Sanibel roundabout a bad idea
The construction of a rotary of any sort on Sanibel is a terrible idea for a lot of reasons. First, and the principal one, is that there is not a lot of land, it would be very expensive and during construction regardless of time of day would be noisy and disruptive. The other problem is when I saw them built in Albany County, NY, people, mainly the elderly, would drive the wrong way around them leading to frustration, anger and the blasting of horns which only confused the poor people more.
The suggestion I made before and make again is that traffic lights are a lot cheaper and easier to install. You would need one where Casa Ybel intersects Periwinkle. You should ban all right turns on Donax after 3 p.m. and maybe put a traffic light there. The last one would be necessary at malfunction junction. And you could add one more where the traffic, after crossing the causeway, turns right. These lights could be manned for the first few weeks to make sure that people understand how they work and thereafter done remotely by watching traffic on a TV screen of some sort.
William Brooks, Sanibel
Dr. Fauci and 5th Amendment
So, the MAGA right is shocked and appalled by Dr. Fauci’s invocation of his 5th Amendment right before a congressional committee hearing convened for the sole purpose of trying to invent grounds for a spurious perjury charge. I guess it’s OK for their hero, Trump, to plead the Fifth as he has done hundreds of times on the rare occasions that he would swear to tell the truth. The verdicts against Trump came in instances where he refused to take the stand and so swear. In fact, he has never given sworn testimony to counter charges of sexual abuse, nor to challenge the 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. I hate to resort to “whataboutisms” but come on people, you are supporting one of the most corrupt, dishonest and vile human beings ever to have been elected president.
Daniel Graziano, Naples
Assault on Dr. Anthony Fauci
As assaults on key pillars of American strength multiply it is difficult to select an atrocity of the day. As someone with a career in international health, today I choose the recent assault on Dr. Anthony Fauci. The exposure of his diaries and his grilling by Ophthalmologist Senator Rand Paul and other members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs demonstrate:∙ that Dr, Fauci has a large ego. Large egos, however, have never been in short supply in Washington. Paul himself shows clear signs of possessing one and the Commander-in-Chief may be a contender for the largest ever.∙ that Fauci, facing questions he already answered hundreds of times, on advice of counsel pled the Fifth Amendment 111 times. Shocking, unless viewed in the context of the 440 times Trump pled the Fifth when testifying about his business practices and the 75 times Rick Scott did when testifying on his presiding over huge Medicare fraud∙ but far more importantly the hearings reveal that Fauci had an internationally praised role in slowing and containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, that he encouraged and praised Trump’s role in assuring the rapid development of the COVID vaccine saving millions of lives, that he struggled to keep Trump from recommending ineffective and dangerous COVID remedies, that he adjusted his advice to growing scientific information including first recognition that it spreads person to person, and that he in unbiased fashion defended what the great majority of epidemiologists still believe — that COVID emerged from an animal source rather than Wuhan Lab.The future of American science is jeopardized by Paul’s farcical hearings.
Alan Keller, PhD, Naples
Inquisition led by Rand Paul
In his letter today, the frequent Trumper from Naples, vilified Dr. Fauci for invoking the 5th Amendment, rather than answer questions from the inquisition led by Rand Paul, whose stated goal was to see him behind bars. The writer from Naples, whose assumptions and rhetoric ignored Trump’s over 400 pleas of the 5th Amendment during similar circumstances.
The last sentence of his letter, “The people of the United States have a right to the truth.” Perhaps he should explain that to the liar in the White House.
Roger W. Quagliano, Estero
Dr. Fauci, American hero
Dr. Fauci is an American hero as opposed to the senators who indicted him who are ignorant pygmies. They do not understand science and refuse to realize that the coronavirus was an unknown entity, and nobody could predict how it would spread. What soon became known was that it spread easily and for many was a fatal disease. Before the vaccine there were close to one million deaths in the USA. It would have been great to know that school children had a low incidence of disease so we could keep them in school but this was not known and the teachers were at risk. In any event he is felt by most legal scholars to be justified in taking the 5th; Trump claimed it hundreds of times. Dr Fauchi has won many awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom the National medal of science and 62 honorary degrees globally. Why these senators want to drag him down is a mystery to me.
