Tuesday's letters: New College board retaliates against protests of takeover

New College strikes back at unruly students

New College’s decision to move upperclassmen into housing that is unsafe due to identified mold problems clearly demonstrates the new administration’s disregard for students who do not conform to its ideological mandates.

Students are being punished for protesting the hostile takeover of New College.

While the governor and his allies are willing to spend up to $1 million annually for a new president at taxpayer expense, they are unwilling to provide safe and accessible alternative housing for students they devalue.

More: New College pushes upperclassmen to dorms with mold issues

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This sends a clear message: Do as we say whether you like it or not or we will try to eliminate you, one way or another. The “influx of new students” is the result of inflated, taxpayer-subsidized “scholarships.”

Dr. Barbara Thompson, Venice

We're paying DeSantis to run for president

If Ron DeSantis is focused on Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada for the foreseeable future, let those states pay his salary (“Key takeaways from DeSantis memo,” July 15).

I’m tired of paying a governor to work as a full-time presidential candidate whose only local actions are to demonstrate what he can do “for” the other states if, God forbid, he’s elected president.

Should that happen, he’d probably spend his time in office running for King of the World.Seriously, since he’s labeled his travel expense reports classified “for security reasons,” we don’t know how much Florida is contributing to his campaign in addition to a full-time salary for (at best) part-time work.Steve Warren, Manatee County

Affirmative action not racist, ruling wrong

In a July 14 letter, “Affirmative action racist, ruling correct,” the writer states: “One does not defeat racism by applying differently directed racism,” and “Modifying the playing field is not the answer.”

The problem is that for the vast majority of U.S. history the playing field tilted 99% toward favoring white people.

Race is just one aspect that may be considered in college admissions. One also considers testing scores, grades, recommendations, extracurricular activities and life experiences.

It is known that testing scores do not predict success in college or after graduation in life and in society. Allowing affirmative action slightly modifies the playing field while still favoring white applicants.

I agree that “fixing that preliminary education” is a critical component of any cure, but over decades it has not happened.

Looking at racism the way this letter does is like missing the forest for the trees.

Select trees are ideal and beautiful, but the forest over centuries was selectively cared for and now needs multiple varied attentions – including a component of affirmative action – to bring the entire forest to its full potential.

Richard Wolbarsht, Sarasota  

To smoke on beach, take up cigars

So let me try to wrap my head around the July 14 article bearing the headline “Sarasota County bans smoking at public beaches and parks."

The story says you can still smoke a big fat smelly unfiltered cigar, but no filtered cigars or cigarettes.

Are we banning the smoking or the filters? Does this mean I can smoke an unfiltered cigarette or my medical grade pot, no filters? How about vaping?

I suspect most people are in favor of the smoking ban, but what about smokers’ rights?Vic Pellitteri, Venice

Scott warns off socialists but not fascists

Regarding the recent article about politics possibly affecting the hotel business:

I do not follow Sen. Rick Scott on social media, and I assume you correctly quoted his video statement that socialists, communists and fans of big government should think twice before traveling or moving to Florida.

It is interesting to note the omission of fascists in Scott’s warning. Are we to conclude that Scott welcomes fascists?Kyle C. Kerbawy, Sarasota

TECO comes quickly to the rescue

Dragging a charity donation bag to the curb during a recent morning I smelled natural gas. Looking around, I noticed that our natural gas yard light was out.

Quickly calling TECO, the woman on the line said someone would be out within the hour. Just 30 minutes later, in a downpour, someone from TECO was at our door.

He turned off the shutoff valve and showed us how to do it in the future. Who says good utility service is a thing of the past?

Thomas L. Moses, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College retaliates with moldy dorms