Letters to the editor for Sunday, March 12, 2023

Governor's political playbook

Here's the political playbook: Control schools and colleges by passing laws about what can be taught and by appointing boards and presidents who agree with your views.

Appoint or help get chosen judges who reflect your point of view and do the same with prosecutors. Plus have laws to prevent other governments at the local, city and county levels from enacting laws contrary to state ones. And on and on.

In other words, control or mute as many sources and institutions as you can. Prevent as much opposition as possible.

Doesn't this frightening scenario look like what Ron DeSantis is trying to do here in Florida?

If this frightens you also, I urge you to speak out and join with those who oppose such dire actions.

Leonard Solo, Naples

Typical liberal hypocrisy

Bernie Sanders was wrong. Greed will not be America's downfall. The socialist media -- the bane of democracy -- will do that. History will bear out that Karl Marx inspired guppies were much too progressive for their proverbial britches.

The book banning editorial in The News-Press on Sunday, March 5, was typical liberal hypocrisy. How is DeSantis' book selection campaign different from what the mainstream media does daily in reporting current events? What doesn't conform to their agenda, they either ignore or tailor to their script. In this case they devoted a full half page while overstating their contention without allowing a rebuttal.

Florida is not Nazi Germany of the 1930's and DeSantis is not a dictator advocating the burning of books. Again, media propaganda. He is attempting to protect young, impressionable minds from woke brainwashing. He rightly believes parents -- not self-absorbed teachers -- should choose their offspring's curriculum.

The News-Press itself serves as an example of journalism's slide into oblivion.  Until recent years, it offered a forum where its readers could exchange opinions as the First Amendment intended. The current gatekeeper took that away by allowing liberal interlopers from Naples to hijack this feature. Consequently, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lee contributor opinion seldom reaches the N/P presses today.

America itself is engaged in a cultural revolution where millions of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens are being held hostage by radical factions that are dividing the nation along racial and socio-economic lines. Further, they are being aided and abetted  by a puppet president who favors the minorities that elected him. Meanwhile, China is waiting patiently for America to self-implode from this dissension. A sad requiem for a once great society.

Gerald Ponder, Cape Coral

Free speech upended

Based on your editorial piece in Sunday's paper, I can only conclude that pornography in the schools is good. On the other hand, Mallard Fillmore in the comics section is bad. Your definition of free speech is difficult to understand.

Don Rader, Naples

Bring back 'Dilbert'

I was unable to read the paper for the last week. In reading back issues to catch up, I was dismayed to learn that you have succumbed to the mob and are participating in the cancellation of Scott Adams. The comics section of the paper is no place for politics; bring back "Dilbert," the best strip on the planet.

Mike Zeigler, Naples

Dangerous agenda

It appears that voters who elected Republicans to the Florida Legislature and governor's office are getting what they wished for: bans on thought, bans on books, and further abortion restrictions among other thoughtless and dangerous initiatives. Our governor keeps calling Florida the freedom state and all who oppose his agenda as "woke." Well hopefully our voters who care will change "woke" to "awake" and elect representatives who have the best interests of Florida residents and not their own personal and dangerous agenda.

Michael Newman, Fort Myers

Outstanding treatment at NCH

Having just recently gone through “Stroke Protocol” procedures at NCH downtown, I’ve got to give out platitudes in every regard. After my exit from my nice ambulance ride and awesome EMTs I was greeted by no less than a dozen medical staff testing and evaluating. Sorry all names escape me, ‘cept for Cara, but everyone I had contact with was outstanding, helpful, kind and generous. All in all, my slight scare was totally allayed by the treatment I received. Thanks to one and all. While I hope not to return any time soon, if the occasion ever arises I will not be as skeptical as once before.

Jeff Clark, Naples

Fascism and autocracy

DeSantis calls Florida a freedom state. What a joke! Restrictions on DEI, education, banning books, the right of a woman to control her own body, the demeaning of LGBTQ, gerrymandering to restrict minorities from voting, etc. Fascism and autocracy might be better words to describe DeSantis' actions. The Nazi regime banned books. Those that support these actions seem to want a police state where white Christian nationalists are in charge and no one else.

Tom Beck, Naples

Reeks of censorship

I read with interest the prominently displayed editorial in Sunday's paper condemning the banning of books where you vigorously point out that our leaders "...not only do not seem to see the hypocrisy at play here but moreover endorse it with accompanying actions to limit access to ... lessons and ideas with which they disagree. That is the very definition of censorship."

