The top stories last week

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, chief communications officer, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

In the many stories about who said what last week, it pained me to see the sacrifice of the four who died serving their country get lost in the ensuing melee. Let us not forget these souls who left behind grieving families. Rest In Peace Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright. Black learned Hausa because he wanted to communicate directly with Nigerians. Johnson earned more than a dozen military commendations. Wright’s family is deeply rooted in military service, dating back to 1812.

Perry Thurston, member, Florida Senate

We’re still awaiting that apology from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. For a man who takes pride in the uniform and all it represents, the four-star general became an empty suit when he disrespected U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson. He called the congresswoman an “empty barrel” and flat out lied about her role in securing federal funding for a new FBI office building in Miami. Who are we supposed to believe? A man who is unfit to be president and the man responsible for cleaning up his mess, or the Sun Sentinel videotape that clearly exonerated Rep. Wilson.

Michael Dennis, M.D., chairman, Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Apparently walls were simpler problems in Reagan’s time. The administration’s commitment to building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and hoping Mexico will pay for it seems mired in confusion. Over 200 pages of emails released this week between aspiring construction crews and Customs and Border Protection officials lack even the most basic details like deadlines or how and where to submit bids. Last minute amendments added to the perplexity. It looks like preparation and planning for this venture are no better organized than the discussions on health care policy and tax reform.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, VP/ community relations, Nova Southeastern

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along with wearing pink as much as possible, I have tried to learn more about breast cancer treatment options. Thanks to the Community Foundation of Broward for organizing an enlightening program that presented cutting edge research, treatment, and support services available to breast cancer patients and their families right here in Broward County. It was quite uplifting to learn about the tremendous collaborative opportunities and patient-focused approaches that are guiding the care of our friends and families battling this disease. We have much to be hopeful about.

Walter G. “Skip” Campbell Jr., mayor, Coral Springs; former member, Florida Senate

I thought that I had heard all of the blame games until I heard that Bill O’Reilly was mad at God for not protecting him from sexual harassment claims. Why do people do something wrong and then try to blame others for their bad actions, including God. Let’s face it, Bill, sexual harassment is wrong and should not be tolerated by anyone. You screwed up, not God.

Howard Finkelstein, chief public defender, Broward County

What is the Department of Juvenile Justice teaching our children? Children who start down the wrong path and end up in the department’s custody should receive intervention and treatment. The department was created to intervene and get them on the right path. But instead, its employees are teaching children how to victimize one another. Detained juveniles are being abused in poorly staffed and underfunded facilities. Guards bully children into fighting each other in exchange for treats. Children have been seriously injured and some have died. The department is failing our children. If we do nothing we fail them, too.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission

It is encouraging that state legislators appear to be taking a serious look at horrific abuses of children in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The agency’s head claims reports of excessive force by guards, neglect of medical needs and even a “fight club” in which guards bribed children to assault each other were isolated acts of a “few bad apples.” But members of a Senate committee that oversees DJJ clearly don’t accept that explanation. Hopefully state officials continue to demand reform from DJJ, and give the agency the resources necessary to fulfill its mission.

Lois Jane Frankel, member, U.S. House of Representatives

On Thursday, I voted against the Republican budget that sells out seniors, children, veterans, and hard-working families to give a windfall of tax cuts to Trump’s billionaire and millionaire cronies. This disastrous tax plan is a bad deal that will raise taxes on the middle-class, ransack Medicare and Medicaid, explode our deficit, and gut job-creating investments. We’ve seen this before — trickle-down economics only work to help the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. Democrats have a Better Deal, one that protects seniors, assists with the rising costs of family care, and retirement, and invests in infrastructure, research, and education.