Monday's letters: 'No' to intolerance, elect abortion rights supporters, more

Say “no” to censorship, intolerance

Say “Gay,” say “Abortion,” say “Human Rights,” say “Separation of Church and State.”

Just say “no” to censorship, stupidity, intolerance and autocracy.

The confederacy of dunces and conquistadors who rule the “free” state of Florida has not changed much since 1985, when my twin – a lesbian outed by one of our teachers – was not permitted by Manatee High School to give the valedictory address she had earned.

Instead, my Yale-bound sibling and I got to listen to the captain of the state champion football team extol the virtues of Christ from the stage.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

It is both tragic and disgusting that the same entitled, reactionary forces still fail to understand that our democracy is fundamentally based upon the separation of facts from faith, and church from state.

Zander Moricz, you are part of a long line of brave humans fighting for basic decency, civil rights and the great promise (never yet realized, and never more under threat) of our democracy (“Pine View class president says school seeks to censor graduation speech over so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law,” May 10).

Speak. Speak loudly – even if they cut off your mic – and don’t let the reactive sociopaths, Neanderthal men and their Stepford wives win.

Kelly Franklin, Sarasota

Vote for senators who favor abortion rights

The U.S. Senate recently voted 49-51 against legislation that would have enshrined abortion rights into federal law. Every Republican senator, including Florida’s Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, voted against it.

If you value the right of women to control what happens in their bodies without governmental interference, then make sure you vote for politicians who support this right.

You can start by voting Rubio out of office this November. Follow up by getting rid of Scott in 2024.

Norman R. Wirtz, Nokomis

Resist efforts to drag us back to 1950s

After reading the laundry list of Fox News talking points in the May 12 letter “Extremist actions, policies of left wing,” I’m reminded of a few key things.

The plot to overturn the last election and the resulting chaos on Jan. 6, 2021.

My body, my choice when it comes to COVID vaccines, but not so for women’s reproductive rights.

The censoring of school curriculum to avoid the truth about America. Burning books to support that aim.

The attempt to roll back social and political progress to the 1950s.

Having said that, I’ll take my chances with the left.

Bob Rustigian, Bradenton

Stances on abortion, COVID contradictory

Two friends gather at the local watering hole and, of course, the conversation gravitates toward public affairs.

Friend 1: Can you believe it? The government wants to mandate those COVID masks in airports and in schools? That’s another government overreach program telling me what I can and can’t do. If I want to go without a mask, I’ll do it. Let them throw me in jail or fine me. No one’s going to tell me what to do. I have my rights!

Friend 2: I face the same problem at work. I have to wear a mask or they send me home without pay. Government overreach is just eroding our personal freedoms.

Friend 1: And what about those people who get abortions? It’s ridiculous to have women deciding not to have a child. Who do these people think they are? The government has to stop that practice. It’s out of control.

Am I missing something here?

Jay Steele, Longboat Key

Trump could intervene with Putin

It’s hard to watch the news and images from Ukraine, a peaceful nation known as the “Bread Basket of Europe,” being relentlessly attacked, its cities destroyed and its people savagely murdered, all because Vladimir Putin wants to expand Russian territory.

President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently convened a forum of nearly 40 nations as diverse as Morocco, Israel and members of NATO to help with military and humanitarian aid. The plan is to convene monthly to react quickly as the situation changes.

One would have hoped that our former president, Donald Trump, who has a speaking relationship with Putin, might have intervened to help stop the carnage in Ukraine. (Trump had the honor of being named Statesman of the Year twice by our own Sarasota County GOP.)

Instead, Trump chose to praise the Russian president as a “genius,” and said "… I mean, he’s taking over a country for two dollars’ worth of sanctions. I’d say that's pretty smart. He's taking over a country – really a vast, vast location, a great piece of land with a lot of people …”

So, to him, Ukraine is merely a great deal on real estate? Bought very cheaply? Perhaps he envisions a gleaming Trump Tower in Mariupol?

Richard Lindner, North Port

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Censorship, intolerance threaten democracy, Trump could talk to Putin