Learn from history

Teachers say state’s deletions weaken history lessons | May 15

The censoring of social studies textbooks — and what the governor and Legislature have done is censoring — has a number of downsides that need evaluation. First, they are concerned about some of the history making children feel uncomfortable. Have they considered how uncomfortable children of color will feel if major events in racial history are eliminated from their textbooks? Have they considered that learning history also helps students develop empathy for those who are victimized? Have they considered the importance of teaching children how to deal with reality in life from what they learn in history? And have they considered how Florida students will fare against those from other states when attending colleges out of state or when, as adults, moving out of state and dealing with neighbors and co-workers who have had a more rounded education? In reality, what the governor and Legislature have done is not to protect our children, but to rob them of a valuable portion of their education. How sad.

Larry Silver, Oldsmar

Just the messenger

What a disaster! | Column, May 15

Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan and others in the media have criticized CNN for broadcasting a town hall with former President Donald Trump, with a fully partisan Republican audience. I watched it, and it only reinforced how anti-Trump I am. But he’s not going away. Well, not until he really goes away. He’s been around nine years or so, spewing lie after lie and trying to disrupt our democracy. I know that and so do many others. CNN only tried to show us the real Trump, which they succeeded in doing. But don’t kill the messenger. What bothers me now is the support he has from his voter base and that, thanks to party rules that he got passed, he can win primaries with only a plurality of the vote.

David Lubin, Tampa

Not funny

What to expect under new immigration law | May 15

A woman from Central America (who apparently is undocumented) asked if it is possible to sue Florida or Gov. Ron DeSantis for damage that this new law could cause her family. Are you kidding me? What craziness is happening when people want to sue the government because they are scared of what might happen to them when their immigration status causes problems for them?

Gail Dudley, Sun City Center