Letters: Advocating for rights of Palestinians does not equate to endorsing Hamas

As citizens of a great nation, we are collectively dismayed by the recent developments in Israel and Palestine. The past week has brought forth distressing news and images that weigh heavily on our collective conscience.

Violence, regardless of its source — whether from the state, organizations or individuals — is unequivocally horrific. There is no other way to characterize it. Any person with a modicum of humanity would be appalled by the sight of a lifeless child, whether Palestinian or Israeli. It transcends political or religious affiliations.

As a Muslim, advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people does not equate to endorsing terrorism or harboring anti-Semitic sentiments. The ongoing dehumanization of Palestinians, coupled with the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza that has claimed the lives of 3,000 civilians (including children), should deeply trouble anyone who values peace.

The people of Gaza have endured an existence akin to an open-air prison since 2007. Numerous human rights organizations, both domestic and international, have documented war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. In this grim reality, the path to peace lies in negotiation and reconciliation.

It is incumbent upon us to restore humanity on both sides with equality and justice. Only through this balanced approach can we hope to attain lasting peace. We implore our local and national leaders to use their influence and bring all conflicting parties to the negotiating table. The resolution of this crisis must adhere to UN-mandated principles, particularly Resolution 181.

Let us collectively advocate for peace and love, extending our hopes for a better future to all.

Mohammed Touheed, Jacksonville

Voters should have a say on stadium

What is the rush to spend more than $1 billion on a stadium that we have already spent many millions of dollars on already? I bet we still owe millions on the bonds the city has already issued. How many times has the city had to pay bond expenses out of general revenue when there weren’t enough funds from taxes and stadium revenue to make the required bond payments?

We have a perfectly good stadium now which only needs minor repairs. There are many NFL stadiums that are traditional stadiums (open air) and many are in very cold cities. If it is too hot for a few games, then schedule those to be played in the evening or at night. We are only talking about a couple of preseason games and maybe one or two in September. Only one side of the field (east) is in direct sunlight in the early afternoon, at any rate.

This plan is a waste of money. It seems Shad Khan gets his way on just about everything he wants like swimming pools, new scoreboards, locker rooms, practice fields, eating areas, parking spaces and advertising around the upper deck. All the city gets are the expenses. The Jags only play eight regular season games in Jacksonville and this year played two games in London.

How are we going to pay the interest and the bond sinking fund expenses without the money coming from general revenue?

I bet the city will issue tax-exempt bonds for our part and Khan will want them for his part, too. If he doesn’t make his payments, then the city will be stuck with them, since they will be issuing the bonds.

This would be the largest debt this city has ever undertaken, and it seems there is such a rush to get it done — without a vote by the taxpayers, who will ultimately be responsible for paying the debt. There is an election coming up in November 2024 that will have a large voter turnout. This stadium project should be on the ballot.

Wendell Welman, Jacksonville

Teaching: A true hostile work environment

How many of you would apply for a job where you are not allowed to do your best and your new boss has often publicly demonstrated quite a punitive streak? In addition, six of the seven people who hired you could possibly be gone within a year, replaced by those whose personal agendas take priority not only over their own lives, but also yours and all your clients.

If this situation sounds familiar, that might be because Duval County Schools received far fewer candidates for superintendent than expected — 10, instead of 20 or 30 — and several did not even meet minimum standards. For that reason, no one has been chosen and the selection process was moved to a later date.

Unless current conditions in education change, the number of qualified candidates may not improve here (or anywhere in Florida).

There are many definitions of education. It's a purposeful activity aimed at the transmission of knowledge, skills and character, helping learners to utilize and think about what they have learned. It's a process of inviting truth and possibility, of giving time to analysis and discovery. That is why I devoted my life to education for 43 years.

Our current state leaders tout Florida as a beacon of education, a model for the nation, often based on statistics compiled before they were elected. The facts clearly demonstrate that professionals do not want to teach or become administrators in Florida. After all, it’s a state where thinking is stifled and those who choose to speak out are often penalized in some way.

Best of luck to our Duval County School Board; you have a daunting task ahead of you, which may not be improving any time soon. Meanwhile, thanks to School Board Chair Kelly Coker and to interim Superintendent Dr. Dana Kriznar for continuing to hold out for the high standards we so desperately need.

Rhoda T. London, retired teacher and adjunct professor

Retirement incomes will decline for most Americans

If you are under 60 you should pay attention to how Congress is depressing your retirement income and health care by allowing federal government debt to rise to 124% of Gross Domestic Product.

In 1980 it was at 35% of GDP and adjusted for inflation, it rises to 150% GDP by 2027. Social Security and health care are budgeted for 53.3% of the GDP. It will probably take at least 25 years to bring this debt to a prudent level and much of this will be done by reducing Social Security and health care. It also limits our ability to fight a war.

A sizable part of the problem is earmarks. For example, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) earmarked more than $600 million as a gift to citizens of Maine over the last two years. Another issue is that Congress stopped managing spending programs in individual government departments, in lieu of simply passing an overall percentage increase for each department.

What I consider the biggest problem, however, is that the Supreme Court allowed corporations to make political donations, effectively turning control of this country over to the wealthy. The top 10% of Americans owned about 70 percent of the total U.S. wealth in the second quarter of 2023. Within the top 10%, the top 1% held about half of that wealth, or 32.1% of the total.

