Letters to the editor for Sunday, May 21, 2023

Vitriol at school meeting

At the May 3 Collier County school board meeting, two men of the cloth presented their views on the selection of the new superintendent. A local, self-described pastor, patriot and Marine Corps veteran spoke first. His rhetoric was filled with outlandish, vitriolic allegations toward those not sharing his "Christian" values. It was particularly offensive to state that "We have seen many educators and board members and teachers come in, and I believe many of them were planted by Satan himself." The pastor's support for Mr. Van Zant was based on his Christian values, military experience and patriotism. His implication was clear; Dr. Ricciardelli would not uphold his vision of God, country and patriotism. Incidentally, patriots come in all genders, religions, colors, occupations and political leanings.

Conversely, a local rabbi spoke to the need for civil discourse, respect for all and the most important quality when selecting a superintendent, "a stellar professional record as well as experience in classrooms, curriculum, and school administration ... who will listen to and respect all students and families, those with different ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds included."

Once outside, the rabbi was verbally accosted by two men shouting anti-semitic insults. As a non-Jew and a Christian by birth, I find this utterly disgusting. While the pastor has the right to believe whatever he chooses, the spewing of his vile remarks in a public forum and the audience applause emboldened those men who verbally attacked the rabbi. I ask you, who was the real man of the cloth?

Kathleen Byrnes, Naples

Free Florida from DeSantis

So, Gov. DeSantis is continuing his rampage on the rights of Florida citizens. Women: you now have six weeks to get an abortion because the gov (in the dark of night) made it happen. No choice for you ladies because you don’t even know you are pregnant at six weeks. We can’t talk about the dark era of slavery or the horrors of what some fellow Floridians' families suffered years ago. Our kids will have a whitewashed version of history. Thanks gov. Now our universities will allow no deviations from the gov’s version of what might be offered on our campuses. What is next for us here? Does he want to make our state a wasteland where free thought and perspectives that differ from his agenda go to die? Let’s not just sit here and let this happen. We have a state government that kowtows to his every whim and vision of a repressed Florida. Please vote out those who would limit a woman’s right to choose, a college student’s right to think unfettered by his whims and let’s make people comfortable in the choices for how they choose to live their lives. Let’s make Florida free again.

Barbara Levatich, Naples

What Biden has done

There was another letter on Sunday asking the question “what has Biden done since his election?”

1) Saddled with COVID, he got millions of shots into arms. He also sent $160 million dollars in aid for food, rent and small businesses along with the expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

2) Safely reopened schools albeit with some red-state governors eschewing the mask mandate.

3) Commandeered the greatest job growth ever thanks to the American Rescue Plan.

4) Passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill repairing and building new roads and bridges.

5) Passed the Chips Bill to enable production of chips here in lieu of foreign sources.

6) Passed the Inflation Reduction Bill which no Republicans voted for which expanded Medicare, lowered energy costs and enabled drug negotiations most notably capping the cost of insulin which was crippling American families.

7) Closed tax loopholes and initiated a 15% tax on big corporations.

Many of these beneficiaries are the same ones writing to The News-Press asking what has Biden done?

Red state politicians are hypocritically accepting credit for these achievements even though they never cast a yea vote. They also blame Biden for inflation (which is worldwide) and the war in Ukraine (a big contributor to inflation).

The next time a far-right letter writer queries this hackneyed question, refer them to their own environment before asking such unaware submissions.

Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral

Science over ignorance

When I read comments by bishops, Southern Baptists, etc., that gender transition is "contrary to God's design" or a blatant attempt to undermine the very order of creation and the ilk, I am reminded of what occurred to Galileo in 1633 because he said the Earth revolved around the Sun, versus the opposite. He was accused of heresy and confined to nine years of house arrest till his death in 1642.  Not until 1999 did the Roman Catholic Church clear his name.  The point being that refuting science based on self-appointed interpretation of the Bible is ignorant and a cause of harm.  When you think about it, the modern human race is very recent compared to the age of our 5 billion year old planet, and only in the last 150 years has the human race even gotten and used electricity or automobiles, airplanes, etc., meaning we are just learning, which includes gender issues.

