Another dangerous football season awaits | Letters to the editor
Sun Sentinel sports columnist Dave Hyde thoughtfully questioned our collective embrace of football, the sport that results in so many injuries. Hyde noted that 90% of former NFL players suffered concussions, with 60% reporting three or more.
We might rationalize the health risk because, after all, how many people even make it to the NFL? But what probably should be more broadly impactful are the conclusions in a Boston University study of professional, amateur and even child football players. This BU study showed that repeated head trauma, even hits that don’t result in concussions, have lasting impacts on players. In fact, it said that overall, about 80% of players showed measurable mental impairment years later.
I recall how rightly upset we were when we learned that children in Flint, Mich., were exposed to lead in their water, because that could permanently affect their IQs and have other health consequences. So it’s ironic that we encourage our children to participate in a sport that not only risks physical injury, but is almost guaranteed to take a mental toll later in life.
And yet, as Dave Hyde so clearly said, “Another season looms. I’m like most. I can’t wait.”
Michael Filippell, Annapolis, Md.
The writer is visiting his mother in Lake Worth Beach.
Two-tiered justice
On a stage in front of the nation on live TV, our governor raised his right hand to affirm his belief that a convicted felon should be allowed to run for and serve as president of the United States.
But here in Florida, this same governor has ex-felons arrested for new felonies because they voted even after they served their sentences. I would call this a classic Republican two-tiered system of justice, wouldn’t you?
W. Rick Garr, Fort Lauderdale
During the first Republican primary debate, candidates were asked to raise their hands if they would still support Donald Trump as the party nominee if he were convicted. https://t.co/MB5UW7uBr6 pic.twitter.com/BTZ7pvnxX1
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 24, 2023
A woman’s decision
How many pregnant women wake up in the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy and say, “Hey, I think I’ll get an abortion today.”
I would think this never happens. Yet to listen to the Republican presidential candidates, it happens all the time in states that allow late-term abortions. That occurs when something goes horribly wrong in a late-term pregnancy and a decision needs to be made to save the mother or the baby. This is an incredibly difficult choice that should be made by a woman, her doctor, her family and religious advisor.
Should the county sheriff or a judge also be in that delivery room to be part of the decision? The Republican candidates seem to think that should be the law.
Carol Foster, Pompano Beach
A dull, meaningless response
Gov. Ron DeSantis called the three murders committed at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville “totally unacceptable.”
What a dull, predictable and meaningless response. The rhetoric that was used by the man with no compassion never has a good or decent impact. Rather, it shows the callous disregard he has for a large segment of his constituency.
Florida can no longer afford this governor.
Barney Agate, Tamarac
Another indictment?
With all the interest in the various arraignments Donald Trump will be going through, I wonder if there is any possibility that he could also be charged as the commander-in-chief, since he disgraced the uniform — under Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). As most individuals who have served in any branch of the armed services know, “Knowingly making a false statement” can bring charges.
Just wondering.
Ira Gross, Boca Raton