Political, social stands have no place on campuses | Letters to the editor
I could not disagree more with your editorial position regarding free speech and social activism at Florida universities (“A chilling treat to free speech on Florida campuses,” Nov. 19).
The purpose of our universities is to teach — not take political or social positions. Within a university there will be diverse groups promoting many different positions, but that is not a function of the university. If administrations don’t understand that, legislative action is warranted.
Freedom of speech includes freedom from our public institutions promoting and/or enforcing any political or social position.
Joel Bowie, Boca Raton
Wanting her country back
At a 2012 town hall meeting where Obamacare was hotly debated, a teary-eyed woman named Colleen Shoemaker declared that her father fought in World War II and that “she wanted her country back.” What she clearly meant was that her father did not fight to see a Black man become president, and she wanted to return to a country in which white Christian men dominated all aspects of government in which people of color, LGBT people and women knew their place.
It has taken a while, but it appears that she’s about to have her wish granted. Donald Trump, his MAGA base and far right Republican legislators and judges are conspiring to make sure we return to the America she was missing. Well, my father also fought in World War II and now I want my country back. I want to see the huge strides made by women, LGBT people and people of color since the end of that war maintained, supported and built upon so that what he fought for was not in vain.
With the exponential rise in antisemitism and homophobia, the reversal of Roe v. Wade and Trump’s enthusiastic embrace of all things totalitarian, I wonder if I will live long enough to see a return to my America.
Jerry Barkan, Pompano Beach
A justified response
To end a very long, deadly World War II in 1945, Britain and the U.S. killed 25,000 civilians in bombings on Dresden, Germany, followed by America’s bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with deaths of up to 226,000 Japanese civilians.
The war ended soon after. The world cheered and did not protest. On Oct. 7, Hamas attacked Israel and, in Nazi fashion, killed, raped, beheaded, and burned 1,200 adults and children while taking 240 Israeli, French, Italian and American hostages, including a three-year-old whose parents were killed.
The mourning period for this inhumanity lasted 48 hours and then, continuing to today, there have been massive worldwide protests and antisemitism because of deaths caused by Israel’s retaliation, largely due to Hamas’s use of its own people as human shields.
It is internationally accepted for centuries that when attacked by those who seek the annihilation of an entire people, the strong response by the nation whose existence is threatened is justified, and should be cheered not condemned as the world is made safer by its success.
Seymour Brotman, Delray Beach
An artificial Congress
AI (artificial intelligence) is the next big thing, so why don’t we replace all of Congress with AI? To be in Congress, no experience or education is required, so AI should get off to a running start. The benefit to taxpayers would be saving the cost of overpaid salaries to members of Congress. Also, no campaign funds would be needed for TV ads that make questionable promises.
Let’s try it. We have nothing to lose, considering the state of affairs we’re in today.
Dane Hancock, Fort Lauderdale
The GOP and abortion
After the GOP’s recent defeats, it’s obvious that the party must modify its position on abortion, for the GOP is widely viewed as anti-women. Perhaps it should listen more to candidate Nikki Haley.
Republicans have long advocated for the unborn, but it’s time to advocate for women with medical assistance, child tax credits and adoption help. The advocacy of the sanctity of life needs to include women — particularly poor women.
Felipe Fernandez, Cutler Bay