Letters to the editor for Wednesday, November 1, 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

Deceptive DeSantis

The latest generosity (with our tax money) by the governor is to provide military supplies to the Israelis. While I support their cause, I see this as just another political deception on his way to a political loss to Trump. It is grandstanding at its best and with our tax money. More importantly, the money and arms could be better used by sending it to our less affluent public safety organizations across the state.

Another deception was the “mercy flight” from Israel to Tampa with a few Floridians on board. While “mercy” is valid, it is another case of the State of Florida usurping duties of the federal government. Is that what they teach at Harvard Law? Again, it was with tens of millions of our tax dollars. Actually, a spokesperson for Project Dynamo said that they would have completed the task anyway (without Florida’s money). I don’t even need to go into money spent to transport legally vetted aliens to Massachusetts and California.

He always seems to be living above his means on someone else’s dime: baseball scholarship to Yale, Navy sponsorship to Harvard Law, various political donations and on. Do we want this charlatan for president?

Raymond Brooks, Fort Myers

Naples Airport relocation

How exciting to think the Naples Airport could be relocated!  We could have a larger airport that accommodates commercial airlines in addition to private; routes to include international, Caribbean, Mexico; elimination of noise and air pollution in a densely populated area. And then we could use 700+ acres for a visionary, mixed use development that offers a quality lifestyle and environmentally friendly.

Also new tax revenue generated to invest in preserving the beach and Gulf of Mexico and to redesign the storm water runoff process that deteriorates the Gulf’s water quality.

Many upsides!

Liz Hitchcock, Naples

Airport noise, fumes

A letter writer states the Naples Airport has been in existence for decades and has never been a problem. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been a full-time resident of this area for 26 years and have been a daily reader of the Naples Daily News during that entire time. Over the years there have been many articles about the noise generated by the planes. Over the years the planes have gotten larger and louder. In addition to the noise, there is the smell of jet fuel. I frequently walk the Gordon River Greenway path and if the wind is blowing from the east, you can smell the jet fuel. Several days ago, there was an article about a developer wanting to build housing adjacent to the airport. When I read that article all I could do is shake my head and say, are you kidding? I know the airport will never be moved, because the one percent who can afford to fly private have tremendous power in this community and want the airport in a convenient location for them. The rest of us get the noise and fumes.

Claudia Kelley, Naples

Thoughts on guns

At 4 p.m. on October 29, just four days after the Lewiston mass murders, I was driving south on Route 41 when I fell in a long line of a car parade with American flags adorning the windows and "Accept Jesus" signs plastered on fenders, trunks, rear windows. From my perspective, Naples, as a city, is having few, if any, problems accepting Jesus.

Why not signs that proclaimed, "Jesus did not own guns." Enough.

Carole O'Malley Gaunt, Naples

Respect differences

I remember 80 years ago when first grade teachers would try to change left-handed children to be right-handed.  Nothing worked. They were created left-handed. Do you make fun of them or criticize them?  Some are born blind. No doctor can restore their vision.  Do you make fun of them?  Some are born paralyzed. How do you treat them?  Some are born with a loving attraction for those who have the same gender as they have. How do you treat them? These are all people who are different in one way but the same in all other ways. We must all learn to love and respect everyone, regardless of the differences.

Ellen McNally, Fort Myers

Deprived of federal funds

The Republicans running our state strike again: after turning down $346 million this summer from the federal government that would have reduced energy bills for Floridians purchasing energy-efficient appliances, our elected officials have turned down the chance to receive $400 million from the Biden administration for low-income households to install solar panels. Whether you believe in climate change or not, solar electricity saves households money.

The money that was passed up is part of the Environmental Protections Agency’s “Solar for All” program, and only four other states didn’t bother to apply for this funding: Idaho; Nevada; Montana; and South Dakota. It’s as if Republicans think they can score political points by turning away funds from President Biden, who is the president for all Americans. Please remember what your Republican Legislature deprived you or your fellow Floridians of when you vote in 2024.

Patricia Duncan, Bonita Springs

Independent pharmacy

For many years I was very happy dealing with a local independent pharmacy, but Hurricane Ian flooded him out of business. I was forced to use one of the two chain pharmacies in our area and it has been a disappointing experience. No one to talk to and refills can take more than a day. Forget about something not stocked as that can take a couple days.

