Facebook and free speech
I marveled at State Attorney Jeff Ashton’s response regardingKenneth Lewis’ so-called hyperbolic rant taunting low-incomewomen with substance-abuse issues.
In a Facebook post, Lewis singles out thesewomen as “crack hoes” and he picks Mother’sDay to do it.
Lewis should resign. He does not have some special protection because his statements are political speech, as Ashton says. Ashton could have said that there are new challenges that have arrived with new technology thatwe have just begun to address; instead he cites the First Amendment. Judges, cops and prosecutors have special powers, mainly to arrest and incarcerate people. These positions are considered trusted public servants, which means that if a judge is rude or treats someone too harshly or makes hateful statements, the incident will be reviewed.
Ashton’s assertion that Lewis is protected because his statement is political is laughable. Arewe to trust this man to be objective in his prosecutions?
TomLynch
I have to ask all those who are too busy making a living to pay any attention to this subject: When you go to Kmart, take a look at the globe, pick out the United States and then ask yourself: Ifwe close down a few coalburning power plants, willwe save theworld from globalwarming?
Now, let’s look at what will happen if this plan goes through. The cost of electricity will be much higher. What is evenworse, we will all suffer long periods without power during the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter. Utilities bring older units on line to handle these peak periods. Some vulnerable people will not survive these conditions.
This potential government regulation must be taken seriously.
L. KarlKoeringWinter
Who will bear costs of Orlando-Miami rail?
Regarding the article “Study: Orlando-Miami train will boost economy by $6.4B” in Thursday’s Sentinel:
The Orlando-Miami highspeed train system is described as awonderful source of employment and business growth. However, the costswere not discussed.
Will any federal, state or local tax revenues be required to build, maintain and run this system? What percent of the building/ operating costs will be borne by All Aboard Florida, and how much will be borne by taxpayers?
I certainly hope Amtrak is not the business model that All Aboard Florida is following, but I remain skeptical.
Rick Janka
Insurance rates not falling for everyone
Regarding the article “Insurance rates finally falling on Florida homes” inWednesday’s Sentinel: My husband and I are in our late 70s and are on a limited, set income. We live in an old house (114 years old) in Oakland. The house iswood, but in excellent shape. It has new electricity, water lines, windows, etc.
Our insurance has risen from $3,825 in 2012 to $4,608 in 2013 to $5,522 on our latest invoice. We have lived in the house for 17 years and have never filed a claim. We have been dropped by companies or traded from one company to another several times, and for no obvious reason other than “it is an old house.”
We are so fed upwe are tempted just to not even insure the house sincewe have no mortgage. I hate to disagree with the article, butwe definitely still have a problem with home insurance in Florida.
Betty Anne Griffin
Simplify district lines
I not only agree with those who suggest that redistricting should be done without regard to political parties; I believe there should be no regard to race, ethnic background or networth.
Make districts simple, compact and along city, county and street boundaries. Then let the political chips fall where they may.
Joseph Rhodes