ReportWire

Tag: letters to the editor

  • Letters: Aisha Wahab’s BART anger is campaign theater

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Wahab’s BART anger is campaign theater

    Re: “Irvington station project delays irk area officials” (Page A1, Feb. 5).

    The frustration around the Irvington BART station is understandable, but what rings hollow is the sudden outrage from Aisha Wahab, who has been absent from the regional transportation conversation until launching a campaign for Congress.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Betty Yee is our best choice to run the state

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Yee is best choice to run the state

    Re: “Sparks fly at initial debate” (Page A1, Feb. 5).

    California doesn’t need a governor who “wins” a two-hour TV show. We need a leader who can fix the budget, steady our economy and make government actually work.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: One-time wealth tax won’t provide a long-term fix

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    One-time tax won’t provide long-term fix

    Re: “High-stakes wealth tax proposal roils uber rich” (Page A1, Jan. 25).

    The proposed Billionaire Tax Act, imposing a one-time 5% tax on the total wealth of Californians whose net worth is $1 billion or more, needs reconsideration.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Protesters should celebrate a new beginning for Venezuela

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    We should celebrate
    Venezuela’s new start

    Re: “Protests decry Trump’s actions” (Page A1, Jan. 5).

    How I would love to send the Bay Area protesters to South Florida, where residents are celebrating President Trump’s intervention in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, are responsible for “one of the most dramatic political, economic and humanitarian collapses in modern history,” according to a Miami Herald piece (“Venezuela left to grapple with wreckage Maduro leaves behind“) published Sunday.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Fix Our Forests disguises logging as fire safety

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Fix Our Forests offers
    logging as fire safety

    Re: “Legislation would worsen California wildfire threat” (Page A8, Dec. 28).

    The Fix Our Forests Act isn’t about environmental safety; rather, it is a blatant attempt at expanding the logging industry under the cover of wildfire prevention. Congress is rushing to pass a bill that dramatically expands backcountry logging while weakening environmental review and public input, allowing projects up to 15 square miles to bypass the National Environmental Policy Act.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Alameda County DA should have one standard of justice

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    DA should have one
    standard of justice

    Re: “Judge closes case for former officer” (Page A1, Dec. 13).

    The appointed Alameda County District Attorney, Ursula Jones Dickson, was the endorsed candidate of the Pamela Price recall committee, which promised to end the alleged coddling of criminals. Indeed, Jones Dickson promises justice by prosecuting more children as adults and sending them to adult prisons.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Fremont cricket field critics fear the unknown

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Cricket field critics
    fear the unknown

    Re: “Neighbors up in arms over cricket field plans” (Page B1, Nov. 22).

    It was shocking to read that a few neighbors are opposed to having a cricket field in the proposed Palm Avenue Community Park in Fremont. The main fear is that flying cricket balls could injure a child or elderly person or damage homes or cars. Do baseballs ever fly out of the field and cause personal injury? Balls flying over to the street or neighborhood will be rare and can easily be prevented in the design and construction of the stadium.

    It is more likely the fear of the unknown. People here are not familiar with cricket. Both baseball and cricket trace their origins back to medieval European bat-and-ball games and are more like “cousins.” Cricket fields all over the world are in the middle of cities and residential neighborhoods, and they are safe. It is fun to play and or watch cricket, so let us go for it.

    Subru Bhat
    Union City

    Coal project is bad
    for Oakland’s health

    Re: “Coal project costs mounting” (Page A1, Nov. 26).

    The New York Times article about Phil Tagami’s proposed Oakland coal terminal is very misleading.

    The article says, “a state judge ruled in 2023 that the city had to uphold its deal with Tagami.” However, that ruling only provided Tagami with $320,000 in damages. The disappointed coal developers found a judge in Kentucky whose suggestion of hundreds of millions in damages was rejected by Kentucky’s district court on November 21.

    The article quotes Tagami as denying that the project “makes a difference in the world.” But several mile-long trains every day would be spewing unhealthy coal dust from Utah to Oakland. And when burned, that much coal would cost the world tens of billions of dollars in damages (using the EPA’s social cost of carbon).

    The article says, ”The coal project must now go forward.” Those of us who care about the livability of Oakland will continue to oppose this deadly project.

