Thursday's letters: Bill protects horses, DeSantis should 'resign to run,' free speech
Buchanan champions bill protecting horses
As the end of this session of Congress draws near, we are so grateful to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan for his key role in championing the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which recently achieved overwhelming, bipartisan approval in the House with a 304-111 vote.
This legislation would protect Tennessee walking horses and related breeds from the cruel practice of “soring,” the intentional infliction of pain on horses’ hooves and legs to force them to perform an unnatural, high-stepping gait just to win prizes at some shows.
This bill’s resounding victory in the House is essential progress in the fight to shut down the failed system of industry self-policing that has allowed violators to continue their abuse, as well as to eliminate the use of devices integral to soring and establish meaningful penalties.
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The PAST Act is supported by hundreds of stakeholder groups and individuals in the horse industry and in the veterinary, law enforcement and animal protection communities.
We thank Rep. Buchanan for his leadership on this vital legislation, and we urge the Senate to pass this common-sense reform now.
Mimi Brody, director of federal affairs, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Washington, D.C.
DeSantis not elected to work part time
In an apparent effort to shore up Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential aspirations, the Florida Legislature is considering changing the law requiring an officeholder to resign from one post before running for another.
While Republicans in the Legislature may view this change in the "Resign to Run" law as benefiting DeSantis, such a change is not in the best interest of Floridians. When voters elect someone to represent them, it is understood that the officeholders will be there full time to address issues of concerns to Floridians.
Given the impact on so many of us from recent hurricanes, for example, it’s unthinkable that someone elected to office and paid with our tax dollars would think working part time is sufficient. Perhaps the governor should take a drive down U.S. 41 from Venice to Marco Island and count the blue tarps put up after Hurricane Ian.
The same holds true for the many other issues faced by Floridians, such as red tide, rising sea levels, insurance costs and more. When the people of our state reelected DeSantis a few weeks ago, I doubt they believed they were hiring him part time.
Urge your state representative and senator to oppose changing the “Resign to Run” law.
Jane Merriam, Punta Gorda
Freedom of speech, for Republicans only
Once more, the Republican Party is exhibiting hypocrisy run rampant.
“Plans in the works to limit public protest at state Capitol” informs us that Florida’s Department of Management Services and the Republican-controlled Legislature propose to restrict demonstrations to avoid disruptions at the Tallahassee complex that may be “obscene or harmful.”
This comes nearly two years after more than 2,000 Republican supporters stormed our country’s Capitol building, while others were part of planning the siege or minimized its harm to people and property.
Not to mention a Republican ex-president who appears to have been charged up by the rampage. I fear that Republicans support free speech only when it comes out of their mouths.
Karen R. Koenig, Sarasota
Teach students history uncensored
As a retired teacher and administrator who worked in several states, I am appalled by what is happening to education in Florida.
The Stop WOKE Act was passed – then temporarily blocked by a district court – partly to address the teaching of critical race theory in schools (where it is not taught).
The fear was that critical race theory would teach children to hate our country or each other. Some say this act attempts to whitewash history and stop free speech in classrooms.
Why shouldn’t children in Florida be taught what really happened during Reconstruction and the Tulsa Race Massacre? Isn’t the purpose of history class to teach what actually happened?
What gives anyone the right to rewrite history they don’t like just because it might make them feel guilty?
Teachers are now afraid to teach the truth, history just as it happened. How can we let this go on without speaking up?
It would behoove us to learn about “German Wokeness,” which includes restitution to Holocaust survivors and teaching German children exactly what happened in Germany during World War II.
That and so much more can be found in Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste.” I recommend that high school students and adults who want to learn “real history” delve into this book. It is an eye-opener!
Carol Burmeister Prichard, Venice
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Buchanan aims to prevent abuse of horses, no part-time governor
