Letters and feedback: April 3, 2022

Green case begs question about electing prosecutors

Crosley Green’s post-conviction issues highlight the problem with electing — not appointing — prosecutors.

Florida prosecutors, like prosecutors in 47 states, are elected, so if the public disapproves of their practices the public can vote — and has voted — them out. As a retired Connecticut attorney, I know that my state is one of only three in which state prosecutors are appointed rather than elected; although restrained by periodic legislative approval, they do not rely directly upon popularity. This begs the question of whether elected prosecutors prioritize remaining popular over liberating innocent persons.

More: Torres: Maybe innocence really is irrelevant | Opinion

Since Florida prosecutors rely upon the popular vote to remain in office, might they unreasonably value a record of convictions, especially convictions that please the voters? Is this why Green’s prosecutors maintain Green’s guilt despite inconsistencies and a lower court vacating the conviction? Perhaps Green is guilty and was convicted fairly, but what about those convicted despite their innocence? Do the barriers to post-conviction relief unreasonably block innocent prisoners?

Columnist John Torres’s readers may well shudder at the dim prospects facing an unfairly convicted relative. If prosecutors did not rely upon the next election, would they more likely take the high road and pursue prosecutorial purity rather than prosecutorial “wins”? Perhaps Florida should change its approach.

Peg Jacobson, Melbourne Beach

Cull manatees? Really, Commissioner?

Commissioner Curt Smith's comments on culling the the manatee population show exactly why our government is failing.

People in his position would rather thin down a species than address the problems that they face. The deterioration of the habitat that manatees need to survive is part of the natural ecosystems that keep us alive. I bet Curt moved from New Jersey 27 years ago to be in the pristine state of Florida because of its natural beauty — the same natural beauty the politics of his kind have destroyed.

I would like to ask Curt: Would you “cull” people from your family because there was not enough food, or would you work on their food source?

We need new leaders.

Robert Scott Shaffer, Palm Bay

No need to cull manatees: They're dying on their own

As a Florida resident since 1993, I have seen a lot of changes. Under the craven, constant leadership of the Republican Party, the Indian River lagoon has transformed; into a a dead zone.

The lush sea grass that was here when I arrived is gone. I am unwilling to let the water touch my skin. If I did manage to catch a fish in the IRL I would not dare to eat it. Lake Washington is experiencing a toxic algae outbreak in the winter months. Every year the IRL turns into a toxic sludge whenever there are heavy rains. Having murdered the flora and fauna of the IRL, our state Republicans are turning to culture wars.

Now a Brevard County commissioner is calling for a cull of manatees. No need for a cull, Commissioner Smith. They are dying on their own nicely. There is no sea grass for them to eat: The cull is ongoing due to starvation.

When you smell dead fish and manatees remember your Republican state legislators and all their wonderful work on behalf of polluting industry. Never forget "Red Tide Rick Scott" for culling the clean water funding of $700 million.

For God's sake, these people cannot remain in power.

Chase Donaldson, Melbourne Beach

Press secretary's 'ridiculous' remarks

I was incensed about the remarks of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ uninformed press secretary, Christina Pushaw, regarding the (absurd) so-called "Don’t Say Gay" (stupid) bill.

She makes some ridiculous connection with pedophiles and the LGBTQ community. For your information, Christina, the majority of pedophiles are heterosexual, white males. Remember the quote that's been attributed to everyone from Abraham Lincoln to Mark Twain but holds up over the years no matter its origin: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." Same applies to the governor.

Deb Babcock, Palm Bay

First, GOP, win back House and Senate

President Joe Biden has been having a tough time of it lately. Many folks want to see Biden impeached.

He is on TV more often now that the economy and the war in Ukraine are on his mind.

He has reached a low point in approval ratings, and the Democrats are in real danger of losing the November midterm elections and the 2024 presidential election, as well, should Biden run or not. I think the economy will dictate whether he will make it in three years.

My master plan for his administration, should the Republicans win the November midterm election and regain the House and Senate, is for the Republicans to impeach both Biden and Harris at the same time. We certainly do not want Harris, whom I believe to be the worst VP in our history, to be president. I believe my plan would be constitutional.

This way we can really get down to business of a greater economy and energy independence again, last achieved under Trump.

Should the Republicans win both houses back in November a new speaker, Kevin McCarthy, would be named. Then, he would be third in line for the presidency, and could run with or against Trump for the 2024 election. Or, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could run with Trump.

Either way, the country wins.

David Bonnar, Viera

Trump's ties to Putin are appalling

By now, most must have realized Russia is not only our adversary but our military enemy. In his public speech, Mr. Putin threatened he would use nuclear weapons against any country that would dare to intervene in his attack against Ukraine. We are fighting a proxy war with Russia by supporting Ukraine — a peaceful country with one-fifth of the Russian army and equipped in Soviet-era weaponry — against a brutal enemy.

In the midst of the bloody war, former President Trump is reaching to his proclaimed friend, the president of Russia, our enemy, to supply him with dirt on the U.S. president's son. I have no doubt that Russian FSB can manufacture any "evidence" Mr. Trump wishes.

During his first presidential campaign, I was appalled when Mr. Trump asked Russia to hack into American computers to find Hillary Clinton's missing emails. It was unforgivable for a candidate for the country's highest office to ask a foreign power to intervene in our political process. This time, however, the former POTUS is asking for help from our declared enemy, a war criminal, obviously to help Mr. Trump to win the next election.

Collaborating with our enemy during the war — in my view — is bordering treachery. In time of war, we need to support our commander in chief, not to try to weaken him. It is about our country, not small-minded politics.

I just wonder how Donald Trump's supporters reconcile such perfidious actions and admiration of the bloody dictator Putin ("genius") with American patriotism.

Warren Charminski, Indian Harbour Beach

'Fair housing is a serious matter'

On April 11, 1968, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, establishing the nation’s obligation to ensure each citizen has access to safe and affordable housing.

Every April, organizations and fair housing advocates nationwide celebrate the passage of this law by informing citizens of their fair housing rights, bringing awareness of the need for fair housing, and highlighting the importance of ending housing discrimination.

To those who feel they are facing housing discrimination, you are not alone. The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), the state agency responsible for enforcing the Florida Fair Housing Act through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, received more than 460 housing discrimination complaints based on race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or religion last fiscal year.

Fair housing is a serious matter, and the FCHR is fully committed to ending housing discrimination by aiding those who are discriminated against and educating those who are providing housing and financing. While the Fair Housing Act enacts rights and remedies, enforcing those rights starts with you. As the vice chair of the FCHR, I encourage anyone facing discrimination in selling, renting, or mortgaging a dwelling to report it.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, the FCHR can be contacted at 850- 488-7082 or by visiting the website at http://fchr.state.fl.us/. Please provide us with the opportunity to assist you.

Angela Primiano is vice chair of The Florida Commission on Human Relations.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Letters and feedback: April 3, 2022