Sentencing of former Miami senator was a slap on the wrist and an affront to democracy | Opinion

Wrist slap

I was outraged by the Nov. 19 front page story, “Ex-GOP state Sen. Frank Artiles sentenced to 60 days in scheme to prevent Democrat from winning.” The failure to hold Artiles meaningfully accountable clearly illustrates our state’s corrupt legal system and philosophy of winning at all costs.

Artiles stole the seat of a Florida legislator, Jose Javier Rodriguez, by running a third party candidate with the same last name to confuse and mislead voters. The candidate, Alexis Rodriguez, collected $44,708 in cash and gifts for taking part in this deceptive stunt and Artiles reaped $190,000.

If it is not a criminal act to steal a legislator’s seat, I don’t know what is. Despite this blatant wrongdoing, Judge Miguel de la O withheld adjudication so that Artiles would not be considered a felon and would maintain his civil rights.

Judge de la O said he refused to let politics play into his sentencing decision, but clearly shirked his responsibility to uphold our standard of fair elections. This episode is sadly another nail in the coffin of our democracy.

Phyllis Levy,

Miami

Florida first

Gov. DeSantis:

I have lived in Florida since the age of 2. I have owned a home and a business in Florida since 1990. My spouse, my daughter and I have all graduated from Florida public schools.

I mention these details in an effort to provide some concept that I am a Floridian and contend that I am qualified to request that if there is a temporary U. S. Senate vacancy for Florida and you, as representative of the will of Florida voters, would be responsible for filling that vacancy, that you make your decision based on what is best for Florida first — and nationally second. Most importantly, pick the best qualified Floridian for the job.

Respectfully,

Elias Seife,

Miami

Carrot troubles

After reading the Nov. 18 Herald story, “A deadly E. coli outbreak and a carrot recall involving Publix, Walmart, Kroger and others,” I went to the refrigerator and tossed my recently bought carrots.

Thanks to your information, I have a much better chance of having a healthy holiday season.

Alan Thomas,

Miami

Trouble ahead

What will it take for this country to understand what we have done by elevating billionaire grifting hypocrites and liars to run the entire government?

People who used to call themselves “Republicans” have been advocating and fantasizing for years about how to “shrink” the federal government. Donald J. Trump made all their dreams come true. They just needed to discard any shred of decency and honesty and embrace it. And they did — eagerly.

Elevating unqualified, incompetent and mentally unfit people is seemingly not a concern at all. The only qualification is unwavering loyalty to the cause.

Patricia A. Jarozynski,

Palm City

Big orangey apple?

Florida is not Donald Trump’s home state.. He’s a native New Yorker.

You can take the Donald out of New York, but you can’t take New York out of the Donald.

John Sowell,

Boca Raton

War and religion

Is peace in the Middle East possible ever?

Not while religious animosity motivates the parties.

Witness Yugoslavia. In 1984, I attended the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Churches and mosques abounded side by side. Recently post-Tito, the entire population was ostensibly united and peaceful. Then, religious warfare erupted, with mutual genocide as the goal. Yugoslavia splintered and war crime trials ensued.

Witness the “troubles” in Northern Ireland. While the parties denied it was a religious war and economic discrimination certainly contributed, it was a religious war.

Then the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel involving Palestinians, Iran and its proxies.

So long as medieval motivations continue, there can be no lasting peace.

What must we, as a nation, do to preserve the Jewish state?

That is and must be our goal.

R. Thomas Farrar,

Miami

Bad blood

Many believe that men refused to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris out of misogyny. Such people should consider that the constant ridiculing and mocking of men’s issues drove male voters — and many sympathetic women — away.

The left has almost made a “virtue” of misandry and it has cost them.

Thomas Carney III,

Delray Beach

Awful choices

I hope we are all paying attention to what President-elect Donald Trump is doing to our country. He is slapping it in the face with most of his Cabinet nominations, especially that of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to U.S. Attorney General.

According to a recent news report, of the millions who voted for Trump, most are not paying attention. They are not informed. They voted and apparently, they think their job is now done. Wrong! Dangerously wrong.

Those of us who are paying attention have a real obligation to speak out about any abuse of power. Recently, I called Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. I congratulated Rubio on his appointment as Secretary of State, perhaps the most sane appointment Trump has made, as Rubio has actual experience in foreign affairs. I urged them to not let Trump make “recess appointments,” which are not vetted by Congress.

I am still numb from the election results. I pray and will continue to work hard for this country and its future.

My greatest fear is that a President Trump and Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, will be working together.

What could possibly go wrong?

Marcia Braun,

Miami Springs

Gaza civilians

While Israel continues to bomb and pummel Gaza civilians with impunity, an average of 10 children daily suffer amputations of one or both legs. Israel will not even permit a child of 11 or 12, whose face was partially blown away, from being airlifted out of the enclave for medical treatment.

While we witness the Biden Administration acting wholly complicit with Israel’s assaults from the air, how can any sane citizen of conscience be expected to react to this apathy and complicity of our government? Should we expect Donald Trump to repair and atone for this disgrace?

The future looks quite bleak from a moral perspective, especially when too many of our citizens remain detached, aloof or even supportive.

Sid Sussman,

Hallandale Beach

Tell tale sign

I have lived in Vermont most of my life but have been visiting Florida for many years. While driving into the state on a recent visit, I noticed the sign, “Welcome to the Free State of Florida.” Initially, it seemed apocalyptic. Then I thought someone saw the movie, “Free State of Jones.“

Where else would that come from?

It’s certainly not original. I do not see this as a reflection on Florida’s citizens, but on their governor. Each of the other 49 states is free. Attempting to claim only your state is truly free only speaks to ignorance.

This is the same as when some people proclaim, in America we are free. Well, so are people in many other countries, too numerous to mention or count in this space.

Signs like this are obnoxious at best and an eyesore and also show a lack of knowledge and character. No doubt many people who see it just shake their heads at the stupidity. Perhaps a change is in order.

Charles Laramie,

Fair Haven, VT

Great play

“tick, tick...BOOM” at the Actors’ Playhouse on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is one of the best and most professional productions I have seen in a long time. Having moved here from New York City 50 years ago, I am still a major Broadway theater fanatic and I adored this production.

The somewhat autobiographical musical play, written by Jonathan Larson, the writer, lyricist and composer of “Rent,” is beautifully cast and conceived with wonderful acting, superior voices and great set design. This play is a total treat.

Hazel Goldman,

Pinecrest