    Jack Fleck
    Oakland

    Mastering spelling
    unlocks many doors

    Re: “Spelling isn’t a subject we can afford to drop” (Page A6, Nov. 19).

    My attention was drawn to Abby McCloskey’s column.

    As this article asserts, a strong foundation in spelling in a child’s early learning years leads to reading and literacy proficiency down the road. My personal academic experience bears this out.

    In my elementary school years in the 1950s, I had a natural strength in spelling, which was nurtured by my teachers. I still have all of my certificates of achievement, which span local through regional spelling contests that I entered.

    Further, this skill led me toward my love of writing — whether it be in the form of a school essay, poetry or, as you are reading now, my penchant for submitting letters to the editor.

    While “spell check” is a helpful tool, our brains still rely on the visualization of words to connect the dots in our educational journey.

    Sharon Brown
    Walnut Creek

    Immigration judges’
    principles cost them

    As the season of gratitude, peace, joy and hope approaches, recently unbenched San Francisco Immigration Judges Patrick Savage, Amber George, Jeremiah Johnson, Shuting Chen and Louis Gordon have inspired this letter. Although no reason was given for their forced departures, I wasn’t surprised. Having seen several preside over mandatory immigration hearings restored my hope in this country’s future. Unfortunately, the very behaviors that gave me hope put them at risk of losing their jobs. Behaviors like being well-versed in immigration law, diligent in their efforts to fully understand cases from both immigrant and government perspectives, and exhibiting both kindness and respect to all present within their courtrooms.

    The current administration has rendered these judges easily disposable obstacles to any campaign promises conflicting with this nation’s laws, Constitution and system of checks and balances. Fortunately, obstacles like integrity and allegiance to oaths of office can’t be as easily disposed of.

    Linda Thorlakson
    Castro Valley

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Walnut Creek bike path plan doesn’t enhance safety

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Bike-path gambit
    doesn’t enhance safety

    Re: “Safety debate at crossroads” (Page A1, Oct. 30).

    In a recent meeting held behind closed doors, Contra Costa County and the city of Walnut Creek agreed to use over $6 million in funds from programs designed to promote highway safety and improvements to carve out a three-block-long bicycle path on Treat Boulevard.

    The affected area runs from North Main St. to Jones Road, a stretch that currently handles over 40,000 vehicles a day. The proposed path duplicates the existing Canal Trail, which is dedicated to bikers and pedestrians, is located two blocks south of Treat Boulevard and connects directly to the Iron Horse Trail for access to the Pleasant Hill BART station.

    The city acknowledged both the high risk to bikers using the proposed paths and the negative impacts on traffic in this highly congested area. So, why is this project going forward?

    Larry McEwen
    Walnut Creek

    Opposing investment
    policy is out of step

    Re: “Ethical investment policy approved” (Page B1, Oct. 10).

    The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) came out in opposition to an Alameda County Ethical Investment Policy at the Oct. 3 Board of Supervisors meeting. The supervisors passed the policy but delayed implementation.

    The majority of Jews present at that meeting were mobilized by Jewish Voice for Peace and supported the policy.

    A September Washington Post poll found that the majority of U.S. Jews do not support current Israeli policies. The JCRC’s position of opposing a pro-human rights policy is not a mainstream position, and it is not aligned with Jewish values.

    The JCRC accused Israel’s critics of antisemitism and expressed concern about Jewish safety. Associating Jews with the acts of a murderous regime makes Jews less safe. Jews are safer in a world that works for all, including Palestinians.

    We urge the supervisors to implement the Ethical Investment Policy as soon as possible.

    Cynthia Kaufman
    Oakland

    California must go its
    own way on health care

    Re: “Policyholders brace for price increases” (Page A1, Nov. 22).

    The recent story harkens back to a pre-ACA time when people went without insurance because of the high costs of insurance premiums. What we need for California is a Cal-Care for all solution. However, this year, a Cal-Care bill was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, and he vetoed it. The main reason is that the federal government is not willing to give money that is due to us, which messes with the state budget.

    Staying in the United States is not beneficial to California. In 2022, we gave $83 billion to the federal government, which ends up getting redistributed to other states. The California National Party is the only party that recognizes this and has universal health care (Cal-Care, or Medi-Cal for all) as part of its platform.

