Is that higher education?

DeSantis signs 3 bills bringing major change to Florida universities | May 15

When will average Floridians wake up to what Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing to the state and to their futures, the latest being his frontal assault on public universities? Following his takeover of New College, DeSantis now announces that Florida’s colleges will become front-runners in “workforce education,” which, in my day, meant trade schools. Is that all Florida’s youth can hope for — a trade, not a liberal arts education? I can virtually guarantee that, when it comes time to choose colleges, his children will be shipped off to some place other than a trade school in which controversial ideas and theories are reserved for only the last two years. DeSantis, meanwhile, attended Yale and Harvard, majoring in history and law, preparing him well for his trade as a slick politician.

Stephen Phillips, St. Petersburg

Apparently, he can

DeSantis signs 3 bills bringing major change to Florida universities | May 15

The governor says, “You can’t just take tax dollars and do whatever the heck you want.” That’s rich from the man who took $12 million to fly undocumented immigrants hither and yon, and millions more to pay the legal fees of lawsuits surely coming after some of the inane bills he’s signed from this recent session. Only he gets to do what he wants with our tax dollars. Brilliant.

Martin Fouts, St. Petersburg

My bachelor life

What is the correct temp on the thermostat? | Column, May 14

After 47 years in Florida living in two old, well-shaded, well-ventilated houses without central heat or air, I am thoroughly acclimated. Eighty is a fine indoor temperature but with plenty of ceiling fans I can handle a few degrees warmer with no problem. If it drops to the low 70s, I bundle up. I would like to thank columnist Stephanie Hayes for the positive reinforcement for my bachelor life.

Pete Wilford, Holiday

The ethics of eating meat

Where’s the beef? Why the fake meat fad has sizzled out | Washington Post editorial, May 16

This Washington Post editorial lists the many reasons Americans prefer real meat over “fake” meat, but it conspicuously left out any mention of slaughtering animals. Eating meat is a choice, and if people choose carnism, then the ethics of killing an animal instead of eating something else should get top billing in that discussion — not one company’s stock market price.

Gregory Shear, St. Petersburg