Abortion rules rejected | June 28
Nation needs a change of heart
While many readers of the Times were pleased by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the Texas law involving facilities conducting abortions, countless others like myself received the news with a profound sadness. It is not that I was overly surprised by the decision, but rather by the joy displayed by those who seemed to celebrate the propagation of a procedure in which an innocent life is ended.
In its decision, the court has reaffirmed its stance that unborn children are bereft of the basic right to life. To assume the court is infallible would be a grave mistake. In its 1857 Dred Scott decision, the court ruled that the U.S. Constitution denied enslaved African-Americans citizenship along with any right to due process. In 1896 in the landmark case Plessy vs. Ferguson, the court ruled that racial segregation was indeed constitutional, thus perpetuating decades of aggression and injustice toward millions of African-Americans.
Regardless of the court's decision on the Texas law, the ultimate challenge lies in changing the human heart. To the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the tens of thousands who marched with him in the 1960s, this must have often seemed like an impossible task, but in the end, change did come to America. As people's perspectives on the value of human life are changed for the better, I believe a transformation will occur in a location far more challenging than any courtroom. A change will happen within their hearts.
Terry Senhauser, Dover
Abortion rules rejected | June 28
For a more diverse court
Two recent decisions by the Supreme Court, seemingly unrelated, have inadvertently posed an interesting dilemma that could be rectified by the next Supreme Court appointment.
First, affirmative action was upheld in college admissions because the court believes diversity significantly adds to educational experiences. Second, abortion restrictions in Texas were struck down by the court because, in Dahlia Lithwick's piece, "oral argument was dominated by the three female justices who more or less peeled the Texas solicitor like a grape."
Given the court's promotion of diversity and the power of the female point of view in the debate of the century, abortion, then it would be logical, understandable and appropriately exciting that the next appointment to the Supreme Court be one that it has never had — a female justice who is pro-life.
Diversity on the court. I can only imagine.
Tom West, Trinity
Madeira approves projects | June 17
Accept and manage change
I support the developments proposed for the areas along 150th Avenue and Tom Stewart Causeway in Madeira Beach. I grew up in Redington Beach in the '70s and consider Madeira Beach the center of my "hometown" since all of our small communities are so interconnected.
For a time in the '80s, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, and have been witness to the skyscraper wall along the beach there known as the Miracle Mile. I understand that some local residents fear the proposed redevelopment as "too much change" and do not want a concrete wall of condominiums. Frankly, neither do I. However, it is important to understand that change is a natural progression of life.
Let's be honest: The parcel of land on the east end of 150th Avenue at the foot of the bridge is an eyesore. Some type of development will happen — that is inevitable. The row of small retail space on the west end of 150th Avenue dates from the 1960s and doesn't have any historic charm like, say, Amelia Island, and nothing notable by the way of shopping as in St. Armands Circle.
Change is inevitable, so I suggest that we embrace the change, but certainly manage it, and make Madeira Beach an even more desirable destination than it is today. To quote Alan Watts: "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."
Scott Allen, Seminole
Why political correctness is a good thing June 27, commentary
We must face up to the truth
The writer makes some good points but confuses political correctness with the denial of truth. Using racial epithets is not a failure of PC, it's ignorant speech, as is using the Lord's name in vain and using vulgar sexual speech.
When political correctness is used to deny that there needs to be a reformation of Muslim theology, that parts of sharia law are antithetical to the Constitution, and that many Muslims refuse to discuss any part of the Koran, then political correctness does trap our government from dealing with ISIS and radical Islam.
The writer also ignores the hypocrisy of our government's PC when we send billions of dollars to Muslim nations whose laws condemn homosexuals to death and who treat women as second-class citizens. He ignores the PC that allows Hillary Clinton to accept millions of dollars from those same nations and claim she is a champion of women and the LGBT community.
Terry Larson, Seffner
Forms of censorship
This column is very disturbing.
Government must never be responsible for parenting or an individual's conduct, attitude, behavior or civility. Granted, every executive order, legislated law, departmental regulation and judicial opinion limits our individual responsibility. However, each of us is accountable for our own decisions and actions.
Political correctness, microagressions, safe zones and the like are forms of censorship that present the antithesis to open dialogue — the foundation of a responsible society, effective journalism and a liberal education.
These three pillars of Western civilization should be based on thinking and reasoning using the scientific method; actions based on observation, orientation, decision, encounter and feedback; as well as examining events using who, what, why, when, where and how questions to determine facts in a quest for truth.
David R. McNabb, Tampa