    Maya Ram
    Union City

    Constitution will halt
    third term for Trump

    Re: “Don’t think Trump won’t try for third term” (Page A6, Nov. 18).

    A letter writer opined that President Trump could seek a third term as president by being vice president on a ticket headed by JD Vance, and, after Vance won the presidency, Vance could, by prearrangement, resign, and Trump would become president.

    However, the 12th Amendment of the Constitution stipulates that one who is constitutionally ineligible to be president is also ineligible to be vice president, which would presumably prevent Trump from becoming president under this subterfuge.

    Trump could argue that the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution prohibits him only from being “elected” — but not actually serving — as president for a third term. But the Supreme Court would likely reject this subterfuge on grounds that it conflicts with the plain intent of the 22nd amendment to prevent a person from serving a third term as president through the electoral process, as Franklin Roosevelt did in the 1930s.

    Roderick Walston
    Orinda

    Don’t cancel comic;
    just move it

    Re: “Don’t cancel comic for having an opinion” (Page A8, Nov. 23).

    I am one of the people who have written to request that “Mallard Fillmore” be moved to the Opinion Page, since it is clearly political in nature. I’m not asking that it be censored or removed from the paper, just that it be recognized as political opinion.

    In the past few days, “Mallard Fillmore” has implied that the media only looks for bad things about Donald Trump and twists the truth, that liberals are stealing our tax dollars to support their own political party, and only care about disease in an election year, and the media is hypocritically misleading us about the destruction of the White House East Wing. Meanwhile, “Pickles” taught Nelson to say I love you to his grandma, and “Luann” adopted a puppy. Which of these is not like the other?

    Incidentally, “Doonesbury” is offering more-than-20-year-old strips. That’s not a fair balance.

    Sampson Van Zandt
    Walnut Creek

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Alameda County should stop coddling criminals

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Alameda County should
    stop coddling criminals

    Re: “Accused killer appears in court” (Page A1, Nov. 19).

    In your report on the horrific killing of coach John Beam, Alameda County Chief Public Defender Brendon Woods argued that “Instead of more jail and prison, we should invest in more effective solutions, such as diversion, mentorship and violence interruption.”

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: San Jose animal shelter still turning deaf ear to community

    [ad_1]

    ”]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. 

    Animal shelter still turns
    deaf ear to community

    San Jose continues to fail to improve animal shelter services to the community.

    A scathing city audit of one year ago has failed to deliver measurable results. The city still fails to provide low-cost public spay and neuter, nor is outreach to rescue groups or trap-neuter-return a priority. The San Jose animal welfare community continues to be ignored.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Vote no on the unfair Proposition 50

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Say no to unfairness;
    vote down Prop. 50

    In 2010, Californians voted to create a nonpartisan Citizens Redistricting Commission to stop decades of gerrymandering. That reform was meant to restore fairness and ensure that all Californians — regardless of political affiliation — had a meaningful voice in representation.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Trump succeeds in Mideast where diplomats have failed

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Trump succeeds
    where diplomats failed

    Re: “Trump must be a disrupter in the Middle East” (Page A7, Oct. 16):

    The writer seems to think that Donald Trump isn’t up to the task of dealing with the problems in the Middle East because he went to business school, not the School of Foreign Service. Well, all of those people who went to the right schools don’t seem to have done very well in the Middle East.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters to the Editor: Vote ‘yes’ for Shaker Lane School replacement

    [ad_1]

    Vote ‘yes’ for Shaker Lane School

    I am a Littleton resident who supports the proposed replacement of Shaker Lane School. The current building, constructed in 1959, no longer meets the needs of modern education, accessibility, or safety.

    Delaying this project is not an option. Without action, the town faces millions in code upgrades, modular classrooms, and maintenance — while students are disrupted and construction costs rise. A “no” vote means paying more later while still failing to meet state requirements for our youngest learners.

    A “yes” vote unlocks a $38.2 million state grant through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, significantly reducing costs to taxpayers. The project includes safeguards: a guaranteed maximum price ensures that cost overruns are the responsibility of the construction manager, not the town.

    A new school means a modern, energy-efficient, and accessible facility designed for future growth — with collaborative classrooms, dedicated art and science spaces, improved ventilation, updated technology, and enhanced safety. It’s an investment in our children’s future.

