Letters: Hits and misses in Monroe columns, but always an interesting take on politics

I read Nate Monroe's columns with interest and applaud his investigations into local corruption, such as the failed attempt to sell JEA. In his Feb. 16 column, I agree that Richard Corcoran's compensation as interim president of New College is totally excessive. Other statements I find a little too biased.

Hillsdale College is described as "Christian and conservative" (also known as "woke" buzzwords), but they don't take federal money, so administrators have more control over curriculum. As for Ben Sasse at UF, it’s true he has no background in education, but that probably applies to at least half of all university presidents. It looks like prestige and fundraising ability is more important when it comes to leadership roles. I also suspect most of our politicians do not have Ph.Ds in political science.

As far as public-school curriculum goes, I doubt Gov. DeSantis actually wants to eliminate truth; he just doesn't want children taught ideas such as "our country is hopelessly racist or sexist and that our entire economy has succeeded because of slavery,” etc.

It should be taught that perfection in human affairs is impossible, but we have tried to correct many injustices, such as slavery.

The horrible institution of slavery has been around as long as there have been records of humanity kept. In Ancient Greece, the cradle of democracy, the majority of the population was slaves. Blacks in Africa — like native people in many other countries — also had slaves (and undoubtedly handed over a few to white slavers).

Progressives probably don't want to hear this, but the condition of our Black population might be a lot better if not for the solid Democratic South that installed Jim Crow and maintained it until the 1960s. When I arrived in Jacksonville in 1960 from New York City, I was appalled by what was happening here. When I expressed myself, I was often called an unprintable epithet.

I know that there was plenty of bigotry up North, but not the brutality that occurred down here. I never heard of any lynchings in Central Park.

Loren Seeley, Jacksonville

Cancelled survey wipes out youth voices

Children and youth have rights too. They have a right to be heard and to have their voices considered in decisions that affect them. The assault on the CDC Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) by our governor is an attempt to silence their voices and to erase the realities of their lives.

The YRBS is a nationally validated survey of middle and high school students to identify the health and social issues they confront in the domains of injury and violence, social, emotional and mental health, sexual health, substance use and physical and dietary behaviors. Data is collected by race and sexual orientation. Parents have the choice to opt-out.

The YRBS tracks changes over time. Costs are covered by the CDC. With the knowledge accrued, improvements have been made in multiple domains.

Duval County Public Schools must not rob our children of their voice and deprive stakeholders in children’s well-being of information needed to respond to the life-challenges they face. Why would we not want to know how many children have been bullied, in fights or carried guns in schools; how many are depressed or suicidal; about their risky sexual activities and use of drugs and alcohol; about their physical activity and diets?

Decisions to silence the voice of children are political decisions — made at the expense of their well-being. Information generated through the YRBS is essential to design programs, improve policies and practices, assess program effectiveness and monitor trends. Let us hear their voice and respond appropriately.

Jeffrey Goldhagen, M.D., MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief, Community & Societal Pediatrics, University of Florida – Jacksonville

Telling use of historic Bible

On Inauguration Day, Gov. DeSantis took his oath on an Aitken Bible, known as the Bible of the Revolution. Using the first King James Version, published in America in 1782, was perhaps his symbolic message to self-designated “real Americans” and evangelical Christians.

This exposes yet another flaw in DeSantis’ critical thinking. In the world he governs, there is no room for concepts that he deems inappropriate. Books and other artistic expressions that disturb his political base are banned — often punitively. He overrides the opinions of librarians, critics, academics and even parents (whose rights he insists he protects).

To infringe on freedom of expression as blatantly as he has, one would assume that he actually knows the content of his condemned items.

That would be a lot of reading for a busy governor, but perhaps he doesn’t consider it necessary to substantiate his opinions. We get some clue from the symbolic Aitken Bible. Presumably, DeSantis has read the King James Version. In addition to influencing his faith and a belief in biblical inerrancy, he should also have formulated an opinion about the Bible as a literary document.

Yet, even as the governor condemns and (figuratively) “burns books,” he apparently has no problem with a book containing many biblical verses that explicitly describe sexual passion, sexual exploitation and sexual anatomy, such as Ezekiel 23.

Either DeSantis makes arbitrary decisions about books he’s never read or he deliberately panders to certain voting blocs. Voters should be alarmed about where this might lead.

Steve Entman, Jacksonville

Fading green space in Jax

I am 20 years old and a lifetime resident of Jacksonville. I have seen a lot of changes in the area; however, one of the less-fortunate things is the land development that has occurred, especially within the last two years.

I don’t know much about the different legislations and policies in regards to development or government. But what I do know is that overdevelopment is just wrong; it’s also irritating seeing more houses, apartment buildings and parking lots take over nice green, forested areas.

