Commissioners, with little explanation, vow to end any ties to legal abortion services

High and mighty men defund legal abortions

According to the front-page article in the April 24 Herald-Tribune (“County cuts funding to United Way”), our county commissioners have unanimously resolved to cut funding to United Way to make sure that no county funds make their way to Planned Parenthood.

Know that Planned Parenthood’s operations are subject to state law and that any abortion services it performs must meet those criteria. Basically, the Sarasota County Commission wants to override state mandates.

The article characterizes the commissioners as being “muted in their comments,” except for Neil Rainford, who supports this resolution as a way to “protect people” (?) and, presumably, to shore up his conservative support ahead of the August primary. Rainford, you see, is merely a commission appointee, chosen by the governor.

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So what we have here is a group of opportunistic men-only who know just what is best for women and for the “people” in general, despite the fact that, Rainford to the contrary, they are not willing to provide more than “muted” comment, as the article suggests.

Apparently, they want it both ways. No “Profiles in Courage” there. This is our county commission in action and every one of us should remember that before the August primary.

David Cohen, Sarasota

We need more assertive attorney general

President Joe Biden should choose a replacement for Attorney General Merrick Garland, who is much too cautious and “wimpy” to be the lead prosecutor of the United States.

Unlike former AG Robert Kennedy, who aggressively pursued Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa 60 years ago, Garland dragged his feet for 2 1/2 years before he initiated the prosecution of former President Donald Trump for numerous likely criminal acts and gangster-like infractions.

Also, instead of using the direct authority of the Justice Department to investigate and charge wrongdoing, Garland has repeatedly appointed special prosecutors to do his work for him. This merely delays and weakens the overall prosecution process. He passes the buck for political reasons rather than taking the heat himself for necessary prosecutions.

The United States needs a more proactive, assertive attorney general.

Randy Kraft, Bradenton

Patient attests to quality care at SMH

I was thoroughly dismayed to read about the politicization of the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, particularly the “medical freedom” slate that could potentially include its privatization.

Having just gone through major surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, I can attest to receiving the kind of personal care that not only allowed medical freedom but encouraged it.

My daughter was escorted from the lobby to the operating suite to be by my side before and after the actual surgery. In addition, those who cared for me were pleasant, attentive and respectful throughout.

There were so many nurses and aides taking care of me that I joked it was comparable to being at a five-star hotel.

Muriel Gordon Mayers, Sarasota

Bicyclists: Warn pedestrians before passing

Most bicyclists, in my experience, have not considered pedestrians’ safety or their own.

Please, warn me if you are coming toward me from behind. Please use a bell, a horn or at least yell, “Passing you on your left (or right).”

Also, it is very nice if you slow down before passing me.

To those of you who do this, I thank you.

Cornelius Hassell, Sarasota

Why is college so expensive?

It’s a shame that the writer of “Biden generous with taxpayers’ money” considers a college education a “poor financial decision.”

But instead of grousing about the president’s support for student loan forgiveness, the letter writer should ask why colleges and universities have gotten so expensive to start with, and what we can do to get the costs down.

I’m a baby boomer and I never had to pay anything like what is being charged now for college!

Elizabeth Deane, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Mighty men kill United Way funding to prevent referrals for abortion