I would encourage you to replace your reference to governor, Legislature and parents with the term "News-Press" then take your own words to heart n relation to the removal of the "Dilbert" comic strip from your publication.  Let your subscribers decide on their own whether they choose to read it.  Do not presume to make that decision for us.  Doing so reeks of that censorship you so ardently oppose in your editorial.

I would add the Ray Bradbury quote in the final paragraph of the editorial speaks pretty much directly to this issue.

It reads, "If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him. Better yet, give him none."

You find "none" unacceptable in your editorial and yet you withhold "Dilbert."  Can't say I follow your logic.

I implore you to listen to your own words and set "Dilbert" free.

James Sowers, San Carlos Park

No books banned in Collier

“Books banned in Collier County” is the claim of your paper’s headline, but that is not accurate and demeans the impact of reporting on regimes that actually ban books. If you obtained a copy of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s "Gulag Archipelago" in the Soviet Union you would be sent to the gulag. Like the National Socialist regime in Germany, communist countries didn’t allow publishing or banned books and threatened anyone who tries to evade their rules with prison or even death.

Any parent or resident of Collier County can obtain all three purported “banned” books delivered to them overnight for less than $40 from Amazon right now. They are NOT banned. They are readily available.

What you apparently object to is parental participation and age appropriate books in school libraries. Don’t cheapen the real danger of banning books with exaggeration in an attempt to justify your opposition to appropriate parental participation of what our children obtain from school libraries.

Ron Robinson, Naples

Hypocrisy in action

Let's talk about hypocrisy. "Dilbert" is cancelled because the creator used racist comments. Several statues were torn down because they either had slaves or supported slavery. Names were changed on buildings, highways, streets and other things because the name was associated somehow with slavery. However, the Democratic Party actually had in their platform prior to the Civil War the support of slavery. Why do we still allow Democrats?

Let's also talk about polling. Today's Naples Daily News gave the results of a polling of Blacks regarding the issue of teaching Black American history. Governor DeSantis has prohibited teaching of Black American history if it supports critical race theory, white supremacy, Black oppression and reparations. Some 90% of Blacks did not agree with limiting the teaching of Black American history. While the actual questions that were asked were not provided, the media has repeatedly said that DeSantis has prohibited the teaching of Black American history, which is a lie. It only follows that the media has misled the public (not unusual) by suggesting that DeSantis is not allowing the teaching of Black American history. Given that background, is it surprising to have those poll results?

Lastly, in today's paper, there were two editorials about book banning. Both focused on the issue of the new Florida law about age appropriate books for children and both were very critical of DeSantis and the new law. Just a couple of questions for these people. First, do you support any limit on young children reviewing any kind of books? Second, do you support the rewriting or removal of past books to eliminate things that some people may find offensive today? If they answer yes to either question, how do we determine which ones?

Ron Wobbeking, Naples

Odd timing from Trump

Prior to pledging to engage in “retribution” at the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) last Saturday, former President Trump was extensively quoted, and did not deny about his desire to expand capital punishment executions, extend them to more offenses, stage mass firing squad executions, and televise them (presumably on Fox News).

The dystopian picture he paints in urging to increase criminal penalties is rather odd timing coming from one who is subject to at least four pending investigations that could lead to criminal charges against him for a variety of offenses, including unauthorized maintenance of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in violation of the Federal Espionage Act, which extends to capital punishment in certain war-time circumstances.

The ex-president’s exhortations for the oiling in punishment for criminal offenders invokes the aphorism “Don’t  ask for something you don’t want; you might get it.”

But it’s unlikely he  would recall his implorations. When it comes to recantation by the former president, another phrase from the streets of his native New York City fits: “fugetaboutit.”

Marshall Tanick, Naples

Dump Trump and Biden

There comes a time in life when the political endeavors of our two parties are too out of line in reality. Folks let’s face it. Trump wants retribution. No matter that he was hacked to pieces by the media on a daily basis or all the nonsense about the Russian collusion, there is no time for retribution in our government. If Trump wants to play retribution games he needs to do it on the golf course, not as commander in chief.

