Governor, expose your kids to arts
All arts cut over 2 fests | June 28
I have been aching for a week about Gov. Ron DeSantis cutting most funding for the arts. The arts nurture the soul and are as essential to an advanced society as food, clean air and water. When I read that the governor made this decision because of two Fringe festivals, I was shocked. I happen to be a Fringe fan. I have seen magic shows, puppet shows, plays and stand-up at the Tampa Fringe Festival. I have made great friends there. The program identifies which shows are appropriate for kids and which are appropriate only for adults. A friend’s child had a transformative experience at a kids’ show. The governor needs to take his kids to the Fringe Festival, to museums, to ZooTampa, to art classes and elsewhere. Perhaps then he would understand the benefits of exposing children and adults to the arts.
Elizabeth Corwin, Tampa
What taxpayers want
All arts cut over 2 fests | June 28
I think our honorable governor has the taxpayers wishes all wrong. He said: “When I see money being spent that way, I have to be the one to stand up for taxpayers and say, ‘You know what, that is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.’ ” We, the taxpayers, want Gov. Ron DeSantis to release documentation about taxpayer dollars that were spent on flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. We, the taxpayers, want to know why our taxpayer dollars are being spent on the Florida State Guard that isn’t doing a whole lot in South Florida waiting for migrants to attempt to enter our borders. We, the taxpayers, want DeSantis to authorize release of all communications presently being withheld from the public so we, the taxpayers, can determine what is going on with our tax dollars.
Mike Heddleston, Clearwater
Touched by racism
Reggie Jackson’s honesty about racism in Birmingham is more powerful than any homer he ever hit | Column, June 26
I know a little of what Reggie Jackson experienced as I too came face to face with racism, and it affected me deeply. My mother and I were lost after buying pecans in Georgia. We asked an elderly man for directions to the highway. He had just given us the info when a sheriff came on the scene. He said, ”Boy, you best be leaving the white women alone.” We were shaking as the sheriff spoke. That was the deciding factor for why I did not go to college in the South. I really respect Mr. October and feel how horrible it was that his experience of racism tainted memories of his accomplishments.
Holly Haley, New Port Richey
Wrong way around
It’s not the government’s job | Letter, June 28
A letter writer says it’s not the government’s job to provide charging stations for a small number of EV owners and that when demand rises, private enterprise will provide them. I would point out that automobiles were owned by a small number of privileged people at one time. When President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act in 1956, the federal government paid 90% of the construction costs. Once the public is assured that there will be charging stations available, more will invest in EVs, not the other way around. We either want to move away from dependence on fossil fuels or we don’t.
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Explore all your optionsL.J. Phillips, Brooksville
Celebrate the Fourth
The Fourth of July
On Thursday, citizens across the country will don red, white and blue, light up the grill and sky, and gather with their loved ones to celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States of America. On Independence Day, we celebrate the enduring dream of a nation where citizens rule themselves, where a person’s potential is not limited by their background, where individuals have freedom to pursue their lives they dream of for themselves and their families.
We also celebrate the courageous citizens who have pushed for decades to make these founding ideals the lived reality for all Americans. For generations, the individuals behind these struggles have brought our nation closer to its principles — from the abolitionists who developed networks to help enslaved people escape bondage, to the suffragettes who took to the streets to demand the right to vote, to the journalists who exposed the realities of extreme poverty in their communities, to the students of color who faced down police dogs and fire hoses to stand up for basic civil rights. Our country has been built by the bravery, persistence and daring of all those who have pushed for our union to become “more perfect” and all those who have stood up for our most fundamental values. Happy Fourth of July!
Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach
Here’s a ‘Black job’
Trump’s debate references to “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs” stir Democratic anger. | June 29
During the presidential debate, Donald Trump claimed that migrants are taking “Black jobs” from Americans. Let’s review the record. According to History.com, “Trump is the son, and grandson, of immigrants: German on his father’s side, and Scottish on his mother’s. None of his grandparents, and only one of his parents, was born in the United States or spoke English as their mother tongue.” Between one ex-wife and his current wife, he’s a member of a migrant family. Now, remember that Barack Obama, a Black American, was president of the United States. That means one of those “Black jobs” is “president.” And Donald Trump is seeking to take it. It doesn’t get better than that.
Steven Greenberg, St. Petersburg
Please get out now
How to recover from that horrific presidential debate | Column, June 30
I am a Democrat, so I do not say this lightly. Based on what I saw during the debate, I would not trust Joe Biden with the keys to my car. He has been a great president, but it is time to leave gracefully and with his legacy intact. Anything else is hubris.
Tomas Negron, San Antonio
Just too old
How to recover from that horrific presidential debate | Column, June 30
I actually taped the post debate MSNBC post-debate coverage because I, as a conservative voter, was wondering what the spin would be. From California Gov. Gavin Newsome to Rachel Maddow, all said that one bad debate does not make or break a candidate. No, it doesn’t, but that is not President Joe Biden’s issue. His issue is that he is 81 years old, and his age is really effecting his speech, his memory and stamina. That is what would prevent him from continuing to do the hardest job in the world.
Scott Shimer, Land O’ Lakes
The difference
How to recover from that horrific presidential debate | Column, June 30
Should President Joe Biden drop out of the race? Absolutely not. This election is too important. I believe that it’s life or death for American democracy. If you cherish honesty and embrace empathy for your fellow man then you vote for Biden. It’s as simple as that. Personally I would prefer a comatose honest man as the head of our government as opposed to Donald Trump. The choice before us appears simple. As my mother used to say when I was young; make informed choices and you will succeed in life.
Chuck Wolowitz, Seminole
Not small government
New laws in effect today | July 1
The Republican Party, at least in Florida, can no longer claim to be the party of small government and local control. All the Legislature is legally required to do is pass a budget. Instead they enact 200 new laws and force “we know better than you” mandates on local governments. Sad to think the late President Ronald Reagan would not recognize today’s GOP.
Joseph Brown, Tampa