Not the Gestapo

FBI sought nuclear papers | Aug. 12

During an unprecedented two Senate impeachment trials of President Donald Trump for what I believe was obvious criminal behavior, our two senators and all but a handful of their Republican colleagues refused to vote to convict him. In both Senate trials, most GOP senators embraced their leadership’s copout that Trump’s deeds “were a matter for the justice system, and should be addressed there.” Trump would not go scot free, they implied, and seemed to assure. Well, now we see the truth about them. As our justice system tries to deliver to our nation the justice that the GOP refused to impose via impeachment, that same GOP now attacks our FBI and Department of Justice as like “the Gestapo,” “corrupt,” “planting evidence” and essentially criminal in their intentions and methods. They are hysterically shrill in doing so. They regard their cult leader as above the law, and they are committed to no accountability for his and their own gross misconduct, possibly even including the stealing of top secret nuclear documents. In my view, our own national security now depends upon excluding the GOP from government.

Steve Douglas, St. Petersburg

Stop it before filming

Dunedin teacher arrested, accused of punching 4-year-old | Aug. 12

This story about a preschool “teacher” accused of beating a 4-year-old is bad enough. Kids have been killed in that setting. But why is the instinct of so many in society to start filming instead of trying to provide aid to the victim? Voyeurism is the new heroism. It’s better than ignoring the situation, but you don’t know when the next marginal blow will cause permanent damage. Courage is the rarest good human trait.

Jason Barrera, Oldsmar

Awake to the worry

Governor, make that tweet sing and sting | Editorial, Aug. 11

Name one potential presidential candidate who would be worse than Sleepy Joe, and I believe that would be Gov. Ron DeSantis. Instead of president, I think he would strive to be king.

Michael Bugosh, Sun City Center

Keep cops out of politics

The Florida sheriffs behind Gov. Ron DeSantis | Editorial, Aug.6

If law enforcement backs a particular candidate, then I will not be voting for that candidate. Law enforcement needs to stay out of politics and political ads.

Paul Fry, St. Petersburg