Wednesday's letters: Another official state bully, child's 'perp walk,' civic duty, more

No veering from state stance on COVID

I guess we now have a Florida chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, who is fulfilling his duty to Gov. Ron DeSantis by becoming the next acting bully-in-chief.

Patronis removed Dr. Lisa Gwynn from the board of Florida Healthy Kids because she had the audacity to air her concerns about Florida “delaying access to COVID vaccines for the state’s youngest children.”

Since the state of Florida and the governor actively pursue those who speak against anything DeSantis does or wants, it is not surprising that this pediatrician and president of the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics was removed from the board.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

After all, Gwynn may be telling the truth, but truth is a thing of the past under the current governor’s administration.

It is a sad that Floridians are allowing Florida to become an authoritarian state run by bullies and liars.

Patronis is running for reelection this year. Do you want another bully, or do you want someone who works for you and your children?

Ann Rubin-Hentschel, Lakewood Ranch

Law enforcement overreacts to boy’s texts

Do we live in America? Even our children are not safe in this country!

A 10-year-old boy uses the Internet to make a hoax threat a week after the Uvalde shootings, and the child is publicly exposed.

This child’s name and arrest were covered by some in the media as the boy was led on a “perp walk.”

Having been raised with four brothers and experiencing the crazy things they would say and do, it appalls me that adults would take the threats made by the boy seriously.

In my case, make-believe bad guys were Indians or robbers, and the good guys were the cowboys or police. There was never any follow-through because they were games. My brothers had colorful imaginations.

In this boy’s case, the parents should have been notified and brought in to discuss the child’s “threats” with law enforcement. A child advocate should have been in on the discussion, and it should have remained a private matter.

I pray the parents will find appropriate support personnel who will help this family and this child erase the stench of an out-of-control legal system.

Sandra Brinker, Sarasota

Civic duty motivates poll worker

I agree with “Low pay causes poll worker shortage,” a letter published July 10.

The pay is abysmal for the time involved, but I am not a poll worker for the money. I feel it is my civic duty and I know that I support honest elections.

It upsets me that there could be any doubt about Sarasota County’s elections.

I am proud of the work that we do. The work can be challenging and the days long. More money might be nice, but respect might go further.

Jane Serio, Venice

Court sends decision back to the people

At the offset, Roe v. Wade was viewed as flawed and incorrect. Even Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had concerns.

Overturning it didn’t eliminate abortion rights. It simply moved the legality, implementation and discussion to the state level – and now to “the people.”

We have the right and, more importantly, the responsibility to decide the ultimate direction on the issue.

Some states will not only solidify the right to an abortion as state law, but probably expand it. Other states will change it, maybe even eliminate it.

The most important thing that will come out of the ruling is that “people” – not faceless “big government” – will be forced to have an open, honest dialogue.

It will be disruptive, passionate, peaceful, etc., but each state will decide where it stands on abortion rights. Rather than the high court mysteriously discovering some “right” in our Constitution.

Those who support abortion rights and those who don’t must put their unique contribution/beliefs in the game.

Some vilify the Supreme Court for overturning Roe and others applaud it, I feel the decision is dead right. Let the people’s dialogue begin!

Al E. Bavry, Sarasota

Backing 14th Amendment in Thomas' interest

As long as Justice Clarence Thomas feels it is now fair game to reexamine earlier court decisions on gay marriage, perhaps he should take a look at the Supreme Court decision that made it illegal for any state to prohibit interracial marriage.

Maybe, he and his wife, Ginni, who is Caucasian, might have second thoughts about the 14th Amendment guaranteeing equal protection under the law for everyone.

Joan B. Schlimbach, Osprey

Gun control: Become a one-issue voter

Once again, I am writing to you expressing my outrage at another killing of innocents. And once again you are publishing what I am stating.

That is not enough! Every person who agrees with my view of the lack of federal legislation to regulate “weapons of immense damage” must vote only for politicians who will put a stop to what has been happening!

Phyllis Prager, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: CFO stifles truth about COVID vaccines, 'Perp walk' for 10-year-old