Letters: Matt Gaetz has become a ‘useful idiot’ with his ability to advance his agenda

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Gaetz has been a ‘useful idiot’

The term “useful idiot” has been around for over 100 years and was originally coined as a term for communist sympathizers. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines useful idiot as “a naïve or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda.”

Congressman Matt Gaetz is a current example. He is primarily responsible for the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 3, leaving one third of the federal government effectively shut down. On Oct. 7, realizing that the U.S. government, Israel’s greatest ally, was paralyzed, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,400 people and capturing over 200.

Before Mr. Gaetz led the push to oust McCarthy, he helped lead an effort to shut down the federal government over the budget. His efforts have not succeeded to date but did lead to the halt of funding for Ukraine as it fights to fend off the attack from Russia. So, Mr. Gaetz, either intentionally or unintentionally, has been a useful idiot, both for Hamas and for Vladimir Putin in Russia.

Neither of which is good for U.S. interest and national security, as well as the security of Israel and Ukraine. I have long considered Mr. Gaetz a useless idiot. It turns out I was only half right.

— Andrew Williams, Pensacola

Readers don't hold back: Letters: Joe Biden has done the promising, but it's Donald Trump doing the delivering

Hamas mastered art of deception

Hamas has mastered the art of getting masses of people to believe that the Oct. 7 attack on Jews never happened or that Jews deserved it. Next time a school shooter massacres innocent, defenseless children, imagine large numbers of people celebrating the event by proclaiming the children deserved it or that the atrocity never happened.

The Alex Jones/Sandy Hook "false flag" story comes to mind. Jones publicly proclaimed the school massacre never happened. Jones was forced to pay millions of dollars to the grieving parents for the pain and suffering caused by his comments.

When it comes to Hamas' barbaric slaughter of Jews, many questions come to mind: Do they have any hobbies that don't involve killing Jews or blowing something up? What have they ever done to advance civilization or improve the human condition of anybody? Who was the last Islamic Jihadist to win a Nobel prize for anything? What kind of culture affords celebrity status to suicide bombers?

Two truths seem apparent: If Hamas spread love like they spread hate, their bullets and rockets would become obsolete. You can fool some people some of the time and college students all of the time.

— Tom R. Campbell, Gulf Breeze

What good has Biden done?

My reason for not voting for Biden:

On Oct. 29, Emmett Moran wrote a lengthy article of why we should vote for Biden. He told us about all the good qualities he had. What was left out of the article was, what good or anything Biden has done for us or our country.

Interest rates are at an all-time high, inflation is running wild. The cost of everything has gone up and many families are living paycheck to paycheck. Under the Biden administration, our southern border is wide open.

People from all over the world are trying to get in. The other day on the news they said that so far this year CBP has caught 600 people on the known terror watch list. I wonder how many got in with the so called “gotaways”? Drugs and human trafficking has been getting in now more than ever before.

So, you ask, "Why should I vote for Biden"? My question is "Are we better off today than we were three years ago"? "Is our country better off and safer than what it was three years ago"?

— Herbert Kerrigan, Pensacola

Don’t hide agenda behind ‘No Party’

This is in response to the guestview opinion by Ms. Kim Kline, “It’s past time for Florida to ditch two-party system”. All that I know about the writer is what I could glean from her article, and that she is a candidate for the Florida House District 2 seat, running as an No Party Affiliation candidate and that she has lived in Gulf Breeze for 20 years.

I commend Ms. Kline for making the effort to run for public office.

Should Ms. Kline be successful in her campaign and win the office she seeks, her ability to be an effective legislator for her constituents (of which I am one) will hinge on the group with whom she decides to caucus. The NPA caucus will be non-existent and have no voice. Ms. Kline may not be fond of our two-party system, but one of the two parties will control the Florida legislature and her ability to effectively represent her constituents will be based on the side with whom she chooses to caucus.

My guess is that Ms. Kline knows – right now – exactly how she will decide that issue and that will tell you all you need to know about where Ms. Kline’s political ideology lies. My guess is that her candidacy as an NPA candidate is to hide her political ideology, in hopes that no one will be able to figure her out.

I encourage Ms. Kline to disclose – right now – with whom she intends to caucus, in advance of election day. If she won't disclose, her candidacy is actually a joke. A bad joke.

— Charles D. "David" Walker, Pensacola

Hear from our readers: Letters: Joe Biden has been a financier of Iran’s terrorism since the day he took office

Reporter’s Blues story masterful

Brittany Misencik's article on the Blue Angles Homecoming in the Nov. 6 News Journal was a masterpiece. She is truly a credit to your paper. You aren't paying her enough.

You need to understand this is coming from and old Navy Fighter Pilot, with 500 carrier landing and 200 combat missions over Vietnam while flying the Navy's first, real, supersonic airplane, the F8U Crusader. Accordingly, and at 90 years old, I am not easily impressed, however her writing did just that.

Weaving in the personal stories with the description of the event kept me reading through the whole article.

Brittany, I salute you. Well done, girl.

— Ray Slingerland, Capt., USN, retired, Milton

Health insurance run amok

Regarding open enrollment for non-Medicare aged people, why does the Escambia County District in Florida only have 15 days of choices verses the rest of America having 46 days to choose a health option under Obamacare? Why is the website so hard to use? Why do you have to use total household income if only one person needs insurance? Why do you have to sign away your rights before you can even know if your eligible for a break in cost? Who can afford $500 a month with $9,500 deductible and 50 percent copay after deductible?

— Jeannie Bodie, Lillian, Alabama

Reinstate road, school concurrency

In 1985, Florida Growth Management legislation stated that new developments are not to proceed unless infrastructure, capacity and specific services are in place to service the new development.

In 2011, then Gov. Scott eliminated this law to encourage new growth after the 2008 recession. In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners followed suit. Today with all the explosion of new subdivisions being built, I urge our state legislators and local county commissioners to reinstate this necessary law.

We ask for smart growth with infrastructure in place to handle that growth.

— Bonnie Exner, Molino

Kudos to West Florida High

I would like to join Capt. Tim Kinsella (editorial, Nov. 5) in praise of West Florida High School! Well deserved. As a former substitute teacher, I have seen the school and students in action!

So, I can confirm his statements. Further, I would extend that praise to all the schools, as I believe in the capability of our students, the ability of their coaches (teachers), and what the parents can do! It takes all three to be successful.

Unfortunately, that is a commitment some are not willing to undertake! I encourage everyone to try to know the capabilities, and, in doing so, seek success and encourage. support, and lead!

If we work together no one will be left behind and the students will benefit, along with our confidence and our strong community!

— William Rhette Anderson, Pensacola

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Letters: Matt Gaetz has become quite the ‘useful idiot’ in Congress