The governor’s comments about the apparently careless driver of Sikh descent whose illegal U-turn appears to have contributed to a terrible fatal accident on Florida’s Turnpike are not only unfair, but inflammatory, and a clear attempt to cast an entire immigrant group in a pejorative light.
There’s been a shortage of semi-truck drivers for years. Apparently this work appeals to Sikh men because of a lack of restrictions on dress and diet that overland truckers enjoy, so many new drivers are of Sikh descent.
Gov. DeSantis alleges that the driver in the Aug. 12 crash in St. Lucie County illegally entered the country. But a California state worker, who unlike DeSantis does not seek political gain, asserts that the Trump administration approved his entry in Trump’s first term.
Does DeSantis have conclusive proof that this is not so?
Is he, as governor of a state where traffic enforcement in South Florida is almost non-existent, implying that Sikh men cannot safely drive large trucks? Any reasonable person can see that Florida drivers are almost impervious to traffic laws. It is a wonder that more people are not maimed by so many bad drivers.
This terrible accident took three lives and has generated bigoted remarks against Sikhs across the U.S. It’s a good question whether it would have generated so much coverage if the driver were native-born. But our governor misses no opportunity to sow discord, division, rancor and ethnic hatred.
John Countryman, Plantation
The writer is a former assistant state attorney in Broward.
Let’s DOGE DeSantis
How the governor spends our tax dollars: Alligator Alcatraz, $220 million plus; flying immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., $12 million-plus, misspending at Hope Florida, $10 million (plus millions pending in legal fees).
Hey, Ron DeSantis: Go DOGE yourself.
Timothy J. Norman, Fort Lauderdale
Forty-nine people gunned down at Pulse because they were gay? That’s freedom. So important for everyone to have guns.
Rainbow crosswalk to remember them? Unauthorized politics! Get rid of it.
People marking the pavement with chalk, to show they care? Horrible vandalism of streets! Arrest them!
Thank goodness our dear governor focuses on the priorities important to Floridians. It’s so sad he didn’t have time in his eight years as governor to fix homeowner insurance costs, but that’s just not as important as removing rainbows.
James Carbone, Fort Lauderdale
Turning the page
I have read and marveled at the opinion letters of Osvaldo Valdes and his well of shallow ideas that only runs in one direction. The inability of diehard “Trumplicans” to try to see both sides of the story is what has brought us to where we are today: imploding.
If you can’t stand Pat Beall’s column, Mr. Valdes, just don’t read it!
Vivian Woda, Delray Beach
Her satire is soothing
This letter is in response to the letter writer Osvaldo Valdes, who states (“No fan of Pat Beall, Letters, Sept. 9) that Pat Beall is “quite possibly the unfunniest columnist I have ever seen.”
I strongly disagree. I find Pat’s articles newsworthy, factual and humorous.
In today’s world, we’re saturated with reports of school shootings, pictures of children in Gaza starving to death, Ukrainians being bombed into oblivion by a maniacal dictator, immigrant families being torn apart and, of course, the demonization of rainbow-colored crosswalks.
These news stories are disturbing and depressing.
I thank the Sun Sentinel for publishing Pat Beall’s satire as an antidote to the sad stories we see. I look forward to reading many more of her articles.
By the way, is “unfunniest” really a word? I hope not.
John Smith, Fort Lauderdale
Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.
