Letters: Jacksonville should set example, put Confederate monuments issue on ballot

I would like to comment on the Jan. 7 letter about Confederate monuments and the need for compromise by the citizens of Jacksonville.

Compromise by those of us who wish to have the monuments on display for future generations to view, study and discuss does not involve allowing their removal and destruction simply because a small, vocal minority threaten civil disobedience at city council meetings. This is not compromise, but the definition of mob rule.

We should all have the opportunity to voice our opinion on the subject. In reality, the issue could easily be resolved if our city council would allow the decision to be made by the voters in the upcoming election.

Those who wish to remove the monuments have stated that they won’t stop until all references to the Confederacy are erased. Their goal is to rename all streets, creeks, rivers, buildings and counties in Florida that offend them. This could go on for decades.

I, too, have been to Richmond; I have also read Mary Chestnut’s diary, along with dozens of other books on the conflict with viewpoints from both sides. None of these have made me want to destroy 100-year-old monuments.

I suggest reading the book, “War Crimes against Southern Civilians” by Walter Cisco. This may answer the question in many minds as to why there was a need for a monument to Southern Women in the first place.

If Richmond is an example of what we as a city should do then I suppose we first have to obtain a corrupt mayor, a corrupt contractor and a large, unruly mob to dictate to our citizens what should be done.

Why can’t the citizens of Jacksonville set an example and vote on a solution? We still have time to put it on the ballot.

Chris Mead, retired systems engineer, Jacksonville

Sad fate ahead for New College

My heart goes out to everyone at New College of Florida, recently targeted by Gov. DeSantis for conversion from a highly rated liberal arts college to an institution of reactionary indoctrination. Something similar happened to my husband and myself at a small religious institution in Georgia, and the pain still lives in memory.

Based on that experience, here is what will most likely happen: Everything the faculty have worked for (opening students’ minds to the acceptance of others as worthy human beings with identities and ideas worth consideration) will be turned on its head. Faculty will be required to teach a restricted set of beliefs based on unquestioning acceptance of whatever the DeSantis-selected board considers to be American history — as well as, I suspect, Christian fundamentalism.

Those who do not comply may find their offices locked. Not only speakers, but theatrical productions and even musical concerts will be censored for compliance with that restricted set of beliefs. The most outstanding departments in the judgment of their national peers will collapse; students and faculty will leave. The most distinguished graduates will expunge New College from their resumes.

The “freethinkers, risk-takers and trailblazers” that the New College website invites will no longer be welcome. Majors that cultivated free thought will be replaced with the most marketable of workforce servicing occupations. I can only hope that those leaving or expelled will find a meaningful life elsewhere. We have.

Patricia DeWitt, Jacksonville

U.S. aid best chance for Ukraine survival

A Jan. 15 guest columnist, Dr. Chandra, decries U.S. support for Ukraine and seems to believe that if we and others stop, Mr. Putin will generously leave Ukraine alone.

The doctor must have been on another planet for the last 70 years. The Soviet Union had half of western Europe enslaved, as well as the Baltic states. Putin, an autocratic, murderous thug, has said he thinks the USSR's dissolution was the greatest tragedy of the last century and is committed to restoring it. Over the last few years, he has brutalized Chechnya, invaded Georgia, annexed the Crimea and actively meddled in Syria.

If the Ukrainians fail, he will take them over and turn his focus elsewhere. Pushing for Ukraine to be part of NATO was probably an error, but NATO has never posed a military threat to Russia, and Putin is not stupid enough to believe that the Ukraine was about to attack Russia. Naturally, Dr. Chandra can come up with no easy solution. I feel deeply for the Ukrainians who are dying and suffering to fight a "proxy" war on the West's behalf.

I believe the West's continued support for the Ukraine is our best chance to convince Putin of our resolve and stop him. It also might send a message to other autocracies to good effect.

Loren K. Seeley, Jacksonville

The rabbi had it right

What we have treasured the most about America throughout our seven decades of life is the right to universal freedom of speech, without threat of restriction or censorship. When does that attach? Certainly, by high school, in political matters, drama, the arts and general expression.

It is the reason we stand behind the thoughts expressed by Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner in his Jan. 14 column regarding the cancellation of the production of the play “Indecent” by Douglas Anderson students.

This decorated work of American theater deals with serious subjects such as anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and yes — love between two women, including a kiss. To think that high schoolers must be kept ignorant of any of these matters is both naïve and narrow-minded.

