Federal killings can’t be justified
Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. Video taken at the scene shows he did not brandish a weapon. He was not violent. He did not attack the officers. He was not, in my view, a domestic terrorist. His killing cannot be justified by a claim of self-defense.
Renee Good was shot and killed by federal agents. She did not, from what I see on video evidence, use her vehicle as a weapon. She was not violent. I believe she was not a domestic terrorist. Her killing cannot be justified by a claim of self-defense.
The Trump administration blames the victims for their own deaths. They blame Minneapolis and Minnesota government officials for the deaths. They blame everyone and everything but the shooters and their tactics. The clear video evidence starkly refutes the party line.
Over 75 years ago, George Orwell wrote: “The Party told you to ignore the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” How sadly prophetic he was.
Vinny D’Assaro Winter Park
Canada has the right idea
Maybe we’ve been looking at this U.S./Canada thing all wrong. It’s possible that Minnesota, Washington state, Vermont, New York and Maine might want to become part of Canada where democracy still exists. If they were successful maybe Oregon, then California would want to follow them and turn Canada into the great democratic powerhouse of the world.
Bill Thompson Apopka
Rep. Smith must accept criticism
In 2022, Rep. David Smith voted to violate the Florida Constitution’s Fair Districting requirements, at his party’s orders (and yes, the partisan state Supreme Court did the same). He has not said he would not be willing to do so again. How is it irresponsible for a constituent to demand that he support the Constitution rather than supporting Gov. Ron DeSantis (“Central Florida lawmaker makes crude remark in email to constituent,” Jan. 23)? And how is it honorable for him to metaphorically hold up his old Marine Corps uniform as a shield against questioning? If he were doing the job he was elected to do, and following the oath he swore, that wouldn’t be necessary — but in my view, he clearly knows he isn’t. It’s time for Smith and his similarly intimidated fellow Republicans to stand up instead and defend the rule of law once again.
Brian Clouse Oviedo
Easements are limited
Conservation easements sound like a win-win and they are, but only if the landowner agrees (Letter to the editor: “Easements can protect Seminole development,” Jan. 22). It makes sense far out in the country where there is no imminent threat of development, but not close to urban areas. In my view, many of those landowners do not want to continue farming. Rather they want maximum dollars for their land and conservation easements offer only a very small fraction of that value.
Richard Creedon Geneva
Richard Creedon is president of the Geneva Citizens Association.
Graduation is a celebration, hot or not
In East Texas, graduation ceremonies are held at the respective schools’ football stadiums (“South Florida county switches some graduations to gyms,” Jan. 18). This is to allow the entire family and friends to celebrate the graduate. Temperatures are usually in the upper 90s with high humidity. Graduates wear full-length gowns over dress clothes and sit in folding chairs on the field. Guests sit in the stands, dressed for the weather, fanning themselves. And guess what? Nobody complains because that’s the way it’s always been. Students are excited for graduation and it is a formal, dignified affair. Maybe these Florida graduates and their families should focus on what’s really important — the celebration, not the building.
Jane Byrne Apopka
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