Benjamin Glick, Naples
Biased reporting
In Friday’s edition of The News-Press, there is an article written by Eduardo Cuevas of your parent company, USA Today, entitled, “GOP lawmakers seize on Fauci diary.” This article blatantly ignores the fact that Fauci told the truth to his diary and told the public the exact opposite on multiple occasions. It also conveniently omits the fact that Fauci took the 5th Amendment off-ramp to 111 questions asked by the senators, including one which asked him to identify the color of his necktie. I’m used to this kind of biased reporting and choose to find the other side of the story by watching Fox News.
Dave Bridgeman, Alva
Republican blame-shifting
On Wednesday a Trump loyalist wrote “Our founding fathers, with all their genius in writing and amending the United States of America’s Constitution, could never have anticipated the display presented by Dr. Anthony Fauci during the Senate hearings on the Covid failures.” The writer went on to explain that Dr. Fauci pleaded the Fifth Amendment 111 times and was hiding behind that Amendment in order to disguise his guilt. Any intelligent American watching the hearings recognized the proceedings as an inquisition (or should have when Senator Josh Hawley blurted out “nothing says honesty like taking the Fifth”). Nevertheless, it was clear from the questions that Republican’s efforts were to blame the doctor for damage done during Covid. Had we all swallowed bleach as another intellect had suggested, there would have been no controversy.
Let’s back up. When Senator Rick Scott’s company was accused of the largest Medicare scam in history and he took the Fifth 75 times (yet received a huge company payout) Republicans overwhelmingly voted him into office. When President Donald Trump in 2022 took the Fifth 440 times, Republicans overlooked his obvious guilt (at least guilt as assumed by Senator Hawley and Wednesday’s letter writer) and proceeded to adore him.
Apparently applying the Fifth Amendment is only valid when a Republican is involved. If the Fifth Amendment were not available, there is little question that Donald Trump and Rick Scott would be in jail to this day, and that Dr. Fauci would not.
Robert F. Tate, Naples
Belinda Keiser for Congress
When choosing the new District 22 congressional representative, I believe that, as a 20-year resident of Collier County, it’s time we sent someone to Congress who has demonstrated the ability to deliver results rather than make political promises. Therefore, the most qualified candidate is Belinda Keiser, who, through education, workforce development, and partnerships with businesses, has been helping Floridians build successful careers in health care, technology, education, business, and public safety.
Belinda Keiser has worked alongside veterans organizations, health care providers, business leaders, and community organizations to improve lives − not through slogans but through meaningful partnerships that benefit families across Florida. She has lived in our community for decades and understands the issues affecting the municipalities in the district, as well as our many veterans, first responders, and students. Join me in supporting the election of Belinda Keiser on August 18.
Rene R. Champagne, vice chairman, Marco Island City Council
Interesting quotes
Three interesting historical quotes and guess who said them?“We all agree on the need to better secure the border …. We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked.” Answer is Senator and President Barack Obama stated on several occasions both as senator and president.“Illegal immigration is a very serious problem. It costs the taxpayers a lot of money, and it’s unfair to Americans who are working every day to pay their own bills. We must do everything we can to strengthen our borders, enforce our laws, and remove illegal aliens from our country.” Stated by President Bill Clinton during State of the Union Address.“The number one reason illegals come to our country is so they can defraud programs like Social Security.“Statement made by Senator Chuck Schumer in 2009 speech.No further questions. I rest my case.
John McWilliams, Fort Myers
GOP abandons principles
President Trump’s ability to shrug off or lie about incompetence, missteps, scandals, as well as his breathtaking corruption would have ended the career of any other politician.
His success is not an indication of intelligence or talent, it’s evidence of how far the Republican party has debased itself in his service. The motivations of people who claim to be compelled to public service by altruism only to abandon their principles is no mystery.
Trump’s super power is not shamelessness, it’s a Republican majority in Congress willing to do anything to remain in power and profit by it. Their support of a deeply flawed and lawless president has the added benefit of eroding civic engagement. If I live in a gerrymandered congressional district where 60% of the registered voters are Republicans, and I’m not a Republican, my vote simply won’t count. So why participate?
This nation needs to establish proportional representation NOW.
Proportional representation is an electoral system in which the number of seats held by a political group or party in a legislative body is determined by the number of popular votes received. In this system, a congressional district apportioned 10 representatives that has a 60% majority party and 40% mixed parties (major party, minor parties, and no party affiliated) could be represented by six members of Congress from the major party and (possibly, depending on election results) four members representing the rest of the population.