I was recently sent to an independent in my area and it is like the good old days. Someone to answer questions, suggest alternatives and prompt refills. I have since noticed there are quite a few local independents around.  Many of them need your business and we need them to be successful. Take your business there and leave the chains behind.

Richard Krieger, North Naples

Pacifist enablers

Pacifists are enablers of the worst kind. They start wars, not prevent them. Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain was the Joe Biden of the late 1930's. He licked Hitler's boots instead of planting one on his rump. That brave act might have saved millions of lives in WW II and changed the course of history.

The U.S. appeasement of Iran has added fuel to a raging fire. For years America has kicked Iran's nuclear program down the road instead of taking firm action. In today's Middle East maelstrom Iran and their radical proxies apply Genghis Khan's barbaric playbook, not the Marquis of Queensberry rules of sportsmanship. They enjoy killing.

Radical nations like Iran and Pakistan feared unpredictable President Trump. Afraid he would drop a MOAB ("Mother of All Bombs") on them. One of those blockbusters deposited on a  nuclear facility would reduce it to rubble and put an exclamation point on America's resolve for all the world to see.  

Unfortunately, a nation assumes the persona of its leader and President Biden projects weakness. He has a penchant for throwing money at all  problems but respect cannot be bought. His extravagant spending has raised the national deficit to an all time high with China being a principal creditor. What  happens if and when  Chairman Xi Jinping demands repayment? A most frightening thought.

In summary: At his age, at this time in history, Joe Biden is  the wrong man for the job. To many he is an appealing alternative to Donald Trump and has benefited from an economic rebound after a pandemic, but in other matters he has bungled badly. Unlike his German shepherd, Commander, who bites routinely, Joe only mumbles and growls. Not an effective deterrent to bullies like Iran and their proxies.

Gerald Ponder, Cape Coral

Hybrids are way to go

A Bonita Springs writer spreads the good news that Florida will soon have a multitude of new EV charging stations. Unfortunately, without government incentives the sale of EVs has dried up and manufacturers are backing off on production. Hybrids are the way to go and EVs make no sense any way you look at the issue.

James Cavanagh, Naples 

Massacre without peace plan

We often heard outrage from Americans due to the failure of Muslim leaders to condemn the 9-11 terrorists attacks as well as the recent Hamas terrorism against Israel.  I suspect that Muslims throughout the world are wondering the same about the failure of American leaders, and those of other Western countries, to condemn the ongoing Israeli massacre of Palestinian civilians resulting from Israel’s retaliation.  On October 24, the Palestinians reported 305 children, 150 women and 78 Gaza civilians were killed by the previous day’s Israeli bombings.   Also, according to the Palestinians more than 5,700 Palestinians, including 2,300 minors have been killed so far from this new war.

People are people, children are children, whether they be Jewish, Palestinian, American, White, Black or any other type.  Little has been accomplished over the past 20 years to fix the Palestinian problem in the Middle East.  Flareups have killed tens of thousands of civilians.  Today’s war is a continued massacre without a plan to address the real problem: Palestinian statehood.  And this new war is just beginning.

“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” has not solved this problem in the past and there is no reason to believe it will do so now.  As this continues the dividing lines between the Middle East Muslims and the Western world Judeo/Christians will only get worse.  Americans blame Iran for supporting and supplying the Hamas and Hezbollah fighting units.  Muslims blame Americans for supporting and supplying the Israeli military.  We should be outraged at the civilian massacres from both sides.

Louis Erickson, Naples

Here we go again

Who could have predicted another mass shooting here in America. My guess is anyone who lives in America. Once again innocent people are massacred, and our fearless leaders are telling us nothing can be done. When will we get to the point at which Congress finally realizes they have blood on their hands. By failing to enact laws banning military weapons, high velocity bullets, and large capacity magazines, our leaders are vastly increasing the number of victims in these mass killings.

I just listened to an interview of a doctor in Maine from the emergency room who explained why DNA was needed to identify the bodies due to the carnage caused by these weapons of war. The reason is that these weapons have one purpose and one purpose only. Plain and simple, they were designed to kill human beings in war. They have no other purpose except to slaughter humans. I’ve yet to hear any logical argument explaining why ordinary civilians need weapons of war when there is a vast number of hand guns and rifles that are readily available for purchase.

Our newly appointed speaker of the House has just stated, “now is not the time for legislation” and “guns are not the problem, it’s people’s hearts.” One has to wonder when will it be time for legislation as people’s hearts can’t repel high velocity bullets! Wake up citizens of America; we need to take our country back. Let’s start voting for people who have common sense and not those who are controlled by donations from the NRA! When will we realize weapons of war have no place in civilized society?

