Letters: U.S. Supreme Court set a dangerous precedent with Trump immunity ruling

I am in disbelief with what is happening in our country, especially with the highest court in the land, the U.S. Supreme Court. How can those judges sleep at night after not holding Donald Trump accountable for encouraging and inciting a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol?

If you recall, there were Republican legislators as well as Democrats running for their lives on that horrible day. Now they are supporting a man who wants to be a dictator — his own words. How can these same people believe that he stands for our sacred U.S. Constitution, fought for by many American lives? How can they hold up Old Glory next to him?

I see it all the time — pickup trucks with a giant American flag on it and everyone knows that driver most likely supports Trump. He is as far from representing a patriotic American as I can imagine, yet the indoctrination and brainwashing by the extreme right continues. So many good American people seem to think he is their savior.

He is a danger to our democracy and I don't understand how those supporters do not see it. Now he can do anything he wants if he becomes president again. Thank you, Supreme Court judges — you have now created an extremely dangerous precedent.

I will not vote for him in November and I am praying to God that those who plan on casting their vote for him will wake up. It's not even about Democrats versus Republicans — it is about not putting a tyrannical, egotistical and out-of-control man in the White House … again.

Orquidia DeArriba, Jacksonville

Dangerous, foolhardy new Florida laws

I was flabbergasted to read about some of the new Florida laws taking effect this month.

First, students cannot discuss or be taught about menstrual cycles before sixth grade. Many girls start their first period by age 10 (fourth grade) and the average is continually falling, now 11.9 years, often before sixth grade.

Breast development normally begins at age 8 (third grade). Should we make that a no-no as well? Children need to be prepared as best as possible for these normal but life-changing events. We do kids no favors by allowing them to be surprised and embarrassed.

Second, local governments are prohibited from requiring heat and water breaks for Floridians working outside. This is unbelievable. Record heat levels are being set every day and it is the No. 1 weather-related cause of death. Heat illness is one of my clinical interests, but you don't need to be an emergency physician to know that this is foolhardy.

Last, I see that the governor also signed a law allowing the radioactive waste of phosphogypsum (a fertilizer byproduct) to be studied for possible use in paving roads. So, "road rash" may take on a whole new meaning. Seriously, the real risk is to the workers who will work around this material, touch it, inhale the fumes of now radioactive asphalt and take it home on their clothes.

These laws are poorly considered at best and dangerous at worst. No doubt there are others.

David J. Vukich M.D., FACEP, FAAEM, professor emeritus in emergency medicine (retired), University of Florida

A suggestion for Duval Schools’ dilemma

The board of Duval County Public Schools is faced with a huge financial dilemma that threatens to cause the closing of many of our schools. The board blames the crisis on the high numbers of students leaving for charter schools. But in fact, I believe the crisis is caused by schools not doing the job of educating students, causing parents to opt out for either charter schools or homeschooling.

The answer is to improve our public schools. To do this, a radical change is needed.

I suggest that we make our school system into a three-track program: college prep (higher level math or science), general education (the old basics, perhaps this program could end in the 10th or 11th grade with a high school diploma ) and vocational education (and 18- to 24-month program). All three tracks must be first class and equally funded.

One advantage of this system is that students wouldn't all be forced into the same standard track one they are either incapable of coping with or one that simply doesn’t interest them.

Remember — do what you've always done and you get what you've always gotten.

Terry Weaver, Jacksonville

Deegan’s distorted view of love

It was reported on July 1 that Mayor Donna Deegan was proud to celebrate the city's first official LGBTQ+ Pride Month and promised to continue such events in the future. She was quoted as saying, “For the community love is love and love will always win are the themes that drive you forward.”

I believe the mayor has a distorted sense of love. This concept that “love is love” is very troubling, for the simple fact that real love has a set of rules. There are many actions done in the name of love that are unloving. If you truly love someone then you would not lie to them, steal from them or cheat on them, for example.

Because of the sinful nature of man, it is easy to distort the true meaning of love and put a selfish spin on it.

By flying the Pride flag at City Hall, I think Mayor Deegan is enabling sexual perversion, which is a recipe for depression, STDs and suicidal thoughts. She should reevaluate her position, because enabling a destructive lifestyle is not an act of love — even though she may think it is.

Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville

Thoughts on free meal programs

Recently a few states, including Florida, refused federal money to continue meal programs that qualified families receive for children during summer months when school is out. This is the same benefit they receive during the school year.

In another state, where funding was also not accepted, a single mother spoke of the difficult time she had with living expenses.

Two things occurred to me here. First, why refuse federal money to help needy families? “Federal aid has strings attached“ is a poor excuse, and it doesn’t cost Floridians anything. Second, the single mother who is affected by the discontinued free or reduced meal program mentioned having two grown children (ages 18 and 22) at home.

Helping children who need it with a meal is what we do, or should. Accept the federal money, but draw the line at school-aged children. At 18 and older, you’re an adult. There are options — not necessarily easy but neither is life.

There's a fine line between helping to fill a need and creating dependence. The goal should be helping to develop independence.

Gary Schuran, Middleburg 

Public schools have failed

In her July 7 letter, Karen Adler suggested rejecting the Moms for Liberty movement, stating their support of charter schools and banning of certain books. I don’t normally support book banning myself; but the reason why so many parents are opting for charter schools could be because of the failed liberal policies of public schools.

These schools have dumbed down American students and embraced social movements, instead of teaching core subjects. Parents are rejecting discussion about sexual feelings and lifestyle to young children, because there is no place in schools for that. Nor do they want to have their children taught social issues that are extremely divisive.

These types of things should be taught at home or in other places, like community support groups. I blame the teachers unions. I suggest they look in the mirror, see how they have failed our students and move in a different direction.

Joey Stevens, Jacksonville

DeSantis’ civic cruelty

Recently Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked a federal program to fund groceries during the summer for low-income families. This raised concerns about their youngsters receiving breakfasts and lunches when schools are closed.

This was after DeSantis vetoed a local ordinance in South Florida requiring contractors to provide water and shade breaks for workers to relieve some of summer's excessive heat. He also vetoed state legislation funding several arts programs across the state.

These actions build on even earlier ones, such as refusing to accept federal expansion of the Medicaid program for families unable to afford health insurance.

My wife says, he must be a cruel man. I agree.

Laura and Jim Crooks, Westminster Woods, Jacksonville 

Congressman’s false choice

John Rutherford's July 7 guest column poses a false choice that service personnel supposedly had to make between country and religious beliefs.

I wonder how many people died because of seeing the COVID vaccine as a dangerous mandate imposed by the government. We had two good friends — gifted pastors — who died of COVID after following the "Christian" injunction not to take the shot.

I also wonder how many service personnel were saved from COVID in crowded barracks or on ships by their fellow soldiers and sailors who got the injection.

Dr. Phoebe Smith, Saint Johns

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How can Trump supporters not see that he is a threat to democracy?