As far as Biden goes, he has built a woke society whereby the people he hires for major responsibilities are by far the most incompetent of people that the Democrats have gathered together in one spot. No one knows what’s going on anywhere. Just watch Merrick Garland or the FBI on where are they with the Hunter Biden laptop and if Joe is involved. No one knows.

As far as President Biden’s performance is going he is right on track to break Jimmy Carter's spot as one of the worst presidents ever.  We had a good laugh with Jimmy and his brother’s Billy Beer. With Joe at the helm it’s pretty much don’t watch him as he stumbles up the ramp to get in into the plane or out of it.

Leo Amos, Matlacha

Biden, Powell have to go

Powell has once again proven himself to be clueless and worthless.

I have been saying for ages that raising interest rates is in and of itself inflationary.

No two people on our history have damaged a once great economy more than Biden and Powell.

They both need to go.

Michael Adler, Miromar Lakes

Biden’s weak leadership

President Biden needs to stop the blame game and look in the mirror. With every crisis, he looks for a scapegoat. Open borders, stagnant economy, inflation, energy shortage, excessive spending, crime surge, insensitive derailment response, supply shortages, airline service disruptions, education decline, trans/LGBQ radicalism, fentanyl deaths, military wokeness, increased bigotry, etc., all happened on his watch and was endorsed by Democrats.Despite being chair of the Senate Foreign Relations for years, President Biden’s weak leadership has crippled the United States’ power and influence in the world. The dollar as world reserve currency and Saudi Arabia’s trust in the U.S. has disappeared. Afghanistan has fallen. China has increased its sphere of influence and control all over the world. They have infiltrated our politics, social media, education, business, and stolen intellectual property in our country. China’s increased hostility towards Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Uyghurs along with the Russian invasion in Ukraine has put the U.S. in the crosshairs of a major confrontation.

Instead of doubling down on blame and fixing issues that are ruining our country. Biden is gearing up for his 2024 race, preparing to talk about his accomplishments. Hopefully the American people will not be hoodwinked and instead remember the condition of our country, its economic strengths, freedoms, liberty, and world respect Biden inherited on his inauguration. Accepting his mediocrity or failure is the real enemy of greatness.

Frank Mazur, Fort Myers

Enabling war in Ukraine

I read the letter re Russian plywood and how the $1B+ is enabling the war in Ukraine. True and bad! But nothing like the war on fossil energy which has enriched Russia by $2B per week ever since we gave up on energy independence. It is possible that there would be no war in Ukraine if we had not caused Russia to earn an extra $200B.

Jim Sullivan, Naples

You whine, we govern

I can’t believe how many alleged adults are having a tantrum over their favorite comic. I like reading "The Lockhorns." If I discovered the creators were racist homophobes, I think I can make it through the day without reading it. Don’t talk about free speech. You’re in Florida. Free is what DeSatan defines as free. I remember a commercial a while back. A shutter company proudly proclaimed, if you’re a liberal and voted for Biden, don’t bother to spend your money here. Or something like that. Free speech. But they lost out on 50 percent of paying customers. You guys worry about Legos, Mr. Potato Head, the green M&M not turning Tucker on anymore. You call us snowflakes. You whine, we govern.

Charles Perkins, North Fort Myers

Buttigieg in over his head

He admitted he was slow to respond to the train wreck and chemical spill, but has never spoken directly to residents of the town.

His photo sessions never placed him in a town hall meeting talking to the folks.

So to gain back lost momentum, he flew to Nashville and sat with Hillary getting motherly consoling!

She of course was quick to mention he was the first gay person to secure such a high post. The youngest person to hold the job of secretary of Transportation, however she never mentioned his failures. Nor did she mention what he has accomplished to qualify him for this office.

Supply chain issues, air industry failures, chemical spills, and the latest is two planes on the ground in a major airport almost collided!

Unfortunately for him and the nation, Buttigieg is in a job he cannot do!

He is definitely in over his head!

His term as a mayor in Indiana has not prepared him for this responsibility.

He wants to be president!

God help us!

Denny Rosenhagen, Naples

Time to address housing issue

I read with interest Michael Braun's reporting of Joe Trachtenberg's removal as chair of the Collier Housing Advisory Group. Of special interest were Chris Hall's comments regarding the removal. To me it seemed like "pouring a little perfume on the pig." To characterize Trachtenberg as "fearmongering" is ridiculous. Our county commissioners have kicked the can down the road, taking no positive action on the affordable housing crisis. It's time to address the issue that impacts us all. Commissioners, look in the mirror and put the county's money to work to solve the problem. Otherwise, instead of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi's response "No soup for you," you may end up going to NCH and hear "no nurse for you."

