Tuesday's letters: Scott stands with anti-abortion minority, pedestrians irresponsible

Scott aligns with extremists on abortion

On July 11, I received with great dismay an email response from Sen. Rick Scott that contains strong affirmation of his support for “pro-life legislation” and also contains a statement in which he professes that “life begins at conception.”

These terms and ideas are commonly used in theocratic propaganda. I am disappointed with his email because I expect that he, as an educated and well-resourced individual, would be able to stand independently from the ideology that these terms arise from.

He further declares that he is “proud to represent every citizen of Florida.” Surely, he must be sensitive to the indisputable fact that access to safe abortion services is important to a large majority of Floridians.

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I would encourage the Republican senator to ask himself whether he made a mistake in associating himself with this extremist ideology and whether his role as senator would more responsibly be performed by considering the very pragmatic interests of the broader public.

Antony Stefan, Sarasota

Jan. 6 hearings: Get the facts straight

As a lifelong independent, I respect the Herald-Tribune’s editorial policy of publishing letters of opposing views on a variety of issues.

However, I believe care should be taken to exclude letters stating false details, which may then be quoted as factual by other readers.

Specifically, I refer to the July 22 letter addressing the congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol (“Democrats use Jan. 6 hearings as cover”).

The writer addresses both missing “fair trial” rights of defense and cross-examination in questioning by the panel and “hand-selected” panel members. But the panel is conducting an investigation, not a trial; it is similar to a grand jury, and therefore does not include the identified trial components. The findings of this investigation may result in future trials.

Further, the House minority leader proposed five participants, two of whom were unacceptable because of previous statements/behavior, resulting in all five being withdrawn and no other Republican nominees offered. (Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed two Republicans.)

The letter writer offered a list of perceived “actual problems” faced by this country. Glaringly omitted from his list were “insurrection” and “executive malfeasance.”

Bruce Kalt, Sarasota

Reassess who we are, what we stand for

Our system of government was formed nearly 250 years ago. Much of that structure weakens democracy as most conceive it in the 21st century.

A moderate Republican writes that she and others cannot abide the extremist Republican Party as it now stands and wish to form a moderate party that will deal with climate change and accept that this is a country of all religions (and none!), not dominated by evangelicals.

Others think the Senate acts like an aristocratic House of Lords, crushing legislation not benefiting the wealthy and white.

The Supreme Court appears not a court of justice but a servile political action committee in black robes, unelected and not subject to any discipline.

Mary Trump, in her book “The Reckoning,” gives evidence that former President Donald Trump, her uncle, is so obsessed with power that two years after the election he lost, he is still trying to overturn the electoral votes.

Should such a disturbed person be allowed to control nuclear warheads?

Major deficiencies are evident in our Constitution and our form of government. It is time for a deep reassessment of who we are, what we really stand for and how government can realize the values that once made us enviable in the world and worthy of respect.

Juliette Muscat, Sarasota

Inattentive pedestrians cause many crashes

This is in response to your editorial July 17 about pedestrian safety, “Walking in Sarasota can mean putting your life at risk.”

Yes, there are definitely some crazy drivers in cars and trucks and on motorcycles. But a lot of our accidents are caused by pedestrians.

Numerous times recently, while driving the correct speed and following the rules, I have had pedestrians step off a curb and start walking across the road right in front of me, without even looking up from their cellphones.

I was taught as a child to always look both ways before crossing a street.

If people care more about their cellphones than staying alive, that’s sad. But, the other sad part of that situation is the innocent person who may hit them.

I think it would ruin my life to kill someone with my car, through no fault of my own.

Cellphones are great, but there is a time and place for everything.

I wish people would be more responsible.

Char Peters, Siesta Key

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Scott says 'life begins at conception,' pedestrians cause some crashes