It has also been proven that more green space increases the quality of life for the current residents and reduces heat, while the trees help mediate the pollution from the influx of people moving.

A few examples are Hodges, Atlantic and Beach boulevards, as well as the Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park — really the entirety of Northeast Florida.

It’s truly saddening to see what is happening to my beloved city and its ecosystem. Birds and other wildlife dispersed from their habitats more often end up as roadkill.

I just wanted to bring these areas to the attention of readers in an effort to lessen the worsening. It’s day by day, but I'm hoping to spread the flame that is my passion for my city and its nature. Not just for myself, but for our community and future.

Carlos Rodriguez, Jacksonville

Contacting DeSantis a futile effort

On Feb. 27, I reached out to Gov. DeSantis' office by phone and was finally able to make contact with one of his staffers. This comes after writing to his office via his website approximately five times since he has been in office (now more than four years), without a single response.

I made an earlier attempt out of frustration to contact his office by phone a few weeks prior, and after being on hold for several minutes I was transferred to a voice mailbox to leave a message — but that mailbox was full. My experience with the staffer was terse and I was ultimately told "goodbye" before they hung up on me.

I was polite and professional with my interaction, but was not met with the same courtesy. As a lifelong resident of Jacksonville (72 years) and a regular taxpayer, I would have expected better. If this is the way Mr. DeSantis runs his office, I'm doubtful of his abilities to run the state, much less the country if he becomes president.

Darrell Polson, Jacksonville

Political farce in gun bill

Apparently, we now have lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that are against the proposed permit-less gun carry bill. Some don’t like it due to the extra danger it may cause; others feel it doesn’t go far enough and the state should permit unlimited open carry. A bizarre world, indeed.

The irony? Gov. DeSantis wouldn’t allow legal concealed weapons at his victory party. The NRA won’t allow guns into their conventions. At least have the decency and fortitude to practice what you preach.

If you want this law passed, then do so without restrictions. Otherwise, you’re just feckless hypocrites grandstanding for self-promotion who make self-serving rules because you’re personally afraid you might get shot — like those who are against the bill. But at least they admit it.

Gary Schuran, Middleburg

‘Trash for cash’ a win-win

There's a program in San Diego and other cities that is funded by donations from area businesses and nonprofits. The homeless are paid cash to pick up litter in that city. It gets money to people that desperately need it and helps with the city's appearance. This might eliminate some of the people that are asking for money at intersections here in Jacksonville.

In addition, after each Jaguars home game there are a large number of people that clean the stadium for cash. So, it shows that people are out there willing to pick up trash for cash.

I would like to think that people who are running for office would make something like this part of their campaign. They'd get my vote.

Ben Klemer, Jacksonville

City can do better

When my friend, Matt Carlucci, decided not to run for mayor, I knew he made the right choice. Although, I believe Jax would have definitely been a much better place with Matt as mayor.

As I read the daily paper and News4Jax, I thoroughly understand why Matt decided to stay on the City Council. All I’ve been reading about is the negativity from some candidates, and it’s a shame.

There needs to be more kindness and light in this world. We need more positivity in Jacksonville and the city needs more politicians like Matt. Thank goodness he has four more years on the council.

Come on Jacksonville, you can do better.

Melinda Jarman, Jacksonville

More store traffic info needed

The Feb. 21 article on supermarket traffic was interesting but was missing some information. Did Publix, Winn-Dixie and the other stores have less profit year-over-year? Did the high cost of gasoline perhaps cause people to shop once per week, instead of two or three?

Both of my grown kids order online and pick up groceries in the parking lot — were these counted as “floor traffic?” It would also be helpful to know how foot traffic is measured (such as sales register totals and self-checkout numbers). What about folks who come in to buy a lottery ticket, without making a purchase?

Jon Haas, Orange Park

Praise for St. Aug project

Thank you for the Feb. 21 front-page article on Native Americans.

We hear a lot about Black History Month; but why isn’t more done to promote Native American Heritage Month? They were the first Americans and we stole their country from them.

The UCF researcher, Amy Larner Giroux, has done a great job of finding out the names of the warriors imprisoned in St. Augustine. I know some of the descendants of those people are grateful for the work Giroux has done (and is still doing).

I love the name of one of the chiefs: "Heap of Birds."

Mary Middleton, Jacksonville

FDOT wrong on Buckman barrier

Tuesday's early morning accident on the Buckman Bridge was so unfortunate and preventable. How many more lives will be lost on that bridge before the FDOT admits their mistake? They have claimed many times that the barrier meets code, but it’s clear that the code is wrong.

Vehicles should never be able to flip over the top of a barrier that crosses water. As happened today, together with previous accidents, the chance of survival is zero. Sadly, the FDOT has ignored a very dangerous condition for years

George Dickinson, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Monroe hits target for local corruption stories, misses mark on others