans; misguided Moms for Liberty: Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10, 2023
Hypocrisy and book bans
Katie Delaney, a member of the Brevard school board book review committee appointed by Gene Trent, the board's leading book banner, was reported to favor removal of the book "Sold." She was reported to admit that the book, ultimately approved for high-schoolers only, didn't break state statute but said, "What kind of content do we want in our schools?" Apparently she wants to approve all books used in the schools.
Delaney was in the audience when Trent launched a stealth non-agenda proposal to remove 298 books from Brevard schools ('Brevard school board shoots down Trent's motion to use state list as guide to ban books,' FLORIDA TODAY, Dec. 6). She said she worked with the legislature to pass book ban bill HB 1069.
Delaney and Trent would probably both want FLORIDA TODAY banned from schools because it reported that Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler and her husband had group sex with a female friend, a subject which appears to meet the ban she promotes.
Trent was endorsed in the last election by Moms for Liberty. Perhaps he should disassociate himself from the group given the behavior of its co-founder. At least he could demand her removal from the group as many Republicans have demanded removal of her husband from chairmanship of the Republican Party.
James Beasom, Melbourne Village
Who's in charge here?
If there must be a book review committee deciding what's in Brevard Public Schools classrooms and libraries, why does the committee have to submit their recommendations to the school board for approval?
The five school board members each appointed a committee member to act as proxy. It seems to me that the board should take the committee’s decisions as final. Why add the extra step?
Susan Griffith, Satellite Beach
Tobia's candidacy stands out
Commissioner John Tobia's bid for Brevard Supervisor of Elections signals a move toward transparent and inclusive governance. With a background steeped in academia and a history in the Florida House of Representatives characterized by fiscal conservatism, Commissioner Tobia embodies accountable leadership.
His candidacy amid the evolving electoral landscape promises a renewed era of trust and inclusivity. However, it's crucial to acknowledge Commissioner Tobia's past vote against my AHAC (Affordable Housing Advisory Committee) appointment, reflecting differing viewpoints.
Current Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic also stands as a commendable choice. In my interactions, he displayed cordiality, amiability, and responded to inquiries with respect and kindness. Personally, I find his personality appealing, but politics isn't just about perception. We need responsible elected officials — individuals who transcend partisan lines and prioritize constituents' needs.
Despite differing preferences, Commissioner Tobia's commitment to transparent governance remains evident. His record of responsible leadership echoes the community's desire for fair and transparent electoral practices. He embodies the catalyst for change, the philosopher's stone in politics, transforming ideas into actionable change. This narrative aims to highlight how one can acknowledge differences while advocating for justified representation. Regardless of personal affinity, the paramount need remains for leaders committed to constituents and fostering transparent governance for a better electoral system.
Robert Klimkowski, Melbourne
China's influence on America
Like a quiet, creeping disease, China seems determined to overtake the U.S. as the world’s leading superpower. But its methods are like nothing we have seen before.
China has not been satisfied with just owning a large share of our $33 trillion national debt. By the end of 2021, China had purchased 380,000 acres of U.S. farm land, much of it near sensitive military installations.
For a quarter of a century China has quietly invested in U.S. fertilizer companies, chemical companies, food processing companies, mineral mining interests and 80% of the prescription drug ingredients needed to serve our population for even the simplest medical treatments.
In the area of financials, China has taken advantage of our open and deeply liquid financial markets to worm its way into many of our market indexes, successfully selling themselves to U.S. pension funds and investment funds like Vanguard as attractive emerging market opportunities. These proceeds have financed China’s economic and military development for years. According to Homeland Security southwestern border statistics, in FY 2023, alone, over 26,000 mostly military-age Chinese males have been processed into the country, claiming asylum status, with minimum vetting. Really?
The Biden administration now wants to mandate electric vehicles in America, components of which China will control for many years.
Solutions are complicated by greedy corporations seeking Chinese sales, an administration blind to national security threats, civil and military, and a Congress too politically divided to be effective. A November 2024 political turnover is America’s only hope.
Ed Taylor, Satellite Beach
About that 'Patriot Award' ...
The Dec. 3 letter submitted by members of the Brevard County Republican Executive Committee, praising a Patriot Award to Moms for Liberty, failed to mention what Patriot Awards are.
