Letters: Florida must abandon death penalty for violent offenders, use life with no parole

In recent years, more states have increasingly abandoned the use of the death penalty. Currently 26 states have either repealed or imposed a moratorium on the capital punishment. The 27th state should be Florida.

The state has the responsibility of protecting its citizens and punishing criminal activity. Our society should support the alternative to the death penalty by sentencing those who commit violent crimes to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It is a severe punishment, and the only alternative to death in Florida’s sentencing framework. This keeps society safe without taking an additional life.

When the state takes the life of a convicted criminal in our name, it diminishes all citizens. When we condemn killing, but kill in return, we violate our own dignity. It does not make sense to teach that killing is wrong by killing.

We, as a society, do not have to continue perpetuating the cycle of violence. Society can be kept safe through lifelong incarceration.

In addition, the death penalty is costly to taxpayers. Trials where prosecutors seek the death penalty consume many more resources than those that seek life imprisonment. Given what is at stake — taking another’s life — the appropriate appeals process is long and expensive to the state. Contrary to popular thought, it is much more expensive to pursue the execution of an inmate than to require a sentence of life imprisonment.

When the execution of a perpetrator becomes entwined with “getting justice” for a victim, the healing process for survivors is often delayed and becomes much more difficult.

For these reasons and many more, Florida should abandon the death penalty.

Felipe J. Estévez, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of St. Augustine

State-sanctioned censorship

The recent efforts by the governor and the Legislature to restrict access to so many books in schools and libraries, and to restrict what can be taught in schools and universities, is indeed a dangerous trend.

Students should be exposed to a diversity of books, of subjects and opinions about social issues. Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that “We believe in teaching kids facts.” Well, slavery was a fact. Jim Crow was a fact. It was a fact that people of color and women had to fight for the right to vote, to get an education and achieve full citizenship. The struggles of adolescents with their gender, ethnic or racial identities are also quite real.

True knowledge is not static. It is never merely a list of names, state capitals or dates. Diversity of viewpoints helps us to assess the opinions of others and to moderate our own perspectives. Diverse viewpoints also provide the tools to help us learn to make sense of these facts, so students can understand the world they live in and the future they face. Students need to understand their fellow citizens, and they need to know at least as much about America as people in other countries do.

Censorship reduces the diversity of opinions and limits knowledge of the experiences of our fellow Americans.

Karen Harris, Jacksonville

Misconceptions on banned AP course

A Jan. 28 letter writer, Terri Quint, worried about the “flow of fascism” due to the actions of Gov. DeSantis, should get her facts right before casting such aspersions. Her worry is the “disallowance of any teaching of African American studies at all high schools with Advanced Placement programs.” That would indeed be an egregious overreach by the Governor and legislature, except the assertion is completely incorrect.

The discussion revolves around an Advanced Placement Course on African American Studies being tested by the College Board in a small number of high schools. The governor’s and others' concerns are about some of the content of the proposed course. There has been no effort to ban already existing African American history courses in the state, including Duval and St. John’s counties.

There has been a fair amount of criticism of the course from more than just Gov. DeSantis, including a Leon County Commissioner — a Democrat and a Black man — who called the course “trash.” Others voiced support for the course and criticized the Governor’s actions on this issue, but the College Board has already made some changes based on feedback.

Whatever her opinion, Ms. Quint needs to support a charge of fascism (against a democratically elected governor and legislature) with correct information.

Dennis Egan, retired teacher, Jacksonville

Praise for pastor’s stance

I was thunderstruck by two sentences in the Feb. 5 column by Rev. Brandon Frick:

"It's difficult to imagine a greater hell to manufacture for another human being than one in which their very existence is denied. How many times will we have to see that exact belief undergirding every atrocity committed by human hands before we finally acknowledge how deadly serious it is?"

The First Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), a movement that began in the South at a time when secessionists needed validation for the fact of slavery. They presented themselves as blessed by God for enslaving other people. The SBC provided this validation through a particular reading of the Bible and while (fairly recently) the SBC recanted those fraught antebellum "justifications," they still cling to other equally dubious stances.

Rev. Frick alludes to similar particular and specific readings of the Bible, ultimately arriving at the above statement.

He does more than that, though. Rev. Frick demonstrates, through his actions, how absolutely liberating and enriching the quest for unconditional love can be. It is a divine expectation after all. Reverend, any congregation would be fortunate to have you. I am in awe.