This would eliminate the current winner-takes-all system where congressional districts gerrymandered to grant majorities to one party effectively negate the votes of folks in the minority party. This would end permanent incumbency and relieve of of the gerontocracy currently in power. This would force our elected officials to serve ALL Americans, not just their own party.
Peter Duggan, Cape Coral
Iran war
In 1945 the population of the United States was 140 million people. In 2026 some estimates put it at 330 million. No one really knows for sure because no one knows how many illegals are in the United States.
At the end of 1945 United States military deaths were 417,000 Americans. While all deaths are tragic they are far fewer in this Iran War.
There were Americans who opposed entering the war in the 40s but that all but dissolved after the attack on Pearl Harbor killing 2,100 servicemen. Those who remained opposed were pacifists and socialists. But not Democrats, after all a Democrat was president.
Iran has killed directly and /or through proxies 1,000 American service men and women. And despite the war being less than a year old the Dems and the media continue to harp on “no end in sight,” “no plan,” “illegal war” etc. This time it is a Republican who is president so let’s oppose this war.
No recognition of what is required to keep Americans safe. It appears that they would rather live in fear of a nuclear war rather than preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Joe Kiernan, Naples
Amendment 3
After spending a significant portion of my career selling computer hardware and software to government agencies for two major computer companies, I feel compelled to comment on the debate surrounding Amendment 3, the proposed increase in Florida’s homestead property tax exemption.Opponents argue that if this amendment passes, counties and municipalities will be forced to cut essential services such as police, fire protection, sanitation, and other public programs because of reduced tax revenue. They contend that local governments will be unable to balance their budgets without maintaining the current level of property tax collections.My experience has led me to a different conclusion.Throughout my career, I participated in numerous discussions with commissioners, department directors, managers, and other officials responsible for government budgets. Near the end of many fiscal years, the conversation often centered on spending any remaining budget dollars rather than returning them. The concern was straightforward: if money was left unspent, future budget requests might be reduced.On more occasions than I can count, my company was asked to submit proposals for additional computer hardware and software — not because the equipment was urgently needed, but because funds remained in the budget and had to be spent before the fiscal year ended. That experience convinced me that government budgeting too often rewards spending rather than saving. When organizations know that unused funds may result in smaller budgets the following year, there is little incentive to look for efficiencies or reduce unnecessary expenditures.Most Florida families live within a fixed budget. Shouldn’t we expect our local governments to demonstrate the same fiscal discipline before asking homeowners to continue paying higher property taxes?Whether voters support or oppose Amendment 3, I hope the discussion also focuses on making government spending more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers who fund it.
Robert Aufdenkampe, Naples
Billion-dollar slush fund
I am still trying to wrap my head around the mob that assaulted police and broke into the Capitol and destroyed public property. They obviously made bad choices. Then we have Trump pardoning them, of course, as they were doing his bidding. Now, not only was our money used to repair what was broken and replace what was stolen, we are being coerced into paying them for their bad choices with a billion-dollar slush fund. What is happening to our nation and the leaders in Washington that are allowing all of this to happen? Trump is still saying he wants the mob paid for being mistreated. They made the choices to break the law, so now they are being rewarded rather than suffering the consequences. I will not be voting for anyone who supports this in any way. How about the rest of you?
Lyn Brown, Fort Myers
Lack of character, courage
While it is amusing to watch the numerous Republicans trip over each other as they claim to be the best Trumpers in the local congressional races, it is a sad commentary on how low the bar is now to get elected to Congress. Claims of being the best candidate to drain the swamp and eliminate the ability of elected officials to profit off their positions, while good talking points, would seem to point the finger at Trump. All profess to basically back Trump 100%. If not criticizing the Democrats or Biden, they attack the other candidates in their party. None offer any reasonable solutions to the problems we have, and none understand that they represent the citizens in Southwest Florida and not Trump. All are afraid of not being elected if they say anything adverse to Trump, no matter how foolish and unconstitutional many of his rants, conduct and orders are.
Perhaps the best example of these candidates’ lack of character and courage is the absence of any comments on his relationship with Epstein and possible involvement in the cover up of Epstein’s pedophilia, sexual assaults, etc. His personal attorney’s involvement in moving Maxwell to a federal resort prison, likely in exchange for her silence, is additional circumstantial evidence. Why are none of these candidates commenting on this? Can’t profess all this love for Trump without also supporting his involvement with Epstein. Says a lot for these candidates.
Donald Switzer, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Traffic lights a better idea than Sanibel roundabout | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
