Monday's letters: DA determined to prosecute Trump, Hillsdale political, not educational

Trump charges make mockery of justice

New York City is a place where people are in physical danger from criminals, where stores are robbed and cars are stolen at a record pace, and yet prosecution of those perpetrating those crimes is being ignored by the Manhattan district attorney.

Instead, he has set his sights on the prosecution of former President Donald Trump for acts which occurred more than seven years ago, placing no one and nothing in any danger.

At its core it is a bookkeeping entry at most, usually addressed by a fine, and which has a five-year statute of limitations in New York.

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Regardless of your political persuasion, do you think anyone else would be pursued for this violation? And yet, the Manhattan district attorney has chosen to defy the precedent of this never having been done to any former president.

Not only is it laughable on its face, it is election tampering at its worst, and makes a mockery of our judicial system.

Is it worth it to try to stop one man from running for president? I think not. If he is as bad as advertised, surely he could easily be beaten at the ballot box. Or could he?

Artie Reiss, Sarasota

Hillsdale of the South? Dangerous idea

Hillsdale College is a nationwide political organization camouflaged as a Christian college.

It sends out daily emails with political content to millions of people asking for donations. It offers books, CDs and lectures promoting far right, white Christian-only beliefs.

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Hillsdale officials are infiltrating our school system, indoctrinating our students, whitewashing our history and strangling critical thinking. Hillsdale is against inclusion and diversity, hardly a Christian trait.

Make no mistake, Hillsdale College is a dangerous, subversive political organization. Wake up, Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans.

Ulrich Gunthart, Sarasota

Explore what makes ‘Life Worth Living’

I read with interest the article April 4 about “Life Worth Living” courses at Yale and Duke ('"Life Worth Living” asks big questions'). You don’t have to look to Ivy to find that course – I am teaching it at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus.

We’re not just reading one text on the subject, though. My students have read primary source selections and books that include how life purpose has been viewed across centuries and international locations.

They read Book 1 of Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics,” Saint-Exupèry’s “Little Prince,” the World Values Survey, Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Thoreau and a little-known book about the Sng’oi of Malaysia.

We’ve explored poems, artwork and film about life meaning, life design by Stanford professors and an Oxford course.

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University students – nearly all young people – need the opportunity to think beyond courses they take to earn a living. Sadly, university has become more of a career mill than a chance for youth to consider what really matters to them. Considering the rise in youth depression, this is tragic.

Take time to learn about your gem of a hometown university!

Jody McBrien, professor, School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, USF Sarasota-Manatee

Paper needs to let up on governor

As a daily reader, I am conditioned to the political slant of the Herald-Tribune, yet still I am forced to comment on the oversaturation of negative political coverage of our governor.

It seems only the Sports section escapes Ron DeSantis wrath.

On the Gulfcoast front April 3: “Environmental groups denounce Fla. bills” and “GOP’s union bill: Paycheck protection or political payback?”

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In Business: “People speak out about Florida’s declining brand.” The columnist, David Houle, offered comments from readers who are fed up with Florida politics and would like to return to their home state. The problem with that reporting view is that droves of people are moving into Florida due to failures in other states.

I know that the paper needs to throw out some red meat to its political favorites, but it would not hurt to slow down a little bit.

Charles Dawson, Venice

Don’t waste money on Siesta roundabout

As a property owner on Siesta Key since 1989 and now a full-time resident, I completely agree with the letter written by the 42-year Siesta Key resident about the planned Midnight Pass-Beach Road roundabout (‘“No” to Midnight Pass roundabout.’)

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The traffic light currently there works just fine. In addition, the proximity of Fire Station 13 makes a roundabout a disaster waiting to happen. Let’s nip this terrible idea in the bud now before funds are wasted.Gloria Dana, Sarasota

DeSantis should give up Harvard degree

Thanks to the writer of “DA can't tell misdemeanor from felony,” April 6, for pointing out that Ron DeSantis, a Harvard alumnus, should turn in his degree and be disbarred.

Paul Felten, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Trump charged because he is former president, Hillsdale dangerous