Letters to the editor for Sunday, August 6, 2023

Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less. Include your name and city or community of residence. Guest opinions should be 600 words or less and include a brief summary of the author’s credentials relevant to the topic. Guest opinions may include a head shot of the author. For the Fort Myers News-Press, email submissions to mailbag@news-press.com and for the Naples Daily News to letters@naplesnews.com

Trump indictment reaction

When the Donald Trump indictment came down on Tuesday, I suddenly pictured the two starburst Nazi bullet scars on my WWII veteran dad whose Greatest Generation took down the last authoritarian madman to charge up on the world’s stage.I now feel like their sacrifice of life and limb to save our democracy and rule of law is at last being honored.No offense to my fellow citizens who don’t share my viewpoint, but thanks to the Greatest Generation, we live in a country where we are free to openly disagree.

J. Cant, Naples

Governor's secrecy

Governor DeSantis’ recent exercise (with his “Puppy Dog” Legislature’s help) precludes us taxpayers from knowing his travel plans. “It is for security” says he. Really! I feel that he simply does not want the populace to know how much time he is spending away from his day job (the governorship).Trips to Iowa, South Carolina, Texas, California, New Hampshire, and a least a dozen others in 2023 should be common knowledge. Who is paying for his entourage while he is away? (i.e. required security, state staff, etc.) They all need food and lodging. Is it We the People or his dwindling campaign fund?Who is running the day-to-day business of Florida while he is often away? Is it Lt. Governor Nunez? Who? Along that line, what do we really know about her and her duties with the state? I have seen no daily press releases of HER accomplishments. Why not? Is she also covered by HIS “secrecy” law?

Raymond Brooks, Fort Myers

Repudiate Trumpism

Existential crises. They come for all of us fortunate enough to live into old age. It's generally not physical survival at stake, but rather the existence of a certain integrity, a wholeness of character. At the end of our lives, the choices we have made in these moments will tell our stories more definitively than all the combined minutiae of thousands of sunrises and sunsets.This may be a stretch, but I believe the same holds in the lives of nations. And right now, our American experiment is smack dab in the middle of a defining crisis. Everyone knows Trump is a criminal at best and a traitor at worst, and twelve Americans will rule on his legal fate presently. Given recent findings of fact, however, his moral guilt is indisputable. There remains, however, a very real open question about us, the American people, as a body politic, and our answer will tell disinterested historians all they will need to know about us in this time and place.We need to repudiate Trumpism once and for all. If we opt for personal narratives over clear and compelling facts now, we can never extol American character or principle with a straight face again. There is only one principle for Trump and his enablers: They win and everyone else loses. There was a time when we Americans liked to think we were better than that. In this moment, we had better be.

Geremy Spampinato, Naples

Congresswoman's hypocrisy

It is clear the most Americans feel the blatant division facing our country on what appears to be a daily basis of shocking events. People use terms such as we’re living in the twilight zone or we seem to be living in an alternative universe. An example would be comments made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. She is on film stating that “we should be more fearful of white men across our country because white men are causing most of the deaths in the United States.“ Keep in mind this is a person who migrated here from Somalia where I would imagine there are few if any “white men” in the country. Interesting to note she divorced her Somalian husband and married a white male as she enjoys the benefits of her $174,000 congressional salary in the greatest country in the world. This kind of hypocrisy makes one wonder how she got elected and can actually keep her job representing our country.John McWilliams, Fort Myers

Typical argument of the Left

The Left is up to their usual tricks. This time about education in Florida about Black history. First, they tried to claim that DeSantis would not allow teaching of Black history and specifically slavery. A total lie because here is what Florida law requires:The bill explicitly mandates that Black history, including slavery and its aftermath, be taught in Florida public schools:The history of African Americans, including the history of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to the development of slavery, the passage to America, the enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of African Americans to society. Instructional materials shall include the contributions of African Americans to American society.When caught in this lie, they take one sentence out of some 400 pages of instruction and totally focus on it. That sentence says that a few slaves did learn a trade that was helpful to them in the post slavery period. Their whole argument is that to point out anything positive about slavery is disgusting. There is some merit to that argument, but to focus on one sentence out of the whole textbook is typical Left wing. They will not say anything about the other parts of the textbook, which by the way, was written by Black professors. You might also observe that they never take a stance on what should be taught, they only criticize what is being taught as in this case or make broad accusations about other positions like Critical Race Theory. You will again find that they do not take a position on what should be taught. You find that they do the same on other issues like drag queen shows, transgender surgery, etc. They criticize any opposition to these issues, but never take a position on the issue.