Chris Hildreth, Jacksonville

Missing the point of 'liberal arts'

The Feb. 2 article by Zac Anderson details the lengths that Governor DeSantis is willing to go to in order to abolish freedom of education, freedom of speech and the stifling of diversity in institutions of higher learning. By firing the president of New College, then installing a new president and board chairman (both with a mandate to implement a strictly conservative agenda), is a giant step in destroying the meaning of a liberal arts education.

The purpose of a liberal arts degree is to expose the student to a wide range of ideas with no underlying agenda. We were granted freedom of speech, press and religion by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Sadly, our governor has shown his authoritarian ideology by previously banning books about Black history and LBGTQ issues. He has shown no desire to allow a free and open discussion of issues of concern to many Floridians, as well as America at large. His clear subversion of our democracy can only be stopped by speaking out and voting our consciences.

Douglas B. Bogart, M.D. (retired), Jacksonville

Shades of Nazi Germany

During the 1930s, the German government banned certain books. By having nationwide “book bonfires,” many of the titles were often historical in nature and written by outstanding individuals. Unfortunately, many of the authors were also Jewish, which was anathema to the Nazi regime.

Today in Florida, thanks to an ultra-right-wing governor and a compliant legislature, school districts throughout our state are burdened with the responsibility of taking certain books off the shelves for review because they may not comply with Florida law. One of the books was “Catcher in the Rye,” which I read when I was in high school. Another was a Judy Blume book. I do not know which one, but she has been writing books for teenagers for decades.

Tragically, we’re now faced with the same possibility of being governed by a group of individuals who don’t care anything about education — only their political agenda. If Ron DeSantis becomes president, I don’t know what he would do; but based upon his actions in Florida, it would be catastrophic.

David B. Lee, Jr., Ponte Vedra

Migrant program just a stunt

As reported in the Times-Union on Feb. 8, the Republican bill, "Unauthorized Alien Transport Program" (which funds $10 million for these migrant flights), is wrong. Yes, we have an immigration problem, but Florida taxpayers shouldn't be paying for migrants to fly from Texas to sanctuary areas, especially since $1.5 million Florida tax dollars have already been spent.

The article said that some money has been paid to the Vertol Systems Co. for flights that haven't even taken place. I also understand that there was no bidding for the cost of those flights, which is contrary to state law. I am glad there is a lawsuit challenging this political move.

The passage of this bill along party lines is another example of what many are tired of seeing. This move — with support of the Republican state Legislature — is clearly an effort to put Gov. Ron DeSantis on the national stage regarding immigration, as it is a major issue for 2024 presidential candidates.

Doug Diamond, Jacksonville

Enough with the mudslinging

The latest back and forth between the Daniel Davis and Leanna Cumber mayoral campaigns has gotten not just out of hand, but sickening. Going from JEA shady dealings to promotion of sexual exploitation of children, there is no substance from either candidate; just finger pointing.

This is a clear sign of desperation with these backbiting, vile attacks (on both sides).

As an undecided voter for our future mayor, there is one thing of which I’m certain: I don’t want either of these two shameless characters — who attack one another and from the same political party no less — representing our great city.

The old adage of the “lesser of two evils” shouldn’t be our only options. Jacksonville deserves better — much better.

Gary Schuran, Jacksonville

Support for USS Orleck

As a retired U.S. Navy officer who spends time volunteering with several local and national organizations, I take exception to the negative opinions recently expressed towards the USS Orleck project. Once it is moved to the museum center in the old shipyards — along with MOSH, the firefighter's museum, good parking and a Naval Museum — it will thrive and be a much-needed positive addition to the area.

Instead of complaining, I suggest that folks contribute time and perhaps funds to a very worthwhile project. It pays great dividends in giving back (and in keeping America free through education) while expressing our gratitude for those that have kept us free.

Capt. Jim Davis, Ponte Vedra Beach

Irony from an Ivy League grad

Ron DeSantis graduated from Harvard and Yale, two elite schools typically thought of as liberal bastions. How is that he and other graduates became right-leaning Republicans, while others are Independents or Democrats?

Perhaps it’s because they all got a well-rounded education with lots of facts and viewpoints (possibly even CRT) and were able to form their own world view. Now, however, it seems he’s decided that Florida schools should only teach one narrow world view — his.

Sounds like indoctrination to me.

Cherie Wilson, Green Cove Springs

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Life in prison with no parole a better option than death penalty