Letters: Removal of sociology from core subject list at Florida universities is appalling

As a recently retired physician with an undergraduate major in sociology, I am appalled by the decision of the Florida Board of Governors to remove this topic from the list of core general education subjects. Over a long career as a pediatric subspecialist, there was possibly no set of background courses and perspectives I returned to more often than my sociology training.

Sociology is commonly defined as “the study of the development, structure and functioning of human society.” That includes such topics as variations in cultures and beliefs — how different groups view the meaning of illness, who in the family is the likely decision-maker, how to work with people from different cultures, the significance of religion in decision-making or views on authority.

These are the type of things that anyone working closely with other people needs to be aware of and sensitive to. As a physician working with the families of sick children, these were issues to be considered daily.

If I found sociology so valuable in a highly technical field, it is likely even more so in fields such as criminology, tourism, event management and education, working with people from many cultures and backgrounds. Sociology courses will still be available on the curriculum, but far fewer students will get a taste of the subject and consider further exposure.

I naturally used my undergraduate education in biochemistry, physics and chemistry, all of which were required pre-med courses. Those were deep background subjects, however, and almost never directly applicable. Considering how best to approach a specific family or person and how their views might be different from mine required in-depth thought.

Sometimes I return to the first principles, those I learned in sociology, and continue to occasionally read as a refresher. Sociology has not been “hijacked by left-wing activists,” but it certainly looks like the Florida Board of Governors has been hijacked by those on the right.

Paul A. Pitel, M.D., Jacksonville

Common sense? Out the window

I am quite frustrated by many citizens of this wonderful nation. I have never in all my life — and I’m an older person — encountered such uncivil actions and inappropriate signage. I’ve seen a lot more offensive language on bumper stickers and flags since former President Donald Trump took hold of otherwise decent Americans.

Since the 2020 election, someone in a small southwest Florida town has had a 5-by-10-foot flag flying above his home saying “F*** Biden.” This is where anyone can see it, including children, as it is close to a middle school in a residential community. I believe most of us can figure out this indecent four-letter word.

Then there are those bumper stickers and signs that say, “Let’s Go Brandon.” My daughter had to explain to me what it really meant. I was beside myself; I couldn't believe that people were doing this. As frustrated as many of us were with the war in Iraq and former President Bush, nobody ever did that.

Rest assured, if anyone ever hoisted a similar flag against Trump, his legions of dangerous, extreme right-wing individuals would probably burn the house down. I am at a loss. Now I see that people are apparently going to vote for him in the next election, including Republicans currently in office.

How could you possibly vote for a man that has done so much damage to this country, especially inciting and encouraging an insurrection? The brainwashing has gone way too far. We need a return to common sense — and decency.

Orquidia DeArriba, Jacksonville

Pets need telemedicine, too

If your pet hates going to the veterinarian, telemedicine could help. Visits to the veterinary office can be stressful for pets and pet owners alike, especially if your pet displays aggression towards other animals or humans. The veterinary environment can cause animals to act in ways they normally would not because they are fearful and uncomfortable.

For some animals, this stress can pose a major barrier to receiving the care and treatment they need and deserve. Some pet owners would rather avoid the vet’s office for situations when an in-person physical exam is not necessary, out of a fear that their pet could act aggressively toward, or worse yet, hurt veterinary staff.

Veterinary telemedicine would take some of the burden off pet owners with fearful, reactive or aggressive animals by allowing them to have their pets seen safely from the comfort of their own home for routine situations. Unfortunately, Florida’s outdated regulations block veterinarians from practicing veterinary telemedicine or prescribing medication unless they have recently examined the pet patient personally — even when it’s not needed for diagnosis.

This is why Floridians would benefit from the Providing Equity in Telemedicine Services Act. Also known as the PETS Act (HB 849/SB 1040), it would expand access to veterinary telemedicine and allow pet owners the freedom to have their pets treated in a calm, comfortable environment. I strongly urge my state legislators to pass the PETS Act, so that all pets — regardless of their disposition — can get the care they deserve.

Beth Graham, Ponte Vedra Beach

Childcare providers still struggling

The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act ended for the childcare industry late last year. However, many childcare centers and family home care sites are still struggling to keep their doors open to the local children and families we serve.

This bill served as a grant that allowed many providers to restructure from the COVID pandemic, in which we faced temporary closures and shortage of staff, as well as parents afraid to return their children back into a childcare setting with others.

The act provided funds for childcare providers to increase wages to attract teachers and retention funding to help keep current teachers employed. Additionally, parents were assisted with funding resources that allowed their childcare expenses to be reduced.

Our goal is for our local legislators to understand the importance of childcare providers as essential workers, along with the overall need for working families to have a safe, fun and structured environment for their children. Our state can make this happen by providing another round of assistance to the providers and families to help stabilize childcare needs.

