Letters to the editor for Saturday, March 18, 2023

'Freedom' to agree with DeSantis

Isn't it ironic that Gov. DeSantis stands behind a sign reading "Freedom from Indoctrination" as he pushes programs to indoctrinate the students and people of Florida. This is his war on diversity: "You're free if you don't diverge from my thoughts!"

In this era people increasingly thrive by using their brains rather than their brawn. For DeSantis to muzzle teachers and limit the information students learn only lessens the student's ability to think critically. Good schools will provide information and experiences the student will not otherwise get. There is a great difference between receiving information and being indoctrinated.

When I was a student, and later a soldier and diplomat, I read parts of "Das Kapital," "Mein Kampf" and the thoughts of Chairmen Mao and Ho. Quite frankly, they put me to sleep, but exposure to them let me more effectively oppose their ideas.

Now we are "invited" to learn the thoughts of Chairman DeSantis. Perhaps that's all we need. Meanwhile, it will become more difficult to attract good teachers and professors for our grandchildren, or even retain the good teachers we now have.

Restricting access to information and bullying teachers is not the path to a free and successful Florida. Its future is in jeopardy!

Bruce Beardsley, Naples

It's cruelty, not health care

Recently, Florida legislators expanded their assault on reproductive freedom by introducing HB7 and SB300. Both bills are six week gestational abortion bans. These bills codify felony charges for anyone assisting an abortion, limit access to medication abortion, prohibit telemedicine consultation, and prevent clinicians from addressing pregnancy emergencies (ex. miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy) until physical harm is “imminent, substantial, and irreversible.” That’s not health care — that’s cruelty. These bills also declare that section 23, Article 1 of the Florida Constitution (“every person has the right to be… free from governmental intrusion into the person’s private life”) does NOT apply to abortion. Yet there is nothing more “private” and personal than reproductive health/function.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), states that abortion bans “are not based on science or medicine; they allow unrelated third parties to make decisions that rightfully and ethically should be made only by individuals and their physicians.” Why then are Florida legislators ignoring the experts?

Disingenuous politicians suggesting that scientists agree on “life” definitions and fetal viability timing are spouting political propaganda not based in scientific fact. Rather, they are attempting to establish their personal religious beliefs as a foundation for Florida laws.

Medical autonomy and personal privacy are fundamental human rights. Unfettered access to medically sanctioned procedures, including abortion, should be universally respected and accepted. Write or call your legislative leaders (K. Passidomo, Senate president; P. Renner, House speaker) now and tell them you DO NOT support HB7/SB300: bills that outlaw reproductive freedom.

Kim R Finer, Ph.D., Naples

Divided loyalties

It has been almost a year since Brian Hamman relegated his position as county commissioner to part-time status by accepting the position as CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. This position of county commissioner which he has deemed to be only worth a fraction of his time costs you, the taxpayers, in excess of $100,000 per year. I don’t know how anyone could describe that as part-time compensation.

As CEO of the Chamber, his loyalty is to that entity and promoting businesses for its 700+ members. As a county commissioner his loyalty and sworn oath is supposed to be to the 750,000+ residents of Lee County. How is providing care for three-quarters of a million residents possible when one shows no respect for them by telling them they are not worth his time?

Because he accepted the position of CEO of the Chamber, I would expect that he would recuse himself from any discussion or votes on anything in front of the County Commission that involves the Chamber or any of its members. I have not done extensive research, but I do not believe he has recused himself at all.

Now, given the deafening silence of the Lee County voters at that time, I wonder if they are at all concerned whether or not the people they vote into office uphold their oath of office and place the residents of Lee County in their proper position at the top of all priority lists. The perception given is that they don’t, and the politicians take great advantage of this.

Norman Cannon, Fort Myers

Affordable housing neglected

East Naples Collier Commissioner, Rick LoCastro, has not yet clearly enunciated his position on WOKE. But maybe he enunciates subtly. Maybe his enunciation comes in the denial of affordable housing. Maybe he wants to keep poor folks of all color away from East Naples. After all, he openly applauded a Proud Boy (Naples Daily News April 26, 2022). And maybe affordable housing provides a vehicle for doing that. If that is the case, he is injuring affluent whites in the process; we whites are losing service people who cannot afford to live in and around Naples nor afford the commute in time and money to get here. Our quality of life is diminishing.