Ron Wobbeking, Naples

'Sanctuary' county

I get the feeling from reading your letter to the editor section that limiting democrats to 250 words and especially the Naples crowd is just a guideline. The letters continue to get longer and The News-Press and Naples News are becoming more and more reflective of the East Coast crowd. Printing letters from “experts” such as retired doctors and nurses to scream about unfairness and using emotion rather than, oh no, science to clarify many “social” disparities, has become the modus operandi of the liberals living in Collier County. But one letter and another mention in a second letter has really brought clarity to a subject playing out all across the country, the effectiveness of “sanctuary” cities and the people who live there.

The new law would allow Collier County to become a new sanctuary county. To clarify, a sanctuary county would have the “right” to ignore or reject any potential law or behavior outlined in federal law. The example is illegal immigrants arrested by police would not be turned over to ICE for deportation. So, criminals caught driving while intoxicated, criminals caught shoplifting on 5^th Ave, or criminals caught in a felony would be shielded by sanctuary law. Why would a county in Florida seek to protect lawlessness? It's easy. Collier needs waitresses, cooks, landscapers, window washers, golf course maintenance, hotel maids, and all the other low skilled jobs. And Naples cannot go without. Their needs and comforts must come first. After all, you can't have a fundraiser for Joe Biden if there is no staff to serve these well-heeled aristocrats.

So let's look at the outcomes of current sanctuary cities. Housing, schooling, overcrowding, drug use, carjackings, shoplifting, and murder are at 50 year highs. In NYC, illegals sleep in the streets, on subway cars, and in front of your favorite restaurant. In Philly, illegals sleep in pop up tents across from the Convention Center. And in Chicago, they sleep inside the police station. They disrupt shoppers, restaurant goers, and prefer to use the streets to provide relief from bodily functions.  Naples? Do you see where this is going?

Imagine it is a beautiful night on 5^th. The crowd shuffles from establishment to establishment, and several rush into your candle shop and clean the shelves. Imagine walking with your grandchildren and people are urinating next to your Bentley. Or, the street becomes a hip hop / flash mob running through your outdoor dining table abusing your wife with family. You will scream, “POLICE” yet there will be none to assist. So, you walk over the busboy who is asleep on the sidewalk, you turn your head to the unwashed, and you tell your wife, we will just go back to the club, through the security gates, and to our 5,000 square foot home with an elaborate security system where it is safe and all our WASP friends hang out.  HYPOCRICY, you bet. But you stand your ground because your social circle from NYC or BOSTON or DC, are your golf partners, your bridge partners and your 5^th Ave wine tasting friends. Blame the Republicans, of course, but under your breath you mumble, blame the police.  Naples, once great is now the San Francisco of SWFL. Good going.

Jack Holt, Cape Coral

Progress against Alzheimer’s

Right now, more than 16,000 of our neighbors, friends and family members in Collier County are living with Alzheimer’s, according to new research from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. As a community, we must take action to make sure we are supporting the caregivers and that our leaders are doing everything they can to fight for those who are facing this terrible disease.

My father and my father-in-law were both impacted by Alzheimer’s. My husband and I also ran a home health care business where we focused on Alzheimer’s clients. This gave us a very clear perspective on the impact that Alzheimer’s has on families and clients.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved coverage for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments, and will now offer full coverage for Leqembi. This decision is important to me because for the first time ever it will provide the ability for the Alzheimer’s clients to have an FDA approved full Medicare covered medications.

Today, I am asking Congressman Byron Donalds to support all those impacted by Alzheimer’s. Please co-sponsor H.R. 619, the NAPA Reauthorization Act, as well as H.R. 620, the Alzheimer’s Accountability & Investment Act. Both bills would build on the progress made over the last decade by continuing to promote rapid research and improve the delivery of clinical care and services for people living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

We must take action on this terrible disease. I look forward to Congressman Donalds' continued support for people suffering from the negative impact of Alzheimer’s.

