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We enter a time of some turmoil, and for reflection in many areas. Changes some accomplished, some still to develop are often met with uncertainty. We look for means to address and calm concerns and have, and should express, hope for certainty in the future.
Either to solidify a position or advocate for change, our voice is heard and recorded in the single most effective way the opportunity to cast our vote. Its easy. Call your Supervisor of Elections at 352-374-5252, email kbarton@alachuacounty.us or go to http://www.votealachua.com and have them send you your absentee ballot in the mail.
And theres no postage due to return it. Just ask then vote.
Bill Salmon, Gainesville
What took so long?
In the span of six days, the first African-American leader of a U.S. military service was confirmed (General Charles Q. Brown as Air Force chief of staff), the Navys first black female fighter pilot completed her training (LTJG Madeline Swegle), and the first woman joined the U.S. Army Green Berets (unnamed for security reasons). These are tremendous accomplishments, and should be lauded as such.
I have just one question: What took so long?
The ban on women in combat was lifted almost 30 years ago, in 1993. The U.S. military was desegregated more than 70 years ago in 1948.
While the accomplishments of General Brown, LTJG Swegle and the unnamed Green Beret deserve recognition, it is with a heavy heart that we must also acknowledge that these achievements come far too late for a nation that espouses the equality of all mankind.
Will Atkins, Gainesville
Questionable decisions
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at a few recent letter writers claiming the Obama administration was scandal-free, because that statement is untrue.
Barack Obama also wasn't free from some questionable decisions. Remember when the Benghazi tragedy started from a video? Do the IRS scandal, Operation Fast & Furious, leaving Iraq and allowing ISIS to be born, the moving Syria "red line," waging war on Libya without Congress consent, ransoms paid for hostages with foreign currency and an unmarked plane in the middle of the night, the Bowe Bergdahl swap, the veto of the 9/11 crime bill, claiming Affordable Care Act coverage and doctors wouldn't change if you wanted to keep them, his 2008 and 2016 apology tours, the Veterans Affairs scandal, the Colorado environmental disaster and commuting the sentences of Chelsea Manning and Oscar Lopez Rivera ring any bells?
When the current investigation by John Durham is completed, we may have to add the spying and criminalizing of Michael Flynn.
Cathy Anderson, Williston
Significant achievements
A recent letter writer complained about what he considers a lack of significant achievements during the Obama administration. So let me educate the author of this letter.
Despite the fact that President Obama inherited a terrible economy during the great recession, the stock market tripled and the unemployment rate decreased from over 10% at the beginning of his administration to less than 5% at its end. Significant legislative achievements include the Affordable Care Act, through which 20 million people received health insurance; the Dodd-Frank Act, which limited the ability of banks to participate in the risky financial transactions that caused the great recession; and establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Regarding the war on terrorism, many al-Qaida leaders, including Osama bin Laden, were terminated during the Obama administration.
President Obama also tried his best to combat climate change and improve environmental conditions for future generations.
T.J. Ronson, Micanopy
Write a letter
Letters to the editor should be emailed to letters@gainesville.com. Letters should be 150 words or fewer and include the writers full name, city of residence and contact information.
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Letters to the editor for July 25, 2020 - Opinion - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- The Skanner Newspaper - Jailed Chelsea Manning Gets Intelligence Ethics Award [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
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- Germany: Poitras praises courage of whistleblowers - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
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- chelsea manning trio - there's trouble until - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2014]
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- Assange story: Media watchdog dismisses complaint against Four Corners [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
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- Defending Chelsea Manning - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- Snowden Congratulates Chelsea Manning [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2014]
- Snowden Pays Homage to Sam Adams Awardee Chelsea Manning | Oxford Union - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2014]
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- News from Leavenworth: Chelsea Manning receives a family ... [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2014]
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- US Press Freedom Ranking Fail - Video [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2014]
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- Drawing the Chelsea Manning Trial--Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2014]
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- Pvt. Manning seeks formal name change to Chelsea - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning petitions for formal name change [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2014]
- Manning seeks to change name to Chelsea [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning Formally Requests Name Change [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2014]
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- Chelsea Manning Support Network [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2014]
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- Chelsea Manning petitions court for name change [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2014]
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- San Francisco Pride Apologizes, Honors Chelsea Manning [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
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- Army general denies Chelsea Manning clemency over WikiLeaks case [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence, conviction upheld [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
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- Manning Determined to Fight Back After Army Upholds 35-Year Sentence - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Defending Democracy: Government Whistleblowing in the Digital Age - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning allowed to legally change name from Bradley Manning [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning Allowed to Formally Change Name [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning gets name change [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Kansas judge to consider Chelsea Manning's petition to legally change name from Bradley [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Fox News Calls Chelsea Manning a 'Gender-Bender' [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning Announces Legal Name Change in Optimistic Letter [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
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- German hacker club offers Snowden, Manning honorary membership [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Pentagon reportedly trying to transfer Manning to civilian prison for gender treatment [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Pentagon OKs Chelsea Manning Transfer for Gender Treatment [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning Could Be Getting a Transfer to Civilian Prison [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
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- Manning Could Move To Civilian Prison For Hormone Therapy [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning might be moved to civilian prison [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Chelsea Manning transfer for gender treatment is backed by Pentagon [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
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