Rick may have an excuse; his experience in public office is limited although he has learned how to rubber stamp the plans of developers. It could be that he needs skills in negotiation so that he can bring conservationists and landlords to closure. But, for now, we know that opponents of affordable housing have his ear which should be turning to the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, a committee which has been urging affordable house for years, only to fall on deaf ears.

Listen up LoCastro. Time to act, not to react (big difference).

Joe Haack, Naples

Men deciding women's fate

Why is it that men always determine what women can do? From the beginning of our republic women were denied the right to vote. Men made that decision even though those same men claimed all men were created equal. The word "men" in that case was broadly meant to include everyone.

Today men are again deciding women's fate when it comes to their physical well-being in regard to abortion. State after state men decide if a woman can terminate a pregnancy. They make few if any exceptions to making abortion illegal regardless of the peril to the woman. It's as if women are chattel.

E.R. Santhin, Naples

Loosening gun laws

In an effort to put lipstick on a pig, the team DeSantis named the legislation for “Concealed Carry” as ”Constitutional Carry,” however even concealed carry isn’t satisfying enough for some GOP gun advocates calling for “open carry,” calling it a “God given right.”

In 2018 the Florida Legislature prohibited those younger than 21 to buy handguns, or long guns like rifles, shotguns and semi-automatic weapons. However, House Bill 1543 was approved to push the age limit down to 18.

The available data says that 18-20-year-olds commit gun homicides at three times the rate of those 21 and older. Much has been written that an increase in support of mental health will help mitigate the carnage of gun violence. However, whether it’s the lack of discipline, or the lack of reason of young people who choose to settle their disputes with a gun, by giving them free access to guns, only affords them that opportunity.

Roger W. Quagliano, Estero

Humans an endangered species

I wholeheartedly support the mission of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The Conservancy is dedicated to keeping animal species from extinction on Planet Earth. At the rate the government of Florida is moving, the Conservancy may have to add humans to the list of endangered species.

First off, Florida is legislatively planning to undermine what is left of the state’s land use control laws. Then it will limit challenges which can be made by citizens to state development orders. Next it intends to intimidate citizens from participation in the planning process. Finally, it will pre-empt local governments from establishing policies and rules to protect local water quality including the use of fertilizers.

These initiatives by the State of Florida bespeak a death wish.

Florida’s governmental attacks on our biosphere are matched by Florida attacks on our democracy and freedoms in the form of banning books on black history and banning books having any tinges of the natural phenomenon of being gay or lesbian or transsexual. Then there are Florida’s attacks on investing in corporate America for adopting environmental, social and ethical business standards. These Florida intrusions into big business are followed by Florida government’s intrusions into the tenure of professors in academia. Florida is moving from big business to big government.

If one is an animal or human and one wishes to survive extinction, one will have to relocate from the State of Florida as it intrudes into one’s freedom and liberties. Otherwise, consider yourself “endangered.” To handle all of you, we will have to significantly expand the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Sally Lam, Naples

American flag belongs at top

Almost daily I drive along St. Andrews Boulevard in East Naples between Forest Hills Boulevard and 41. Recently I noticed that one of the condominium associations, that has for years flown our American flag from its two-story flagpole, has now replaced it with a Blue Lives Matter flag. I was shocked and dismayed and thought surely this will change. But that hasn’t happened and I feel compelled to speak out.

I respect the right, and the laws that protect, individual homeowners to display flags of their choice on their own property, although individual condominium and homeowner associations may have some restrictions on how, when and where such flags may be displayed. It is my understanding that only flags included in Florida statutes may be flown on common elements/grounds of a condo association; the American flag is always at the top and a POA flag and/or other recognized flags may fly below it.

I want to be clear. I honor and respect the law enforcement personnel who protect our lives and property. I also understand those who feel the need to have a flag that reflects their sentiment for these citizens. But in my opinion, removing our American flag from its place of honor and completely replacing it with another flag, is an affront to those who have served our nation with their lives and treasure and to us as American citizens.