    Even in a tight economy, voting “yes” is the fiscally responsible choice. The estimated first-year impact is about $719 for the average home, or roughly $60 per month — declining over time, and less than the anticipated cost of repairs and upgrades.

    Attend the community forum on Oct. 18 or the school tour on Oct. 21, then vote “yes” at Town Meeting on Oct. 28 and again on Nov. 1. Our youngest residents can’t vote — let’s do it for them!

    Sean Aherne

    Littleton School Committee Member

    Littleton, MA

    Great letter from Rodney Elliott supporting Artie T.

    I would like to commend Rodney Elliott on his opinion letter on Artie T DeMoulas [which asks the Market Basket Board to allow Artie T. to continue leading the business that is his family’s legacy]. Truer words have never been spoken/written.

    Michael Barros

    Lowell, MA

    School Committee candidate promises to  be ‘reliable, responsive’

    As a candidate for Fitchburg School Committee, I’m running because I believe our schools work best when every voice is heard — and when those elected to represent the community show up, listen, and lead with purpose.

    If elected, I promise to bring consistent attendance, engagement, and accountability to the table. Our School Committee cannot effectively serve students or staff if members aren’t present. I will always show up — prepared, collaborative, and ready to work for our district.

    My priorities are clear: Support staff — ensure that our educators and school employees have the encouragement, resources, and respect they deserve to continue making an incredible difference every day. Empower students — strengthen connections among parents, community members, and elected officials to help students reach their fullest potential. Embrace everyone — foster true inclusion, understanding, and belonging for all students and staff. I will also work to increase communication and collaboration among all stakeholders — families, educators, and administrators — so that decisions are transparent and trust is rebuilt.

    Our schools are stronger when we work together. With your support, I’ll be a reliable, responsive, and inclusive representative who truly shows up for our students and staff; every time.

    Deanna Jeanne “DJ” Tardiff

    Candidate for School Committee

    Fitchburg, MA

    Proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility in Tewksbury

    A large lithium battery storage facility is being proposed at 73–75 Hillman St. in Tewksbury, right near homes, assisted living, over 55, schools, daycares, and a hazardous materials rail line. These facilities have a serious risk of toxic smoke, fire, and contamination if something goes wrong and our first responders aren’t equipped to fight battery fires safely.

    We’re asking residents, local leaders, and the media to help spread awareness and tell the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board this project doesn’t belong in a residential area. The community’s safety must come first.

    William Whittemore

    Tewksbury, MA

    Opposition to the proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility

    I am writing to bring awareness to the proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility at 73-75 Hillman St. in Tewksbury, and my strong opposition against it.

    This site is dangerously close to homes, schools, emergency services, and community resources. In the event of a fire, explosion, or toxic smoke release, residents and first responders would face serious health and safety risks. Evacuation of nearby neighborhoods, including families, seniors, and pets would be difficult and potentially impossible in a fast-moving emergency.

    I am especially concerned about the fire risk to my home, since I only live 2.5 miles away (at 85 James Ave.) from the proposed site, as well as the safety of the schools, the elderly who live in the many assisted living facilities in the area, as well as the many individual homes that are located very close by the proposed site. In addition, I find it concerning that there are no proposed evacuation plans put into place in the case of an emergency, as well as the long term health effects and cancer risks, as a result of the potential toxic chemicals that would be released into the air and in our drinking water supply.

    Overall, lithium battery fires are not ordinary fires, they are extremely difficult to extinguish and release dangerous chemicals. Locating such a facility near neighborhoods and a hazardous materials rail line shows disregard for community safety.

    I sincerely hope that this proposal is rejected, in order to protect the health, safety, and property of Tewksbury residents.

    Angela Dardonis, Lifelong resident

    Tewksbury, MA

    Lowell’s UN Frontrunner city status is wonderful

    It is wonderful and affirming that Lowell has become the first UN Frontrunner city in the U.S. We can all feel the possibility in this new honor. The cornerstone of this UN program is sustainability. This word is worth looking into, because it does not just mean investment money.

    Sustainability is actually a new path for growth, and it implies a variety of strategies, all pointing to a vibrant, green city, thriving and leading all of Massachusetts. Our City has adopted some of these strategies, and there are other possibilities still open.

