Saturday's letters: Judge rioters, redo single-member districts, gun rights win out, more
Rioters should be held to account
Over the last several weeks, a segment of our country followed closely the murder trial of a teenager. A jury was charged with deliberating whether to find him guilty of homicide during a riot.
Based upon evidence collected by the prosecutor, did the young man behave in self-defense or was he an “assailant” looking for someone to kill?
Not too surprisingly, a portion of the mainstream press, as well as many other “progressives,” rushed to judgment, finding him guilty.
More: How to send a letter to the editor
Regardless of Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal, one wonders about the mobs who have roamed the streets in many cities without specific cause, damaging private property, setting fires and looting shops. They have terrorized shopkeepers and caused millions of dollars to be lost by “mom and pop” businesses.
When will the terrorists, supported by the “progressive” mainstream media, be adjudicated in the courts? Who will reimburse the deserving shopkeepers who have been violated?
Perhaps the public should demand fundraisers initiated by the obstreperous left-leaning media, to compensate the shopkeepers.
Roland Piccone, Sarasota
Rittenhouse jury votes for gun rights
The jury in Wisconsin has chosen to protect the Second Amendment of the Constitution over the Bible’s Ten Commandments, which state “Thou shalt not kill.”
Kyle Rittenhouse made a terrible decision to go to Wisconsin with his weapon. However, the people of Wisconsin said, “No worries. We will make sure nothing happens to you.”
What a shame that two people are dead and another injured. Our country is in serious trouble.
Susan Terry, Nokomis
Unless you enjoy the burn, vote for Dems
For those who thought this past summer was unusually hot, you were correct. Bob Bunting, CEO of the Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center, stated in the Nov. 23 Herald-Tribune that, currently, about 10 days a year reach 95 degrees or hotter.
Unfortunately, Mr. Bunting forecasts that in 2050 that number will rise to 60 days a year (“Forecaster: Sarasota to see faster sea level rise, more very hot days in coming decades”).
Have any Republican legislators created a plan to deal with this coming disaster? I have not seen one.
If you believe climate change is real, you better vote Democratic.
Arnie Moskowitz, Sarasota
Forced redo on single-member districts
As evidenced at their Nov. 15 meeting, Sarasota County commissioners are adamant they must have us revote on the single-member district system we approved by a whopping 60%-plus just three years ago.
Their own 2021 Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey, conducted just a few months ago, reports over 60% of residents still prefer single-member districts. Despite this, the commissioners are pushing forward with a revote, apparently satisfied with having us revote until they get the result they want.
Single-member districts make it harder for the deep-pocketed special interests to spend whatever it takes to get their preferred candidates elected to serve their interests, not ours.
Since the commissioners apparently see themselves responsible for giving the voters a “redo” when they think we’ve had a change of heart or regret how we voted, then I’d suggest they hold a revote of the last five county commissioner elections.
John Quinn, Englewood
Exempt trucks from Florida traffic laws
I’m so glad that Gov. Ron DeSantis is helping Florida’s businessmen by ensuring they don’t have to follow the federal government's onerous vaccine rules. I have another idea, which also may require a special legislative session.
Small trucks, bearing company logos, can often be seen hurrying from one job to the next along federal roads. Knowing that the transit time must be annoying and valueless, I think Florida laws should exempt them from obeying traffic rules such as stop signs, red lights and speed limits. Think of the freedom for them.
I'm confident that my state House representative, Tommy Gregory, would be willing to vote for such legislation.
Susan Darovec, Bradenton
Welcome to our scary new world
Taking recent events into consideration, let's extrapolate where all of this could be headed.
The USA will save billions by shutting down the Department of Justice at the federal, state and local levels. The conservatives revile big government and want to shrink-wrap it, and now it's possible.
Vigilantes can now sue suspected abortion enablers and "law ’n' order" can be enforced by volunteer gunmen. Some very fine and passionate patriots there.
A new fairness doctrine will require the fake-news press to submit everything for review by the conspiracy theorists.
Liberals will go into hiding and white rule will resume. Welcome to our brave new world!
John Taylor, Venice
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hold rioters to account, Rittenhouse acquittal a win for gun rights
