Wednesday’s letters: Freedom and privacy lost, save the filibuster, Trump celebration – Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Privacy stolen by code enforcement officer

As I headed into the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate our independence, I couldnt help but reflect ona sense of freedom lost as a resident ofSarasotaCounty.

On June 2, the Herald-Tribune reported the widespread practices ofcountycode enforcement employeeHarveyAyers,who is accused of illegally invading the privacy of countless citizens by creeping around their homes and taking pictures through windows and doors, without the homeowners' permission or a warrant (Sarasota code enforcement officer is accused of bullying and stalking. But official complaints receive little response).

Our privacy is as American as apple pie. Government employees peering through windows and photographing inside our homes could not be anymore un-American.

When pictures of my living room and the art on my walls became part of a public file, I felt like I lost my freedom and right to privacy.

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Ayers knows better. As a former police officer, he knows hesnot permitted to traipse around citizens property in an overzealousquest to find unpermitted work.

This country won its independence so its people would not fear the type of unreasonable intrusion perpetrated by Sarasota County code enforcementand ignored byofficials.

Karl Jasinski, Siesta Key

Save filibuster, save us from mob rule

It is inexcusable that the Herald-Tribune chose to reprint the Palm Beach Post editorial, For sake of our future, kill the filibuster, on the Fourth of July weekend (July 3).

The writer of that editorial needs to read the Declaration of Independence, specifically, …that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights …that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted …

The simple purpose of the filibuster is to protect individual rights (such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) from the tyranny of mob rule.

If you support mob rule (as, apparently, the Palm Beach Post and the Herald-Tribune do), sure, kill the filibuster.

Daniel J. Maksymowicz, Venice

Trump again celebrates himself, not U.S.

On July 4, 2019, President Donald Trump celebrated Independence Day and himself at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., with all branches of the military present and a flyover by the Blue Angels.

On July 3, 2020, soon-to-be-former President Trump, in his own inimical and self-aggrandizing style, celebrated Independence Day with a massive fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota.

On July 3 of this year, Trump visited the Sarasota Fairgrounds, not to celebrate Independence Day but to hold a revenge rally asking his ardent supporters to stoke his ego and to perpetuate the Big Lie, that the election was stolen from him.

This great nation was founded on July 4, 1776. And, despite turmoil and trials, our democratic republic has survived and made progress for 245 years.

It did that because of people and presidents who put the country before themselves. It will not survive much longer if we allow the interests of one person to be put before that of the country.

Edwin T. Crego Jr., Sarasota

Ex-presidents rally not that newsworthy

Was there a good reason for devoting half of the front page July 5, plus half of 7A and half of 8A, to the rants of our ex-president (We couldnt miss it for the world: Trump supporters descend on Sarasota for rally)?

Was there anything newsworthy? If you are going to give free advertising to Donald Trump, how about the bottom of a left-hand page?

Come to think of it, the advertising isn't even free. Your readers and advertisers are paying for it and Im not sure that this reader, for one, wants to pay for it.

Bill Riesz, Venice

Beware of snake oil salesmen spreading lies

The July 5 headline, Former President Trump rallies in Sarasota, should read, Snake oilsalesmancomes to town.

Beware of snake oil salesmen bearing gifts and falsehoods. We had one in Sarasota on July 3. They travel the country and draw huge crowds because people are looking for a cure for a problem that doesnt exist.

The election in November was the most secure in American history, certified by Republican and Democratic officials elected by their constituents. Ask former President Trumps own attorney general, Bill Barr, who won the election.

Norma Dayton, Venice

In Nevada, county approves Dead-End Road

Regarding the county in Nevada that wants to change the name of a road in honor of ex-president Donald Trump, I can only surmise that it is a dead-end road.

Paul Bond, Venice

Anti-Christian sentiment fair game

Regarding the July 5 Wumo cartoon, on 7C: If this were portraying Judaism, the antisemitic scream would be deafening. Apparently, anti-Christian especially anti-Catholic is fair game.

Helen Lawrence, Venice

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Wednesday's letters: Freedom and privacy lost, save the filibuster, Trump celebration - Sarasota Herald-Tribune