Letters to the Editor: Jan. 16, 2022

Lake O discharges are main reason there's no seagrass for manatees

The Jan. 11 article "As manatees struggle, here are 5 ways to help" by Max Chesnes is well intentioned. However, it completely misses the primary reason that there is no seagrass in much of the Treasure Coast.

The reason that we have no seagrass is because of the discharges from Lake Okeechobee. Even though fertilizer use and leaking septic tanks play a role, these problems existed and we still had seagrass. The only time we have had seagrass wiped out on the Treasure Coast is when we have these discharges.

Along with losing focus on the primary reason for the loss of our seagrass, I take issue with the "experts" saying that people should not feed starving manatees. This might be good advice under normal conditions, but that is not the case now. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says, "Leave the feeding to the professionals.” Are these the same professionals that have truckloads of lettuce by a power plant, but there were no manatees to feed?

The government includes the normal threat that it’s illegal to feed manatees and people trying to feed starving manatees could face a $500 state fine and/or up to 60 days in prison, plus federal fines up to $100,000 and/or a year in prison. Maybe instead of threats, the government could try something new: common sense.

These are extraordinary times for manatees.

Jim Weix, Palm City

Rep. Mast is a hypocrite for his vote against the Jan. 6 committee

Rep. Brian Mast wrote, in a press release on Jan. 12, 2021, that the attack on the Capitol was “wholly un-Constitutional and wholly illegal. Each and every perpetrator of this crime must be held accountable and should turn themselves in.”

Then in the second paragraph, he said the standard for impeachment is “Treason, Bribery or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” One definition of treason is the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to overthrow the government. Mast said violence-inciting comments by Rudy Giuliani represent a serious lack of leadership, but then stated, “I do not believe this conduct rises to the standard necessary for invoking impeachment.”

He failed to mention Donald Trump’s fighting words: “And we fight. We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore.”

And: “Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness, you have to show strength and you have to be strong.”

Mast betrayed his constitutional oath when he voted not to impeach Trump, and again when voted against the establishment of a Select Committee to investigate the perpetrators of this treason. Only a few Republicans are honoring their constitutional oath.

It is hypocritical for him to announce Jan. 9 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day when the Capitol Police are extremely upset over Republican opposition to investigating the insurrection — 21 GOP lawmakers voted against honoring law enforcement for the protection of our elected officials on Jan. 6 last year.

The sacrifices and courage of the Capitol Police are in total contrast to the current GOP’s lack of principles and courage. Mast and his party need to put principle before power, and democracy before autocracy (a system of government with one person in power)

Chrisi Thanos, Port St. Lucie

President George Washington fought for a united people

Does letter writer Anthony Napolitano know that President George Washington himself laid the cornerstone for the Capitol building? Would Washington agree that Jan. 6, 2021, was just “a little protest that got out of control,” by those who had “every right to express their outrage,” because they believed the election was stolen, as Napolitano pooh-poohs?

George Washington did fight for eight long years, often with the equivalent of flagpoles and bats, because the states fought amongst themselves as to who was to pay the bills, and in spite of many people who thought him “elitist” and wanted him replaced. His troops were often starving with no shoes, and Washington also forced them to be inoculated against smallpox. That meant a cut in the arm, being terribly sick for a month, and quarantine.

“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.” He insisted on a strong central government with taxing powers, and led the militia himself to put down the “Whiskey Rebellion.”

Our unity is our strength, and beware those who inflame the fires of division, seems to be the gist of his farewell, which prints out to four pages from the web. As a young man, he seems to have copied by hand “The Rules of Civility,” and used it as a guide. It’s at the library; it’s short, and there’s even a version for children.

Helen Frigo, Jenson Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Letters to the Editor: Jan. 16, 2022