Saturday's letters: Freedom of speech at meetings, childbirth not a choice, gun violence
School Board’s duty to hear parents out
In “Sarasota ranks No. 1 for beaches – and for wild School Board meetings,” Carrie Seidman suggests that much of the raucous behavior “might have been prevented if long-standing rules of conduct – forbidding personal attacks, out of order comments and jeering and clapping – had been enforced.”
I would suggest that school boards that operate by these rules fly in the face of the right of free speech. Boards that try to limit or constrain that right – with “long-standing rules of conduct” – invite the kind of raucous response that Sarasota has seen recently.
The School Board has the duty, in a public hearing, to hear what parents have to say, no matter how much the members may not like what is said or the way in which it is said.
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In a recent case decided in a federal court in Ohio, a parent sued the local school board, claiming that it had violated the First Amendment with a policy that allows the presiding officer at school board meetings to “interrupt, warn, or terminate” any public statements deemed “abusive,” “personally directed” or “antagonistic.”
In late April, the board agreed to end its restrictions on speech. The Sarasota School Board should take notice.
Barry Preston, Sarasota
Sex is a choice; childbirth isn't
As a woman, I believe the choice is to have sex or not. The pregnancy and life that result from that choice is no longer a couple’s choice, but the consequence of the choice.
In the case of rape or incest, an abortion does not change the past; it does not make the victim any less raped or assaulted. Abortion will hurt her soul and potentially damage her physically, endangering future pregnancies and children.
Humans are the only species who kill their young while in the womb. The natural instinct for species continuation is to protect offspring, even with one’s own life.
Different DNA, different heartbeats and many times different blood types prove the baby is not the woman’s body. The baby is in her body, just like a baby kangaroo in its mother’s pouch.
As a nurse trained in limited ultrasound, I can assure you that we can see a heart beating at five weeks, four days of gestation, before the mother even knows she’s pregnant.
If a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy is in need of resources, pregnancy centers will provide free services, including pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, and referrals to needed resources.
Natalia Cava, Sarasota
Flashback to life in communist Yugoslavia
The story, “Public schools in Florida must now observe ‘Victims of Communism Day,’” ran in the paper May 11.
I remember as a child watching my father close all windows and shutters, lock the front door, turn on a large box shortwave radio and press his ear to the box on low dial to listen to the broadcasting of international news in a country under a communist regime in 1956.
The rest of the family – six children and mom – were silent so as not to miss any news updates and be caught in an illegal act of rebellious anti-government behavior.
The irony is that 64 years later, after risking our lives by clandestinely escaping communism and living in refugee camps for almost five years waiting endlessly to immigrate to the land of freedom and opportunity, today’s political stance in Florida very much reminds me of the long ago prohibitions in then-communist Yugoslavia, now Croatia.
The irony is that the government in Florida today is manifesting similar prohibitive behaviors by imposing public laws similar to the ones I experienced in my youth, such as banning freedom of speech in schools, censoring published materials and books, and withholding public health information.
How appropriate that “Florida must now observe Victims of Communism Day”!
Agata H. Gobic, Sarasota
Remember victims of gun violence
I read that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that requires public school students to observe “Victims of Communism Day” on Nov. 7. Undoubtedly, this will appeal to his base.
I wonder if the governor would consider signing a bill that requires public school students to honor the 45,222 people who died from gun-related injuries in 2020 (CDC).
The 2020 total was a 14% increase over 2019.
I suppose a “Victims of Gun Violence Day” wouldn’t energize the governor’s base supporters and the National Rifle Association would object.
Robert Cabnet, Ellenton
Gov. DeSantis embodies fascism
Now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has “required” teachers to teach about victims of communism, I think it only appropriate for all to learn about fascism since DeSantis’ administration has been demonstrating it since he took office.
DeSantis apparently does not know the definition of fascism, but only how to enforce it and call it “freedom” or “democracy for Florida”!
Ann Rubin-Hentschel, Lakewood Ranch
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Don't squelch free speech at rowdy meetings, childbirth not a choice
