Let’s hear it for labor on Labor Day
By Karen Neff
Posted Sep 8, 2018
Bob Tis’ column this morning (Labor Day) about labor unions has inspired me to take pen in hand. With Capitalism thriving and companies large and small calling so many of the shots in our economy as well as politics, I too think that organizations that represent our “working class heroes” as the song goes, are more critical than ever.
In spite of America being the richest nation on earth, too many of the people who actually do the front line work are not being paid a decent, living wage. To have to work more than one job just to support their families, to have to resort to food stamps or other forms of welfare, to have to face homelessness due to the high cost of rents and/or the ever-rising interest rate is just a travesty. The owners of these businesses fuss about how if they pay their employees a decent wage, they will suffer untold misery. Yet, my guess is that very few of those in the entrepreneurial stratum are experiencing any of those horrors listed above. It might mean that they have one less vehicle or house or set of gold earrings or monster sized TV or ... Well, oh woe is me.
So again, let’s hear it for labor unions! There is strength in numbers and those who suffer real (vs. imaginary) hardships, will have an opportunity to understand just how much power they really when banded together and exercising that power for the betterment of themselves and this nation.
The Right Time for the ERA
New York Times---Letter to Editor
Jessica Neuwirth
New York
The writer is the founder and co-president of the E.R.A. Coalition, and the author of “Equal Means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment Is Now.”
The Right Time for the E.R.A.
An advocate says the #MeToo movement shows its necessity today.
Aug. 1, 2018
-
Re “The Constitutional Amendment That Reinvented Freedom” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, July 26):
As T.J. Stiles notes, the 14th Amendment was a much-needed response to a racist backlash in the aftermath of emancipation from slavery. It also marks the first time the word “male” was introduced into the Constitution, in the context of voting rights. It took another constitutional amendment, more than 50 years later, for women to get the right to vote.
While in recent years the 14th Amendment has been expanded by the Supreme Court to give women, as well as men, far greater protection from sex discrimination, it has not been an effective avenue to justice for women suffering from unequal treatment, including pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination and gender-based violence.
Women were intentionally left out of the Constitution when it was drafted, and the resulting second-class status of women has given rise to a culture in which the abusive treatment of women has been allowed and enabled.
The Equal Rights Amendment, first introduced almost a hundred years ago, is now again gaining traction with recent state ratification by Nevada and Illinois and with the wave of protest engendered by the #MeToo movement.
The Equal Rights Amendment is long overdue and a fitting constitutional response.
Jessica Neuwirth
New York
The writer is the founder and co-president of the E.R.A. Coalition, and the author of “Equal Means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment Is Now.”
Strong, brave women are nothing new
By Dr. Dorothy Israel
A great woman is characterized by fearlessness, courage in the face of tremendous adversity and determination to bring about social change and justice. There have been many such women in history; Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B Anthony, Rosa Parks and. Today, there is the #MeToo movement and young people advocating an end to gun violence in our schools, churches and entertainment places. A woman I admire is Araminta Ross, born into slavery in the early 19th century. Brutally beaten by various masters, she suffered traumatic brain injuries, which caused her disability for the rest of her life. She did not let her pain deter her from finding ways to free enslaved blacks. She escaped plantation life several times and always returned to Maryland to rescue her family, slowly one group at a time and, eventually, guided relatives and others to freedom. When the Civil War began, she worked for the Union Army as a cook, a nurse and later as an armed scout and spy. Her bravery made use of the Underground Railroad, an informal, well-organized system that was led by many liberated Africans, enslaved blacks and dedicated white abolitionists. Quakers often provided a first place of refuge for those seeking freedom. Minta traveled with her group at night, guided by the North Star, in an attempt to avoid slave catchers. An on-foot journey of about 90 miles could require up to a month’s travel. With a high bounty placed on her capture, Araminta was forced to invent clever means of subterfuge. At any stop the mistress of the house would have her sweep the yard in order to have been seen as a worker in the household. Although Araminta carried a revolver, she never shot anyone. She once used the gun to threaten an escaped African who wanted to return to the plantation. She pointed the gun at the fugitive’s head and said, “You go on, or die.” The man remained with the group and entered the United Province of Canada days later with the rest of the group. Throughout her lifetime, Araminta successfully guided over 700 enslaved Blacks to freedom. Despite the best efforts of slaveholders, Araminta was never captured, nor were any of the fugitives she guided. Today we know this great woman as the “Black Moses” or, better yet. Harriet Tubman. Quote: “I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
Wendy Tatter
EDITOR: March 27, you published an article about the state possibly cutting visitation for Florida inmates from the current 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend, to one day every other week.
