Letters to the editor for Saturday, December 2, 2023

Growth or water?

We are now talking about limiting water in Lee County. Isn't it interesting that our government talks about restrictions on water but not on the number of apartments that are being built? Isn't that part of the reason that there is less water? It's not rocket science. Our roads are beyond capacity, our water is in high demand and still! Maybe that is something our reporters can do a segment on. Shame on our county officials!

Cathy Trent, Fort Myers

Gas prices rebound

In today's paper, Nov. 30, Wyatte Grantham-Philips wrote an article regarding falling gas prices. Anyone who bought gas last weekend was fortunate to buy gas at just under $3.00, some even as low as $2.95! Well lo and behold come Tuesday every gas station along eastern Immokalee, Naples and up 41 towards Coconut Point on 41 was raised to $3.19.9. Did we all miss a memo? It seems odd that so many stations all had the same exact price in two different counties. So yes they dropped for Thanksgiving week, but ALL went right back up the same day. Coincidence? Think not, just greedy as they lost the holiday traveler's money.

Susanne Turner, Bonita Springs

Wreaths Across America

Riverwoods Plantation located at 4600 Robert E. Lee Blvd. in Estero will hold its annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Saturday Dec. 16 at noon. Wreaths Across America's mission is to remember those who have served, honor those who are serving and teach youth the value of freedom. This year there are 3,800 locations across the country where over 3 million wreaths will be placed on graves of those who have served this great country.Though we do not place wreaths on graves at Riverwoods, we will be holding the ceremony to present a wreath at our memorial for every branch of service. All 3,800 locations hold their ceremonies while a wreath is being placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.To learn how to sponsor a wreath to be placed on the grave of a veteran or to learn more about this great program, go to wreathsacrosamerica.orgWe invite all to attend our ceremony.

Kathleen Gunning, Estero

Chiquita boat lock

When we moved to Shadroe lake nearly 20 years ago, the Ceitus barrier on the north Cape Coral spreader canal was active. We have two indoor cats that love birdwatching. There were no birds in the area, not even an osprey. The lake was popping with mullet and a few gators.  Two years later, 2006, the barrier was catastrophically breached by tidal action. After the breach, various birds started appearing and remain today. Hawks, osprey, eagles, doves, cardinals, and more. Pelicans nested near our home. We still see mullet, not as much as 2004.  I saw a gator last week. Now we see manatee, dolphin, tarpon, snook, just a few of the many more species found in the lake. I’m not an expert on environmental issues, but I believe that the Chiquita boat lock should be removed.

Pam Bushey, Cape Coral

Naples Ethics Commission

It is rather surprising and intriguing to hear that Bill Barnett, our former mayor, has been appointed to the City of Naples Ethics Commission. People may recall that back in 2018, he was at the forefront of opposing the move to establish an independent ethics commission in our city. His opposition, along with that of the City Council members of the time, including Gary Price, was so strong that they even took legal action twice, although unsuccessfully, to contest the referendum’s legality. Interestingly, Barnett was particularly outspoken against this commission, labeling it unconstitutional for creating what he called an "unelected legislative body." Despite these efforts, the referendum made it to the ballot and was approved by a significant 62% majority.  Fast forward to today, and it seems Barnett couldn't resist the allure of a state attorney appointment to this very commission for the 20th Judicial District. This turn of events is quite unexpected, especially considering his past stance and the fact that he wasn't re-elected for a final term as mayor in 2020.  Moreover, Barnett recently mentioned in a local magazine that he plans to serve as an adviser after the March 2024 election, likely for Gary Price, who he once appointed to the City Council and is now challenging Mayor Heitmann. This situation leaves me pondering Barnett's motivations and the extent of his influence within our city's political landscape.  It's a development that surely warrants further observation and discussion.

Maria Mair, Naples

On book banning

In over 40 years as an educator in both public and religious affiliated schools; I have taught elementary, high school, college undergraduates, and college graduate students. I have also supervised student teachers. Sadly, every book that I taught has now been banned, except the Bible.

Ironically, the most important lessons, themes and morals that these banned books teach are the same lessons, themes and morals that the Bible teaches. Every human condition, emotion, character, plot, and scenario that the authors of these banned books portray occurs in the Bible and sometimes in very sexually explicit and graphic details.

