Thursday's letters: No 'Gunshine State,' abortion care, cafeteria hero, more

No case made for ‘Gunshine State’

What irony, running Luis Valdes’ column, “Let’s make Florida the ‘Gunshine State,’” on the same day you report on the Buffalo mass shooting.

I happen to be one of the minority who believe the world would be a better place if we didn’t all feel the need to go about fully armed. Even if I believed in “constitutional carry,” I would still point out a few fallacies in Mr. Valdes’ argument.

• I – and many tourists – avoid vacationing in areas where the locals carry guns.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

• I’m glad Mr. Valdes would prohibit known felons from owning guns. How about petty criminals, or felons who haven’t been caught yet or angry young men?

Or people who’ve been Baker Acted, or the equivalent, for expressing violent ideation?  Oh, wait, that did happen with the Buffalo, New York, shooter!

• Maybe the police appreciate all the “good people” being armed. But who picks the “good people”?

• Lastly, in Buffalo there was an armed security guard on the premises who I’m sure was well trained. The guard couldn’t bring the shooter down because the shooter was wearing body armor. Oh, wait, wearing body armor in the commission of a crime is a felony. But so is killing 10 people.

Guess Mr. Valdes hasn’t thought his argument all the way through yet.

Vicki Schaefer, Venice

No one should be forced into parenthood

On May 13, a letter writer stated that banning abortion was analogous to banning alcohol during Prohibition, and those lacking resources will suffer the most.  He is so right (“Abortion could go the way of Prohibition”)!

And just as Prohibition was spearheaded by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union seeking to impose their beliefs on the entire country, nationwide bans on abortion are similarly spearheaded by a religious minority.

Along with the majority of Americans, the majority of faithful people, including Catholics, support the right of each person to know what is best for them and their families when answering the deeply personal, complex question of whether to continue a pregnancy.

When life begins is a theological question, answered differently by different religions and denominations and by those with no religious beliefs.

Abortion care is basic health care. Politicians and religious leaders must not be allowed to force anyone to become a parent.

Our faiths teach compassion and support the right of each person to determine the lives they want for themselves and their families. This basic freedom is denied by restricting access to abortion care prior to fetal viability, as held under Roe. 

Parenting is a sacred duty, one that must never be imposed on anyone against their will.

Kate Lannamann, Osprey, president, Florida Interfaith Coalition for Reproductive Health and Justice

Story on abortion rights march missing

I eagerly opened my e-edition of the Herald-Tribune on Sunday morning to see the coverage of the peaceful, spirited, well-attended “Bans Off Our Bodies” march on Saturday. I was disgusted to find not one word of the event.

Does your recent vow to focus more on local news really mean news aimed at one segment of residents?

Judith Kazen, Sarasota

Recognize unsung heroes in school cafeteria

Heroes aren’t always found in the cartoons or on the movie screens. Sometimes they’re found in everyday settings like the Manatee County school cafeterias.

Each day school nutrition professionals, the hardworking folks who cook and serve school meals, ensure the children in our community get the nutrition they need to grow and learn.

I’d like to congratulate your local hero, Renate Muldoon, one of five statewide winners recognized as a 2022 Florida School Lunch Hero.

No Kid Hungry Florida is proud to partner with the Dairy Council of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in presenting these annual awards. We believe it’s critical to recognize these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts.

Since the start of the pandemic, heroes like Muldoon have safely provided in-person and to-go meals for kids. Many got creative and changed meal service times, allowed kids to eat outdoors or in smaller groups, and delivered meals by bus.

Thanks to their hard work and innovative spirit, kids got a reliable meal each day during uncertain times.

Please join us in celebrating the everyday heroes feeding kids in your community.

Sky Beard, director of No Kid Hungry Florida 

Light up bridge for law enforcement

The Sarasota City Commission has listed 28 different causes and holidays that it will recognize by lighting the Ringling Bridge.

Conspicuously absent is National Police Week, during which a Law Enforcement Memorial Service is held. A slap in the face to the city’s Police Department as well as those serving in or retired from law enforcement.

Paul Lutz, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: No to 'Gunshine State,' abortion care is health care