The impact on families, friend and inmates would be devastating. Consider that some families drive hours from other states to stay and visit both Saturday and Sunday, and staying overnight in the closest town.
Consider that having someone who cares gives support and encouragement to someone in prison and is a calming and reassuring experience. To take that away will cause anger and resentment.
As for the problem of contraband being snuck in, they should look more closely into staff and delivery people.
I have been going to visit my son for almost nine years now, stood in long lines each weekend, been searched and screened and never have witnessed even one instance of another visitor bringing in contraband.
The United States really needs to take a look at countries whose policies on inmate treatment are not punitive but geared toward training and reentry. Look at the rates of recidivism when inmates are encouraged to change. The United States, and Florida in particular, seems to enjoy the money-making, revolving door prison system they have created. The new visitation policy just proves we’re going backward. It’s time for a change.
Too little, too late
Jan Felixson, St. Augustine
Posted Feb 28
Arming teachers and other school security personnel will not safeguard me at other public places such as movies, libraries, concerts, places of worship, restaurants, etc.
Banning access to assault weapons is the better way. Raising the age to 21 just allows an older person to kill ... really?
Is that the best we can do?
Florida dead last in mental health funding
Pattie Hunt, St. Augustine
Posted Feb. 27
I am trying to get the word out to someone, anyone, who at least might understand that as long as Florida is dead last in its funding for treatment for mental illness we, along with our Legislature and especially our Governor, sadly should expect more of these terrible incidents.
My son is mentally ill, and the last thing he needs or wants is a gun. What he does want and vitally needs is an affordable roof over his head, simple food to eat, affordable medications for his illness and a mental health counselor who is properly trained to listen to him when he is in crisis. Gov. Rick Scott ran on a platform of accepting the Medicaid Expansion, which would have provided these necessities for thousands of mentally ill people in Florida as it has in other states. He lied through his teeth, turning down this funding as soon as he was reelected. And now he has the absolute gall to push his way into the American public eye by calling for the resignation of the FBI Director.
We know he is running for Sen. Nelson’s seat and desperately looking for something to hang his campaign on. And he needs in some way to hide the fact that Florida, under his direct leadership, has actually cut funding during his tenure and refuses to do anything to provide the most elementary needs of our thousands of mentally ill citizens. We simply cannot allow him to get away with ignoring his part in allowing this tragedy to happen.
Florida’s governor and our Legislature care not a whit about mental illness. Nor does Sen. Marco Rubio or Rep. John Rutherford — both of whom I have contacted. From everything I can gather, mostly from TV and newspapers, all anyone wants to do is concentrate on gun control. I agree with that.
But all of the yelling about gun control isn’t going to do a bit of good if mentally ill people are not properly treated.
City needs more female law enforcement
Gina Burrell, St. Augustine
Posted Feb 13,
Surprisingly, in 2017 Congress enacted the Women, Peace and Security Act. It will require the U.S. to take a leading role globally to develop a comprehensive strategy for increasing and strengthening women’s involvement in conflict prevention and peace negotiations. This was done on a bipartisan basis, led by New Hampshire Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Research compiled by the International Peace Institute shows that a peace agreement is 35 percent more likely to remain in place for at least 15 years if women are included in its creation.
We see the difference that women’s participation makes here in the U.S., as well. Research shows women police officers in the U.S. are more effective at responding to violence against women, de-escalating violence and communicating with citizens.
This leads me to the information I received from the City of St. Augustine Human Resources. The city has 53 police officers with 46 males and seven females — and no African-American female officers. This is unacceptable, considering women make up more than half the population in the U.S. I think the city administration should aggressively recruit more women to be police officers. It has been proven, women police officers are good at conflict resolution without violence.