So instead of repeating the Galileo thing by a personal interpretation of the Bible, let science solve the gender issue.

Richard Quist, Estero

Solution for immigrant crisis

One of the biggest issues with our immigration process is that Congress hasn’t appropriated enough money and resources to process people who may have a legitimate right to become a U.S. citizen. The flow of migrants will never cease because they are desperate to escape the challenging situations of their homeland. Waiting for a resolution can take three to five years.

The solution: Create a joint venture between the U.S. and Mexico on the Mexican side of the boarder to produce solar power. These could be giant solar fields that would employ thousands of people. This operation would include housing, food distribution, schools and day care for children. Shops for various needs could be set up and run by the residents. It would have a police force that keeps the people safe from both inside and outside troublemakers. People and their families could safely live here while waiting for their applications for citizenship to be approved. The revenues from supplying power to the U.S. and Mexico would offset ongoing expenses and eventually pay off the initial investment. There could be a governing council set up to make decisions about the work, pay, needs and concerns of the community.

It could be started as a prototype on a small scale then refined and duplicated to a larger scale and even at other physical locations.

George Joeckel, Naples

Florida 'freedom' undermined

I am a white heterosexual male and from a very early age, I knew I liked girls, not boys.  But I also learned at an early age that there were people different from me in some ways, whether it was the color of their skin, their religion, ethnicity or other aspects of their being such as sexual orientation and sexual identity.  By and large, they all contributed to making America great.  Again and again.  So it’s hard to understand why DeSantis and his supporters are so intent on beating up on gays and transgender people.  Why the ban on discussion of them in schools?  What are the governor and his sycophants really afraid of?  Why the un-American prejudice?  Why is this suddenly an issue for the governor and his supporters?  Sexual orientation, hetero or same sex, and transgender feelings, are not and never have been shown to be “contagious,” if that’s the real fear.  So how can a rational and fair-minded person explain the governor’s and Legislature’s interfering with the personal freedom of a child and that child’s parents, with the necessary oversight of licensed medical and psychological experts, to decide on the best treatment for a child who is seriously questioning his or her sexual identity?  For a governor and Legislature that claim Florida is the state of freedom, their cruel and inhumane dehumanization of and preventing necessary treatment for those who are a small minority is just the opposite of what they preach.

Barry Fulmer, Fort Myers

Biden divisive

What in the name of Strom Thurmond is President Biden doing? His commencement speech at Howard University, a historically black university, has labeled me (an old peaceful white guy) and several others like me in the country as the major terrorist threat to the country. And on top of that, I am Pure Evil! Now if his objective is to go back to his “good old days” of racial segregation, his comments make perfectly good sense. His deliberate attempt to divide the country using the liberal foolishness of race baiting makes him the most serious threat to the country and it has to stop soon.

I used the term "doing" in the first sentence rather than "thinking" because I know better. And your DEI group can look up Strom Thurmond because I know you have no idea why I made the reference.

Don Rader, Naples

A new bill every day

Seems like our esteemed governor signs a new bill every day. Talk about a hard worker taking care of Floridians. The latest one keeps us from knowing his travel plans outside the state/country. There have been more than we know! Security, I guess.It may also be embarrassing for him to disclose where he is going and how much it is going to cost us citizens. Are our tax dollars footing the bill for him and his entourage (security personnel, staff minions, lodging, etc.)?But look at the results: a new bill or regulation almost every day lately and usually in time for the daily news cycle, too. That’s except for the recent one signed in the dark of night, but maybe that was done for security, too. How perceptive he is.

I also note the Legislature recently provided another bill to allocate $16,000,000 for defense of all those previous bills. I guess that’s appropriate, but one would think that any bill the governor signs is ONLY for the good of Floridians. Why would anyone complain? Not women affected by the latest abortion ban; not aliens; not New College of Florida students; not LGBTQ persons; etc.Think about it. I have.

