Letters to the editor for October 8, 2018

Lies and incivility

President Trump calls the Russian investigation into the campaign a witch hunt. After watching the Senate committee looking at Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court, I would describe that as a kangaroo court.

And I think the FBI were forced to do a terrible job. They were given the names of 40 people who could corroborate allegations. They did not even interview Ford or Kavanaugh. In a he-said, she-said, the majority — usually men — always side with the he-said.

Trump, as president, is supposed to set an example for the people. He certainly did not do that at a rally in Mississippi. When I hear what he says and see that he does, I feel as though this is the most non-Christian administration in history. I was astounded and appalled when Trump went on and on mocking Dr. Ford.

So answer this: Do Christians go about mocking other people? And what about those at the rally who cheered and applauded those remarks? Do Christians make fun of people with physical disabilities? Do Christians call other people derogatory names? Do Christians denigrate other nations, other cultures, other ethnic groups? Do Christians tear little children away from their parents? Do Christians try to take health care away from people who may really need it? Would a Christian lie over 5,000 times in 18 months? And what does that say about all of those who side with Trump?

When Trump mocks his accuser about her memory, I wonder about his. Well over a dozen women have accused him of sexual assault. Can he remember when and where all of these took place?

It is not too late to register to vote. Let’s make America the great country it has been. Support truth and civility and working for our country not a party.

The Rev. Dr. Ed Corneilson, Ocala

Kicking the can

The water supply throughout Florida has been on the edge of dangerous for several years. Dangerous in terms of contamination from:

• Chemicals, cancer causing from industrial and military sources

• Septic tanks.

• Blue green algae and red tide.

To date, our well-paid politicians have kicked the can down the road in regard to sound solutions to the problem. Some have even gone so far as to recommend putting treated wastewater into the aquifer. Treated water waste contains live E. coli, various drug residue and chemicals that can and will adversely affect the health of all Floridians. Do we actually want to expose any of our 65 million visitor guests to illness, if not worse?

It is time for our politicians to earn their salaries and get the job done. They must have the fortitude to grasp new ideas and concepts that don’t just kick the can down the road but actually resolve, contain and directly address those factors that contribute to our water pollution. They must forego cronyism and self interests and do their jobs.

Other states have begun addressing the blue green algae issue. Florida has not.

The solution to our contaminated water problem in Florida and all states is at hand, provided those responsible seek out that solution, fund it accordingly and employ it throughout Florida. Going forward, due to the extent of pollutants in our water, an approach mirroring what has been done with controlling measles in our population needs to be applied to our water. An ongoing cleansing process that will assure all Floridians of safe water to drink and use for recreation.

Rodney C. Dix, Ocala

See no, hear no ...

Early this morning, I was mulling over things while mopping my white tile kitchen floor. ‘Tis funny, I thought, how one gets to looking at or listening to something for so long that you finally don’t see or hear it anymore. This is a phenomenon that occurs equally it seems whether it be the gradual accumulation of grit on a tile floor or the conversion effects of lies or untruths that emanate from political rhetoric. Lends a new perspective to the symbolism in those three wise monkeys who hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil — just depends on how long one is exposed to evil.

Harold T. Sansing, Dunnellon