No doubt these matters are discussed and viewed by high school students in daily life. This award-winning play supports the goals of furthering knowledge and information. Nothing stops a parent from imposing rules on his or her own children, but the School Board or authorities blocking access to this information sends the wrong message — that knowledge and the freedom to learn should be restricted based on the restrictor’s beliefs.

For a religious leader to advocate for free expression and discussion is consistent with the best aspects of democracy.

Elliot and Carolyn Zisser, attorneys at law, Atlantic Beach

Government overreach in Reedy Creek

Reedy Creek Improvement District is an innovative, modern marvel. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed takeover is anti-Florida business, pro-big government and smacks of communist tactics.

Taking control over the Reedy Creek District doesn’t benefit Floridians or free enterprise. Instead, it is an attack on the business community that is the backbone of the Florida economy. If allowed, it will become a precedent for state government takeover of other Community Development Districts. It would be a huge liability for the state to maintain many failing CDDs and assume their debt, not a good thing for Florida taxpayers.

Desantis’ Jan. 3 inaugural address touted the “free state” of Florida, the “land of liberty and sanity,” but this business interference proves the opposite.

Retaliation and re-regulation against one of the state’s largest employers is not productive. There will be a de-stabilizing effect on all development districts and their bond ratings per Fitch, the bond rating agency. This adds extra costs that could ultimately be passed to Florida taxpayers.

DeSantis is obviously not concerned with helping Florida business, only his own agenda. The governor has lost touch with the conservative Republican approach of free enterprise, opting instead for “big government” control.

Bruce Doueck, retired JEA manager, community volunteer and Florida resident since 1955

‘Indecent’ decision a scary step

Thank you so much the Jan. 11 story reporting on playwright Paula Vogel’s response to the decision to prohibit Douglas Anderson from performing her play “Indecent.” As Ms. Vogel so aptly stated: “Censorship of the arts is always the first step towards totalitarianism.”

I am so tired of school boards — not education professionals — deciding what material they think is appropriate for everyone, not just for their children, but also mine and yours. Ms. Vogel also called out DCPS on denying that it had anything to do with them pandering to Gov. DeSantis and his hateful “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

What a way to drive another stake into the self-esteem of the LGBTQ students whose lives this particular play explores and celebrates (among other themes). If you don’t want your child to see this play, fine — don’t take them to it. But the Douglas Andersen students got their parents’ permission to be involved with the play, so let them proceed with it. If the decision is reversed, I encourage everyone to attend this performance. It never hurts to have your mind (and heart) opened a bit to how others live and love who might be unlike you.

Heather Montanye, Atlantic Beach

Vote to stop the madness

With all due respect to Rabbi Lubliner, who opposed the cancellation of “Indecent” in his Jan. 15 letter, had the Democratic Party found a way to mobilize its members in the last election, the play would most likely have run without a hitch. Educators (and I speak from personal experience here) have their plates full enough without having to worry on a daily basis if they’re going to lose their job for “saying ‘gay.’”

I think it’s a common feeling, when dealing with new legislation that contains language as broad as HB1557, to react with an abundance of caution. But rest assured there will be a Mr. Scopes — just give it some time.

In the meantime, speak with your friends and family about the power of the vote. It is the best way to bring this madness to a close.

Chris Hildreth, Jacksonville

CareSpot policy bad for veterans

I’m a Navy veteran and usually go to the CareSpot Urgent Care location on Cesery Boulevard. Usually there is absolutely no problem be seen, until a recent visit on Monday, Jan. 9. The medical staffer there told me that as of Jan. 1, 2023, CareSpot is requiring prior authorization before being seen.

Anyone who has dealt with the VA knows that getting prior authorization is a long, arduous process. This change from CareSpot is a slap in the face to veterans in our area.

Scott Lara, Arlington

Founders must be proud

My parents always told me that cheaters never win. However, they didn’t know George Santos.

I don't understand how this man can be elected as a member of the U.S. Congress after it appears he fabricated his resume so drastically. Most private companies would fire someone who did that — why is Congress any different?

I guess the lesson is that cheaters can win, especially if they are running for Congress. I bet the Founding Fathers are proud

Scott Schleifer, Jacksonville

Free speech for some

A Jan. 19 Times-Union article mentioned that the governor and our Florida surgeon general ridiculed a California law that prohibits doctors from spreading false information about COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments. Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants state lawmakers to ban any proposals that would stop that in Florida.

So, they apparently want to allow free speech for doctors, but restrict it for teachers and professors? Unbelievable.

David Stimpson, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Letters: Jacksonville should put Confederate monuments issue on ballot