Raymond Brooks, Fort Myers

Memorial Day understanding

I communicate as a Vietnam veteran from a family of veterans who have passed on. The veteran's purpose is enabling freedom, liberty, human rights and safety.

Yes, we help other countries so as to also bring security to our country before war extends to our shores, with the exception of the Civil War and terrorism. What is unfortunate is the death on the field of battle and deaths at home from service in the military.  With sadness, I know that the greater numbers of the dying through war in other countries are the innocent civilians.

I have learned that the voice of the people in any land can resonate.  There is another conflict/war which is ongoing, and that is drug abuse, gun violence, alcohol abuse, and domestic abuse.  Add the deaths from all and annually this will look as a war ongoing. I believe people need to recognize the importance of our military, our law enforcement, our family structure, and community leaders, and have regard for the self. Imagine the better day for families when there will not be physical conflict, and people and countries will learn to resolve their conflicts through communication. Communicating to bring peace is an ongoing process.

I thank you and remember you, veterans of the military, for leading us in the direction for peace.

Louis Cohen (Koltun), Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 23, Naples

Costs of migrant problem

The humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border is censored by mainstream media. Reuters estimates 10,000 illegal entries per day, while the NY Post cites 90,000 in the first ten days of May. Rather than extend Title 42 for the fentanyl threat, Biden allows it to lapse.A former acting Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Director and former acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner stated, " I have served the country under numerous presidents, and Joe Biden is the first president to intentionally unsecure the border." "We estimate over six million illegal entries and get-aways during Biden's first 24 months." Apprehensions include terrorists from China, Yemen, Somalia and Romania. Rescue beacons along the border were established with instructions in Mandarin.

Human trafficking and fentanyl are unchecked. The cost to towns and states for illegal immigrant child education, health care, law enforcement and welfare go undisclosed. Texas alone has seized enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman and child in the country.Annual costs to clothe, educate and house migrants are cited at NY-$2.8 billion, Illinois-$5 billion, CA-$21.76 billion, TX- $8.88 billion in addition to federal one-year price tag of $202 billion.My point to all the liberal progressive voices on this page is that in the near future no city will be able to bear migrant costs any longer.

George Arcos, Naples

White supremacy agenda

Governor Ron DeSantis is promoting his racist white supremacy policy in Florida. We say we promote justice and equity but in reality we do not. America has a grave problem with lack of diversity, and this is very bad in Florida. Minorities are not just being oppressed, they are being denied justice and equal opportunity.

With passage of the current DEI bill, the problem will only get worse.

However, let me add that this does not just hurt minorities, but America suffers from decreased potential (productivity). There are also dangers in exclusion of parts of the population from things like education and health care, setting up potentials for risk to the entire population.

I am also very puzzled by his attack on immigrants in Florida, and at the southern border. Yet, he depends on whitening to sustain a white majority.

This can only occur if he has a willing subset of the population that allow abuses. It is unfortunate that immigrants have no control.

Lewis Robinson, Fort Myers

Chaos at border

The last few years we have been inundated with updates, or lack thereof, concerning the chaos at our southern border. Well over a year ago our president tapped the vice president to address these concerns. As of this writing she has done absolutely nothing. Today we have a crisis. Where has she been for over a year? Now no one knows what to do. We haven’t heard a word from her. The last two days we have seen over 20,000 cross the border (illegally). Now what? Some have been given court dates into the year 2026. Are they kidding?

The administration has also begun to transport the illegal immigrants to every corner of the country, most with no prior notification to their destination. This puts enormous pressure on their resources. The federal government doesn’t seem to care.

Also, during the last two years we have nothing but good news from Director Mayorkas that everything was under control. What a joke. One lie after the other. My only conclusion is that the current administration truly believes that we the people are idiots.

And by the way, who is paying for all this? You guessed it, we the people.

Frank Iraggi, Bonita Springs

Doesn't seem fair

I read in your newspaper of the 975 people charged for their taking part in the Jan. 6 insurrection, 111  (11%) have been charged are from Florida. I would be curious to know how many of these 111 were on the buses sponsored by Alfie Oakes. Are there repercussions for the bus sponsors?  Doesn't seem fair, what may be everyday citizens that were caught up in the hype and mob mentality would be charged but those that encouraged it get away with nothing. Just saying.