    Part of sustainable growth is in building codes that require new buildings to be built to save energy — to achieve the Massachusetts net-zero carbon roadmap goal in 2050.

    This strategy points to the Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code. It has been adopted by 55 other communities in Massachusetts, including Salem and Worcester. It envisions new buildings that save 60-70% of their heating and cooling costs. This will be a substantial boon to all the low-income families in Lowell.

    Additional costs for transitioning from the current building code to the new one are practically zero — if not actually made cheaper by state subsidies.

    Now is the time to take steps like this, so that new buildings that come from our Frontrunner status will be built in a way that will be truly sustainable — and welcome us all to the vision of a green and vibrant Lowell.

    Jonathan Grossman

    350 MA of Greater Lowell

    Lowell, MA

    [ad_2]

    Letters to the Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Left-wing billionaires are pushing Proposition 50

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Left-wing billionaires
    are funding Prop. 50

    Re: “Hedge fund billionaire Steyer gives $12M to back Proposition 50 redistricting vote” (Page B6, Oct. 12).

    If you are wondering how to vote on Proposition 50 gerrymandering, look no further than who is funding the “yes” campaign. Billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros are pouring millions of dollars into it. These are far-left-wing elites.

    They are not interested in the people or what is good for the state of California. They are only interested in increasing their stranglehold over voters. They are the power-hungry force behind all the terrible policies that are destroying California.

    Gov. Gavin Newsom conjured up this gerrymandering scheme. He has created this costly special election, hoping that turnout will be low and that people won’t care.

    We do care. We need to say no. Vote no on Proposition 50.

    Jay Todesco
    Concord

    Citizens can flex
    their economic might

    Re: “Tech billionaire Marc Benioff says Trump should deploy National Guard to San Francisco” (Oct. 11).

    My first reaction to this news was, “Who the hell cares what this guy thinks?” Do only billionaires’ voices matter? If Donald Trump rigs future elections, is peaceful protesting the only power we have? Not by a long shot.

    Even as Trump tries to sabotage the power of the vote, we have the power of the purse. It worked on Disney during the Jimmy Kimmel fiasco. It will work on any company that sells to consumers. Www.goodsuniteus.com tracks corporate political donations. When, collectively, people stop shopping and subscribing to the brands that do not share their values, companies notice in a hurry. Trump may not listen to us, but he does listen to his billionaire buddies.

    It may be time to start keeping corporate leaders up at night, watching their market shares tank. It may be time to remind billionaires that the money that drives this country comes from us.

    Janice Bleyaert
    El Sobrante

    Cal must do more
    to support students

    UC Berkeley is regarded as the No. 1 public university. However, the students who make Berkeley great are facing hunger at an unacceptable rate. The 2022 UC Basic Needs Report shows that 47% of UC students have faced food insecurity.

    I’m grateful for the opportunities this university has presented to me. However, a reason I and many other students hesitated in committing to Berkeley is due to the city’s basic cost of living. Attending Berkeley for most will be their greatest investment, so it should be on the university to support students contributing to the legacy of such an institution.

    Currently, students can only visit Berkeley’s Basic Needs Center once a week, which is not enough for the students who rely on this resource the most. Working to expand on this resource could make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of the great minds we have at Berkeley.

    Kennedy Jones
    Berkeley

    Medical community must
    loudly denounce RFK Jr.

    After eight months of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doing his best to unravel decades of advances in medicine and the development and use of tested and proven vaccines and medications that have saved millions of lives, saved millions of people from years of suffering, and prevented epidemics of many deadly and debilitating diseases — culminating in Donald Trump’s unhinged and unsubstantiated medical advice to America’s pregnant mothers not to take Tylenol because it causes autism in their children — I have one question: Where the hell has the medical community been?

    The medical community in this nation has to stand up loudly to condemn and stop this devastation of what has allowed us all to live longer and healthier lives.

    Michael Thomas
    Richmond

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Battle over Prop. 50 is a fight that’s worth having

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Prop. 50 is a fight
    that’s worth having

    Re: “Passing redistricting plan will be uphill battle for governor” (Page A16, Aug. 31).

