Letters: Stop judging Adam & Steve, let God sort things out on same-sex marriage

A gentleman from Ponte Vedra speaks of "moral absolutes" in his Dec. 18 rebuttal to an earlier editorial, about Senators Rubio and Scott voting against the Respect for Marriage Act. He states that "heterosexual love and marriage" is one of these absolutes and has been this way "… since creation."

It's obvious that the Bible is the main resource for the rebuttal. In Genesis, yes — Adam and Eve populated the world. In order for this to happen it certainly had to start with a heterosexual relationship, but did that entire process actually adhere to the "moral absolutes" he mentioned? Strictly speaking, it did. But there may have been a few extenuating circumstances. I mean, at one point there was just Adam, Eve and Cain. So that's tight-knit by anyone's standards.

Oedipus complexes notwithstanding, I believe God does, in fact, command us to love all people unconditionally. Moreover, He wants us to be nonjudgmental as well (granted, that’s a tall order). Let's see the hands of all those who have been 100% successful at not being judgmental. Just as I suspected — not even the guy I see in my mirror.

But that guy in my mirror is a bit closer to the goal because he knows that ultimately, there will be judgment by the only one that counts. Because of this, all our earthly judgments are null and void.

What has been helpful to me is to practice embracing the concept first mentioned by God, which is the idea that we are all His children. It makes it easier to forget about what happened in the first family and what's happening to that family today. Know what else is helpful? Understanding that the wisest thing anyone can do is to lead their best life and leave the rest to God.

Now that's absolutely liberating.

Chris Hildreth, Avondale

Move monuments to Camp Milton

After reading several recent letters to the editor, it appears that it really doesn’t matter to some how monuments are displayed or what it is made to say. If it refers to a Confederate soldier or even a lady with two kids, it should no longer exist.

In reality, Southerners have as much right to remember and honor their ancestors as any other group. After all, we have never protested the monuments to Grant and Sherman located in northern cities. Remember, these individuals went on to subjugate and commit genocide against the Plains Indians after leaving Southern states in ruin and under military occupation. Their example of total war against civilian population centers could have been used as a template by the Nazis in the next century.

The Confederate monuments in Jacksonville should be relocated to a safe place where people are free to see and appreciate them. I think we can all agree that for many reasons, James Weldon Johnson and Springfield Park are no longer ideal for this purpose.

Why not move all of the monuments to Camp Milton Historic Preserve? Surely no Southern hater would ever wish to visit the site of a Confederate camp. Their chance of being traumatized upon seeing old statuary could therefore be greatly minimized by the relocation.

On the other hand, every student of Southern history still living in Jacksonville could visit these works of art and admire them in a relatively safe environment at their leisure. This should be equitable to everyone, and I believe it could bring about a peaceful solution to the issue.

Chris Mead, Jacksonville

Gains vs. losses in newspaper biz

We wish Mary Kelli Palka the best in her new endeavors and are quite sure we have all benefitted collectively from her leadership at the Times-Union. And we agree completely with her on the need for continuing investigative journalism as a key to democracy.

However, I would like to point out the reality that faces subscribers of the Times-Union and other newspapers around the country. In the face of continued rising subscription rates, we have lost much. We have lost daily letters to the editor, daily editorials, the law-and-order feature, the listing of real estate transactions, the comics page one day a week, much local news, holiday issues and the most absurd loss of all — the inability to comment on a Sunday Jaguars game until the following Tuesday.

I suspect the losses (or perhaps “adjustments” in executive-speak) will continue, as I seem to have missed the column on building permits in this Sunday’s paper. So, what has been gained — a connection to USA Today? To me this is not a gain that outweighs the losses.

People focus more on what is lost than what is gained and a successful newspaper should be aware of this. Perhaps they will then realize what comprises gains and losses to their constituency. With these continued small (but daily) losses, there will be a point where there is a straw that breaks the will to pay the high price of subscriptions.

Newspapers are critical to democracy but they are playing a role in their own demise.

Marge Powell, Callahan

Never too old to believe in movie magic

Christmas movies have often been characterized as simple-minded entertainment to appease the masses. I myself have come to know the significant bond a movie can create between the viewer and the story.