Also, I have discovered that the Equal Rights Amendment has again been filed in the Florida Legislature. Rep. Patricia Williams, Broward County, is a sponsor of HCR 1161. It was voted out of one committee on Jan. 9. Sen. Audrey Gibson of Duval County is a sponsor of SB 264. It was also voted out of one committee Jan. 9. Please call Reps. Cyndi Stevenson and Paul Renner, and Sen. Travis Hutson, and ask them to support this ERA bill. It is the time for women’s voices to be heard.
St. Johns County’s schools are under attack
Karen Neff
Posted Feb 5, 2018
I have just learned that the quality of our public schools here in St. Johns County and statewide is under attack by Florida House Speaker and his (who else?) Republican cohorts.
The local school system is our pride and joy and a primary reason for the explosive growth in this county. The thrust of this awful bill (7055 and a re-make of last year’s HB25) will divert a large portion of our taxpayer dollars from our public education system into the coffers of private for-profit schools.
The Florida Education Association is strongly opposed to this bill for obvious reasons.
Diverting monies from public schools into private schools will weaken the former and fatten the wallets of those who own the latter. For this reason, this union is being threatened with desertification unless their numbers reach 50 percent.
Right now that number is 49.2 percent.
The target is the union that stands for maintaining quality education for all children. With them out of the way, there remains no voice for our children who need public school education.
This whole nasty business boils down to two things in my opinion.
First, Republicans at local and national levels seem to think that if an institution does not make a profit for the 1 percent, then it has no value.
Second, an uneducated population will not and cannot think for itself, and thus can be more easily led by those who seem intent on destroying our democracy.
So if you value our democracy and your quality of life here in St. Johns County, of which a great education system is a vital part, speak up. Do not let this travesty of a self-serving bill go anywhere.
Hard to see our way to a happy holiday
Nancy Sanders
Editor: I wish there were some funny words to write to help us all through the holidays.
I wish there were happy words to lift our spirits during the festivities. I wish there were reason to shout and sing and praise our wonderful country for being a beacon of light for the world. The truth is, those wishes and good feelings are dimmer this year… and work must be done by each one of us.
The election of our present White House occupant was a morass we may never recover from.
We have witnessed our political system ridiculed and denigrated by the very person who swore to uphold the “rule of Law,” our Constitution, but which he laughs and scoffs at.
Congress, which sees itself as a single party system, continues to do the bidding of its benefactors, by taking from the poor and giving to the rich in their new tax scam.
The FCC is giving the giant telecoms permission to control speed, and greed again wins, while Net Neutrality dies.
The threats that emanate from the White House toward the press, whose job it is to keep Americans informed, undermine our very democracy.
This country stood for honesty, moral leadership and ethical conduct between the U.S. and other countries. They no longer trust us.
This is a long laundry list of devastating consequences that have all taken place in one year, not to mention the threat of a nuclear war looming with North Korea.
We have failed to be good stewards of our fragile system of representative democracy.
Our reality, meaning our true state of being, was predicted 97 years ago…
H.L.Mencken published this in the Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920: “As democracy is perfected, the office of the president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and a complete narcissistic moron.”
Get out there and become involved in our system of government — for and by the people. Educate yourself on the issues — call, write, and visit your representatives, both state and federal.
This administration, and the money it represents, is making a mockery of our democracy.
https://www.facebook.com/aplusapp/videos/1731653296905599/
Take a cue from Lady Gaga today.
Decriminalize pot: By the numbers
Pam Linder
Editor: Maybe you are wondering why bother with decriminalization of simple possession of marijuana. Maybe you think it should stay illegal or maybe you think it should be legal. Either way, there are ample reasons to advocate for decriminalization.
First, let’s look at costs. Consider that 365 cases are going through our county court every year, taking 15-30 minutes per case. No big deal? That’s 91 to 183 hours of court time at $288 minimum per case. That’s $28,800 o $60,000 that the defendant families will need to pay the courts and two to four weeks of court time. What if, instead, it translated to fines given to the county or city of $36,500?
It would relieve court congestion and help with government costs; and help families to afford counseling for their teenager.
Note that 50 percent of the families in St. Johns County earn less than $29,000 a year (which is the median income here). Consider, too, that there are a lot more costs and time billed to us taxpayers for every case that comes before the courts; salaries for deputies, and prison guards and secretaries, etc.