Still we are encouraged to read the Bible and we rely on those qualified to help us understand and interpret the lessons about love, compassion, kindness, and the “better angels” of humanity that these salacious stories tell.

More importantly, those who teach the Bible and teach literature are teaching critical thinking skills that allow the reader to discover these truths by interpreting, analyzing and discussing the stories. This is where the real learning occurs.

I wonder how many of the books that have been banned were actually read by those who banned the books? I wonder how many of those who banned the books know anything about the teaching and learning process?

If you are truly concerned about “Letting Kids Be Kids,” then check out the video games and social media sites that are consuming the hearts and minds of our children. If you are truly concerned about protecting our children, then read the numerous studies concerning children being more anxious and fearful of a school shooting than being hurt by the contents of a book. Instead of prohibiting, put your faith, trust, courage, and confidence in those who are qualified to guide our children in becoming citizens who “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Because while we may know the story of the “Forbidden Fruit,” have we really learned its lesson?

Virginia Segaloff, Naples

Best of the worst

Benevolence is a double edged sword. Too much empathy for others can have adverse consequences for the well intended. For example, allowing millions of illegal immigrants to flow over our borders will place a burden on American citizens. For proof, sanctuary city mayors are waving white flags and pleading, "No mas!" as thousands camp out on their sidewalks.

The First Amendment is being abused under the guise of peaceful protests. This began with looting, burning, and killing after George Floyd's tragic death. Today, Palestinian sympathizers are terrorizing college campuses and blocking major thoroughfares. Such conduct is little different from the Jan 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol? All such acts are forms of anarchy and need to be punished.

Simply stated, "War is hell!" Innocents die as a result of fanatical leaders' aspirations. For instance, a hundred thousand Japanese perished at Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor four years earlier. Currently Israel is in a war of survival, attempting to drive Hamas from neighboring Gaza while contending with President Biden's self-serving interference. It is Israel's war not ours and it has the right to defend itself without outside meddling.

In 2024 we will likely choose between two of the worst presidential candidates in history. Half the nation considers Donald Trump a diabolical dictator while the other half sees Joe Biden as a calamity waiting to happen. Liberals remember this: Abortion, women's and LGBT rights will not matter if China, Russia, and Iran prevail.

Consequently, perhaps we should disregard our conscience and vote for the best of the worst. I, for one, may close my eyes, mark a box, then pray like the devil because we will need the Lord's help regardless of the winner.

Gerald Ponder, Cape Coral

Attack on migrants

The latest report from the grand jury on immigration is designed to discourage immigration to Florida.  If its recommendations are enacted and enforced, thousands of currently employed residents will move elsewhere.  Who will take their place at work?  Even legal migrants and minority citizens will be discouraged from moving to or staying in Florida. Why? Discrimination and worse will only increase.  Ditto for minority tourists.

The gratuitous attack on nonprofit organizations is bizarre.  No NGO is named but vague accusations of their assisting with illegal migration are made.  All are tarred with allegations against the few.  I gather none of the NGO's considered are funded by Florida.

And then there's the proposal to tax foreign remittances with the intent of keeping money in Florida.  Huh?  Oh, yes, the report is sprinkled with observations that fund transfers "may" be used to launder money or support drug transactions.  Yes, some of the money flowing across boundaries has nefarious origins or intent.  Ways of combatting that are constantly being improved.  The report wishes to condemn money transfers from workers here in Florida to family members back home.  Huge amounts of this informal foreign assistance help to alleviate poverty and keep some potential migrants home.  Did the grand jury think of that?

I hope any future report from this "Grand" jury will be based on facts and reality.

Bruce A. Beardsley, Naples

Postal service?

