ICE brings chaos, death to our state
Let’s get one thing straight: when a government agency’s actions lead to three deaths in a single week, we absolutely cannot look away. Even one death is too many.
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Editorial: ICE’s roadside stops claimed three lives. Time to re-assess
This week, just up the road in St. Johns County, a 28-year-old man died after being hit by a semi while running from ICE in terror. This follows two other recent, deadly ICE shootings in Texas and Maine. In fact, agents have shot over 20 people since last year, and more than 50 have died in ICE custody since Trump took office again, which is the highest custody death rate in a decade. This isn’t just policy. It’s chaos and death right here in our state and across our nation (“Orlando protesters rally against ICE after 3 recent deaths, including 1 in Florida,” July 19).
You might think this only happens to “other” people. But when an agency operates without the basic accountability we expect from law enforcement, the net widens. Tomorrow, the person caught in the chaos could easily be your neighbor, your coworker, a loved one or even you.
Many of us were taught to love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, and value human life. How do we reconcile those beliefs with a system operating with such total impunity? If every person has God-given value, this is undeniably, morally wrong. Period.
Everyone who believes in safe communities for all and the value of human life must speak out and demand absolute accountability from our government before even more lives are lost.
— Kyle Sieg Yazbec, Orlando
Bravo, Winter Park Playhouse
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure and honor of attending the Winter Park Playhouse Grand Opening Gala (“With gratitude and joy, Winter Park Playhouse celebrates makeover,” July 8). The Playhouse was a 24-year Winter Park institution who recently refurbished their building, thanks to the community, the city of Winter Park and the driving forces of Heather Alexander and husband Roy Alan. The venue is now owned by the city of Winter Park granting the Playhouse a 25-year lease for a nominal sum.
The newly created atmosphere was reminiscent of many of the smaller Broadway theaters. The lobby is enlarged with ample seating for pre-show snacks and libations. I felt like I had been transported to 42nd street in New York City. The new theater is tiered in such a manner as to provide an excellent view from every seat — the seats, we were told, were reclaimed from theaters on Broadway. As for the happy musical performed at the gala, the talent was exceptional. The sound system and acoustics were world-class in a small setting. I cannot wait to see the next show.
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— Curley Bowman, Maitland
Trump’s 2020 self-delusion
I have found myself fascinated by the current president’s obsession with his 2020 election loss. It is reminiscent of the classic story of the fisherman and the “fish that got away.”
In the 2016 election the Democratic Obama administration controlled the government, and Trump won the Electoral College vote and became president.
In 2020, the Republican Trump administration ran the government, and Trump had the benefit of incumbency, and he lost the popular and electoral votes and the presidency.
In 2024 the Democratic Biden administration ran the government and Trump won.
He continues to insist he won three elections, and he lost 2020 because of fraud and cheating in an election under his control. No credible proof has been provided to substantiate his claims. It seems there is some serious self-delusion going on!
— Terrie Watkins, Mount Dora
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