    This opinion piece lists the difficulty of getting voters to the polls for an off-year election, but this is one very special election. For one thing, voting for redistricting is almost as critical as voting for a president. It impacts the entire nation, not just Californians.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Letters: Let’s invest in the Bay Area’s greatest asset: nature

    [ad_1]

    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    Invest in Bay Area’s
    greatest asset: Nature

    Re: “Bay Area needs unity to solve its problems” (Page A9, Aug. 17).

    I second Russell Hancock’s recent call for bold regional leadership in this period of “federal ruckus.” As climate impacts intensify, California must act now to build climate resilience for tomorrow — and for future generations.

    [ad_2]

    Letters To The Editor

    Source link

  • Hoffman: It’s time for Harvard to end legacy admissions

    Hoffman: It’s time for Harvard to end legacy admissions

    [ad_1]

    As colleges wrestle with fairness, equity, and social mobility, Harvard University’s legacy admissions policy remains a relic. Favoring alumni children undermines the meritocracy Harvard claims to support. As a high profile college, Harvard must dismantle unfair practices while promoting equitable admissions. Ending legacy admissions isn’t just necessary, it’s a moral imperative. Harvard’s legacy admissions began […]

    Originally Published:

    [ad_2]

    John B Hoffman

    Source link

  • Your Words: ‘What has Rick Scott done to deserve our vote?’

    Your Words: ‘What has Rick Scott done to deserve our vote?’

    [ad_1]

    click to enlarge

    Photo courtesy Rick Scott/Senate.gov

    To the editor:

    Why would we want Rick Scott re-elected as our Florida Senator? What has Scott done during his tenure to deserve our vote?

    As a senator in 2022, Rick Scott proposed his “Plan to Rescue America.” Among his ideas: “All federal legislation sunsets [must be renewed] every five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.” His plan included Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits. Both political parties called his rescue plan unthinkable and dangerous.

    This is a big problem. Why would Rick Scott think it’s a good idea to gamble the Social Security income and Medicare health insurance of millions of seniors on a five-year congressional renewal? We know from history partisan budget issues have shut down the government. Scott should be thinking of ways to preserve Social Security and Medicare, not end it.

    In 2020, Sen. Rick Scott served as chairman of the Senatorial Election Committee. His efforts were called “a total failure of leadership, and when things went bad Scott blamed anyone else but him” [by Ward Baker, then-leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee]. The failure was further proven during the 2022 midterm senatorial elections, as the Republican Party severely underperformed. 

    We should be reminded of Scott’s CEO role with Columbia/HCA, one of the largest megabillion-dollar hospital and medical providers in the country. Scott led the corporation into the then-largest Medicare and Medicaid fraud in the history of the United States. The corporate result was a $1.7 billion fine and being found guilty of 14 felonies. His defense was he would have stopped the fraud if only “somebody told me something was wrong.” Scott pleaded the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination 75 times.

    Rick Scott wants to shut down the federal Department of Education. He believes education should be a state function. Under his plan there would be no agency to coordinate national education standards. One state may approve a 12-year-old student’s reading skill at a second-grade level, and another expect the 12-year-old student to read at a fifth-grade level. What if the family moves to another state? Based on reading skills, will some children of the same age be graduating high school while others are still in junior high?

    As a senator, Rick Scott stated if he was still governor he would have signed the Florida six-week abortion ban. Dr. Bruce Shephard, a retired Tampa OB/GYN who delivered over 7,500 babies over a 40-year career, stated women typically find out about abnormalities and genetic conditions at their 18-week ultrasound. The doctor called the six-week abortion ban “archaic, dangerous, and a nightmare.” 

    In June of this year, Rick Scott voted against the Right to Contraception Act, along with 38 other GOP senators. Scott led 22 of these senators in a statement they felt the bill “infringes on the parental rights and religious liberties of some Americans.” Religions have their own rules, and politics should have theirs. Contraceptives are a means of birth control, and a responsible alternative to unwanted pregnancies and abortion. 

    Sen. Scott has declared his intention to become the new leader of the Republican Senate with more power to implement his intentions. His ideas jeopardize Social Security, Medicare, public schooling, safe abortion, women’s health, birth control and more.

