Cities, don’t pass the buck on homelessness | Letters to the editor

Cities should stop passing the buck on homelessness and should do more to end the crisis.

The Sun Sentinel news article of April 29 headlined “‘Bad for business’: Homeless hot spots in Fort Lauderdale not a good look, critics say” reports that cities, including Fort Lauderdale, claim their “hands are tied” when it comes to assisting people who are experiencing homelessness.

If Fort Lauderdale, or any city, doesn’t want unhoused people sleeping in the streets, the best way to address that is to provide shelter space in the short term and affordable housing in the long term.

The federal courts have correctly held that jailing people who have no choice but to sleep outside is cruel. Like eating and breathing, sleep is a basic function of human existence.

Homelessness ends with a home. The alternative of repeated arrests is far more costly for taxpayers, and it does nothing to address the root causes of the homelessness crisis.

Kirsten Anderson, Gainesville

The writer is deputy legal director for economic justice at the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Retreating on climate

If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, House Bill 1645 would not only reverse 16 years of progress in promoting sustainable energy, but also undermine crucial efforts to combat climate change.

The implications of this bill are alarming.

By banning offshore wind power and discouraging investment in alternative energy sources, Florida would become more reliant on fossil fuels, exacerbating the very environmental challenges we face.

Furthermore, the repeal of key laws enacted to address climate change is a regressive step that disregards the urgent need for action on this pressing issue.

It is disheartening to see the dismantling of policies that were once supported in Tallahassee by a bipartisan consensus.

Bob McColgan, Lantana

(Editor’s note: HB 1645 passed the Senate, 28-12, and the House, 81-29, and was presented to DeSantis on April 30).

Would Trump truly lie?

I have been following President Donald Trump for years, but the other day I heard him lie about something.

After his daily court appearance in New York, he said that because of the judge’s gag order, he will not be able to testify at his trial.

I think his trusted lawyer surely would have informed him that he would be able to testify and that it’s his right to do so, which he has said publicly he would absolutely do, so that the court could hear the truth.

If he continues to lie, I would think his candidacy would be in jeopardy in the upcoming election.

Trump is the candidate of the people, but I don’t think he’s helping his own cause by lying.

Jeffrey Dombeck, Boynton Beach

Defining the Trump era

I think that what has happened in our country over the past several years due to Donald Trump and his MAGA extremist followers is extremely upsetting. This period in history may rightly be designated as the “Trump Era of Hate and Division” because he has given license to the bullies, liars, and con artists.

People appear to be meaner and angrier today and often do whatever they want without considering the needs of anyone else.

The former president continues to promote an “us against them” mindset, encouraging hate and violence against anyone we may disagree with or have different beliefs from. We must get back to the basic moral values of empathy, compassion and kindness.

I can certainly relate to this excerpt from Langston Hughes’ 1930 poem “Tired”:

“I’m so tired of waiting. Aren’t you,
      for the world to become good
      and beautiful and kind?”

Rosemary Blumberg, Plantation