Wednesday's letters: Latest criminal case against Trump a slam-dunk

'Election interference' committed by Trump

I read with incredulity the letter from the gentleman claiming that the latest indictment (of many) of our thankfully former president is a “frivolous case” and “election interference” and I was compelled to respond.

First and foremost, there was nothing frivolous about the efforts that Trump and his acolytes went to as they sought to overturn the results of a legitimate election. Thankfully, they failed.

Secondly, the only election interference was on the part of Trump and the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman and others. They conspired to disenfranchise American voters and even sent in questionably legitimate private agents to examine voting machines in a futile bid to prove malfeasance.

Trump himself was caught on audio seeking to persuade the Georgia secretary of state to “find” him enough votes to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

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Never in the history of our country has anyone who served in its highest office been charged with so many crimes. Now the fate of our nation rests on Trump being held accountable.

Tina Steele, Sarasota

Take proactive approach to mental health

A sharp contrast has developed between how liberals and conservatives approach our nation’s crises.

One example is the drug crisis. Liberals take a reactive approach, for instance establishing “safe injection sites” in New York City. Conservatives, on the other hand, take a proactive approach, investing in law enforcement.

This same system is seen in education, with the Sarasota County School Board including a mental health plan in its 2023-24 budget. Typical of liberal ideology, the plan does nothing to prevent future mental health issues. Instead, the board plans to spend millions of dollars on Band-Aid solutions.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 42% of teens feel persistently sad or hopeless, 22% consider suicide, and about 10% attempt suicide.

Most teens do not have chronic mental health disorders. The majority suffer from the poor quality of life and damaging social trends that have taken over their lives.

Instead of investing millions into solving the problems that contribute to these numbers, such as school culture, bullying, cellphone policies and literacy, our School Board caved and decided to splash out tax dollars. If we want to see legitimate solutions, the board must stop following the liberal tradition of throwing cash at a problem.

Sebastian Girstl, junior at Riverview High School, Sarasota

DeSantis must stop playing it safe

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just can’t force himself to be a bold leader.

On the heels of the latest indictment alleging that former President Donald Trump conspired to overturn the will of the people in the 2020 presidential election, DeSantis took a pass.

Rather than point out the seriousness of the charges, the governor − who has suggested he would pardon Trump if elected − trashes our nation’s capital.

“Washington, D.C., is a swamp,” DeSantis said, “and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of that swamp mentality.”

Perhaps, as the governor considers ways to “reboot” his failing presidential campaign, he should grow a spine and consider doing something other than pandering to his base, whitewashing slavery, abusing LGBTQ citizens, banning books and gagging teachers. What does he have to lose?

Daniel S. Klein, Port Charlotte

Strength, not talk, works with Iran

The last time we “talked” with Iran (read the Obama/Kerry era) the deal gave the country up to $150 billion in its own frozen assets to provide life’s necessities for its people (“US should talk, trade with Iran,” Aug. 7).

In return for this humane gesture, Iran’s leaders enhanced their nuclear weapon pursuits. They are closer to a lethal weapon than ever before, putting the Middle East (read Israel) and the world in general in danger.

One need only look at their aggressive moves in the Gulf of Hormuz to understand this. Strength is the only “talk” Iran understands.Edward B. Joseph, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hold Trump accountable for 'election interference'