What took so long?

A decent man or a bully? Our pick for governor. | Editorial, Oct. 30

While I’m glad that the Times editorial board finally recommended Charlie Crist for governor, I’m disappointed it took so long. Many Floridians have already voted by mail or in early voting. Gov. Ron DeSantis has a huge lead in the polls and too little has been said about the Republican stranglehold on our state that threatens a woman’s right to choose, blocks Medicaid expansion, punishes businesses trying to create a safe work place during a pandemic, targets LGBTQ students in legislation that makes them feel unsafe in school, hides data on COVID, demonizes immigrants, creates confusion for felons trying to restore their voting rights and does nothing to address affordable housing or insurance problems. And yes, he’s a bully also.

Diane Love, St. Petersburg

The eyes have it

Voting officials battle untruths | Oct. 31

Might I suggest that voters have an iris eye scan before registering? Then when voting, they can have an eye scan proving who they are. This is supposed to be the 21st century, so let’s take advantage of technology.

Roger Robbins, Sebring

Safety first

Florida schools’ report card? Needs improvement | Editorial, Oct. 26

The concern about the negative impact COVID has had on test scores is understandable. Unfortunately some of the stories say that we should not have closed any schools. I would prefer that my child stay alive rather than avoid losing half (or even more) of a grade level in any subject. We should try to make it up, but even if we don’t, I prefer life to grade level. I prefer classroom to on-line education generally, but it is not fair to condemn distance learning simply because we were not prepared for the situation, and perhaps didn’t respond as well or as fast as we would have liked. In addition to the saved lives of children, keeping kids out of school saved the lives of many who would have caught the disease from children bringing it home with them.

Joe Crites, Clearwater

Beef up the police

Lies, vitriol and the Pelosi attack | Editorial, Nov. 1

I pray for Paul Pelosi’s complete recovery. Having said that, wasn’t he better off having the police show up rather than a social worker? Please let’s get real about our cognitive thinking and beef up law enforcement so that people can be safe.

Dan Raulerson, Plant City