Jim Propert, Fort Myers

No community immune

One of the most predictable, but nonetheless disturbing remarks  related to the latest mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, is the one by the city’s mayor, Carl Sheline, that it was “incomprehensible that something like this can  happen” in his small city.

This type of trite comment is uttered by the authorities in nearly every place after an event of this enormity occurs, a school, parade, religious institution, movie theater, nightclub, or other venue. But it reflects a blind  spot  that helps perpetuate these tragedies by  suggesting powerlessness to prevent the inevitability of the incidents and inviting inaction.

Given the proliferation of firearms, lax or unenforced regulations regarding ownership and possession of them, and the many deranged men (yes, they’re all males) out there, mass slayings with high-powered weaponry is hardly “incomprehensible” at all and they can happen anywhere.

No community is immune from this scourge, including here in Florida, where legislation enacted this year at the behest  of Governor DeSantis removed nearly all restrictions and safeguards. It assuredly will continue unabated until the causes of the epidemic of mass shootings become comprehensible and, once known, effective action is taken to minimize them.

Marshall H. Tanick, Naples

Right to exist

All of human history is a story of never-ending layers of conquest and defeat and of migration and exile. If it were to be undone, we’d need to uproot almost all peoples everywhere, including those who are currently portrayed as the hopelessly oppressed. What Hamas and the Muslims really want is another act of Arab colonization to eliminate the Jewish people, who must succumb, finally and completely, to the long tide of Islamization and Arabization “from the river to the sea.” This isn’t a principled adherence to the rights of indigenous people or a respect for ancient homelands, but tribal genocide.

The Palestinians sold their land to the Jews, and some stayed (and are still in Israel). There was no forceful displacement. At least, not until the Arabs attacked trying to take the land from Israel. From Ottoman Empire to Balfour Declaration, no “Palestinian” State existed and of course, no Palestinian language or people. The building of mosques on the sites of former/conquered synagogues and churches is particularly obnoxious.

The fundamental question is this: does Israel have a right to exist where it is today? Saudi Arabia was on the verge of acquiescing, which was anathema to Hamas. To paraphrase Charles Krauthammer, Israel is the very embodiment of Jewish continuity. It is the only nation on earth that inhabits the same land, bears the same name, speaks the same language, and worships the same God that it did 3,000 years ago.

 Steve Wolfson, Fort Myers

Bad choices, bad leaders

Bad decisions by voters bring bad leaders. History is repeating as the wars rage on in Israel, the Middle East and Europe. In 1941 the Japanese leader Hirohito approved the attack on Pearl Harbor which created the war in the Pacific. That war ended with the creation of the atomic bomb that killed over 100,000 civilians. Germany voted in Hitler in 1933 who supported the Nazi party who invaded Poland in 1939, which became the war in Europe. That decision was the elimination of over 6 million Jews. The war ended with the bombing of Germany and Berlin killing thousands of civilians.

That brings us to the bad decision that the Palestinians voted in Hamas in 2006 with the ultimate goal to eliminate all Jews in Israel. Hamas attacked on October 7, Palestinian civilians are paying the ultimate price for Hamas's decision to commit barbaric atrocities. The civilians who voted in Hamas will pay the ultimate price after the IDF eliminates Hamas. The anti Israel protests in the USA are disgusting with no denouncing by President Biden who was voted in by bad voter decisions. He allows Iran to continue terrorism in the Middle East with chants death to America. Voters must make a better choice in 2024 to bring world order. Bad voter choices bring bad leaders.Arthur Maranian, Naples

Who should provide aid

Why the heck should our tax dollars go to Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza who put them in power?  Let the Arab countries provide the aid like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. Oh and Iran too.

Michael R. Adler, Miromar Lakes

Diplomacy hasn't worked

A letter writer posits that the only answer to attaining peace in the Mideast is diplomacy. Let's see how that turned out. We've had the Camp David and Oslo accords, two of the more prominent attempts at peace. In fact, Google lists 10 treaties or conferences trying to solve the issue. I would call all of these failures as they are still killing each other.I really don't mean to be flippant about this, as one life lost there is one life too many. But, you have to be realistic. When the charter of your enemy, Hamas, denies the very right of your country, Israel, to exist, what chance does peace have?

Chuck Bainbridge, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Wednesday, November 1, 2023