I can’t help but wonder what message this condo association is sending about itself? And to whom? Was the removal of our American flag a decision of the entire association? I for one hope that our American flag will be returned to its proper place on that common ground.

But has anyone else noticed? Does anyone else care?

Linda Chiarello, Naples

E. Palestine pollutants

The recent incident at E. Palestine Ohio is a shameful occurrence. Not only does it affect a 20-mile radius around that town but it extends farther with the help of wind currents. The pollutants emitted in the atmosphere can carry them for several hundreds of miles. They did so in the 60s and 70s contaminating pristine lakes and rivers of northern New York ( Adirondack) mountains. That was due primarily to what was called "acid rain," the rain washing pollutants from the atmosphere down to any body of water. Those pollutants were generated by the faulty smokestacks from industries such as steel and chemical plants. It took decades to clear it up but in the meanwhile killed all the food fish from not only those waters but also the Great Lakes Ontario and Erie. Those industries have since installed scrubbers on their smokestacks to alleviate this problem. I fear that E. Palestine will not be the only community affected by this disaster. Where were all the officials when they were needed to answer questions from the citizens there?

Frank J. Setera, Naples

Doing business with China

Why do “we” do so many dumb things -- allow spy balloons fly over America, allowing our adversaries to buy farmland in America, allow TikTok to brainwash our children, and now allow one of America’s largest auto manufacturers to go into business with China; why are “we” so dumb?

Mr. James D. Farley Jr. is the president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, and a member of Ford’s board of directors, and he serves on the board of directors of the U.S. China Business Council. “The US-China Business Council (USCBC) is a nonprofit organization whose stated goal is promoting trade between the United States and China. It comprises around 200 American companies that trade and do business with China.” Why are we still selling out America; why are “we” so dumb?

I wonder if anyone from the Ford family would have been a business partner with the U.S.S.R when they were our main foe during the last Cold War? Whereas the current president and CEO of Ford is going into business with our current Cold War foe, China, good job Mr. Farley!

Robert Powell, Estero

Not in children's best interest

It must be very difficult to be in a man's body yet feel like you are a woman or to be in a woman's body and feel like a man. The emotional and psychological issues must be very hard. The decision and the actual experience of medical treatment to make the switch even more difficult. I don't understand why the Biden administration, the media, the Left and our schools seem to be promoting transgenderism. Certainly, promoting it in our schools knowing that children are very impressionable and at the same time hiding it from the children's parents does not seem appropriate. It seems that anytime you try to hide something, you must know it is wrong. The promotion of transgenderism to children when they can see it as an opportunity to be different or be accepted because they are so impressionable is not in these children's best interest.

Ron Wobbeking, Naples

China over patriotism?

The CIA and FBI identify China as a global competitor and the greatest geopolitical threat to our country. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is influencing our politicians, business, labs, youth, colleges and research. Intellectual property theft amounts to about $500 billion annually.Ford announced that they are partnering with CATL, a Chinese battery company, and building a $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. The building will be owned by Ford. Ford is also paying for CATL’s battery technology. Michigan celebrated the Ford announcement and Democratic Gov. Whitmer offered $1 billion in state incentives for the plant.Chinese technical personnel will help staff the facility. However, the CCP requires personnel working outside of China to be a conduit for national intelligence and information whenever asked. That includes espionage and intellectual property theft.

Virginia was the first location favored by Ford. Republican Gov. Youngkin considered Ford a front for CCP, opposed siting a plant there and feared CCP would compromise our national security and citizens’ privacy. Democrat opposition slammed him for the loss of 2,500 jobs.Sen. Rubio (R, Florida), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about Ford’s connection to the CCP and CATL. He wanted to be sure no federal funding or credits were used and warned that CCP policies and laws support CCP objectives.China expert Gordon Chang’s recent article “China Lasers Hawaii, Prepares for War” supports his premise of their intent to surpass the U.S. and become the world leader. Is it in our best interest that Ford is choosing China over patriotism?

Frank Mazur, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Saturday, March 18, 2023