Lou Vigliotti, Naples

Biden divides

Joe Biden ran on being the great uniter. Here is what he said on May 13th to college graduates at Howard University In a commencement address. ”White supremacy is the single most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland. “ He makes this divisive statement on a regular basis. This is not one of his many gaffes. This is on purpose as he panders to a voting bloc. Fomenting this kind of acerbic vitriol only adds to an already divided country. Although undeniably racism still exists maybe Biden should be reminded of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which declares that discrimination for any reason on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin is against the law. Instead of condemning our country maybe our president can advise of a better country for minorities to live. If white supremacy is so rampant how did we elect Barack Obama twice? Keep in mind blacks only make up 13% of the population. How did we elect 133 minority members of the House and Senate. Most big city mayors, police chiefs and town councils got elected in a racist country? How did Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, along with minorities in all professions gain such prominence in an oppressive white supremacy dominated country? It turns out the biggest threat to our country may be the reckless statements made by our politicians.

John McWilliams, Fort Myers

Biased reporting

I purchased a copy of The News-Press today (5/11/2023) hoping find some in-depth reporting on Joe Biden and his family. There was not one article about Biden or his family. However, there were numerous stories about Donald Trump. Could this be on purpose? Don't tell me The News-Press is biased. How silly. Let them eat cake!

David Mettler. Lehigh Acres

Warmongering and interfering

I find it quite disconcerting and quite frightening that both of our political parties in Congress sing from the same song book when it comes to warmongering and interfering in other countries' internal affairs. The war in the Ukraine is a travesty. It should have, and could have been avoided. Haven’t we learned anything in the last 30 years. The war in the Ukraine has hurt our economy and even more so the European economies.And now we are preparing for another war with China, by performing wargames and building bases in the Philippines. This is utterly nonsense.It’s time for a new song book!Where are the courageous clear thinkers who will put pen to paper to write this new book before we not only destroy ourselves, but the whole of mankind.We are all being infected by the conformity virus because we are afraid to speak of a different future for our country. Afraid to be called a Russian sympathizer and anti-American by doing so. We must pivot from a warmongering to a peace-seeking country.Our children and grandchildren will thank us for it. And the atomic clock is ticking two seconds before midnight.Time is running out. Let’s get on with it.Henry Pfendt, Naples

Foreign wars

As we prepare to commemorate Memorial Day once again, some of us will remember that old saw: ”War never decides who is right, but only who is left.” I personally feel that is a rather frivolous sentiment, but it is out there and is a constant part of the conversation.

I think we should openly acknowledge that our dead sons and daughters were admirable patriots, precisely because when their country called, they stepped forward. In so doing, they voluntarily surrendered the most precious thing of all, their lives. They did it in our name.

I also think that we should openly acknowledge that the United States has paid its debt to the international community and that we have paid it in spades. At a preposterous cost in blood and treasure, we came to democracy’s defense three times (World War I, World War II, and the Cold War).

We should no longer do this: we have quite enough on our own plate here at home, we can no longer afford it, and other nations should attend to their own affairs.

As my party (the Libertarian Party) said quite plainly in its 2020 national platform (Part 3.1, National Defense):

“… We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both avoid entangling alliances and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world...”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Larry Gillis, Cape Coral

Tired of senseless killing

I believe all gun activists should spend a night in a city emergency ward and see what doctors go through telling loved ones their special person has died. Go talk to police officers about weapons of war, AR-15s, stronger than what they carry on duty. Go look at unavailable pictures of children in Uvalde who were so destroyed by guns they could only be named by DNA review.

It's easy to sit back in your tricorner hat spewing Revolutionary weapons history of flintlock, knives and cannon.

This is 2023 and a time when the youth are tired of senseless killing and shooter drills in schools.

We can be leaders, not the laughing stock of the world on guns. No statistics, no hugs and prayers but a time to change to a safe United States.

Glenn Mueller, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, May 21, 2023