Secondly, the user will not be thrown in jail with violent criminals. Neither will the user be saddled with a misdemeanor on his record. He will be able to be employed without checking the box. He will be able to vote. He will not be subjected to ostracism by peers and will not be thrown toward people who are doing truly dangerous drugs.
These reasons, I think, are important for our community as well as the families of those involved. And be assured that if someone is driving recklessly, he/she will be arrested for that.
Come to think of it, why didn’t we figure this out four decades ago?
Gainesville connection appreciated
Gina Burrell
Editor: Since there is all the talk in the City of St. Augustine about mobility and the accompanying studies, I thought I would share this.
I recently discovered there is an inter-county bus that takes riders to Gainesville in Alachua County.I have taken it many times to visit my family. It is called Ride Solutions, which is a non-profit company, and has been in existence for about eight years: a best kept secret.
Riders can pick up the small white bus at the bus bench at the city’s parking garage on West Castillo Drive. The bus runs seven days a week, including holidays. The fare is $2 one way. It leaves the bus bench at 6:45 a.m. daily, goes to Palatka and final destination is the Gainesville Greyhound station at 8:55 a.m. The bus returns daily from the Gainesville Greyhound station at 3:40 p.m. The phone number is 386-325-9999. This is a great deal, and may help to keep some cars off the road. It is also a pleasant ride with no hassles.
On another note, I want to commend The St. Augustine Record for its notice in their paper that “their work is impartial, impactful, thoughtful and accurate.” They felt the need to get this message out, with all the fake news that is out there. I agree that this needed to be stated.
I especially want to compliment Jim Sutton, the Record’s editorial page editor. Jim’s editorials are thought-provoking, educational and informative. I agree, with his editorials most of the time. I feel that Jim keeps the readers informed about the happenings in our cities, county, state, and the nation.
Time for a gut check on our nation's priorities
Lynne Wilbanks
RECORD GUEST EDITORIAL: National Security Advisor, Gen. H.L. McMaster, quotes Thomas Jefferson in his book, “Dereliction of Duty.” The third president said, “He who permits himself to tell a lie often finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, til at length, it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world’s believing him.” That is exactly what pundits are saying about the General’s boss, Donald Trump.
He has lied so much, that when there is a serious event, as occurs in every presidency, can we believe him? In a poll pre-election 55 percent of German citizens said they trusted the United States. Recently the number was down to 22 percent.
This is not sour grapes talking. The election is in the rearview mirror. This is fear for the country and the planet our children and grandchildren will inhabit, and I suspect some Trump supporters share my concern. Question is, how to transcend our really petty partisanship and come together for the good of the country.
Professor John Trimpey at the University of Chattanooga, Tennessee, said a long time ago this country would implode if we did not have a common enemy to unite us. We can choose a different path. It is time to unite around common values and demand that our government put the common good first — not corporate profits.
My Republican friends breathe the same air and drink the same water I do. Will it stay clean and safe with no regulations on industry? Would we all drive reasonably with no speed limits? What would an SEC football game look like without officials? Regulations are a necessary part of societal life and protect our planet and us.
We all go to the same hospitals and health care providers that, with the Congressional plan, will lose millions of dollars they will have to make up somewhere. So insurance companies will raise rates on their customers and health costs will increase.
Are we, as a society, willing to be the only industrialized nation on the planet that allows citizens to go without health care? Is it OK for a woman who cannot afford insurance to show up in the ER with Stage 4 breast cancer that a mammogram could have detected?
The proposed budget greatly increases military spending and eliminates programs that serve the marginalized and poor. This country has been at war for over 15 years, fought by a tiny sliver of the population. Do we want that to continue and perhaps add to those wars? What will the cost be to our pocketbooks and our souls? Since 9/11, terrorists on American soil have killed fewer than 100 Americans. Yes, that’s too many. But does it warrant the fear mongering we have experienced.
This is a perfect time to reflect on what we want from our government. Is it to provide for the common good or to feed corporate greed? Even Calvin Coolidge, who said, “The chief business of the American people is business,” added, “There always have been, probably always will be, some who feel their own temporary interest may be furthered by betraying the interest of others.”
