After the Trump assassination attempt, let’s take a moment to reflect | Letters

A sad situation

Shots fired at Trump rally | July 14

Amid the furor regarding this assassination attempt, let’s take a moment to reflect on the sadness of the situation. This young man was not a paid assassin, nor a political hothead. Rather, he is described as quiet, reflective, intelligent and a loner. I sense a frustration in him at what our society has devolved into. He may not have seen any future for himself. Many young people today feel this way. We have failed them as a society. Before you condemn his family, reflect on the fact that it could be anyone’s son or daughter feeling this desperation. We need to do better as a society.

Diana Winthers, Ithaca, New York

Guns and violence

Shots fired at Trump rally | July 14

In 1968, a lone gunman was able to bring a handgun into the kitchen of a hotel in Los Angeles and shoot the leading Democratic presidential candidate from a few feet away. More than a half-century later we say that a virtual army of Secret Service and law enforcement, with an arsenal of weapons, is being blamed for “inadequate security” for its failure to prevent a 20-year-old lone gunman with an AR 15-style rifle from shooting at a presidential candidate speaking at an outdoor rally. Does this mean the National Rifle Association and the Republican Party will continue to say that the answer to mass shootings at schools is to give teachers guns — when our best experts in their field are being blamed for failing to protect the candidate who was wounded? I cannot comprehend how the NRA loses members but still controls the issues of gun violence and mental health. I know there is extremist violence worldwide, so maybe there is no answer. I could accept that this is a problem with no solution, but many politicians and the NRA seem to be arguing for more guns and at the same time they are saying that there is no place for violence in our society.

Brian Walkowiak, St. Petersburg

My classified story

Federal judge dismisses Trump’s classified documents case | July 16

During the Vietnam War era, I was a first lieutenant in the Air Force stationed at a secret spy base on a very remote island. There was no civilian presence, and no families could accompany us for the one-year assignment. At the base, we had one of only two highly specialized spy planes in the entire Air Force inventory (no, not SR-71s or U-2s) and we had the world’s most powerful radar at that time. I was responsible for classified hard copy documents stored in multiple safes. Only a senior noncommissioned officer and I had the combinations to these safes. Of course, this was well before e-documents, so hand-signed paper receipts were required for the removal and return of the classified hard copies to authorized personnel only. I worked directly for the base commander, an O-6 (a full bird colonel) who directed me to read certain classified documents in a restricted setting and provide him, alone in his private office, with a briefing as to their contents. Our living quarters were just above our working quarters. If I had taken one of those documents up to my quieter, private room for study, I’d still probably be in Fort Leavenworth as punishment for violating an almost sacrosanct procedure. I remained shocked that a former president could have removed so many highly-classified documents and so carelessly stored them at his residence for easy access by just about anyone visiting. In light of recent events, it is painfully obvious that some people really are above the law.

Albert C. Hine, Seminole

What unity is

Biden on political rhetoric: ‘It’s time to cool it down’ | July 15

What does unity mean? Unity in America today depends on three things. One, we must use constructive words. Two, we must focus on proven options. Three, we must live and act on our American values. How language is used makes a difference. Political language based on facts and truth is in short supply. Defusing divisiveness with neutral language is an important way to facilitate constructive debate. Supportive words have broad appeal, strengthening well-reasoned discussion, thus making a substantial difference in how quickly America’s overhaul takes place.

What are the proven options? Too often governments, private sector, as well as citizens, point at each other blaming “the others” for their problems. Governments, private sector and citizens have multiple proven options that will improve America’s democracy. The conversation begins with options for wealth creation, work, crime, health care, conservation and more.

Living our American values is our greatest day-to-day challenge. American values are well defined and are consistent across religious, political, racial and other groups. While citizens may not agree on how each core value should be acted upon, it is important to remember that our consensus on core values ultimately unites us. Actions must be based on our strong belief in freedom and equality of opportunity as well as commonly held values such as a world at peace, family security, honesty and thrift. Our successful future depends on it!

Harrison Fox, New Port Richey

A smart timeout

County delays tax vote to raise teacher pay | July 18

The Hillsborough County Commission’s decision to delay the tax referendum for teacher salaries until 2026 is a vital opportunity for the school district to prove financial responsibility and commitment to student achievement. For years, Hillsborough County Public Schools have struggled with fiscal management, often mismanaging funds and leaving taxpayers to cover the shortfall. Despite having the means to raise starting teacher salaries to $55,000 annually, the district has chosen not to act, preferring to use low salaries as leverage for increased tax revenue.

