Why St. Johns County must pass conservation bond measure | Letters

Like many residents of St. Johns County, I spend most of my leisure time on the water or in the great outdoors. I am an avid fly fisherwoman, kayaker and paddleboarder. l also enjoy birdwatching and hiking

on nature trails.

I am also saddened and outraged by the unbridled development occurring almost everywhere. The widespread clear-cutting of trees, as well as the growing destruction of fish and wildlife habitat can be observed throughout St. Johns County.

That is why I plan to vote “yes” on the St. Johns Forever Land Conservation Referendum, and I am volunteering as part of a grassroots effort working to get this bond measure passed this election year.

This $100 million bond measure is a small investment that promises to reap big and worthwhile dividends. It’s worth noting that our local economy depends heavily on tourism and revenues from fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, surfing and other water-based activities.

All these activities, which make our county a great place to live, may not be possible unless we protect and preserve green spaces and critical habitats.

Setting aside conservation land, especially wetlands, is the best strategy for protecting and restoring precious water resources and ensuring a sustainable diversity of fish and wildlife. However, purchasing land takes money and commitment of resources.

Please vote “yes” for St. Johns County Land Conservation Bond Referendum. Cast your ballot early, by mail or on Election Day, Nov. 3. As a reminder, the referendum will be the very last item located on the back of your physical voter ballot. Make sure to flip your ballot over to cast your vote.

Patty Scott, St. Augustine

Abuse of power worse than bad judgement

It is instructive for us to hear opinions other than our own, so I read with interest two Oct. 11 guest columns that called for another view of recent cases of violence and immorality.

These columns have one thing in common: failure to account for the power differential. I saw the video of Renee Good driving slowly toward a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, one of whom shot her. It was not obvious to me that she was trying to run them down, as USA Today writer Nicole Russell believed, but it was certainly obvious that the agents had guns. The power was on their side.

Columnist Ingrid Jacques also laid equal blame on Jane Doe, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by multiple “men” in a fraternity house at Cornell. She was admittedly inebriated and may have agreed to the early stages of this experience, but by the end of it she was apparently incapable of consent. She had no more power against these “men” who kept participating and sent texts inviting others to join.

Abuse of power is far more heinous than bad judgment.

Also, to anyone who believes that a woman who drinks and takes drugs “has it coming” in terms of sexual assault, I would like to recommend an excellent video: just search for “Tea and Consent” on YouTube.

Patricia DeWitt, retired college administrator, Jacksonville

What to do about our democracy?

The remains of our American democracy are at serious risk. The daily reports of crimes, unconstitutional actions and frauds involving the federal government are unprecedented.

When the Supreme Court offers a sitting president legal immunity for any misbehavior and our elected senators and representatives are too fearful to object or take official actions in response to undeniable lawbreaking, this previously free country is in genuine peril. What can we citizens do?

Our available peaceful and legal choices (in no particular order) have not been very effective thus far:

• Marching with protest signs
• Speaking out at town hall meetings
• Writing letters to the editor of magazines and newspapers
• Discussing the issues with friends and relatives
• Praying
• Occupying government or educational buildings
• Blocking walkways with loudspeakers to complain
• Coaxing others and officials in hope they will somehow intervene
• Rejecting any compromise of our values and goals "just this once"
• Voting for politicians who will display courage to act to preserve democratic values

I recommend Jacob Weisberg's excellent, well-referenced new book "Profiles in Cowardice," in which he describes in explicit detail how some of the key individuals in current American society sadly failed to show the courage to defend the many attacks on America's traditional values of equal rights for all.

Louis R. Franzini, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and emeritus professor of psychology, Jacksonville Beach

Antifa terror designation hypocritical

Under a new state law, the Florida Legislature recently designated “antifa” a domestic terror organization.

Antifa originated in Germany when the Communist Party formed “Antifaschistische Aktiom” or Antifascist Action (thus abbreviated as antifa) in 1932 to protest the rising Nazi Party and fascism.

Antifa is essentially an ideology opposing fascism. Fascism describes a far-right system where a charismatic dictator reigns over the combined power of the government, corporations, religion and media to maintain absolute control over the people. It is a decentralized belief system that opposes a totalitarian state that is antidemocratic.

Labeling those who hold antifa ideology as terrorists is hypocritical. Logically those who believe in MAGA then could also be called members of a terrorist organization. The leader of MAGA has certainly incited those who hold that belief to commit violent acts as individuals and as groups, such as took place on Jan. 6, 2021.

Calling antifa a terrorist organization is just distraction from the state of the union lead by the MAGA party. Plus, not all Republicans are MAGA and are generally excluded from this characterization.

This new state law labeling “antifa” as a terrorist organization should be annulled. What is the purpose? To make it easier to use legal force against citizens protesting the current administration? That is anti-democratic.

Lynette Kennison, Jacksonville

Implications of AI are frightening

There is much speculation about the enormous potential as well as the frightening perils of artificial intelligence. Into that discussion, it seems appropriate to be reminded of what “intelligence” is. Intelligence is God-given.

Human intelligence has enabled creations of incredible complexity, creations of marvelous good and stunning destructive power. Intelligence also provides humans the capacity to pursue wisdom — the application of knowledge for good purposes. Wisdom provides guidance in making decisions and choices that work for the greater good rather than for selfish gain.

Human nature is “me-centered,” and artificial intelligence mirrors that self-centeredness because it holds no place for God.

Even if the creators of AI had the best of intentions and had a moral basis for their work, once it reaches the point of recursive self-improvement (where it overrides human control and the spirit of God is not infused into the decision-making process) AI will prompt amoral decisions. It can likely lead the world down a path toward ultimate destruction.

We can only hope that an understanding of the risks posed to all of humanity will prompt a cooperative effort on the part of all parties and nations to control the development of this technology.

Michael Wallace, retired business executive, Ponte Vedra

Extreme campaign ads not helpful

Here we go again with the extremely negative campaign ads about Florida and Georgia political candidates. Dark and blurry ads with shocked, whispery narrators show opponents at their most unattractive. Included is usually a litany of hot-button issues that individuals are highly unlikely to control by themselves.

For example, can one person really defund the police? More importantly, does that person really want to do so?

It's also interesting to note that as far as I can tell, the negative advertising is coming from only one party. Surely that ought to mean something.

Personally I'm not a fan of extremes in most anything, including religion and politics, but such ads and labeling are a big part of this year's midterms. I truly wish both parties would focus on the issues that bring us together, instead of divide us.

Abraham Lincoln quoted the Bible in his remarks when he said that a house divided cannot stand. Right now we are a house divided and negative advertising doesn't help. When you vote in this year's midterms, please consider the reality of what will make this country better for all of us — instead of only an elite few.

Rhoda T. London, retired educator, Jacksonville

No national anthem, gambling ads OK?

Each Sunday when I watch the National Football League on any of their associated television networks, I wonder why they don’t have time to broadcast the national anthem. I feel that this a large mistake and is very disrespectful to our country. Adding to my feelings is the fact that many of the commercials that are broadcasted relate to the plethora of gambling sites that are now available.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that these gambling sites are addictive and will eventually cause financial hardships for many people. The NFL should disassociate itself from such sites and go back to the warnings that used to appear in sports venues: “No gambling allowed.”

Peter A. Baci, Jacksonville Beach

Uncertain future for Publix

It took about a minute to give Shad Khan half a billion dollars for his stadium, yet the most critical part of downtown development — a full-service Publix — must wait until after the Nov. 3 elections to approve funding.

No small wonder that Jacksonville’s urban core is such a wasteland.

Paul Poidomani, Riverside

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Why St. Johns County must pass conservation bond measure | Letters