Letters to the editor for Monday, January 24, 2022 – News-Press

Letter writers| Fort Myers News-Press

A strategic principle in the master war strategist Sun Tzus classic book "The Art of War"is that you start a war only if you are certain you can win it. Putin is a master strategist like General Sun Tzu. He perceives Donald Trumps attack on our government Jan.6 and massive division in our country by Trumps lies about the election as weakness. The stage is set for abandoning the liberal world order since the end of WWIIand return to the madness of deadly costly medieval wars that only lead to destruction and chaos.

Donald Trumps promotion of big lies has resulted in division, distrust of our elections, and chaos in the United Stated. The implications are geopolitical, however -- not limited to our beloved country. The political upheaval that we are experiencing here has undoubtedly fueled Vladimir Putins militaristic ambitions, leading to a potential World War III. The time has come for Republican senators and representatives to break ranks, abandon support for the traitor Trump, heal wounds due to Trump's lies and bind our nation together once again.

William Pettinger, Bonita Springs

There are two Democratic senators in the Senate who keep President Biden from accomplishing the things he and all Democrats and many people want to see come to pass. No need to name them. We all know who they are. What those two senators ignore is the fact that by siding with the Republicans they make it more difficult for other Democrats to be re-elected in the midterm elections. People will not re-elect members of a do-nothing majority Congress.

An independent senator who votes Democratic has vowed to support opponents of those two in their next primary election. Too late to help President Biden but if successful, good riddance.

E.R. Santhin, Naples

A recent correspondent proclaims "worst ever"offering the following as proof.

Highest Inflation ever. Highest in 30 some years, yes. But highest ever? Not even close. Of course, inflation is a concern. But the president is hardly responsible for causing the current supply and demand imbalance that is driving increased prices.

Highest gas prices ever. Highest in the last year, yes.Highest ever? Again, not even close. The economy improved demand went up. COVID and Gulf coast storms reduced supply. Surprise, prices went up.

No longer oil independent.This likely refers to the presidents executive orders regarding drilling leases and pipeline construction, none of which have any effect on current production. We generally produce about as much oil as we consume. Looking at oil alone is a limited perspective. A broader perspective would be energy independence including all energy producing sources. Since 2019 we have reached energy independence exporting more energy than we import.

This is no defense of President Biden or his policies. But posting false or exaggerated political talking points serves no productive purpose.

Bill Guyer, Fort Myers

The Greater Naples Chapter of Americans United is proud to announce that the 2022 Turner Civic Award will be presented to Rev. Tony Fisher and The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples.

Rev. Fisher embraces both the pastoral and prophetic roles of ministry and sees great potential in the Unitarian Universalist movement as a catalyst for change. American Unitarian Universalism has its roots in the early American colonies and thrives today as a free-thinking, non-creedal religion where all are welcome. UUCGN members gather to nurture their spirits and put faith into action through social justice work.

Among their projects and activities promoting social justice are the Progressive Voices Lecture Series, Team Against Racism and Oppression, Voting Rights, Mindful Monday Forums, Weekend Meals, Legal Aid, Womens Justice, LGBTQI and Climate Change.

The luncheon ceremony will be held on Tuesday at noon at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples. Tickets cost$40 per person, $75 per couple or $140 for a table of four. For more information, please call 609-647-1343 or visit our website http://www.au-naples.org.

Americans United, a 501(c)(3) corporation, is a nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

Bill Korson, president, Greater Naples Chapter of AU

SB 148 is silliness disguised as protecting "individual freedom"by attacking the phantom threat of critical race theory.This bill prohibits teachers from making students "feel responsible for historic wrongs because of their race, color, sex or national origin,"

How does that play out in practice? At best, self-imposed censorship would change exciting chapters of our history to become increasingly bland so nothing could be interpreted as giving offense. At worse, lawsuits, firings and resignations would flow.

I have taught, although not at the K-12 level targeted by this bill. I have given classes about the war in Vietnam.Would mentioning my disabled veteran status risk censorship if a student of Vietnamese origin somehow thinks I am blaming him or her?If teaching about the world wars, would mentioning that my machine gunner great uncle was wounded and captured, or my fighter pilot uncle was killed, risk offending students of German descent?Would talking about the human and material cost of any conflict make students uncomfortable about being ethnically associated with combatants?Could business managers mention any of these and be accused of creating a hostile work environment?

This is a feel-good bill that has given little thought to the damage it does.Legislative efforts should be spent more productively.

Bruce Beardsley, Naples

A plea to moderate Republicans, moderate Democrats, and Independents: Please launch the creation of a third party for 2024. Romney, Manchin, Bloomberg or the like, get together and make it happen. Please, lets stop this insanity in Washington. We desperately need an American party for for all Americans. Do the math, its a winning strategy. Please start now!

Douglas Keeler, Bonita Springs

We live in a black is white world where if whats written is held up to a mirror itspeaks truth. Our 19th District representativeByron Donalds sent an email on Jan.14 supporting the abolition of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bill was introduced by none other than Cancun Cruz. The CFPB is an agency that makes certainbanks, lenders, collection agencies and other financial companies treat the consumer "fairly."Donalds doesnt want you to be treated fairly so you have little to no recourse in a dispute. He lists crazy stuff in the email like unconstitutional, liberal judges and more. More like hes trolling for political campaign donations from big businesses at the expense of you, the constituents. Sign up for his emails and see where he really stands. Its shocking.

Laurence Jacks, Estero

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Letters to the editor for Monday, January 24, 2022 - News-Press