Letters and feedback: Jan. 25, 2022

Diversity training can benefit all of us

Florida SB 148 is likely to be passed into law.

“Defines individual freedoms based on the truth that all individuals are equal before the law and have inalienable rights. Specifically, the legislation prohibits individuals from being subjected to any training, instruction, or any other required activity in public schools or the workplace that promotes divisiveness and discrimination. Additionally, the legislation requires instruction, instructional materials and professional development in public schools to be consistent with the principles of individual freedom.”

We don't want to contaminate our school children or employees with the realities of racism, including real American history. Yeah, it will really create "divisiveness" to learn those realities.

I never knew that workplace diversity training was divisive. Or teaching our white snowflakes about racial history in the U.S.

Imagine that! Just ask Republicans, they'll tell you all about divisiveness from the comfort of their whiteness. All of this under the banner of "freedom."

Silly me, I thought the object was to teach and learn new information that will help improve one's personal life and the community.

But at 79, as a political non-partisan with an undergrad degree in philosophy and a law degree (nobody calls us "doctor" but we hold a doctor's degree), and having sent four children through public primary, secondary, and collegiate education, and having received diversity training at the federal level, what do I know?

Teachers and employers will not be able to do any of this under penalty of law (injunction).

Let’s welcome more authoritarianism to Florida.

Francis Clifford, Suntree

DeSantis’ handling of Pino ‘pathetic’

I was interested to read the Jan. 21 story titled "Health director on leave for urging vaccinations.”

It was reported that Orange County Health Director Dr. Raul Pino was placed on leave because he sent an email to his staff, urging them to get vaccinated. In his email Dr. Pino stated that only 219 of his 518 staff members had received two doses-a situation he described as "irresponsible" and "pathetic.” For this, Dr. Pino was placed on administrative leave by the DeSantis administration.

They issued a statement which said (in part) "… the decision to get vaccinated is a personal medical decision that should be made free from coercion and mandates from employers." It was further stated that the Florida DOH is conducting an inquiry to determine if Dr. Pino had broken any laws.

I find it incredible that the DeSantis administration would remove Dr. Pino from his post for simply doing his job. I agree with his email describing this embarrassingly low vaccination rate as irresponsible and pathetic. Dr. Pino is certainly within his rights to address the situation with his staff and attempt to correct it.

As for the handling of this by the DeSantis administration, I find it to be irresponsible and pathetic.

Rick Donaldson, Melbourne

Vaccine is key to controlling spread

Seriously?

How can the governor speak out of both sides of his mouth at the same time? I am speaking, as a registered nurse, in reference to what the governor stated in that “nobody should be denied earning a living based on these “jabs” (meaning COVID vaccinations). Then on the other side of his mouth, he states “It’s not something the government should be forcing.” Then when Dr. Pino expresses his concerns regarding those working in the public health sector who should be vaccinated, Dr. Pino is put on leave.

What in the world? Dr. Pino would be amiss and not doing his job if he didn’t acknowledge that vaccination is the key to controlling the spread of this dreaded deadly virus. I also believe Dr. Pino's First Amendment right to free speech was violated by the very same tyrant who is also trying to eliminate the mention of factual history that occurred in this country.

For most people who equate education with wisdom, Gov DeSantis has made a mockery of Florida. DeSantis’ education has not contributed one iota of common sense or wisdom. Surely, Florida can do better. Also, DeSantis stated, “Florida is the freest state in these United States,” thanks to him, it is just the opposite and the most oppressed state.

Ron DeSantis owes Dr. Pino an apology, back pay, and reinstatement to do his job as the Orange County health director.

Sandra Gardner, Melbourne

Some of us must live on another planet

I was incensed when reading in FLORIDA TODAY about a “Health director on leave for urging vaccinations” because the email he sent is part of his job. He didn’t write COVID-19 vaccinations were a “mandate,” but rather provided information which is expected from someone in a leadership position.

I agree with DeSantis’ spokeswoman Christina Pushaw that it is essential to find out if any “laws were broken in this case.” I hope there is a thorough investigation by all departments, to find out if any employment laws were broken when placing Dr. Pino on administrative leave for doing his job.

Also, it is quite a contradiction that “The Department is committed to upholding all laws,” however, they don’t plan on implementing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling about the mandatory vaccination policy for health care workers.

Next, I read the FLORIDA TODAY editorial and I thoroughly agree with the writers. “Surreal” does sum it up because it feels like we are living on different planets.

As of Jan. 19, 2022, according to Johns Hopkins University, there have been more than 68.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 857,665 deaths from the virus in the United States. Kudos to Dr. Pino for doing his job and giving sound advice and leadership.

Also, whenever I read the reason against a vaccine mandate as being “your choice. It’s a private choice. It is not something the government should be forcing,” I think about women and why don’t they have that same “choice” when making a “private” decision.

Anita Moore, Merritt Island

Putin, NATO and what's in store

If Putin is so afraid of NATO, why not invite Russia to join NATO?

More than likely Putin would turn this down and show his hand to the world the real reasons for trying to recreate the old Soviet Union. NATO is a Cold War relic and President Trump had the right idea for improving relations with Russia. After all, if Russia was a NATO ally, this could stabilize the whole situation. If we do nothing, then I fear an eventual alignment with China, North Korea and Iran.

Enticing Putin to abolish his old Soviet dream by lifting sanctions may do the trick.

George S. Nolan, Titusville

What's behind emphasis on Jan. 6?

A report published by Axios states that between May 2020 and July 2020, there were 574 riots, which included damage to government buildings. The perpetrators were part of Antifa and/or BLM. The damage from these riots cost about $1 billion.

Now fast-forward to Jan. 6, 2021. Whatever you want to call it, be it a riot, insurrection, or sedition, it happened. The damage caused by this incident was about $1.5 million. Now, why are these perpetrators being prosecuted, whereas, many of those mentioned in the May to July riots in 2020 were not? Why the double standard for participants in these riots?

A prudent observer would draw the conclusion that the House of Representatives is trying to keep the Jan. 6 incident fresh in the minds of the voters. With all this negative publicity about Jan. 6 being associated to President Trump's name, they are worried about him seeking re-election is 2024.

Ted Hesser, Indian Harbour Beach

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Letters and feedback: Jan. 25, 2022