My beloved manatee
Waste: Die Off | April 6th
With all the mixed chaos in the world, I picked up the paper from last Sunday. Instead, what I saw moved me so deeply, I literally broke and cried in the store. The cause was a photo of a dead manatee.
A few years ago, I had some meaningful encounters with manatees because compliance with marine life regulations is essential, but I had some meaningful encounters with manatees. For me, mere animals have transformed into livelihoods, breathing, and sensory beings. The record numbers that manatees have occurred over the past few years are devastating.
Your article laid out the questions very well, but what can we do as individuals? One, know these spectacular creatures. Explore their habitats and educate yourself on the right manatee encounter etiquette. We will rent OAR propulsion vessels. If the motor is yours, beware of submerged manatees and do not run through the sea grass bed. Consider purchasing a manatee tracking app.
At home, look at what you put on your grass, especially during the rainy season. Finally, we give money to the Manatee and Cleanwater advocacy groups. Starving is a terrifying, late death. We hope your readers will be involved in protecting our waterways and sea grass. This way, these wonderful creatures have the opportunity to flourish.
Mark Diorio, St. Petersburg
Trump’s Intestines
Trump goes all out betting that heavy tariff prices will pay off for Americans | April 5th
President Donald Trump’s reliance on his gut instincts as he navigates the complexities and challenges of the presidency is a reminder of how his dependence on intuition has led to policy obstacles and ridiculous laughs in the past. Many former cabinet members personally criticized him because they recognized the futileness of governing reasoning little or completely differently.
The same applies to his unstable tariff levies. Trump’s belief that he is more familiar with economics than experts in these fields – “I have an intestine, and my intestines tell me more sometimes than other people’s brains can tell me” – is filled with almost universal condemnation.
In democracy, effective governance requires a balance between the interests of the governor and consent. This can only be achieved if intelligence and pragmatism are given equal weights. When either one is subordinate to an instinct, recklessness and chaos rule the day.
Jim Paradino, Tampa
Protects the black bear
Florida may allow 187 black bears to hunt in December | April 9th
The proposed recovery of the Florida Black Bear Hunt is deeply concerned. Florida’s Black Bear is an important part of our state’s natural heritage and plays a key role in maintaining an ecological balance.
Reintroduction of hunting not only threatens progress in this type of savings, but also undermines the value of coexistence and respect that many Floridians cherish. Instead of relying on lethal measures, we should focus on non-lethal strategies such as public education, habitat conservation and community-based initiatives.
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I urge fellow citizens and policymakers to oppose the proposed black bear hunt, ensuring the safety and preservation of both our community and Florida’s iconic black bears, and to advocate for sustainable and humane solutions.
Laurie Hood, Freeport
Trump 28?
Trump is interested in exploring the third season | April 2nd
President Donald Trump says he might run again in 2028. He was a long shot in 2016 and overcame many obstacles and criminal charges in 2024. With that in mind, he should have no problem figuring out how to get around the 22nd amendment. But Trump needs to be careful about what he wants. Without the 22nd revision, would Barack Obama not be able to run again?
John Spangler, Spring Hill
Fluoride in water
At least 900,000 Floridians have already lost access to fluoride in the water | April 7th
You need to make sure that everyone is consuming enough vitamin B12. It is essential for red blood cell formation, neurological function, DNA synthesis, energy production and heart health. Why isn’t it added to the water supply?
The reason is that we have a choice to take it or not. Those who want it can buy it and consume it if necessary. If you don’t feel the need to take it, do you want the government to add it to the water? Don’t want to choose?
The question about adding fluoride to your water supply is not whether there are health benefits. It’s about deciding whether to consume it or not. People who want to buy and consume as needed.
Michael A. Bath, Seminole
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