Scott, I showed your column about your son mooning you during your Zoom meeting to my daughter, since she is his AP English teacher. She said: “I can totally see him doing that!” Alan

Alan, it’s nice to know that we Maxwell men leave such distinguished impressions.

Thanks for spotlighting the dirty tricks in Betsy VanderLey’s county commission race. 1/8 ”Recruiting bogus candidates is shady politics for scared politician” 3/8 There’s something similar going on in Osceola. Rob

Unfortunately, Rob, this shady tactic — which allows scared candidates to face fewer voters — happens all over. But I thought this particular example in Orange County was worth spotlighting because it was just so blatant. VanderLey’s buddy admitted to recruiting his 20-year-old stepdaughter to run as a write-in. And VanderLey’s own campaign treasurer helped finance the write-in’s campaign.

Scott, I have a big favor to ask: My wife Sheila is a huge fan. Her birthday is Friday, July 31. We’re arranging a Zoom party. Could you spare five minutes to say hello and wish her a happy birthday? She is still confused about the write-in candidates. It would be a hoot if you showed up in the middle of everything and explained it to her directly. Michael

Wow. A woman who wants to discuss the intricacies of public policy on her birthday? Be still my heart. OK, sure. But I hope you’re giving her something other than me talking about obscure Florida statutes.

Great scoop, ****head. Pierre

Pierre, you are not invited to our party.

Well said this morning: 1/8 ”Migrant workers are exploited for labor, blamed for coronavirus. Just ask this nun.” 3/8 Migrant workers have been our state’s shame for many years. We demonize them (“Illegal! Diseased! Criminal!”) while we crave their cheap labor like addicts. It’s hypocritical to scream about illegal immigrants while at the same time exploiting them. Val

Amen, Val. Hypocritical and yet painfully common.

Wait. So Republicans passed a law to crack down on illegal hiring, but gave an exemption to farm companies? That’s who does this the most! How can they can get away with that? Jim

Because most of the people who scream loudest about immigration don’t follow through on the details of policy-making. They just like politicians who scream along with them.

I’m a worker’s comp claimant’s attorney. The stories we could tell you about the mistreatment of these workers when they get injured would make your skin crawl. They’re recruited … and then when the worker gets hurt, the employer claims no comp benefits — including much-needed medical care — should be provided because the worker was here illegally, supposedly unbeknownst to them. Thomas

A lot fewer people scream about that.

You sir are a evil and terrible person. You WILL face your creator, JESUS CHRIST and you WILL answer for your actions. Redneck Bucket

Man, that was an intense tweet … especially for 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning … in response to a column about why I love newspapers. But your faith is a beacon for us all.

You never gave us a follow-up on your daughter. 1/8 ”Waiting for my daughter’s results and wondering when America will get COVID testing right.” 3/8 I hope her test was negative. Matt

It was, Matt. And thanks for asking. Yet I heard from scores of readers who said they had to wait as long as two weeks to get their results. Totally unacceptable.

Scott, You presented a clear explanation of the debate 1/8 “Truth, lies and ignorance in Florida’s voucher-school debate” 3/8 and a convincing argument of what is right. I must admit, I have difficulty with the pure definitions of LGBTQ ... but having said that, I don’t believe that our taxpayer funds should be funneled to anyone or agency that discriminates. Very respectfully, Mike

Mike, I appreciate the thoughtful response. As you clearly said, the issue here is discrimination, pure and simple. Taxpayer money should never fund it.

Your willful stupidity never surprises me. Jason

Jason, your response strikes me as slightly less thoughtful.

Here we go again. 1/8 ”Another million square feet and $700 million debt for giant convention center? No freaking way.” 3/8 Hoping for “A” (a more diversified local economy), while rewarding “B” (a bigger convention center). Charles

It’s the old definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and hoping for different results. Don’t trust any politician who claims to support “A” while pushing to do “B.”

Good Lord. Is anyone in this town capable of taking a breath to think things over? There are just so many needs. An expansion of the convention center is far, far down on the list. Fred

Well, Mayor Jerry Demings ultimately tapped the brakes on this project, thank goodness. But that was partly because the county literally ran out of money. It’s easy for a gambling addict to stay out of the casino when he’s broke. Let’s see what happens when payday finally comes back around.

Good to see a valiant effort at holding Visit Orlando, Orange County and the city of Orlando accountable for excesses that put "leaders" of Visit Orlando first and residents dead last. Hospitality doesn't have to be a bad thing ... it just can't be the only thing. Tom

Eloquently stated, Tom. This town keeps pouring hundreds of millions of tax dollars into subsidizing low-wage jobs and then acting surprised that we remain one of the lowest-wage major metros in America. Even the willfully stupid can see the correlation.

Reading your column today was a depressing experience. Joseph

Imagine how it felt to write it.

smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com

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