Gaetz as governor? It could be Republicans’ best practical joke on Florida | Opinion
Satirical state
Florida has a bad reputation. The prospect that disgraced former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz will run for governor of our state is alarming. Gaetz has been a sideshow in Congress since he was elected in 2017. Reports of his sexual and drug-related escapades finally caught up with him in a congressional ethics office investigation that he vigorously sought to keep secret.
Now, in an insult to Florida voters, Gaetz wants to run for governor. As a die-hard Donald Trump supporter, he earned his bona fides by making outrageous claims and public fawning. This, however, has nothing to do with Florida.
Gaetz is not suited to prioritize the state’s significant problems, such as global warming, elections, COVID-19 vaccine denial, rising insurance costs, rampant fraud committed against its residents, infrastructure limitations and shocks to the immigrant worker labor supply resulting from Trump’s deportation plans.
Making Gaetz Florida’s gubernatorial candidate would showcase the state as a moral, ethical and political pariah. This should be too much, even for Florida’s rabid Republican Party.
In the lawless Trump era, which has no boundaries, electing Gaetz could be Republicans’ best practical joke on Floridians.
Charles B. Epstein,
Boynton Beach
Trump’s sentencing
After last Friday’s decision by Judge Juan Merchan about former President Donald Trump’s 34-count conviction, I cannot digest the fact that some Americans still believe Trump is good to be our next president. As Dr. Laura Schlessinger once said, “Some Americans have lost their moral compass.”
A day earlier, we watched on TV the funeral ceremony of late President Jimmy Carter, who was described as “a humanitarian who protected the vulnerable, fought for peace and put service to others above his own ambitions.”
In a few days we we will see, again on TV, how a convicted felon is elevated to president of the United States.
May God save the United States of America, my home sweet home since 1973.
Carmelo “CJ” Cabarca,
Miami
Anyone listening?
How are our United States senators and representatives supposed to hear from their constituents when their phone mailboxes are full?
I have tried, unsuccessfully, to email and phone to let them know my feelings on certain nominees for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. We are dependent on knowledgeable, competent and experienced individuals to maintain safety, health and secure relationships within and outside our borders. I’m sure our congresspersons are aware of the seriousness of these appointments and hopefully will not succumb to pressures to affirm unqualified people.
Our congressmen and women must deny affirmations for Pete Hegseth (for secretary of defense); Tulsi Gabbard (for director of national intelligence); Kash Patel (FBI director); Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (Health & Human Services); Linda McMahon (Department of Education) and Kristi Noem (Homeland Security). They are not sufficiently experienced, educated or competent for those responsibilities.
Furthermore, I would hope our congresspersons agree that SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has no constitutional power to make decisions or influence our officials. And he needs constant reminders of that fact.
Madeleine Chafin,
Homestead
Bryant’s passing
Anita Bryant was an incredible talent: a Grammy-nominated singer, a beauty queen, a Florida orange juice pitchwoman, but also an anti-gay crusader. I didn’t agree with anything she said during her anti-gay campaign, but she paid dearly for it.
I offer condolences to her children. There is no joy in losing your mom.
In the end, she helped galvanize and unite gay people.
Paul Bacon,
Hallandale Beach
Dirty money
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help get Donald Trump elected president and be able to weasel his way into the trappings of government.
Wonder if those dollars could’ve been better used for cancer research, or to help get the homeless off the streets, or eliminate student debt or provide health insurance for those in need. The list is endless.
Trump will make billionaires richer at the expense of most Americans, especially those who voted for him. And that is very disgusting.
Glenn Huberman,
Miami
Fair proposal
Apparently, the incoming Trump administration feels it may be necessary to punish the media when elected or appointed officials think they have been slighted in press reports or whenever they feel the media has acted irresponsibly. This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the media.
“Qualified immunity” is a legal principle that grants public officials immunity from forms of punishment, unless it can be shown that officials violated “clearly established statutory constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” This is clearly intended to protect officials.
I propose a trade. If media can be punished for perceived irresponsible behavior (however that is defined), then all public and appointed officials should also be subject to similar punishment for damages from irresponsible and often boneheaded behavior beyond “being voted out of office.”
That’s fair, isn’t it?
Richard Pober,
Palmetto Bay
Loaded warning
Re: the Jan. 10 op-ed, “Alcoholic beverages should feature a cancer warning.“ The first part of the warning should be in large, all caps letters and state: “If you are having trouble reading this, you are drunk. Do not drive.”
Robert E. Panoff,
Pinecrest
Dystopia, USA
I shudder whenever I read the newspaper. A U.S. House committee recently referred former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, one of President-elect Donald Trump’s chief political opponents, to the incoming Justice Department for criminal prosecution based on no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Trump has tapped his loyalists to head the FBI and the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute his political opponents in government and in the media. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, a Trump appointee and the richest man in the world, has threatened to “primary” any House Republican who opposes Trump’s political agenda.
Trump also announced that he wants the debt limit eliminated from the budget next March, which will allow him to give an unlimited tax cut to his billionaire friends. This looks more and more like we are turning into an oligarchy of the super-rich run by Trump and his GOP allies. I hope he fails, but recent events are ominous.
What will he do when he assumes office on Jan. 20?
Phillip Hubbart,
Miami
Dog lessons
Netflix has a fascinating documentary on dogs and their relationship to humans, “Inside the Mind of Dogs.” Although dogs share 99.99% of their DNA with wolves, they are one of the most varied and successful animals on the planet. Their relationship with humans, dubbed “survival of the friendliest,” is key to their success. Would that humans could only learn from dogs.
Most rulers, from tribes to empires, seek only power — the ability to manipulate and control people and property. Religion and ideology are a means to that end, as is warfare — the combat between ruling cliques.
Today, most of the ruled simply want to be left alone, but the weapons of their rulers threaten the existence of life on our planet. Our “leaders” need to start sniffing butts and sharing the playground.
It’s not “better red than dead;” it’s better neutral than neutered.
R. Thomas Farrar,
Miami
Weathering the climate
Although we have been experiencing frigid cold fronts lately, that is no reason to forget climate change.
During the summer, we expect to see rising cases of heat illness and exponentially growing heat-related deaths.
Staying hydrated, drinking electrolytes and staying indoors, even in this cold weather, but especially in the summer, is crucial.
Anagha Iyer,
Miramar