John Johnson, Naples

Proposed legislation

I support Governor DeSantis' Executive Order 23-06, most specifically: "Partner with the Department of Economic Opportunity and local governments to improve local government long-term comprehensive planning that ensures sustainable growth while protecting our natural resources, including prioritizing sewer connections and advanced wastewater systems that can sustain increased population demands and protecting taxpayer investments in Everglades restoration projects and major land conservation and water quality protection programs."

As such, proposed legislation that undermines and restricts comprehensive planning and public engagement contradicts the intent and explicit directive of Executive Order 23-06. I am opposed to:

• proposed legislation that lessens local rule by imposing state regulations on local comprehensive plans• prevents robust public engagement• makes environmental resources, water resources and wildlife vulnerable to exploitation• and diminishes the quality of life for Floridians.

Our abundant natural resources and the interests of long-standing residents would be jeopardized by proposed legislation that authorizes behind the scenes negotiations, limits standards review and lessens concurrency of infrastructure. These proposals would fuel reckless development, exceeding the carrying capacity of environmentally critical and impaired ecosystems. Many of the bills proposed would result in negative outcomes for communities, OPPOSITE of what is intended by Executive Order 23-06 edict to coordinate and mitigate human impacts.

If proposed legislation is enacted, excessive, unmitigated development will increase our flood and homeowner insurance premiums without local provisions for conservation lands, natural solutions, and responsible growth. If legislation proposed is enacted the ability of local communities to effectively respond to flooding risks, water quality impairment and risks to human health and safety will further escalate losses to property and life. Our communities may ultimately no longer be eligible to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, be able to secure homeowner coverage through private insurers and may collapse the state market.

To meet the ambitious objectives of Executive Order 23-06, MORE public involvement, participation and engagement is needed, not less. Emphasis on responsible planning and multi-agency, regional coordination is needed through open, transparent government. To reduce insurance costs and mitigate hazards, legislation should reflect the intent and directive of Executive Order 23-06 and foster public policy that supports, not undermines, those objectives.

I oppose legislation that is: 1) counter to the intent and directive of Executive Order 23-06, 2) undermines local rule, transparency and public participation in planning and 3) will increase the costs of insurance and limit insurance options for Floridians.

Marsha Ellis, Fort Myers

Hurricane Ian tax status

President Biden has labeled Hurricane Ian a “Federal Disaster” but Congress has not yet labeled it as a “Qualified Federal Disaster.” Without such action on the part of Congress, taxpayers will not receive the same tax return treatment of their hurricane losses as was available for Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Ian losses will only be deductible for those that itemize deductions to the extent that such losses exceed 10% of their adjusted gross income. Those that take the standard deduction will not be able to also deduct their hurricane losses as they could Hurricane Irma losses. This can result in an income tax burden thousands of dollars greater than that incurred as a result of Hurricane Irma.Why Congress as not acted is not known but it needs to be fixed. I encourage all taxpayers to contact the Florida congressional delegation to fix this problem. I also encourage all seasonal residents to contact their congressional delegations in their Northern state of residence and ask for this designation for Hurricane Ian.

Chris Corrie, Bonita Springs

Fight inflation, shop smarter

Let’s be honest all you business owners large and local. We, and the globe, entered an inflationary period following COVID. Some of the pressures were real, supply chain issues, worker shortages, refineries getting up to scale, you name it. But as corporate America does, they pad the bottom line. They take advantage of you. Car dealers adding a couple thousand for extra nothing, country clubs adding the maximum allowed because they can. They don’t care about you, really care. If you can’t pay, move. Insurance has become another joke. Seriously? Start shopping smart, every year shop insurance. Go to Aldi, Trader Joe’s but so many here don’t cook and don’t care. They’ll pay $150 for dinner out and complain about the price of asparagus in Publix. It’s a Southwest Florida dichotomy. Do everyone a favor. Shop a little smarter. The tiny bit you save means a lot for our neighbors trying to put food on the table and a rent they can’t afford

Laurence Jacks, Estero

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, March 12, 2023