Tuesday's letters: Gen. Milley paints false picture of war, no to concealed carry

Milley wrong on war in Ukraine

Recently, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Russia has lost the war in Ukraine, “strategically, operationally and tactically.”

Milley added that Ukraine remains free and independent and the NATO coalition has never been stronger.

The fact that Gen. Milley could say that with a straight face is a testament to his anticipation of big paydays ahead in the military-industrial complex once he retires.

Because the facts are that NATO is almost out of munitions (including rockets) and weapons systems, the Ukraine military is severely depleted due to massive losses and European economies are deindustrializing due to energy shortages.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

The Russian economy has rebounded and Russia can outproduce the entire West in quality military hardware.

The U.S. with NATO is about to suffer a cataclysmic loss to Russia, militarily, politically and economically.

Now, of course, many of you do not believe this and still drink the Western world Kool-Aid. It’s too bad the rock band The Who were wrong: You did get fooled again.

Richard Guardiani, Bradenton

Urge college board to reconsider changes

Along with many colleagues, I have followed the ruthless overhaul of New College. And as a Shakespearean tragedy, the machinations have been swift and deep.

I protest, to my core, all plans for the college and urge its new trustees to reevaluate their recent decisions.

More:Lawsuit accuses New College and trustee of violating public records law

More:An ominous peek into a future New College of Florida classroom

More:How will New College afford to pay new president $699,000?

New College has been an important and refreshing educational community for young students. Its core curriculum, senior projects and alumni remind us that a comprehensive liberal arts education is still possible in these years of declining standards.

Educators have seen the demise of many fine honors colleges, such as Antioch College and its sister college, Monteith College, which I attended in the ’60s. The loss of such progressive colleges is a great personal sorrow and it points the way for continuing disturbing decisions by politicians and administrators.

I urge the incoming board of New College to step lightly and wisely. Many are watching.

Dr. Maureen E. Mulvihill, Sarasota

‘Concealed carry’ will arm bad guys, too

When the Florida Legislature returns March 7, the Republican supermajority is expected to overwhelmingly vote for the “Concealed Gun Carry” bill.

If passed and signed, any adult could carry a concealed handgun without any training. This state, which has suffered two of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, would be subject to more road rage shootings, police killings by armed killers and school killings.

More:Florida gun owners not fooled by diluted open carry bill

Unless we do something before March 7, the Legislature will put concealed weapons into the hands of both the good guys and the criminals.

Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk.

Write, email or phone your legislators and the governor before a wave of random shootings destroys what we once called “paradise.”

Thomas L. Moses, Sarasota

Flooded residents seek help in vain

It has been almost five months since Ian devastated the area and I certainly don’t see much progress when it comes to getting certain things corrected.

Quite a few of us who live along Alligator Creek, in Venice, suffered severe flooding. The spillway at Valencia and Nightingale roads is blocked solid with huge, downed trees and storm debris, and fallen trees are in the creek itself too.

Repeated attempts to report problems to the Sarasota County 311 system have gone unanswered and sending email messages to the county commissioners was a waste of time.

The summer rains and another hurricane season are coming pretty quick and none of us wants to go through this again. I wonder if the county is going to take responsibility if we do!

Steve Gardner, South Venice

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ukraine military in bad shape, residents impacted by Ian wait for help