This delay gives the district the chance to prioritize and invest in student outcomes, demonstrating that future investments will be well-managed. The district can’t continue leading the state in D and F schools without accountability. It’s crucial to address this chronic underperformance, showing that any future funds will directly enhance student success.

The community needs to see tangible improvements in educational outcomes and transparent spending. Supporting the delay is not a denial of the importance of competitive teacher salaries but a call for responsible governance. When the referendum returns to the ballot, it should come with a proven track record of wise investments in both educators and students. This approach ensures taxpayer interests are safeguarded and that future tax increases are justified by demonstrable improvements in education.

Steve Cona III, Tampa

The writer is a former member of the Hillsborough County Public School Board.

Leave it to voters

County delays tax vote to raise teacher pay | July 18

Hillsborough County commissioners are laser-focused on passing renewal of the half-penny Community Investment Sales Tax as they should be because of all the good projects it has funded over the past 27-plus years. They have even put it on the ballot two years ahead of when the renewal is necessary.

However, those efforts have gone overboard with Wednesday’s 4-3 vote to deny putting the school district’s property tax referendum on the same ballot. Commissioners have a broad range of responsibilities, and apparently are not in tune with the current teacher pay crisis. Crisis is not a word too strong.

A few facts: In the latest National Education Association statistics (2022-23), Florida ranks 47th in total per-pupil funding, and 50th in average teacher salaries. Every other nearby school district, except Polk, already has such a property tax used to improve teacher pay. If Hillsborough had received the same amount of per-pupil funding as peers Orange County and Palm Beach, it would have received $498 million and $762 million more, respectively. The Hillsborough property tax is projected at roughly $180 million, closing only one-third to one-fourth of those funding gaps.

In Pinellas where the preponderance of retirees might seem to work against renewal of such a property tax, it passed its fourth renewal in 2020 by 80% and is again on the 2024 ballot. Citizens do understand that adequate teacher pay is key to the education of Florida’s children. Four county commissioners should reconsider their opposition and let the voters decide.

Rick Warrener, Tampa

Dismayed at coverage

The Almighty calls for Biden | Wall Street Journal editorial, July 9

For decades our newspapers have delivered balanced reporting on critical issues. A presidential election certainly deserves — indeed demands — balanced, in-depth coverage. In the past few weeks, we have been awash in newspaper articles about the cognitive challenges of President Joe Biden related to his lackluster performance on June 27 during his debate with former President Donald Trump, with far less attention paid to Trump’s own dangerous deficiencies. While there is reason to question Biden’s mental lapse, major newspapers including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and Tampa Bay Times have published a flurry of opinion columns doubting that Biden could or should continue as the Democratic nominee. The New York Times Editorial Board directly called on the president to quit the race, and The Washington Post even published an editorial that was crafted as a withdrawal speech he could give. While all of this has unfolded, a felon who himself has recently exhibited a series of mental lapses and lied repeatedly, has seen far less negative coverage. Sadly, the possibility that a criminal who seems bent on destroying our democracy, subjugating women, ignoring our Constitution and collaborating with despots could regain the White House is being handled very differently and, in my view, far less critically. I am terribly dismayed to see this lack of balance and emphasis.

Peter Betzer, St. Petersburg

Justice denied to America

Federal judge dismisses Trump’s classified documents case | July 16

In the United States, no one, supposedly, is above the law — unless the law is on one’s side, of course. In the case of former President Donald Trump, his three Supreme Court nominees assured senators at their confirmation hearings that Roe v. Wade was “settled” precedent. But given a chance to concur with Justice Samuel Alito’s egregious opinion that no it wasn’t, they fell in line behind him as Trump had wished. In the matter of Trump’s alleged theft of presidential documents, including many highly sensitive classified materials, federal district Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, has repeatedly delayed proceedings and has now dismissed the case entirely on what I think are specious grounds, which were immediately be appealed by special counsel Jack Smith, further delaying this case. As the saying goes: “Justice delayed is justice denied.” But the ones to whom justice is being denied in these matters is the majority of the American people.

Fred Kalhammer, Sun City Center

Keep public schools strong

3 Pinellas candidates want flip school board | July 16

It is not surprising that the far right wants to infiltrate the Pinellas County School Board. Their leader, former President Donald Trump, wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Yet the public school system in our country has historically been the envy of the world. It has been the vehicle for social and class mobility. It seems to me that Republicans want to protect the riches and the power of the wealthy. One way to do this is weaken our public school system. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-majority Legislature are already decreeing what teachers can and cannot teach, to the detriment of science and history education. This whole movement will only weaken the United States and make it more ignorant. We need to keep these candidates from the school board.

Ann Jamieson, St. Petersburg