Letters to the Editor: March 20, 2022

Mentors share their knowledge with the next generation of leaders

I was recently inducted into Full Sail University’s Hall of Fame for my work in show production. Reflecting on this honor reminded me of the importance that mentorship played in helping me achieve my career goals. As a production sound engineer for Hamilton, I know that each piece of knowledge I’ve accumulated along the way was made possible by someone willing to take a chance on me.

Being a creative means you’re always learning — and always teaching. A large part of making your way in the entertainment industry is absorbing all the information and experiences you can, and in turn, sharing that knowledge with the next generation of leaders — in fact, sharing your craft often helps your understanding of it grow.

I would not be where I am in my career if it wasn’t for a fellow Full Sail grad getting me a job on a cruise ship, launching my career in show production. There is an enormous pool of young talent in the world, and it is all of our responsibility to see the potential in the next generation of leaders and help them thrive. I hope everyone will join me.

Justin Rathburn, Vero Beach

Race car speed has its place, but not on our public highways

I totally agree with John D.H. Smith’s March 15 letter. It seems as if the speed limit is a mere suggestion and turn signals are a decoration. I travel I-95 often, visiting friends and relatives from Melbourne to Miami, but seldom see law enforcement. Drivers flout construction zone speed limits. I've seen digital speed signs register readings in the upper 70s and higher with one reading 93 in a 65-mph zone.

I get on I-95, get in the right lane and set my cruise control to the speed limit. Last week, I was coming home from Boynton, traffic was fairly heavy but moving at or near the speed limit in Martin County. While in the right lane, I had a driver in a white Ford Transit van, from a solar installation company, try to pass me on the right-hand shoulder.

Lest you think that I'm some cranky old man, I celebrated my 70th birthday by driving a race car at Pocono Pennsylvania Raceway (at about 167 mph) and followed it up driving another race car a week later at Palm Beach International Raceway. I will be back at Pocono next fall to celebrate my 80th birthday driving faster. Speed has its place and it's not on our public roads.

Howard Ginsburg, Port St. Lucie

I used to enjoy the news, but now it is so depressing

There was a time I enjoyed the news every morning. Now it is so depressing I avoid it. TV, newspapers, radio, all communications with the real world are presented to us with a liberal spin. What do they think we are blind, deaf, and stupid to believe what is going on?.

We have an administration so under the control of liberalism we don't really get the truth. We as a free people see what is happening. You can't fool all the people all the time. The news gets out whether or not they try to hide it.

Two so-called powerful leaders in control with more blood on their hands. Remember, God doesn't forget. We must stay together and keep the truth going. We would be surprised how many think the “right" way. Maybe then we would get results.

Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites are feeding incorrect impressions as to what is occurring in the world today. We must be free thinkers to eliminate the evil in our government. Speak the truth and the good people will win. Time to impeach our lying president and his handlers. We are the laughingstock of the world. Time we took back our country.

Barbara Bischoff, Vero Beach

Count the true cost of 'going green’

We want to be good stewards of the planet. But we have to put on our own oxygen masks first before we can save anything else.

Let’s prioritize. Our citizens are struggling with energy prices and food in an upward spiral.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tells Americans that if gas prices are too high, they should buy an electric car. Who can afford these cars? Sounds lovely, but not practical for most working-class American citizens. Especially not for retired folks on a fixed income. How much higher will car payments be than the cost of gas for the cars we have?

Why would we stop paying billions of dollars to buy oil from Russia only to just by it from another dictator that funds terrorism around the world? Venezuela and Iran do not exactly love America. And their oil is dirtier. Importing and refining it costs us at the pumps.

We have oil under our feet. Liquid gold. We were energy-independent and can become independent again. Release all red tape from federal drilling permits.

Extraordinary times calls for extraordinary measures. The Keystone XL pipeline could have been completed by now.

After the State of the Union address, Joe Manchin made these remarks: “You cannot be the superpower of the world if you have to depend on others to produce your energy.” You have to use what you have, and develop wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and hydrogen, all those things.

Many believe that there is evidence that global warming is happening. Yet some scientists suggest that the earth is cooling, predicting a “mini Ice Age.” In an open debate, let’s insist on free speech from both sides. And documented proof.

Janet Wenz, Palm City

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Letters to the Editor: March 20, 2022