I decided to take the United States Postal Service up on their recent solicitation to purchase stamps by mail as I had done at some point in the past at no charge. I went to their online site 11/21 and found there is now a $2.30 handling fee for this service. (WHAT? This is the POST OFFICE! Wayfair will deliver a COUCH for FREE!) Okay, I don’t want to stand in a long line during the holiday rush just for stamps, so I placed my order and was given a delivery date of “BY 11/27”… (WHAT? Amazon can get a dog toy to my doorstep the next day! And for free!). Then on 11/28 I received an email saying my stamps would be “arriving late” with a tracking number which showed the now week-old delivery “in transit” at their Kansas City, Mo. facility… (WHAT? I live in FLORIDA! Where in heck did my order of U.S. postage stamps originate, JAPAN?) At last! On 11/30, the long awaited delivery arrived in my very own personal home mailbox after an amazing nine day journey thanks to my “convenience fee” that kept the line shorter at the local post office. This is our government at work. Imagine if they managed something big? Like our national budget? (Oops…)

To be clear, I am a U.S. veteran, a senior and a taxpayer with no agenda here. I love our great nation. I just hope you got a laugh from my recent experience. Merry Christmas!

Thom Price, Fort Myers

Biden-Trump conundrum

In my opinion, it is well settled that 1) Biden will be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president and 2) Donald Trump will be the Republican Party’s nominee. Not a choice the American voter has been waiting for. There is no need to restate all the reasons why Biden would be a terrible choice - the cognitive degeneration alone should be sufficient. Yet, Democratic voters are very concerned about the current "Trump baggage." I have a solution to this conundrum. Ms. Haley should grit her teeth and accept the VP position from Trump. Trump should realize that with Haley on the ticket and with his only being able to serve four years he would greatly enhance his being able to overcome the voters’ shying away from his legal troubles. We were all better off when Trump was president - the world was better off. So, we’ll give him four years - the border situation will be resolved, fentanyl overdose deaths will decline, Russia and China will carefully reconsider any aggressive moves. We may develop a better relationship with North Korea. The economy will soar and Wall Street and the Congress will cooperate. And after four years a very busy VP Haley will run and win and finally we will have a woman in the White House - perhaps for eight years. Happy Days are here again.

Read McCaffrey, Naples

Virulent hate speech

Since the Oct. 7 murderous, barbaric and unprovoked attack on Israeli citizens by the terrorist thugs from Hamas, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, as well as the kidnapping of about 240 other victims of many nationalities, there has been a venomous spewing of antisemitic bile all over the world against Jews, no matter where they live.  This again unprovoked attack upon Jews has been roiling across campuses all across America, with those of the loudest voices often seeking to hide behind the shield of the First Amendment right to free speech.

Freedom of speech as enshrined in our Constitution is not without limits.  Hate speech has been particularly virulent on many college campuses throughout the country.  Hate speech, especially that espousing hatred of Jews generally for what is transpiring in Israel in its conflict with Hamas, often constitutes “fighting words” and incitement to violence, both forms of speech not constitutionally protected.  Such speech also contravenes collegiate codes of conduct prohibiting harassment of fellow students to the end of providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students.

What is the impetus for all this hate speech directed toward Jews and, less often, Muslims?  It is, quite sadly, attributable to the fact that so many people do not read newspapers nor even watch news anymore.  Instead, the uninformed get their news feeds from social media, a cesspool of demonization, denigration, disinformation and misinformation.  This unfortunately amplifies the messages of hate that predominate primarily in the halls of our institutions of higher learning.

How is it “progressive” to engage in vilifying and doxxing others simply because they are Jews or Muslims, based upon what is happening in the cauldron that is the Middle East?  It is undisputed the hate speech isn’t free speech.  The tragic costs and staggering consequences to those subjected to hate speech are quite often devastating.  To be a member of a group already burdened with the legacy of living with the oldest hatred, antisemitism is onerous, imposing on Jews the calumny of character assassination, as well as dealing with the very real threats of ostracization, at the very least and physical violence, at the very worst.

It is high time for those advocating for violence toward Jews and other minorities to look inward to examine why they are filled with bile and ready to marginalize others, rather than seeking to lift up others.  Live your lives with grace and dignity, rather than with enmity.  It will not only enrich your lives, but will enhance the lives of those you only know through the dark recesses of the internet.

Steve McCloskey, Bonita Springs

Key difference

It struck me that to teach about slavery and to assert that it gave the slaves the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, is similar to jailing a person for a lifetime and asserting that the person now has an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills. EXCEPT that the jailed person deserved his jail time but the slave did not deserve slavery!

Richard Quist, Estero

Kissinger says it all

This Henry Kissinger quote captures Donald Trump: “The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” Then Trump supporters wrap the quote in an American flag.

Joe Haack, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Saturday, December 2, 2023