Loving the World Cup
Isn’t it funny (and fun) that once the United States was out of the running for the men’s World Cup, we could all revert to our respective immigrant histories and root for a bunch of different teams while they played here in America?
Read more Editorial: Jack Latvala lived an impactful, complicated life
I had never followed futbol (soccer) before, but I have had some terrific times watching Scotland, Cote D’Ivoire, Portugal and Norway. The spirit of international competition is one of joy and celebration, and I’m loving it.
— Teresa Freeman, Coconut Creek
GOP, look in the mirror
In her recent guest commentary “Graham Platner proves the left loves power, not women” (July 10), Missouri Republican lawyer Jennifer Bukowsky should look in the Republican mirror at Donald Trump’s conviction for sexual assault and other accusations, Pete Hegseth’s sordid history and the Epstein cover-up when she writes of political parties looking the other way regarding power over women. After all, Missouri is the “Show Me” state. Is she blind to the power-mad Republicans?
— Elaine Hall Laegeler, Winter Park
Our grand experiment for 250 years
When our Founding Fathers set up our government they looked for governments that lasted longer than 200 years. They studied the Roman Republic, where if you were rich enough you bought citizenship and there was no need to vote because the senators were appointed by the “leader” for a lifetime. The senators made the laws, they appointed the leader and they could kick out the leader. Citizens were the only ones who could talk to senators about problems. Citizens did not pay taxes but non-citizens paid big taxes.
Then came the Greeks’ democracy. Everybody was a citizen, including those new to the country, and everybody voted. Each neighborhood elected one person to send to the government to make laws and everybody paid taxes. Some call it mob rule, but it lived for over 200 years.
Our Founding Fathers merged these two governments into one. We have Congress, with a Senate that can be re-elected for life. These were meant to be the older, wiser people. We also have representatives from each community that make up the House of Representatives (Greek democracy). They were grouped into a Congress which has control over all the laws and all the money (this is new). The leader, the president, heads a Cabinet that oversees many departments. Our Founders added two things, a Constitution and a federal court who interprets it. Our government allows each generation to have the power to change things.
Read more The best beach camping tents for hot summer nights
Our Founders never thought we would make it to 200 years — surprise! We made it for 250 years!
— Debora Dunbar, Casselberry
The sands of time, and Trump
Is Donald Trump, with his seeming obsession over building a triumphal march in Washington, D.C., a modern-day version of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ozymandias?
Was Ozymandias an ancient ruler or only a fictional construct of the poet’s imagination? The short poem with the ruler’s name as the title was published in 1818. Its verse describes an autocrat who constructed or “enhanced” monuments in his own honor, much like our current president with his ballroom, triumphal arch, slime-covered reflecting “pond” and gilt-glazed oval office.
In Shelley’s poem, all that remains of Ozymandias’ monuments are two pillars that once were the legs of a outsized statue along with an inscription that boasts, “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” All the rest is lost to the sands of time. Take heed of the irony!
— Ronn Mars, Fort Lauderdale
You can submit a letter to the editor by sending it by email to [email protected] or by filling out the form below. Letters are limited to less than 250 words and must be signed (no pseudonyms nor initials).You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
Read more Boost your child’s literacy with these reading and writing materials
← Back