Wednesday's letters: Undesirable supporters, Buchanan's values, reef restoration, more

No Proud Boys? Then no Antifa or BLM

Having read Lisa Gialdini Schurr’s guest column in the June 26 Opinion section, I was struck by a thought (“Show some courage, School Board candidates, and call out the Proud Boys”).

No doubt 20 years working in Russia, Kazakhstan and the Baltic states as a tax attorney gives her an objective view of American politics. In Russia, it must be the case that only the purest are allowed to support a given political candidate’s policies, lest that candidate be impugned by the support of undesirables.

So her call for candidates here in Sarasota to repudiate the support of undesirables is understandable.

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No doubt she also supports the idea that any candidate who accepts the support of, say, Black Lives Matter, Antifa and the like should repudiate that support for fear that those extremists would also impugn them.

Terry Dyer, Sarasota

Buchanan flip-flops on gun regulation

The paper ran an article June 26 about U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s vote against the modest but important gun safety legislation just signed into law after the horrific mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde.

The Longboat Key Republican supported gun safety legislation in 2019 because he “was facing pressure from the left,” according to the story.

The article goes on to say that this year he is “facing pressure from the right” – from primary challenger Martin Hyde – hence his “no” vote on the gun bill.

Do any of us really want to be represented by a person who has no core values of his own, other than his need to be reelected?

Josephine Bloom, Sarasota

Thanks for story about restoring reefs

I want to commend the Herald-Tribune on the June 21 front-page article on deploying Caribbean king crabs to help restore Florida’s iconic coral reefs (“Caribbean king crab, or his offspring, may one day help scientists restore iconic Florida coral reefs”).

Our very own Mote Marine Laboratory has been front and center in this innovative effort to revitalize our reefs. Florida’s vital coral reef system is the third largest living reef on the planet and, sadly, our indigenous corals have significantly declined over the past 50 years.

Our reefs attract 5 million visitors to Florida per year; they support over 71,000 local jobs and represent over $6.3 billion to Florida’s economy.

The reefs are the front line in protecting our coastlines from major storms.

Mote scientists have joined forces with a number of research institutions to help save our reefs. The work with the Caribbean king crab is an excellent example of the importance of science and collaboration.

Congratulations to Earle Kimel for writing a wonderful article on this critical work being done by Mote Marine Laboratory.

Sandi Stuart, Sarasota

Save U.S. from ‘clear and present danger’

You’ve located one of the 39% who approve of President Joe Biden’s performance (“39% approval of Biden hard to believe,” June 22). My approval is based on the words of a highly respected federal judge, J. Michael Luttig, among others.

Testifying before the Jan. 6 committee, he warned that American democracy is on a “knife’s edge.” That “Trump and his allies present a clear and present danger,” not only because of the Jan. 6 attack, but because they have told us they plan to do it again!

Page B1 of the same edition as the letter carried the headline “Gas costs high worldwide.”

What will you tell your grandchildren you cared most about?

Terry Needell, University Park 

Polarization undermines military unity

As a veteran from a military family, I am concerned the right-wing movement undermines our all-volunteer force. Military cohesion is dependent on common purpose and desire to give their lives for an America they feel loves them as they love America.

Our military is a microcosm of society – about 41% minority, female and LGBTQ. Polarization hinders our ability to attract and keep members. They may not serve a country that does not respect their bodies, freedom, dignity, privacy and ability to serve without bigotry, sexism and racism.

To remain safe from outside aggression, we must stop extreme movements within our country. Our national security is under threat from within.

• Claims that the election was stolen undermine respect for our Constitution and our president as commander in chief.

• Suppression of minorities and mail-in voting disenfranchises military voter rights.

• Racism, divisiveness, sexism and harassment hinder career advancement, increase mental health issues and demoralize the troops.

• Sexism and lack of reproductive rights cause poor health care, humiliation and loss of respect and privacy.

• Members of LGBTQ communities require equality, acceptance, respect and dignity.

We know when we stand together, we are powerful!

Dr. Judy L. Smith, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: BLM as undesirable as Proud Boys, Buchanan's votes change with times