Letters: Is overturn of Roe v. Wade the first step towards an official state religion?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution begins, "Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion ..."

The Founding Fathers deliberately used the word “establishment.” In 1788, they were about 200 years removed from religious wars and the burning of heretics, while the Spanish Inquisition would be active for another 60 years. The intent was to make the government separate from religion and allow people to follow their own beliefs freely, without having religious viewpoints or practices forced upon them. The introduction of the Constitution made that clear saying "We the people … do ordain and establish this constitution ..." It was a time when — in much of the world — royalty was considered to have a God-given right to rule.

In overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court (sticking closely to states' rights versus general constitutional rights) apparently made this decision based on the Christian belief that abortion is murder. Justice Amy Coney Barrett especially, as a professor at Notre Dame, should be aware of differing religious viewpoints. Regardless, activists are now talking about banning abortion pills. Will contraception be next?

Making abortion illegal will not eliminate the procedure, but instead will make it far more dangerous. Having become a physician in the 1970s, I am all too familiar with the costs of "back alley" and even attempted home abortions. I have personally seen too many dangerous infections, along with permanently sterilized teenagers and women, as a result.

I am deeply concerned that this Supreme Court will be remembered by history as the one that took the first step toward making Christianity our state religion. As a graduate of Notre Dame, I am embarrassed for Justice Barrett — and myself.

George A. Williams, MD, retired physician, Fernandina Beach 

It does matter where elected officials live

A June 26 letter asked, "Who cares where elected officials live?" I am not particularly concerned that Mike Williams decided to retire as sheriff of Duval County sooner rather than later.

However, I am concerned that: (1) He moved out of Duval County despite being elected on the grounds that he reside here; (2) He did not voluntarily reveal his move to Nassau County and resign at that time; and (3) My tax dollars continued to pay his salary, pension and benefits for more than a year when technically he had vacated the position.

There is also the fact that other elected officials — particularly his ardent supporter, Mayor Curry — were either aware of his move and chose not to say anything or communication between Williams and other city officials was so poor that they were unaware of his move. Even worse is that city officials were either unaware of the residency requirement or did not care if others weren't in compliance.

Whether you agree or disagree with the residency requirement, it was in the City Charter when Williams ran for sheriff and was elected. Until the charter is changed, it remains that he either disregarded the residency requirement or was unaware of it. In either case, this does not say much about the person who was the custodian of the city's public safety and laws.

I believe the job performance of an elected official, especially a sheriff, is measured in large part by their knowledge of and willingness to obey the law, even a "silly rule" in the City Charter.

Kathy Hall, Jacksonville Beach 

Airport security needed for schools

How long did it take airports to be made more secure after 9/11? Maybe less than a year. So, I don't understand why something can’t be done to make schools as secure.

I know it's difficult for a variety of reasons: For example, everyone enters and leaves at the same time every day. OK, perhaps those start/end times can be staggered, or make extra entry/exit lines for the busy times and put up with some inconvenience. 

How about fire protection with only one entry/exit point? Design numerous fire breaks within the building so any fire can be isolated quickly and safely without opening up to the outside. Ask any one of Jacksonville’s sailors — they've been isolating fires for quite some time without having to abandon ship, so it can be done.

Everybody wants to blame the police in Uvalde for not dangerously rushing in to fight the bad guys, rather than modifying the schools ahead of time. I'd like to know if any of the extra 1 percent sales tax in Duval County is going to be used for school security. Are new schools being built with TSA-type security in mind? I sure hope so.

Tom Meeker, Jacksonville  

Keep up the good work, Woods and Monroe

Mark Woods is to be commended for his superbly written article about ethics in the June 19 edition of the Florida Times Union. The contrast between Congressman Charlie Bennett’s high standards during his 44-year tenure in Congress is stark when compared to the self-interest concerns of Corrine Brown, John Rutherford and several other Florida representatives today.

It’s doubtful Charlie Bennett was ever concerned about re-election — his works spoke for him, whereas today’s politicians seem to be more interested in raising money and filling their coffers than serving their constituents.

The role played by ethics (or lack thereof) in our society is also evident in the recent disclosure that Nate Monroe was placed under surveillance while investigating the scandalous JEA plot. His outstanding investigative work must have been a real threat to those involved in that plot. We need to understand who authorized that surveillance.

The citizens of Jacksonville should be thankful for Mr. Monroe’s work and horrified that he was placed under surveillance like that. Kudos to these two excellent reporters!

Larry and Mary Jane McKnight, Jacksonville

Jax Beach should have enough lifeguards

I readily admit to not knowing all of the issues related to the City of Jacksonville Beach and its lifeguards (either full-time or volunteers). Having been on the beach for a few hours on July 4, however, it did seem the lifeguards were few and far between.

I recently saw on a news show that many municipalities are short of the required number of lifeguards, and Jacksonville Beach seems to be one of those municipalities. Now the part I really don’t understand — during the last two years the city saw many houses sold and bought for much higher values. That should equate to vast increases in property tax revenue for the city, which should equate to the ability to pay for an adequate lifeguard staff.

Why is the scarcity of lifeguards an issue?

Peter A. Baci, Jacksonville Beach

Potholes and other city issues

A couple of recent letters made me glad I am not the only one who thinks the city is not up to snuff with our basic infrastructure. We are putting up all kinds of new overpasses and paving new streets but we have red lights that don’t work month after month, as well as potholes on existing streets that are so plentiful you just cannot avoid them anymore.

How are the streets where our council members live? We need attention to what we have here in Jacksonville and I am sure money and personnel are out there. Let’s see how many people are out supervising workers and get back on the right track.

Cynthia Roberts, Westside Jacksonville  

Can’t own a gun, can run for office

I have followed the saga of Corrine Brown for several years. It seems to me that she has manipulated the justice system at every turn. How many other people have been released early from federal prison because of alleged health problems?

What amazes me is that in most states, a felon cannot own a gun or vote (unless they have had voting privileges restored) but can apparently run for a congressional seat. Is this a great country or what?

W.C. Holcomb, Waycross, Ga.

Children’s book list was shameful

The “Don’t hide your pride” book list, which was published June 27, included a number of titles recommended for children between 3 and 8 years old.

Children who are that young should not be pushed into learning things way beyond their age and mental maturity. Equal rights are one thing, but the LGBTQ+ crowd’s relentless efforts to push their cause so forcefully on young children is shameful. That the Times-Union published this list of books targeting children is even more shameful.

Bill Goreschak, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Letters: SCOTUS taking first step towards official state religion?