Sampling Facism
Re: the Sept. 9 page one article, “Floridians unnerved by police visits about signatures on abortion petition.” That state police are knocking on doors and interrogating citizens who signed a petition for a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion in Florida should be a red flag about how an authoritarian regime operates.
Fascism depends on terrorizing anyone who opposes anything the regime supports. One way to begin the terror is to frighten anyone who even dares to sign a petition opposing anything the regime supports. No one wants to open their front door and explain to police why their signature is on a petition. It’s upsetting, unpleasant and frightening. Further, it makes one think before opposing anything that a would-be autocrat, in this case Gov. Ron DeSantis, favors.
Democracy isn’t lost suddenly; it happens in stages, little by little. Intimidating people who sign petitions is one way it begins.
Daniel Greenberg,
Pinecrest
A bad call
Can anyone even conceive of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, caught speeding outside of the former Joe Robbie Stadium, taken to the ground and handcuffed with a cop’s knee planted on his back?
Somehow, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek HIll was still able to play and run 80 yards down the field for the winning touchdown. I hope this incident does not sour our super star on the place he calls home.
What a shame this happened.
Betsy Warwick,
Miami
Remembering 9/11
Twenty-three years ago, our world was changed by the horrific terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Today, we remember thousands of innocent lives that were lost and honor the many heroes who selflessly risked their lives to save others.
More than two decades later, the threat our nation faces from terrorism has not subsided. Every day, brave men and women in our armed forces continue to fight against those who seek to harm our nation. It is only because of their service and sacrifice that the United States remains unbowed in the fight against evil.
Paul Bacon,
Hallandale Beach
End this story
In the past, the latest breaking news including events of national or global significance, were often featured on the front page of a newspaper.
I cannot recall the many times that the Sergio and Tatiana Pino saga has been the subject of the Miami Herald’s front page. It shouldn’t be. This is a very sorrowful family event, full of human misery, that is hurting more people than those directly afflicted.
Let the family and those who knew them heal the pain of grief. Do not create or feed a morbid fascination for those overly interested in unpleasant subjects.
Sylvia Viyella,
Coral Gables
Haitian gangs
Re: the Sept. 9 story, “Commander of Kenya’s security forces in Haiti says gangs’ days ‘are numbered.’” I am deeply grateful to the nation of Kenya for stepping in to help. However, I was disappointed that the article failed to address a crucial question: where are the gangs getting their weapons?
How are they acquiring the funds necessary to purchase firearms? And what can Kenyan Commander Godfrey Otunge, or any leader, do to address this?
If the guns are being sourced from the United States, what is our government doing to stop the flow of these weapons into Haiti?
These vital questions must be asked to shed light on the illegal movement of guns into the country. We must expose the sources fueling this violence to effectively combat it. Gangs lose much of their power without access to firearms.
Rosemary Pringle,
Miami
Elusive gift
Summer is over. We are well into September, kids are back in school and Christmas will be here sooner than we think. Whatever our faith, Christmas evokes for most of us feelings of hope, love and harmony. Macy’s in Aventura is already selling holiday decorations.
Some, unfortunately, just don’t get the message of peace. In Atlanta, Colin Gray gave his 14-year-old son an AR-15 assault rifle as a Christmas present. The child then used it to carry out a mass murder at his school (the latest of too many carried out so far this year).
The greatest gift of all would be for all this senseless violence to come to an end. Let’s not lose faith that this can be achieved.
But how?
Karin Stahl,
North Miami
Condo lay-away?
The new structural integrity laws that were passed in 2022 for existing condominiums are creating unbearable assessments for Florida condo owners. Unless Gov. Ron DeSantis does something soon, the new assessments are going to trigger a real estate crash so massive that no one — not the luxury condo market and not Miami’s construction industry — will be spared. Not even the inspection companies.
I propose that our state legislature quickly pass a new law requiring inspection companies and construction companies to offer a 10-year payment plan for their work. Otherwise, Florida’s economy will soon be broken.
Jaime Pujol,
Miami Lakes
Life plan
United States Senator and GOP Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance dismissed the recent Georgia school shooting as a “fact of life.” His suggestion is to toughen the so-called soft targets, such as our schools.
Instead of turning our thousands of schools into fortified bunkers, let’s take care of the great threat: ban assault weapons.
Doug Kostowski,
Miami
Tomorrow’s traffic
Most residents agree that transportation and traffic are major concerns for everyone living in South Florida. Politicians’ answer is to build high-speed rail and extending Metrorail.
While these may be helpful 10 years from now, no one is addressing a solution for today. In 10 years, there is no guarantee today’s solutions will be valid.
Art Young,
West Kendall
Head start
Much is at at stake in the coming election. Young people can make a real difference by registering to vote, getting informed and voting.
Luckily, Florida is one of only a few states that allows people to preregister to vote at age 16. Preregistering can help make sure we are ready to make that difference as soon we turn 18.
For example, I am a high school student who will turn 18 just a couple of days before the Nov. 5 election. Because the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 7, I am able to vote in the election only because I preregistered.
I encourage all eligible 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote at https://registertovoteflorida. gov/ . It is really easy and it’s our chance to have our voices heard.
Nicolas G. Mustelier,
Miami
Best judges
Apparently, the only judges former President Donald Trump is happy with are those he appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court.
Gem Lee,
Miramar
Corporate taxes
Let’s hope Vice President Kamala Harris is defeated in her quest to become our president, unless we all want to see prices climb even higher than they have already. Her plan to again raise taxes on American corporations, which increased 15% due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, caused corporations to raise prices to pay for the increase in taxes.
How in the world is an American corporation expected to stay in business if not by raising prices to coincide with the taxes Democrats keep raising on corporations?
This is happening without moving even more jobs out of America to countries with cheaper labor, while those seeking jobs here increase due to Democrats’ open border policies.
Richard Claycomb,
Wilton Manors
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