Comedian’s comments about Puerto Rico show with whom Donald Trump surrounds himself | Opinion

Bad act

As a Cuban American woman, married to a Puerto Rican who served proudly in the U.S. Army and fought in Vietnam, I am appalled — no, disgusted — by the “opening act” of Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday. The decision to allow this so-called comedian to denigrate Puerto Rico by calling it a “floating island of garbage” and insinuating that Latinos procreate in large numbers, shows a basic disregard for propriety and decorum, traits we envision in the person we will elect as our president.

If you want to know what a person is really like, look at who surrounds that person and how that person’s personal and professional life is conducted. I know my fellow Cubans do not consider themselves “Latinos,” but we are.

If our parents had to flee their country during a Trump presidency, would we have been welcomed?

Rosa Maria Hanchett,

Coral Gables

Spinning America

Donald Trump’s campaign statement, that comedian’ Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments at Sunday’s rally do not reflect Trump’s views, is the equivalent of Germans saying that Hitler didn’t represent them because he was Austrian.

Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor, has said that “America is for Americans.” Well, North, Central and South “Americans” can also call themselves Americans. We are the United States of America, which means we are part of the Americas.

Maybe Miller should say something equally stupid like, the United States is for United Statians. Trump disciples can spin all they want. Birds of a feather, I guess.

Alex Jimenez,

Winter Park

Women’s rights

I am a 72-year-old mother, stepmother, grandmother and recently, a widow. I am outraged that Republicans, who claim to be pro-life, are such hypocrites and have no concern for the lives of the babies they want to force women to bear and raise.

I grew up in the era before Roe v Wade, when girls attempted to abort unexpected, unwanted pregnancies with wire coat hangers and either died or were rendered unable to have more children in the process.

My fear, with abortion access limited in Florida and many other states, is that this is only the beginning. Republicans will come after our voting rights next and women will become second class citizens. I remember when a woman needed her husband’s permission to open a bank account, get a credit card, or sign a lease. Life was especially hard for single women.

A pregnancy is not a nine-month commitment; it is, at minimum, a 19-year commitment. Our state government, so proud of its desire to remove a woman’s right to choose, should also commit to making the cost of raising a child its responsibility. The government does not have the right to cause a woman to die because it wants to control her body.

All women should vote against the men who want to remove all of our rights. Vice President Kamala Harris is right — we will not go back.

Donna Goldstein,

Weston

Poll watcher

I have been participating as an official volunteer poll watcher for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign for several days and will continue through election day. I have done so in five different precincts around Miami.

I have been most impressed with the experience and professionalism of Miami-Dade County election officials, tirelessly encouraging and motivating their workers. Poll workers were all well-trained and knowledgeable in election rules and regulations. I saw how friendly and courteous workers treated everyone they encountered, always with a smile and a warm welcome. Each time a first-time voter checked in, a poll worker would call out “first-time voter!” and everyone in the room clapped and cheered!

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but workers must arrive early to set up and stay late to allow voters in line to vote before closing down. They typically work 14 or more hours each day.

Finally, seeing people participating in democracy was moving and heartening; many brought their children. I only wish all eligible persons would better educate themselves about the issues and the candidates, then register and vote in much larger numbers.

Doug Mayer,

Coral Gables

Red flag

The Washington Post’s decision to not endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election is being described as a bad thing. On the contrary, it is a good thing.

More powerful than any rumors concerning Project 2025, or revelations from his closest military aides that Donald Trump is a fascist, Post owner Jeff Bezos’ shamelessly public capitulation to the threat of a second Trump term should prove to be a wake-up call for all undecided voters.

If one of the richest and most powerful men in the world is cowed and frightened by the possibility of Trump’s return to the White House, how should the rest of us feel?

Vote for Kamala Harris while we still have a choice.

Patrick Alexander,

Coral Gables

No love affair

Re: the Nov. 27 letter, “Cuban love affair.” Does the writer know how many Cubans tried to have a Constitutional government from 1952 to 1959?

Some chose a violent revolution that brought a Marxist tyranny. Many of us however, tried to do it the right way, through elections in November 1958. The revolutionaries, however, threatened to shoot voters or put explosives in election precincts. As a result, not many people voted.

The letter writer should read, “The Fourth Floor” by Ambassador Earl E. T. Smith, to understand the U.S. State Department’s role in putting the Castro brothers in power.

On March 10, 1952, General Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar led a coup d’etat against the regime of President Carlos Prío Soccarás which resulted in the latter’s deposition. On that day, I and 36 other young people stood in front of the presidential palace pleading for Soccarás to stay firm, but he didn’t do it.

If the writer has disdain for Donald Trump, then he should vote against him. His letter, however, seemed to imply that many Cubans were Batista followers. He doesn’t have the right to call me or anyone that.

Julian Darío Miyares,

Miami

Climate vote

Now is not a good time for Floridians, or anyone for that matter, to vote for political leaders in denial about the reality of climate change. Because of its unique geography, Florida is more susceptible than most other states to bearing the brunt of incoming storms and hurricanes, like Helene and Milton.

The window of opportunity to combat climate change is rapidly closing. No matter one’s political party, voting for leaders who deny the reality of global warming would be nonsensical, if not self-destructive.

James Malley,

Farmington, CT

What you know

Recently, the media has reported that some undecided voters are reluctant to commit to Vice President Kamala Harris because they don’t really “know” her. Putting aside that platitude, maybe these voters can make their decision based on what they “sense” about her.

For example, I sense that she is committed to providing needed financial assistance to Americans instead of deep tax cuts for the super-rich. I sense that she would maintain America’s commitment to its allies around the world instead of bragging about false “love letters” and consequential relationships with the worst of the world’s leaders.

I sense that she would prefer weapons of war be banned for public use instead of experiencing the murders of children in our schools. I sense that she would rather provide free breakfast and lunch for school children instead of providing free COVID-19 machines and testing materials to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I sense that she would rather talk policy issues with Republicans and Democrats instead of meaninglessly meandering about Arnold Palmer’s physiology.

I don’t “know” Harris, but if you “sense” what I do about her, you “know” all you need to know.

Allan B. Marks,

Coral Gables