Equille Johnson, Achievable Dreams Learning Academy, Jacksonville

U.S. must keep Electoral College

As the presidential election approaches this fall, we hear a lot from those who want to do away with the Electoral College and replace it with a popular vote. It may sound reasonable to make this change; however, what often gets lost is why the Electoral College was instituted in the first place.

The U.S. is not a true democracy, but a constitutional republic — a system of government based on the rule of law that guarantees that each person has certain inalienable rights that cannot or should not be infringed upon. In other words, where the majority has less power to oppress the minority. The Electoral College was instituted so that the bigger and more populous states cannot impose their will on smaller states.

If we truly want a free country where the rights of individuals matter, then keeping the Electoral College is necessary to fight against the tyranny of the majority, so they cannot vote away the rights of the minority.

Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville

Labor shortage worse without immigrants

National Caregiver’s Day on Feb. 16 is an opportunity to recognize the critical role of immigrants in our care workforce, our community, the economy and in our families.

Our population is aging at a faster rate than we’re able to hire new home care workers, which means we’re now facing a huge care workforce shortage. The risk is that our elderly or disabled loved ones could go without care if the situation is not addressed.

Immigrant caregivers make up 27% of the direct care workforce — including home health aides, childcare workers and nursing assistants. Without immigrants, the labor shortages in our health care and childcare systems would be even worse.

Immigrants make countless contributions to keep families and kids healthy and safe. To really show our thanks to immigrant caregivers this National Caregivers Day, we need permanent protections for immigrants and expanded work permit authorizations. It is long overdue and critical to our families and community.

Nadine Hughey, St. Augustine

Mayor Deegan gets it

Correlation may not be causation, but I have noticed significant changes since Donna Deegan was elected mayor.

A horrible sewer drain by my house has backed up to my driveway for years, despite multiple emails, calls and letters to former Mayor Lenny Curry’s office. It was recently serviced and fixed, with clear communication about the project from the city.

I also have a rental property nearby, but squatters moved into the building next door and were a frightening nuisance for my tenants. For months I complained and filed grievances with the city. I finally got a call back after Deegan was elected. They evicted the squatters and made the owner take responsibility. Then the parking alley behind the property was repaved.

Curry wanted to sell JEA, but he could not mow the grass or fix the potholes. Thank you, Mayor Deegan, for understanding what matters.

Adam Wade, Jacksonville

DeSantis playing with fire

A Feb. 2 article in the Times-Union reported that Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to send the Florida State Guard to Texas to help the state continue fortifying its border. His argument that Texas has state sovereignty — together with his defiance of a Supreme Court ruling that recognizes federal government authority over our borders — is ludicrous and extremely dangerous.

Under the American federal system, individual states are not sovereign independent governments. Our ancestors fought a civil war that settled this question. DeSantis’ comments are akin to those of Southern secessionists who fired on federal troops at Fort Sumter in April 1861, commonly understood as the event that triggered Southern state secession and a bloody civil war.

Will DeSantis order Florida’s Guard members to attack federal troops should they encounter one another along the Texas border? Our governor is playing with fire and should know better.

Sherry Magill, Jacksonville

Good year for Duval public schools

Congratulations to Duval County public schools, its board and all involved for continued efforts reflected in an impressive rise in graduation rates for the 2023 school year. As reported by The Florida Times-Union on Jan. 30 and based on a state report, of 34 high schools in Duval County, six are charter schools.

Zero charter schools have graduation rates in the top 10 in Duval County, while four of them are in the bottom seven listed schools. While this data only tells part of the story, it certainly begs the question of how much better Duval public schools would be if the state of Florida, local leaders and philanthropists invested more in those schools that benefit all of our students — rather than lobbying for legislation and taking money from those schools to benefit their own agenda.

David S. Loeb, M.D., Ponte Vedra Beach

Trump should stop whining

Former President and current candidate Donald Trump often brags about his wealth, so he should be able to pay columnist E. Jean Carroll her $83.3 million defamation settlement, along with his legal fees. Do most Trump donors know they have helped pay his legal fees? I doubt he'd do the same for them.

The media needs to ask him how he'd resolve the border crisis (with specific answers, not just "don't accept a deal"), attacks on U.S. troops abroad and the Israel/Hamas conflict. Make him tell his views on these critical subjects, rather than continuing to whine about his troubles and how he's being picked on.

Deborah Cearnal, Orange Park

Wrong question for homelessness

In a letter to the editor on Feb. 4, a reader proposed a question after a recent article about homelessness. He asked, “How many of the homeless feel better now that another Confederate monument has been removed?” Then he questioned Jacksonville’s priorities.

A question more aligned with his worry about the monuments might have been: “How many of the descendants of those who were enslaved feel better now that another Confederate monument has been removed?”

His question on monuments had zero to do with a cause or solution to homelessness.

Martha Hellmuth, Middleburg

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Retired doctor appalled by Florida decision on sociology in colleges