Letters 2-16: Don't flatter DeSantis, who weaponizes office, attracts immigrants; religion

Stop promoting DeSantis with flattering descriptions

We’re seeing inaccurate, uncritical usage of the words like “conservative firebrand” to describe Gov. Ron DeSantis admiringly in the press (TC Palm, Feb. 7: “GOP-led Florida Legislature opens session to fix flaws in weapons used by DeSantis”).

We’d like to challenge that. There’s nothing “conservative” or small government about the mass banning of books, discriminating against LGBTQ people, attacking and interfering with businesses like Disney that speak their minds, pulling stunts using public funds to score political points while using brown peoples’ lives as pawns, taking over the boards of colleges, and more.

The latest, to quote a friend in the case of the Disney brouhaha the governor created: “DeSantis would now control the appointees that oversee Disney's theme parks. If Disney opposes DeSantis or does something DeSantis dislikes, he can punish them by denying critical services or increasing taxes. People need to wake up to what he's doing.”

Normalizing this type of behavior in a leader uncritically by using words like “conservative firebrand” is dangerous and has many warning parallels in history ― all authoritarian or fascist.

Words have power. Our press needs to choose them more carefully and honestly before our America ends up like Viktor Orban’s Hungary or worse — the opposite of freedom.

DeSantis' actions make us ashamed he’s in charge of our state. It would be regretful for many more people if he were ever allowed to ascend to higher office.

Scott Francis, Vero Beach

First Amendment provides freedom from religion, too

In reference to a letter Feb. 5, I have a few thoughts:

It's true, the United States was the first nation in history to build its society on the concept of separation of church and state.

Still, the writer seems to have skewed the Founding Fathers' words and concepts. The suggestion our country was founded on the concept of "freedom of religion," not "freedom from religion," missed the whole idea of what freedom actually means.

It does NOT mean that our government, be it local, state or national, has the right to foist certain religious habits or practices onto those who would prefer not to participate in such a display or hear such words at a public meeting or forum.

It DOES mean that we, as U.S. citizens, can expect our freedom "from" certain coercions, be they religiously oriented or otherwise, will be respected.

In this current absolute control and right-wing based government of DeSantis Florida, one might expect this sort of theory, but just because one wishes something to be true does not make it a viable argument.

I enjoy my "freedom from religion" and don't want to see that freedom eroded by religious fanatics who want to foist their own religious views onto the rest of us. The recent behavior of certain citizens at the Stuart City Commission is just another example of the coercive spirit of today's right wing religious zealots who require "my way or the highway," just like their "hero," the disgraced former president, who, by the way, took advantage of these folks who were snookered and used by him. His lifelong behaviors certainly indicate he is definitely not a Christian.

Sharon E. Garland, Hobe Sound

History shows zealots don't always live by Golden Rule

You might know the Stuart City Commission voted 3-2 in favor of public prayers before city meetings.

The reasons given for instituting public prayer at city meetings included promises that God would protect Stuart from natural disasters and guide commissioners in their decision making. Some called for prayer at city meetings as their way to thank God for helping them deal with various stressors of life.

When I look at the history of religion’s involvement with government, I don’t find the kindness that religious people tend to associate with their faith. I am reminded of the crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans, the Crusades, witch hunts, Inquisitions, Adolf Hitler’s troops with an insignia on their belt that translated to “God is with us,” and the current bond between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.

One of the challenges facing city commissioners will be to decide what religious and secular perspectives they will authorize to deliver invocations that meet the constitutional requirement to treat everyone equally.

As founder of Humanists of the Treasure Coast, a secular organization meeting the needs of non-religious individuals and families, I wish the Stuart City commissioners success in that endeavor.

I am hopeful Treasure Coast religious and secular leaders, and their members, will skillfully promote an atmosphere of mutual respect as these issues are discussed. While the religious and secular community generally agree on the value of treating others as we want to be treated, putting this value into practice has often proved to be a challenge, especially regarding religious matters.

Joe Beck, Port St. Lucie

Why leave out Jesus from list of Jews?

I’m still furious and shaken after receiving a circular of names of people of the Jewish faith, or so claim those who distributed this flier of hate since rat poison reportedly was included in the zip-close bag by those who claim to quote the Christian Bible for validation of this heinous act.

They claim at the end of the list that these fliers were distributed randomly and without malicious intent. So why the alleged rat poison?

I find it curious that these individuals failed to include the name of the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, who was Jewish on their list of famous Jews.

Joan Fox, Vero Beach

Get Snyder, other state representatives to fund Alzheimer's programs

I just attended the Alzheimer’s Association Rally in Tally with my fellow Alzheimer’s advocates from across Florida. I’m here to explain why we must take legislative action to address the Alzheimer’s crisis in Florida.

Having been a caregiver for my husband who died for Alzheimer’s disease, I understand the urgency and importance of Alzheimer’s research funding and search for a cure or treatment.

I urge Rep. John Snyder to support key Alzheimer’s legislation this year. That includes establishing baseline dementia training standards for all long-term care providers, sustaining funding for the Alzheimer's Association Brain Bus, implementing a statewide Alzheimer's and other dementia public awareness campaign, supporting funding for critically needed, person-centered home and community-based services including the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative and Community Care for the Elderly, and increase funding for groundbreaking Alzheimer's research through the Ed and Ethel Moore Research Program.

As the number of Floridians grows rapidly, so too will the number of new and existing cases of Alzheimer’s. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in Florida is projected to grow to 720,000, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or cure Alzheimer’s disease.

Please contact your state representative and urge him or her to support Alzheimer’s legislation.

Doris Sanders, Stuart

DeSantis reason why undocumented immigrants flock here?

Clearly, our governor is the one responsible for the great influx of undocumented immigrants to Florida.

If Ron DeSantis wasn’t making Florida such a gosh darn wonderful place to live by quashing freedom of speech and encouraging the purchase of gas stoves, I doubt they would be coming to our great and progressive state in such numbers. Instead, they would be content to stay put in their impoverished and dangerous communities south of the border.

And if you are taking me seriously, all I can do is quote that great philosopher, Charlie Brown: “Don’t you know sarcasm when you hear it?”

At least the great Florida weather makes all this craziness and pandering bearable; well, almost.

Julie Eisdorfer, Vero Beach

Weaponizing governor's office to attack opponents wrong

As Ron DeSantis marches Florida off to communism, I thought I would point out a few things the governor has done that would make Vladimir Lenin proud.

DeSantis fired an elected official because he dared to have different politics. DeSantis punished the largest private employer in the state because it has different politics. The bookshelves at some public schools have been stripped for fear the books don't agree with DeSantis’ politics. DeSantis is attempting to strip the liquor licenses of businesses that do not agree with his politics.

DeSantis has weaponized the office of the governor to go after folks who dare to disagree with him. The governor is using the power of the governor's office to suppress free speech in the state of Florida.

That seems like communism to me.

Don Whisman, Stuart

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Don't flatter DeSantis; First Amendment, immigration, religion | Letters