Letters to the editor for Thursday, April 7, 2022
Vibrant life forms disappear at Bunche
I vote to let the developers do whatever they want to the mangroves. Why not! The various agencies, under the influence of bureaucrats that turn a blind eye, have been ignoring reality. Instead, politicians fund another study to buy time. I have been a volunteer walking Bunche Beach for 16 years. I have seen the vibrant life forms disappear due to pollution. Bunche Beach used to be covered with Horseshoe crabs -- mating or molting. Gone. There were a myriad of colorful shells -- jingles, tellins, cockles. Gone. There were manatees feeding on grasses that no longer grow just offshore. Gone. Fishermen netting mullet by the boatload. Gone. Bunche used to be the go-to location for bird watchers. Not so much, anymore. I don’t think I am an environmental nut; rather, just someone sad to see a beautiful resource lost in the name of progress.
Ron Ustruck, Fort Myers
Americans take freedom for granted
The solidarity of the Ukrainian people has been remarkable, especially compared to America's fractured social and political landscape. The U.S. has been radicalized by social media and college-trained socialist journalists. TV news has become partisan entertainment and leisure activities have been replaced by Facebook, Twitter and a gaggle of cult-like groups that have divided a once unified nation.
The Right has its share of extremists but the Left has more; leading off with the National Organization for Women that declared war on the male species. Next came Black Lives Matter, a Marxist group that resembles the NAACP on steroids, followed by WOKE, an upstart group determined to rewrite history to their liking. The latest skirmish is between parents, educators, and LGBTQ, fighting over 6-year-old minds.
Was China's President Xi correct when he proclaimed "America is broken and will perish from within?" Abraham Lincoln warned of such a prospect when he opined "A house divided against itself cannot stand." If America is going to prevail over China and Russia in collective willpower, we should follow Ukraine's example. These resolute people are battling Putin's Russian invaders, not arguing with their neighbors over trivialities. While the rest of the world seeks freedom, Americans take it for granted.
Gerald Ponder, Cape Coral
Curious revelation in Ginni Thomas texts
One of the many curious revelations in the treasure trove of texts from Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, to Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the run-up and aftermath to the Jan. 6 insurrection in the nation’s capital was that her husband, the justice, has been in contact with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis “on various things of late.”
It would be interesting to find out why the justice would be contacting the governor right before Jan. 6 and, more tellingly, what “things” they were addressing.
Their interactions concerning the presidential election “of late” would be particularly noteworthy because, it will be recalled, that Justice Thomas was outspoken in fending off critics of the court’s decision in the Gore-Bush election litigation of 2000 by declaring: “We don’t do politics here.”
Perhaps not there in D.C., but it looks like he may have been doing it “here” in Florida.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Someone's illness not joke material
In the grand scheme of things, "The Slap" does not come close to being in the 100 most important things in today's life.
In 60 days from now nobody will care or remember that Chris Rock received a slap. Hopefully maybe somebody will remember not to make a joke about someone's illness. It should not be in a "comedian's" list of jokes. Some people may not think an illness is funny. Don't prey upon someone's illness for joke material. It's simply not right or worth it.
Wayne Waldack, Marco Island
Russian pull-back could be worrisome
I worry when I hear the Russian invaders are "pulling back" in Ukraine. When I was in the military, we were taught that when the enemy pulls back much faster and farther than expected, they could be purposely extending the distance between friends and foe, so their troops will not be exposed to radiation during the tactical nuclear attack they are planning to launch. Yikes!
Gary MacDougal, Fort Myers
Pat Chambers welcome as FGCU coach
I am very pleased and excited with the hiring of Pat Chambers to direct our own FGCU men’s basketball program.
I am blessed to know the large and great family that Pat comes from.
Pat is an incredibly solid family man and basketball coach
So I encourage all Southwest Florida basketball fans to become season ticket holders and to attend as many games as possible and let’s make the 2022-2023 basketball season the best ever for FGCU and the most well attended!
Charles DeFeo, Fort Myers
Jail time for act of antisemitism
Recently, my friend, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, had his property vandalized. It was very obvious that it was an act of antisemitism, just by what was spray painted and destroyed. Two "kids" were caught by sheriff's deputies and rightfully charged. This is where I differ with Rabbi Greenberg as to punishment. He feels that they should not be given jail time, but to attend a class and attempt to educate them as to what they did means, history of antisemitism, so that hopefully they will never forget.
I feel that a better way to teach them "Never to forget" is give them jail time. With this action I am sure they never will forget, but will be constantly reminded. As the saying goes "If you do the crime, you pay the time."
What amazes me, not really, where is the outcry from other minority groups, the general public, etc.? To date there has been none, zero, zip, nada. Is this because he is a white Jewish individual? God help us if it is.
Steve Goldstein, Fort Myers
Biased report on gas prices
In the article "New Vehicles Must Average 40 mpg by 2026, Up From 28 mpg," the author seemingly tries to mislead the reader with biased, incorrect information. The author states that much of the gasoline price increase during the past year has come since Russia invaded Ukraine, which is totally false. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, (www.eia.gov), the average price of gasoline has increased from $2.63/gallon to $3.53/gallon in the 12 months ended 2/21/22. Gasoline further increased to $4.17/gallon through the week ending April 4, 2022. Prior to the Ukraine invasion, gasoline increased 34 percent, and since the invasion, 18 percent and is trending down now. Likewise, prices were up 90 cents before the invasion and 64 cents since the invasion. Later in the article the author states that the mileage standards will protect the country from "decisions made in the boardrooms of energy companies." What about the decisions made in the White House that have a huge impact on energy security and prices? I read the newspaper to get the news and facts and draw my own conclusions and would appreciate unbiased reporting just once.
Jerry Solomon, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Thursday, April 7, 2022
