So JD Vance admits to making up stories to protect the public | Letters

Telling stories

Vance sticks by pet-eating claims and says he’s willing to ‘create stories’ | Sept. 16

JD Vance admits he makes up stories to “protect Americans.” This is the same arrogance and stupidity that led ancient politicians to promise that “the village will be safe if we throw a virgin in the volcano” or “burn the witches at the stake.” And people still believe this nonsense.

Susan McBride, Sun City Center

Migrant crime rate

Vance sticks by pet-eating claims and says he’s willing to ‘create stories’ | Sept. 16

In the Harris-Trump debate, former President Donald Trump pounded away at immigrants saying things like countries empty their mental hospitals and their jails, and send them all to the United States where they commit endless numbers of crimes. Except, that isn’t true. Statistics show the crime rate among migrants in the United States is lower than the rate among the rest of the population.

Bob Brink, Clearwater

Demise of truth

Trump during debate amplifies false claim that Haitians abducted and ate pets in Ohio | Sept. 13

Worries about the fate of our democracy should former President Donald Trump be re-elected have recently been superseded by fears about the demise of truth itself. The charges by Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, that Haitian immigrants living in Springfield, Ohio have been capturing and eating their neighbors’ cats and dogs have been roundly debunked and criticized to no avail.

In his latest comments about these allegations Vance acknowledged their falsity, although he had nevertheless repeated them because they attracted the media’s attention which, in his view, had been overly focused on the Harris/Walz campaign. So, while the reputation of hard-working, legal Haitian immigrants has been restored and the safety of the town’s pets has been assured, the veracity of Trump/Vance political discourse has been sacrificed on the altar of media ratings.

Fred Kalhammer, Sun City Center

A right to remain silent

Teen accused of killing mom in Florida | Sept. 13

It sounds like the kid accused of killing his mother with a knife in Polk County is on the fast track to a life in prison. But I have to wonder about Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s comment reported in this paper: “He didn’t say, ‘Mom’s in here. Mom’s bleeding to death. Mom needs help. ... He looked the deputy in the eye and said, ‘I know my rights. I want an attorney.’”

It appears the sheriff is clearly trying to suggest that the kid choosing to exercise his Miranda rights should be seen as an indication of guilt. He may turn out to be guilty, but it seems astonishingly unprofessional for the sheriff to take it upon himself to suggest that based on a suspect exercising his rights.

Stephen Douglas, St. Petersburg

Here we go again

Official questioned land swap | Sept. 15

A last-minute item to swap conservation land to a golf course builder is quietly added to a Florida Cabinet meeting agenda and approved with no discussion. And this beauty was in the works prior to the recent ill conceived state park improvements proposal. We all know how that went. While Gov. Ron DeSantis can try to spin this land swap any way he wants, it’s apparent to everyone except he and the three Cabinet members that the only beneficiary is a corporate owner of a fancy golf course. If our governor can’t recognize the optics of this issue, hopefully cooler heads at the next Acquisition and Restoration Council meeting will kill the swap permanently.

David Nichols, Inverness

Pick up litter

Here’s what flooding looked like around Tampa Bay on Wednesday | Sept. 4

It’s quite ironic, isn’t it? People complain about flooding in St. Petersburg, yet many contribute to the problem without realizing it. I see litter everywhere, especially plastic, which inevitably ends up in the sewers, sometimes causing blockages and flooding.

Shoppers often remember to bring their reusable bags, yet they walk right by plastic litter without a second thought. They focus on a tiny aspect of environmental responsibility, while ignoring another that’s just as crucial. Small actions, like picking up trash, could make a real difference — if only more people cared to notice.

Elka Zwick, St. Petersburg

Day One Kabuki

It’s been approximately 1,330 days since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office. There are more than 120 days left in their term. So, what is all this nonsense about getting things done on Day One?

More than 120 days is a lot of time to get things done. Get a pen out and start writing executive orders. This Day One business is just more proof of how out of touch politicians are in regard to real life. If you’ve got time to campaign, then you have time to work. I realize it is a strange concept for our elected leaders but for real people that is how it works.

Charles Sitero, Ormond Beach