    At 70 years old he is one of the wealthiest members of Congress, with an estimated worth of over $260 million. Unlike many of us, Scott doesn’t rely on Social Security to pay his monthly bills. Rick Scott has failed to show reasonable, rational and responsible understanding of how to govern in our best interests. Vote NO to re-elect Rick Scott.

    — Bill Summerfield, Ocala

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | or sign up for our RSS Feed

    [ad_2]

    Orlando Weekly readers

    Source link

  • Your words: ‘It’s upsetting that Donald Trump and JD Vance have such anger and disdain’; ‘We must savor our moments to praise the Supreme Court’

    Your words: ‘It’s upsetting that Donald Trump and JD Vance have such anger and disdain’; ‘We must savor our moments to praise the Supreme Court’

    [ad_1]

    click to enlarge

    Shutterstock

    Former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee (July 15, 2024)

    ¶ JD Vance’s anger toward educators is bad for families

    J.D. Vance’s angry, hurtful comments that teachers who don’t have children “disorient and really disturb” him are consistent with his long history of attacking families and public schools.

    Teachers, teacher aides, paraprofessionals, school nurses, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors, librarians, social workers, counselors and dozens of other essential school employees work every day to help kids learn and grow. So often they pay for supplies for children out of their own pockets to make sure they have what they need.

    Vance doesn’t seem to understand that being an effective educator and not having biological kids are completely unrelated. I support our educators because they support our kids, and it’s upsetting that Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have such anger and disdain for people who do not share their views.

    Enough is enough. We have more in common than what divides us, and that’s why I am excited for the hopeful vision Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have for our families and the future of our great nation.

    — Reginald Vinson, Altamonte Springs

    ¶ The Supreme Court and Florida’s social media laws: An excellent decision

    Do we consider Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok newspapers? Editorial mediums? Free-speech platforms? Public space? 

    Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and the opposing counsel, NetChoice LLC, argued this question last month. Moody defended Florida laws that protected conservative speech online, and upon being challenged in the court, failed to win over the justices in a heated litigation. These laws would prohibit social media companies from removing some conservative posts, and under Florida statutes, reduce “censorship.” 

    To understand this case we must understand how social media companies filter their content: “Third parties,” or anyone who uses social media apps, make content in the form of online posts. These posts are sometimes restricted if the company agrees it’s harmful to other users or unfit for the “content stream.” As summarized by Oyez.com, “[social media companies] curate and edit the content that users see, which involves removing posts that violate community standards and prioritizing posts based on various factors.”

    NetChoice summarized their argument simply: “Content moderation should be understood as an expressive editorial activity afforded stringent First Amendment protection.” In removing “overly conservative” posts, social media companies are either, according to Moody, censoring free speech, or according to NetChoice, expressing free speech, and it all depends on what they are. If they were private companies, which is what the court decided, they are entitled to the same First Amendment rights as you and I. 

    Lawrence Lessig of Harvard, Tim Wu of Columbia, and Zephyr Teachout of Fordham don’t think so. They argued “[Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok] are not space-limited publications dependent on editorial discretion in choosing what topics or issues to highlight. Rather, they are platforms for widespread public expression and discourse. They are their own beast, but they are far closer to a public shopping center or a railroad.”

    This comes as shocking: These professors are liberal, so naturally, they would be opposed to laws protecting conservatism. But they see social media companies as more than private: They see them as vehicles in need of government intervention to protect the common good. This is how this case crosses ideological lines. 

    For three reasons, I affirm the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to prohibit government intervention in private companies. 

    First, the role of the Supreme Court is to interpret the Constitution. This case considered Florida’s First Amendment protections. They ruled, however, that government intervention in a private company — no matter how big — is unwarranted. Florida, in attempting to protect the rights of conservatives, sacrificed the rights of others, sacrificed the rights of private companies that should have the ability to moderate their platform without intervention from the federal government. I completely and wholeheartedly agree with this stance — preserving the distinction between private and administrative spheres is necessary for a functioning democracy. 

    Second, without considering precedent, let us dive into politics. An inherent contradiction arises, almost a legal cognitive dissonance, on the conservative side in this case. They want to protect the First Amendment by eroding it. They want to limit government intervention, as traditional conservatives do, by increasing it. Proponents of private entities want to erode the notion of what it means to be private, going against the foundation of their ideology.