Cassie Conrad, Fort Myers Beach

Climate deniers

Apparently we still have climate deniers in the GOP, probably the same people who have lost some of their marbles and still support Trump, the great con-man, and probably the worst human being in America.

I have lived a very long time on this beautiful planet, and have never seen anything like what is happening in America the past couple of years. With terrible wildfires and major flooding across the U.S. and the world.  More killer Tornado’s than ever before,  stronger Hurricanes.  Even droughts in many areas, especially Africa.  Record heat waves also happening across the planet, with people dying from the heat, scientists saying it will only get worse.  The Artic is melting twice as fast as the rest of the planet, half of all Glaciers on earth have disappeared.

Only the lower atmosphere has warmed, consistence with greenhouse gases forcing climate change and it shows the main driver is elevated greenhouse gases with aerosols having a dampening effect.  Resulting in a radioactive imbalance -- notably carbon dioxide methane.

One NDN writer and climate denier stated “Climate Change” is just an ordinary event, as the planet warms up and cools down on its own, and has for thousands of years.  Wouldn’t it be nice if he could tell us how long that cycle will last — 50, 100 or 1,000 years?  I doubt our wonderful planet can survive another 50 or 100 years, without all countries on Earth doing their share of getting off most fossil fuels.  The sooner, the better.

E.L. “Bud” Ruff, Naples

Indictments boost Trump

The way that former President Trump is raising money hand-over-fist — and spending it even faster on legal fees — while exponentially increasing his popularity suggests a strategy for the other candidates badly trailing him in the polls, including Governor DeSantis, who has some major funding and expenditure problems of his own.

The ex-president’s ability to accumulate money is accentuated by his legal travails; each time he is indicted, his stock goes up, not only in cash contributions but in polling  among Republican adherents, as reflected in the latest set of indictments last week regarding the Mar-a-Lago documents and then the election conspiracy case  this week.

The rival players in the Republican  scene who  are hoping for some Hitchcockian surprise ending or a knockout in the upcoming debate like a heavyweight boxing match, especially by literal heavyweights like Chris Christie, are engaged in wishful thinking. The script is not likely to be rewritten, especially with the Hollywood writers on strike, and the debate may be a dud if the ex-president fails to show, as he has intimated because he wants to avert any “hostile” questions from the other contenders or the interrogators selected by FOX News, which is hosting the event.

So, the other candidates, from our governor to the polling bottom-feeders including the other Floridian, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, ought to take a page from the former president’s play book, or police blotter, and commit some type of criminal offense. To get maximum exposure, it should be a major one, not just urging their campaign vehicle drivers to exceed the speed limit or break a few windows. Rather, it should be something exotic or exceptional like illegal foreign investments in the Caymans or bribery.

Then, of course, protest their innocence, claim victimization, attack the prosecutors and threaten their families, and churn out fundraising appeals directed to the type of dupes that the ex-president has feasted upon for months.

It might work in raising money and stature in the polls.

The only downside: They might get convicted and then need a pardon.

Marshall H. Tanick, Naples

Conflict in Ukraine

Ukrainian president Zelensky wants to join NATO. Of course he does! As soon as he is in the next words out of his mouth will be "Where are your troops?" He will demand that we take over fighting a large part of the war and push the already unstable Russians to go nuclear. If by some miracle the war doesn't end up in a nuclear disaster his next demand will be that the already dead broke United States pay to rebuild his country. All the while our own reserves of military equipment, ammunition, and spare parts is dangerously low. We will have a difficult time defending ourselves against anyone. We have now got ourselves into a combination of Vietnam and Afghanistan all rolled into one of huge proportions with no way out! 

Dennis Miller, Miromar Lakes

Divided by hate

We as a nation need to look deeply into our belief system as human beings.

What is right and what is wrong. What is the truth..not “your” truth.

