DeSantis must remove barriers for jobless Floridians

Re the Miami Herald’s Aug. 12 article “Jobless workers anxious as $600 benefit expires:” We read in detail what we suspected all along: that there are many jobless residents who haven’t received a single dollar after all these months — any of them because they are not computer literate.

If the IT-savvy unemployed could not navigate their way through the abysmal Florida CONNECT system, what about the many workers who have no computer access, or do not have enough linguistic ability to understand the often confusing bureaucratic language?

Most of these hard-working Florida residents, living paycheck to paycheck, may not own a computer, and because of COVID-19, public libraries have been closed. And no, there’s no way to even think of attempting these applications on a smartphone. Who could stand the cramped fingers after eight hours?

Could Gov. DeSantis have created several outdoor assistance desks in the same locations where food banks hand out groceries to needy residents? Maybe this is all just wishful thinking, expecting too much empathy for Floridians who have been the most victimized.

The governor could have reated a commission — call it the Equal Unemployment Opportunity Commission — months ago to ward off such human misery.

– Ina Oost Topper, Tamarac

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DIE IS CAST

Beyond Sen. Kamala Harris’ outstanding qualifications as Joe Biden’s running mate, I admire Joe Biden for fulfilling his pledge to select a woman for this position. After a thorough vetting process of 11 women, he selected Harris.

Most interesting was that Biden did not hold a grudge against her for some of her statements during the Democrat primary debates. I wonder how different the selection process would have been had President Trump been in a similar situation. Never would he have considered the bigger picture of the most qualified individual if that person had criticized him or pointed out some of his flaws. Grudges would have been a significant criterion in Trump’s elimination process.

Fortunately, Biden is most interested in our country’s welfare and was able to see beyond what Trump would have deemed a personal attack. We will all benefit from Biden’s informed choice in what will be an incredibly historic election.

– Sheila Gewirtzman,

Plantation

BIDEN FIRST

Re the Aug. 9 letter “Trump was first,” in which the writer says that President Trump and Joe Biden offer the same platform at times. The difference is, we can count on Biden to deliver.

When did Trump ever follow through with anythingHe just moves on to the next promise, his next stunt, his next diversion. Biden has already presented plans to move forward if elected. Trump has had more than three years and has done nothing but build part of an expensive, useless wall.

As far as Democrats not getting things done, talk to Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has a load of bills from the House sitting on his desk he refuses to sign.

– Sharon Wylie,

West Kendall

SEEING RED

Sen. Kamala Harris has proven to be another slandering, angry politician. Her vicious attacks against Joe Biden, and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, are an indication of what is to follow.

– Joy Pargman, Miami

JOURNALISM DEAN

I thank the Miami Herald for the comprehensive Aug. 12 obituary of Ralph Lowenstein, “Former UF journalism dean predicted rise of digital media in ’70s.” In the early 1980s, he led a group of us from the Florida Press Club on a tour of University of Florida’s media lab, demonstrating Viewtext, an early version of online news.

One member of our group said Lowenstein was known as “The Golden Shovel” for his fund-raising prowess.

My favorite part of the tour was when someone asked why there was no parking space designated for Lowenstein. The dean explained that taking his spot was a popular prank for students, so he spent more time calling campus police to move the interloper than he did actually parking there. The essence of Lowenstein. Rest in peace.

– Ann Carter, Oakland Park

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MEN OF SPIN

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, known as “Baghdad Bob,” was the noted Iraqi spokesman who provided some comic relief for Americans with his daily briefings. Baghdad Bob became legendary for the outrageous lies he told during Gulf War briefings, declaring to Western journalists that American infidels were facing slaughter even as our tanks rolled into Baghdad.

The stark similarities between Baghdad Bob’s propaganda and President Trump’s spin on reality in the face of multiple crises are very telling. But, this time, we’re not laughing.

– John Simpson,

Cooper City

NFL’S MORALS

In Greg Cote’s Aug. 11 column, “Big Ten, Pac-12 set moral compass for

NFL, other schools,” he lectures on the immorality of the NFL playing football in the midst of a pandemic.

He stretches the definition of morality by claiming the NFL is choosing money over health. By that logic, it is immoral to drive and sell cars because 40,000 people die in traffic accidents each year.

Players opt in by choice, the safety protocols are stringent and the medical/ training facilities are first rate.

There is much evidence to support that physical fitness, a healthy diet and outdoor activities will enhance our ability to combat the virus.

Cote should ease up on moralizing and stop trying to close down the very activities that distract and entertain us during these isolating times.

– James Gersing,

Kendall