    Finally, we ask the question: How big is too big a company? At what point does a social media company have too much influence? At what point does a social media company deserve First Amendment restriction? How is it fair that some private companies, started by private citizens, have to worry about First Amendment infringement? 

    These questions can’t be answered. They simply establish the idea that there could never be a point at which the courts could restrict a private entity. An argument could always be made that a corporation is overly biased in content moderation. Similarly, an argument could always be made that the influence of “X” company is not enough to levy government restrictions. In this way, a numerical measure like a certain level of earnings of a private business or an amount of content deemed “biased” could never be made to place government restrictions in the private sector. Similarly, what we deem “conservative” — thus needing government protection from “biased” removal — is arbitrary. 

    The Supreme Court issued the right decision, and the lower courts will follow their lead. We must savor the moments to praise the court, and this is one of them.

    — Julius Olavarria, Orlando

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | or sign up for our RSS Feed

    [ad_2]

    Orlando Weekly readers

    Source link

  • Your words: ‘How did the state park initiative catch us all off guard?’ and ‘A statement on the execution of Loran Cole’

    Your words: ‘How did the state park initiative catch us all off guard?’ and ‘A statement on the execution of Loran Cole’

    [ad_1]

    click to enlarge

    How did the state park initiative catch us all off guard?

    I’m sure you are getting a lot of inquiries and comments regarding the controversial state park initiative. I am of course upset as well about this crazy initiative and have so many questions but will keep my comments brief.

    I’m trying to do some research to see how this initiative was started and how it caught everyone, including law makers, regulators, the press and the public, off guard. A few facts:

    — This is not the first time something like this has been tried. Back in 2011 Gov. Rick Scott teamed up with the Jack Nicklaus company to try and build courses in Florida public parks and it failed.

    — The Nicklaus family has always had close relationships with Florida Governors, including Gov. DeSantis.

    — Recently a Florida arbitrator resolved a dispute between Jack W. Nicklaus and the Nicklaus Companies LLC (which Nicklaus sold back in 2007) by ruling that Nicklaus no longer is restricted by an employment agreement with the company that included a non-compete clause that expired on June 1, 2022. The ruling means the Golden Bear, 84, is now free to design golf courses and solicit the companies’ customers and employees. The case had been ongoing for six months.

    Question: Is it just a coincidence that this initiative was so quickly introduced by Gov. DeSantis and the FL DEP just 15 days after the arbitration decision to allow Nicklaus to build golf courses again? It just seems to be too coincidental, don’t you think?

    I think there is a great story here you may want to look into deeper as the public is really upset over this initiative. Many Floridians can’t afford to pay for rent, food and clothes for their children and they are not out golfing!

     Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing more of your articles on this important subject!

    — Guy LaTorre, St. Augustine

    A statement on the execution of Loran Cole

    Thursday night, we the people of the State of Florida executed Loran Cole.

    While there is never a legal or moral justification for the death penalty in modern society, Loran’s execution feels particularly calculated, and particularly hypocritical.

    Less than a month before the Governor chose Loran for execution, he and the Legislature recognized the lifelong and devastating harm the State caused to children who were sentenced to the Dozier School for Boys, acknowledged their deep suffering and allowed survivors to apply for compensation.

    And yet, tonight we executed a Dozier survivor. Loran spent several months there as a teen. He was beaten, raped, and forced to clean up the remains of other tortured children.

    In Florida, the Governor has the sole discretion on when, whether, and for whom to set an execution. The process is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. We have no way of knowing how or why Loran was chosen, and no way of knowing who might be next.

    This week, we tried to take more than 7,000 signed petitions to the Governor, to let him know the people of the State of Florida and beyond did not want Loran’s execution to proceed in their name. We were told that due to construction, there is no way for the public to access the Governor’s office. Not even a makeshift reception area to allow Floridians’ voices to be heard. The clemency board was also short-staffed this week, with most of its personnel away at a conference.

    A selection process shrouded in secrecy. No way for the public to make its voice heard. Key officials unavailable the week we are killing a human being. This is no system of orderly justice.

    We the people of the State of Florida deserve and demand better. 

    — Maria DeLiberato, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

    Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

    Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | or sign up for our RSS Feed

    [ad_2]

    Orlando Weekly readers

    Source link