Opinion sources are not news, they are for reaction. Rupert Murdoch laughed all the way to the bank. It is a very bad game to play to watch the naïve servants of a self-serving, lying, thieving, traitor, and there are a few traitors to we the people.

What does it take to make them understand that going after corporations, schools, women, children, LGBTQ,  minorities and immigrants and our right to vote is UNACCEPTABLE! The priority of the Republicans is oppression and fear by narcissistic unqualified ranting fools. For women and any ethnic group to support this kind of behavior only shows ignorance. They will not make you richer or smarter, much less protect you from their heinous laws they keep voting in.

Our states have never been more divided by hate. Our streets are racetracks with wanna be fast and furious going nowhere. Be part of the solution not the problem. And by the way. Hunter Biden is a distraction for the chaos in the GOP. Jared Kushner after sitting in the White House took over 2 billion from the Saudis. Oops. Guess you forgot about that. That is billions! Turn off the volume.

Christianne Murphy, Bonita Springs

Indictments pay off

Why doesn’t the Naples Daily News publish headlines like this?“Trump only a few indictments away from clinching GOP nomination." I know, I know. Because it will disappoint Governor DeSantis who now wishes he had indictments of his own.

Joe Haack, Naples

Liberal opportunities await

I read the letter in Saturday’s editorial page that one of your very unhappy liberal readers gleefully reported that a large number of Florida citizens were “thinking” about moving out of the state because of conservative policies. Let’s look at the numbers. Since January 2020, California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts (all liberal policy losers) have lost the largest number of high income earning population. The winners were Florida and Texas. I think the old saying is, “money goes where it is treated best.” And you can look it up, there are 541,000 more registered Republicans in Florida than Democrats. The bottom-line is that there are several openings in liberal states where you can move and start paying your fair share.

Don Rader, Naples

Best for himself or America?

I would love to see someone ask Donald Trump if he wants what’s best for himself or America.Betcha he blinks.

Leonard Wassmer, Naples

This isn't leadership

Okay, okay, okay!!! Governor DeSantis is now trying mightily to change the direction he's heading. One question of many I have is: Why did he have the law changed, that he needed to resign to run for president. Was he so concerned about his own electability; he needed an ace in the hole? Another perplexing question was why is he trying to withdraw himself from the Disney lawsuit? He thinks he has immunity from a lawsuit he pushed forward. Then when directly questioned on the benefits of slavery; he moonwalked like Michael Jackson. I wasn't there, I had nothing to do with it; except I approved it. Now I have had rare occasion of agreeing with Chris Christie; yet he was spot on. This isn't leadership; this isn't what a leader does!!! Can you say BINGO? Certainly with everything like banning books, changing election requirements. His robust disgust with drag queen story hour. Did he not see "Mrs. Doubtfire"; where the great Robin Williams was reading to children in a library; DRESSED IN DRAG!!! To say this politician known as Governor DeSantis seems lost; is a huge understatement.

Robert Jenkins, Naples

Time to wake up

Once again Trump and his "army" are preparing for war. Of course, Trump will make sure he is not in danger and his bodyguards will be the ones to fall on their spears. What I find to be especially troubling are his total lack of empathy and a pathological inability to tell the truth. He and his troops complain of a double standard even though the entire world watched live on TV the invasion of our national Capitol by his followers. Yet, he is free to exercise all his "rights" as a citizen including running for the presidency again. He sold the public the "BIG LIE" but it is just that -- a BIG LIE!How is it possible that millions of Americans are being sold down the river and they can't see what is staring them in the face. To break this "spell" you must look directly into your eyes in the mirror, don't look away. Then repeat to yourself Trump is not the problem ... I am. We have all pledged allegiance to the flag and the United States of America! While looking into your eyes peer deeply for your soul because you are responsible for it and what it does.Now, you can forgive yourself for your laziness and allowing other people to do your thinking for you. It's time to wake up and look with clear vision how we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated. It is an embarrassment to all who have come before us and sacrificed so we may have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.Our founding fathers would be turning in their graves at the travesty of these insurgents and I am certain they wouldn't be waiting for lawyers and time to see who wins. Let's not forget that treason is a capital crime punishable by death!Ronald A. Soulard, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, August 6, 2023