In sports, there is a “gut-check” time. Perhaps this is it for us. As the aged, ailing Benjamin Franklin was carried away in his chair from the Constitutional Convention, he was asked, “What kind of government have we?” He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Where’s has civilized discourse gone?
Laura Fries
Editor: This is a quote from the front page article of Feb. 28, regarding the organized Trump Rally in St Augustine: “Opposing sides kept a respectful distance from one another in downtown St. Augustine Monday afternoon.”
We can only assume that this was written based on the reporter’s specific location and experience at the time. Those who were part of the pop-up group who do not support President Trump’s agenda experienced less than a “respectful” situation.
I write because of disappointment and concern regarding the mean-spiritedness, lack of civility and general breakdown in manners evident from the highest levels of our political structure to the local St. Augustine level.
Some from the Trump rally wandered over to the pop-up group, large snake in tow. This non-Trump group was made up of solid citizens, a grandmother and grandchildren, retired persons who had worked throughout their 20s, 30s and beyond who were taunted with “get a job” — ironically this was addressed to a woman who had worked longer than the taunter has lived on this planet!
The response to the concern that her children and grandchildren may be faced with illness they cannot afford, elicited the response that (I paraphrase), then they would die.
Look at the signs carried by this pop-up group about not building walls, etc. That was the tone and tenure of their position; non-confrontational.
This is our country. No one group is more or less patriotic than the other.
We all want what is best for our country and its people. We may not agree on what is “best,” but we must realize that pitting neighbor against neighbor; eschewing civilized behavior and turning what should be conversations/discussions into exchanges more appropriate to the playground, is not good for the U.S.
We can do what is best for the country by listening and accepting that there will be differing opinions and passions.
Again, it is not best for our country to allow the deterioration of civilized norms.
Where there’s smoke, there’s ire
Brenda Ressa
Editor: I am a resident of Heritage Park, which is off State Road 16 and Woodlawn Road in St. Augustine. Our community has been experiencing smoke in the air for about the last couple of weeks. Nobody seemed to know where it was coming from, and at times it was quite heavy. I am an asthmatic. Finally Wednesday I had to be rushed to Flagler Hospital and was there for four days.
Needless to say, I was very upset about this situation and determined to find out where all this smoke was coming from.
I called many local agencies and finally was referred to the Forestry Service. They did confirm that there was burning in the area, but didn’t tell me exactly who was doing the burning. However, after driving around with my daughter, we drove to the San Saulito community and found piles of debris in the empty lots way in the back of the community.
The Forestry Service told me that this burning is legal and that the developer, DR Horton, is required to get a permit to burn on a daily basis. This permit is issued according to the weather.
I complained that there are over 300 homes nearby that are affected, and that this doesn’t seem right on so many levels. It appears with all the debris we saw, that they will be doing this burning for about two more weeks. Last week when I was sitting on my patio I saw billows of smoke coming over the rooftops of the houses across the lake from me. This is just outrageous. This just cannot be allowed to continue. It must be stopped immediately. The welfare of all the residents in the area is at stake.
Letter: Women still not 'equal'
Gina Burrell
Editor: Today, Aug. 26, is Women’s Equality Day. It has been 96 years since we received our right to vote, by the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our U.S. Constitution. In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day.
This is very ironic because women are still not equal to men. The Equal Rights Amendment is still not part of our U.S. Constitution. The ERA reads as follows: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Florida is still one of the key targeted states. We activists are trying to get the ERA bill passed in our state legislature. We are actively pursuing the three-state strategy, where we only need three more states nationwide to pass ERAs, for women to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
In fact, all American women do not now enjoy fair Social Security payments, equal representation in elected offices, equal pay for equal work, career advancement opportunities, necessary protection from violence, and our reproductive rights are quickly being eroded. The ERA is needed because the right to vote is the only constitutional guarantee the American women have. All the rights we have won legislatively, at the federal and state level, can be taken away.
In city government, we now have four women city commissioners, including our mayor; as well as other women in administrative positions.
Good news is on the horizon. Hillary Clinton has been nominated by the Democratic Party as president of the U.S. She has made passage of the ERA one of her main priorities. Hillary is really cracking that glass ceiling. Women, vote Aug. 30 and Nov. 8.