Sarasota County politicians may regret decision to hinder library system

Commissioners may regret library vote

Thank you for your article, “Sarasota County Commission votes to end memberships in state, national library groups.”

I was at that meeting and was so impressed with the number of people who showed up to speak. For every person who spoke, there were at least one to two more who were there to show support for our library associations.

After listening to more than two hours of public comment, with all but four or five people speaking in favor of keeping our memberships, I am certain the community sent a strong message that we do not support ending our memberships.

Needless to say, I was shocked by the arrogance of our commissioners, who voted 4-1 in favor of ending our membership in these associations.

Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor

I was surprised by the lack of political expediency. Commissioner Mike Moran is term limited but the other commissioners clearly aren’t concerned about keeping their seats. If they were, they would listen to their constituents.

The elections last week sent a clear message that voters are tired of our elected officials pandering to the interests of developers and extremists. We are ready to vote out those who don’t listen to us next year.

Julie Forestier, Sarasota

Right-wing-extremist views in newsletter

Re a Nov. 15 letter, “Newsletter conservative, not 'extreme””: It’s hard to believe that anyone wants New College to turn into the “Hillsdale of the South.” Conservative Christian Hillsdale College is possibly the worst model for New College that you can imagine.

Here is an excerpt from an article in “Imprimis,” the Hillsdale newsletter that the letter writer praises to the skies:

“The January 6 Insurrection Hoax”:

Of course, it is absolutely critical to the Democratic Party narrative that the January 6 incident be made to seem as violent and crazed as possible. Hence the comparisons to 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and the Civil War. Only thus can pro-Trump Americans be excluded from “our democracy” by being branded as “domestic extremists” if not, indeed, “domestic terrorists.”

This is not “conservative” – this is truly right-wing-extremist-crazy.

Daniel Rein, Sarasota

Palestinians trapped in state of misery

Elisha Wiesel asked some good questions in his column Nov. 2 and his father, Eli, certainly stood up for brotherhood (“My father survived the Holocaust. Ask hard questions about Hamas.”).

The problem I have upon reading justification for Israeli retribution for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas is that the difference between Palestinians and members of Hamas is seldom, if ever, mentioned by the many reporters covering the current war.

Certainly, Israel has the right to defend itself. But it also bears responsibility for treating Palestinians respectfully if Palestinians are ever to be considered good neighbors.

It appears that the successive Israeli governments have no intention of ever supporting the “two-state” idea with their subjugating policies of placing Jewish settlements within Palestinian lands, prohibiting highway use and burning Palestinian olive groves (to name a few of the many indignities).

To my mind, Hamas would not have any popular support if Palestinians were treated more like equals, and the animosity cultured over the past decades almost guarantees continued friction.

I believe that the “two-state” solution will never happen. But I also believe it would not be necessary in an inclusive Israel.

David Hewitt, Parrish

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Library vote shows Sarasota County commissioners ignore voters