Some of the very wealthy pay a lower percentage of income taxes than the average citizen. They also can defer estate taxes for a number of years. They effectively control the Supreme Court. With rare exception, most Supreme Court Justices graduated from Harvard or Yale, excluding the rest of the country.

What can we do? In my mind, the only solution is to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting corporations from making political donations.

William Malone, Jacksonville

Aquarium project needs a name

For many years there have been back-and-forth discussions about an aquarium to grace the riverfront in downtown Jacksonville (without anything actually being done).

As the discussions concerning the rebuilding and financing of the Jaguars stadium unfold, how about incorporating the aquarium into the mix? This may already be happening among the various groups studying this issue. This time, though, include a name in any such plans; something like "The Khan-Weaver Aquarium.”

Such a building and those drawn by its presence would seem to fit very well with Shad Khan's ideas as to how he sees this area being developed. Also, J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver have done so much for Jacksonville, their name would add a boost to this endeavor.

Of course, there are many possible variations of the above suggested names and considerations for the funding of this project. As Jacksonville is my hometown, I would participate in any such fundraising. Presented in the right way, I believe many other citizens and businesses would do likewise.

An added consideration for those contemplating a move to Jacksonville would not only be something to enjoy in their new hometown, but how everyone worked together to make it happen. A lot of "win-win" situations could be involved.

Paul Williams, Orange Park

Monroe’s insults are unprofessional

I was disgusted by Nate Monroe’s Oct. 19 column titled "Map hijinks leave city voiceless in House chaos." His column is nothing but a diatribe that is insulting to a majority of the people of Northeast Florida. Monroe bashes our local U.S. Congressmen Aaron Bean and John Rutherford, while also throwing a potshot at Gov. Ron DeSantis in what I can only describe as an act of sour grapes.

I am all for constructive criticism that is based on facts, but Monroe's only arguments are based on insults and name-calling. He also uses the very tired narrative of racism to try to justify his opinions. I suppose Monroe cannot handle the fact that Republicans are now the majority party in Florida and that Gov. DeSantis won his recent election in a landslide.

So instead of being gracious and realizing that he is now in the minority party and that his opinions are not necessarily shared by the majority, he reverts to insults to make his points. I think this shows Monroe to be a big crybaby, and unfortunately, not exactly a professional journalist that should be above this kind of behavior.

Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville

Health care inflation with Medicare

As I researched my options for Medicare open enrollment, I recently discovered something. The following are 2024 increases for the same plans I currently have: Medicare Part B premium up 6%; Medicare Part B deductible up 6%; Medicare Part A deductible up 2%; Medicare Supplement Plan F premium up 55%. Medicare Prescription D deductible up 55%; and Prescription D monthly premium up 42%.

My Social Security COLA increase for 2024 is 3.2%. How are retirees supposed to absorb these sizeable increases? The insurance companies are the ones being taken care of, not us. This year, I hit the “donut hole” from August through December on Tier 3 prescriptions, with my wife paying $250 for a one-month supply, and a second Tier 3 prescription at $150 per month.

I also have a Tier 3 prescription, paying $250 per month. So together, we pay $650 monthly for five months.

The Republican Party has stated that if they get control of Congress, they want to repeal the recent law that eliminates the donut hole in 2026. Congress needs to do something about these increases by insurance companies. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Doug Diamond, Jacksonville

Stop judging and be kind

Events of the past few weeks have caused me to reflect on the tribalization that has captured our culture. Trumpism is partly to blame, but it goes much deeper than that. We categorize people much too easily and quickly make judgments about their value and worth.

As a Marine Corps officer in Vietnam, it was my duty to lead troops in combat. My first platoon was mostly Black and Hispanic. When your life depended upon those around you, a trust developed that transcended race.

So, we have a society that marginalizes human beings based on a variety of issues. When we see someone in need, do we avoid that person, or do we cross the street to offer a hand? Kindness is a trait we should all follow. When in doubt ― be kind.

David Osbeck, Orange Park

Nate nailed it

“Bravo” to Nate Monroe for his Oct. 19 column, “Map hijinks leave city voiceless in House chaos.” It accurately, forcefully and honestly states the pertinent facts we must know to better understand what is happening in the U.S. House of Representatives. It also supports the Florida Supreme Court decision to set aside Gov. DeSantis’ gerrymandered House district in Jacksonville, which disenfranchises a large portion of our “purple” city.

Allow me to express my thanks for Monroe’s consistent, excellent work. His columns are necessary and vital to maintaining an aware, open and critically thinking community. Thank you to the Times-Union as well for this publication.

Carolyn S. Zisser, Esq., Atlantic Beach

Salem should have spoken up

Hamas has strategically wrapped itself with the Palestinian flag, resulting in those who condemn their barbarous behavior being seen to not support the Palestinian cause. I do not believe nor accept that City Council President Ron Salem supports the terrorist group Hamas.

Regrettably, by his failure to condemn this organization for the atrocities they have committed, he has placed himself in the position of appearing to do so, and (by extension) advocating for murderers and fomenters of hate. By Mr. Salem’s failure to differentiate between Hamas and the Palestinian cause, he has done a disservice to the city of Jacksonville.

Cathryn D. Winterfield, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Resolving Middle East violence requires all parties to advocate peace