Patriot Awards are a Fox program; awards are primarily given to persons and or organizations that exemplify right wing extremist “values." Granted, a few recipients deserved awards, but not from this arm of Fox. Many recipients support the chipping away of our freedoms, especially the right to vote and freedom of (and from) religion. Many, I suspect, support the concept that when written, “We hold these truths to be self evident … that all men are created equal” that “men” literally meant white men, not women, not men of color and definitely not American Indians.
I hope the Opry received a substantial fee for the use of their facilities; the Patriot Awards show has cast a shadow over their brand.
Gregory Pierce, Cocoa
These moms aren't about liberty
I found the "Congrats to Moms for Liberty" letter in the Dec. 3 Opinion section, accompanied with a photo of Gov. DeSantis receiving "The Sword of Liberty" from the originators of that organization, extremely alarming and Republican Party-affirmed.
Moms for Liberty is an oxymoron. This self-appointed group of women with their puritanical, fascist leaning do not represent liberty, but rather bondage, advocating restriction of free choice granted to American citizens in the Bill of Rights. Moms for Liberty aren't members of Congress, but they are garnering support from congressional members treading close to infringement of the First Amendment.
Moms for Liberty's intentions may be honorable, but they're misguided in their actions, constraining, eliminating, and disavowing shameful behavior in our nation's past. Their refusal to accept different orientations in society is disreputable and perhaps unconstitutional.
Freedom of choice made our nation inviting to other people around the world. Meanwhile, there are Senate and congressional members resorting to subliminal methodology in an effort to undermine our democratic system with fascist inclinations.
Pay close attention, Floridians. During the 1930s and early 1940s, Nazi agents managed to recruit some senators, congressmen, and high profile influential American citizens to covertly espouse fascism.
Gregory W. Hewitt, Melbourne
Trump's poll numbers make sense
In the Dec. 3 edition, letter writer Jeff Dorman asks how can anyone support Trump.
He cites four judges who found "things," but juries, not judges, determine guilt.
Trump, a billionaire, left that comfortable life for politics due to his concerns for our country, unlike Biden, who has never worked outside government and was paid by us taxpayers his whole career. His occasional speeches claiming jobs like truck driver, etc., seem in doubt as there have never been any records of them.
Trump never accepted a government salary: He donated it. His record is unmatched: energy independence, safe southern border, best unemployment rates ever, including for minorities. International neighbors respecting the U.S. NATO allies "owning"up to their funding obligations; bad actors slunk back and/or eliminated. Chinese goods taxed, making markets fairer for U.S. companies. Starting to tackle the huge government bureaucracy before his time ran out, although that huge monolith is enacting some payback nowadays.
Biden reversed Trump's policies with predictable consequences — the highest inflation in 40 years, closing U.S. energy production, robbing our strategic oil reserve, funds to Iran allowed financing terrorists including Hamas. His horrendous Afghanistan exit left numerous U.S. weapons and vehicles to the terrorists.
Lastly Trump is mentally sharp, whereas Biden seems mentally challenged during recent public appearances.
So the writer can't understand Trump's "stupefyingly high poll numbers"? Well, we certainly do.
George Minto, Titusville
EV nightmares ahead?
When electric vehicles get in full swing, their $4,000 to $20,000 batteries will be sitting ducks for the lawless and uncontrollable smash-and-grab mob.
If and when that happens, black markets will rise up with plenty of to sell and plenty of electric vehicles owners to buy them. Corruption across the nation will resemble Prohibition days.
Melvin Deere, Melbourne
'Tell us what you stand for'
Personally, I’m tired of the fighting. What I want to hear from our "wannabe" presidents, county commissioners, state and federal legislators is not what they are against or whom they are against but what they are standing for; how they will be representing us and me.
I don’t care if DeSantis doesn’t like Haley and Haley doesn’t like Trump — what will they do for us? How will they keep America the strongest and kindest nation in the world? How will they guide us with a moral compass? The more they fight each other, the more I turn the TV off and flip the pages of my newspaper.
Laura Petruska, Melbourne
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Moms for Liberty are misguided: Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10, 2023
