Defunding safety

DeSantis to send law enforcement to US-Mexico border as he gears up for 2024 run | May 16

By sending Florida law enforcement and National Guard members to Texas, Gov. Ron DeSantis is defunding Florida’s safety forces. Essentially, he’s defunding the police. Has he decided to come out of the woke closet? And who is going to pay for this political stunt? And why is Florida’s attorney general simply winking at this misuse of government funds?

Robert Styduhar, Parrish

Selective help

DeSantis to send law enforcement to US-Mexico border as he gears up for 2024 run | May 16

Would our power-hungry governor have been willing to send Florida law enforcement personnel to Washington, D.C., to assist the city and Capitol Police in defending the mob of insurrectionists trying to overthrow a lawful election?

Chuck Hudson, Tampa

Texas pay back

DeSantis to send law enforcement to US-Mexico border | May 17

Once again Gov. Ron DeSantis sends Florida law enforcement to Texas to help with the border situation. Maybe Texas can pay us back by sending their state legislators here to help solve our homeowners insurance problem. On second thought, never mind.

Charles Smith, St. Petersburg

Freedom of the press?

Prosecutor ends probe of FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation | May 15

Earlier this week, we saw the report on FBI and other corruption that probably led to Donald Trump not being re-elected. It documents the biased influence of the FBI directly on a free election of the most important office in the world. It’s the biggest scandal in my lifetime. It may be the biggest scandal in our country’s history. Your front page this morning was about real estate development in downtown Tampa. The scandal that was a direct attack on our republic was buried on page 11. The freedom of the press was guaranteed in our First Amendment. Our founders were distrustful of a powerful central government. They hoped and expected the press to act as a watchdog on government and politicians. If the Times and the other news media were doing their job, maybe they wouldn’t need to beg for money.

Jack C. Bolen, Brandon

Age-appropriate books

Book ban overturned in Florida school district. Here’s why. | April 19

Schools serve as beacons of knowledge, nurturing young minds and fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth. Safeguarding our educational institutions is paramount. This is why we advocate for age-appropriate learning materials in all student-accessible areas.

Our critics suggest we censor topics simply because we dislike the ideas in those books. This is untrue. We firmly believe in the power of literature to broaden perspectives, promote critical thinking, and facilitate meaningful discussions. However, we must establish boundaries with obscene, pornographic, and pervasively vulgar materials that the youngest minds cannot discern. School library materials should align with our educational objectives and uphold ethical standards. Restricting access to age-inappropriate books is similar to internet controls and filters that only serve to shield children from harmful online content. This is not synonymous with intellectual freedom infringement or limiting the exchange of ideas.

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Studies show that exposure to adult content can lead to misconceptions about sexuality, objectification, and unhealthy views about relationships and consent. Further, with the uptick in mass shootings, graphic novels glorifying violence, specifically school shootings, have no place in school libraries. As a community, we must protect children from exposure to materials that normalize dangerous behaviors.

Young minds should flourish in schools, uninhibited by highly sexualized, violent materials. By taking decisive action, we demonstrate our commitment to protecting our students, allowing them to explore a world of literature that genuinely enhances their intellectual, emotional, and physical development.

Kelly Carling, Tampa

It’s getting hot in here

Tampa Bay, what is the correct temperature on the thermostat? | May 12

The letter writer who lives in Florida without any air conditioning is a most tolerable soul. The temperature inside a home is one matter, but his bathrooms must be interesting. Has he found a way to make mildew a cash crop?

Don Staley, Plant City