Every good holiday movie has a moral or theme. “The Wizard of Oz” was always broadcast around Christmas when I was young, with “There’s no place like home” being the message in this film. You watch the movie again and again because you want it to take you back “home” to that time.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” teaches that every life is worthwhile and fulfills a purpose.

“The Polar Express” is a prime example of using holiday magic to tell a story. This particular movie invites you back to your youth when you were enraptured in anticipation on Christmas eve. There was no doubt in your mind that magic was real.

Please don’t think because you are older you can’t believe in Christmas magic. If you have been lucky enough to find someone who truly loves you and have spent Christmas with that person, you should be aware that love is something you cannot see or touch. The existence of true love has always been the real Christmas magic.

Hayward Simpson, Lake City

Hope for new Alzheimer’s drug

As one of the 580,000 Floridians living with Alzheimer’s disease, I was recently given reason for hope with the release of new data about a possible treatment called Lecanemab. As reported by USA Today late last month, research shows it can slow the progression of this disease by months and it has been supported by the Alzheimer's Association.

Much of the media coverage I saw featured so-called “experts” that were quick to dash hopes by hiding behind what they call “clinical meaningfulness.” There’s nothing clinical about the additional time I could have. I was left shaking my head wondering how so little thought could be given to those of us impacted by this devastating and fatal disease. Where was the consideration of my feelings and how a possible treatment could impact my life?

When this drug is approved — and based on the current science, it’s showing promise that it will be beneficial for me and many others, such as our brothers, sisters, parents, friends and family. Those who need it absolutely must be able to get it. If my mother and father had this opportunity, our family could have enjoyed their company longer.

That’s why I’m fighting for it. Will you join me?

Vena Patton, Jacksonville

Frazier got his due

I read with interest Nate Monroe's Dec. 14 column titled "Council creates an ugly scene." Monroe states that the council failed to treat activist Ben Frazier with grace when he was removed from the council meeting for talking past his allotted time. Monroe goes on to say that councilmembers acted like children because they retreated to the green room and peered out the window during all the hubbub.

Is Monroe's head in the sand? Is he oblivious to Frazier's long-standing protests and misbehaviors? It appears to me that Frazier is the one who acts like a child.

He is the one who apparently cannot follow guidelines for behavior at council meetings. He is the one who refused to step aside when his time was up. He is the one who had to be removed while kicking and screaming. He is the one who misbehaves when he doesn't get his way and pulls out the victim card so people will feel sorry for him.

I certainly believe that people should be treated with grace, but they must be held accountable, too. Frazier has long since used up his grace and it was high time that he be held accountable.

Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville

Let adolescents become adults first

I have a personal perspective on the gender-affirming care ban in the State of Florida. My wife was a "tomboy" growing up. She was taller than most boys and she loved to play sports in school. I am grateful that she didn't have gender transitioning surgery to remove her breasts — along with testosterone hormone therapy -- in an attempt to make her a boy. She has grown up to be a fine woman.

Young brains do not have fully developed frontal lobes and executive functions. They frequently make impulsive decisions that they regret later on in life. I don't care what the science tells some medical experts. Doctors should not surgically alter the sexual attributes of adolescents. Let them become adults before they make such life changing decisions.

William V. Choisser, M.D., Orange Park

Real faith in action

Another inspiring story of selfless giving by Beth Reese Cravey of the Florida Times-Union ran on Dec. 13, concerning a nonprofit started by a former alcoholic and drug addict from St. Augustine, Nathan Pendleton.

His deep faith in God and a promise that Mr. Pendleton made to God, if he straightened out his life from the addiction, he would do whatever God wanted him to do. Mr. Pendleton kept his promise and the nonprofit he started is now helping families who were living by garbage dumps in shacks with dirt floors to have a clean and sanitary place to raise their children.

This true story shows what real faith can accomplish.

Ted St. Martin, Jacksonville

Who else has JSO access?

I read on Dec. 9 that the recently deceased Kent Stermon, a GOP donor and former confidante of geographically challenged former Sheriff Mike Williams, had an access badge to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters.

How is it possible that a civilian — a non-JSO employee — had permission to enter a secure facility? Any employee of a private sector company would most likely be fired for giving a friend regular access to a secure building. We need to find out who else has non-authorized and illegal access to JSO headquarters.

Steve Holder, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Moral absolutes a gray area on same-sex marriage