Letters to the editor for Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Building's color part of downtown charm

This is in response to those on our City Council who say that the color of the iconic downtown parking garage is "ugly." They propose changing it to a shade of grey or white or beige. Are they not aware that part of the charm of downtown Fort Myers is the array of colorful buildings? The buildings in shades of green, yellow, orange and blue are delightful. But their plan appears to be to convert our charming, warm coral-colored parking garage into yet another grey or beige lump of concrete so that it will then indeed become an ugly parking garage.

Judy Ripley, Fort Myers

Florida doesn't need election police

Now our governor wants to use taxpayer dollars for something else that is not needed. I moved to Florida 10 years ago and since have been amazed at how seamlessly Florida elections are managed — during either Democratic or Republican administrations. Early voting, drop-off boxes and mail-in voting are very inclusive and welcomed everyone to vote. Many times I wished that all states followed the Florida voting process and made voting so accessible. Now our governor, who knows there was no major voting fraud issues in our state, to show allegiance to a disgraced former president’s “Big Lie,” wants to create a voting police force to further his political future. Governor, show us fraud that took place in Florida during the 2020 election or stop your ridiculous attacks on voting and science. Floridians deserve better. Thankfully, we get to look back on your performance soon and decide if you are given another term.

JoAnn Stehr, Sanibel

Working toward tyranny

I'm wondering what's going on here in Florida. Reminds me of the old song: Something's happening here. "Our" governor and Legislature seem to be working toward tyranny in an unchecked fashion. Let me break it down for you. A militia, controlled by the governor. A law dictating that the national anthem must be played prior to any event that receives state funds. Or be subject to funding being denied. Video cameras and microphones in state classrooms to monitor strict adherence to state education guidelines. A separate law enforcement agency to oversee elections. It's not like anything could go wrong here; could it? Not to mention that if the Legislature doesn't like the will of it's voters they can change the electors selected for the Electoral College. Yes, this seems scary to me; and I hope it scares you as well! Somethings happening here. What it is ain't exactly....

Robert Jenkins, Naples

What this Republican wants

President Biden said he was going out to meet the people and promote his accomplishments. He than said multiple times, What are Republicans for? Joe! I am a Republican! We want to live in a place that we don’t wear mask on beach and outdoors, we want to go downtown for dinner and not lose our significant other or family to a homeless or previous jailed person. We want to come home at night and know our home has not been ransacked. We want a fair cost for gas, food, and products we purchase. We want to defend ourselves if ever needed. We want to go shopping at our beautiful shopping centers and not worry about facing an angry mob robbing the place. We want to welcome all our Northern friends who are moving here and enjoy their stories and lives. Joe it is simple. Please come to Florida and you will understand what we are for!

Dwight Pike, Naples

Bill parallels fascist suppression

The recent Florida bill shielding people from feeling "discomfort" over historic actions by their race, nationality or gender (and approved by Senate committee) is a travesty to our educational system. Although we cringe at the thought, this legislation parallels the fascist suppression of education and our freedom to discuss, and debate different ideas. What is next, book burnings?

Whether we agree with them or not we must have the freedom to discuss and debate different ideas, even if they make us uncomfortable. We must educate our children with unbiased truths about our history and let them learn and decide the consequences of our history. We need to remember the role of education is to teach us to think and make informed decisions. This can only be accomplished by learning from our past without political manipulation.

If we believe this legislation is correct, then I ask the Florida Legislature and Gov. DeSantis, should we now ban the teachings of the Christian religions? After all, we might make people feel guilty or "uncomfortable" about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ!

Arthur Tomasino, Fort Myers

Support for tornado victims

It is good to see the outpouring of support for the victims of the tornadoes that struck our area. Many people have lost everything. It is crucial that all available help gets to the survivors. Thank you, governor, for your prompt attention to this pressing problem.

Jane Haney, Fort Myers Beach

'Freedom' if you agree with governor

I was horrified to read that Gov. DeSantis has put on leave the Orange County Health Director, Dr. Raul Pino. Our governor loudly and frequently touts the "freedom" we enjoy in the state of Florida. Apparently freedom of expression does not extend to an individual who exercises his right to free speech in pursuit of public health but in disagreement to Mr. DeSantis.

Chris Fisher, Fort Myers

Governor's regime unsettling

As a retired Health Science professor, I am a strong advocate for mask/vaccine mandates. In my opinion, the welfare of the larger community supersedes individual freedom. When I read that Orange County Health Director Dr. Raul Pino was placed on leave by Gov. DeSantis' administration for urging his medical staff to get fully vaccinated, I was quite unsettled. When I read that the same administration blatantly defies the Supreme Court's decision upholding President Biden's mandatory vaccination policy for health care workers, I was apoplectic. Did we not wage a Civil War 157 years ago that reaffirmed federal supremacy? It is abundantly clear that Ron DeSantis' wrongheaded perspective of the state-federal relationship would greatly benefit from a review of 5th grade American history.

James L. DeBoy, Fort Myers

Prefer Biden bumbling to Trump nightmare

The Left protests that President Biden is not doing enough. The Right claims that Biden is the worst president in U.S. history and is destroying America. Which is it? Is he not doing enough or is he doing too much?

Of course he can't please everybody, but in today's America is it possible to please anybody?

Mr. Biden may be an avuncular bumbler, like Reagan in the last years of his second term, but he is just the soporific America needs after four years of relentless overstimulation by Trump. Listening to Biden makes me cringe. No joke! But listening to Trump was a nightmare. I prefer the cringing.

MAGAs are suffering like speed addicts whose daily supply has suddenly been cut off. But Trump juiced up the Left as much as he did the Right, and now the Left is also crashing and blaming it on Biden.

As long as our young people are not sent off to yet another war and our cities are not burning, a boring president suits me just fine. My "Wish List" will have to wait.

Bruce Diamond, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Tuesday, January 25, 2022