Letters: Aid to Ukraine must continue as a moral imperative and in U.S. best interest

There have been several news stories about Russian atrocities. They are holding hostages and political opponents — including journalists like the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich — in tiny cells under horrible conditions for 23 hours a day.

The brutal treatment and recent murder of Alexei Navalny was particularly egregious. Banished to an Arctic Circle prison, Navalny represented zero threat to Vladimir Putin’s “re-election.” Putin apparently could not bear the thought of someone aspiring to a free Russian nation.

Then there was the terrorist attack and murder of over 100 Russians at a concert hall. Ironically this attack, which is properly condemned worldwide, is a tiny fraction of the death and destruction Russia has inflicted on Ukrainian civilians for the past two years.

Against this backdrop, the nonprofit Institute for the Study of War warns that the recent cessation of U.S. aid to Ukraine could lead to a sudden breakthrough by Russian troops of Ukrainian defenses. They also caution that, once he achieves his objectives there, Putin plans to use Ukraine as a springboard for further territorial expansion.

These incursions will inevitably include NATO countries because Putin has publicly stated that he intends to reconstitute the old Russian Empire. For example, on March 24, Poland (a NATO member) activated its air force when Russia violated their airspace during an attack on Ukraine.

It's believed that — unless he is stopped in Ukraine — Putin’s territorial expansion will eventually draw the U.S. into a war with Russia. If that happens, we will spend many times what we could have spent to stop Putin now.

As a Republican who believes in democracy and a strong defense, I believe helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression is both a moral imperative and in our national self-interest. I cannot understand why some Republican lawmakers are blocking the bill to resume Ukrainian aid from even coming to the floor for a vote.

This is unconscionable. I urge all Republicans to contact their lawmakers and insist they resume aid to Ukraine. It is in the best financial interests of the U.S. — and morally right.

Ed Jenkins, Jacksonville

Help Florida Theatre keep summer film series

It looks like the Florida Theatre is ending its Summer Movie Classics series.

Held since the 1990s, it has been quite successful. But recently, crowds have decreased and the theater has had difficulty financing the series. That decline in attendance (felt at movie houses around the country) was largely caused by COVID-19.

However, the decline appears to be ending. Recently, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” saw millions returning to movie theaters to see two movies that were both entertaining and artistic.

So, the summer series at the Florida Theatre needs to continue so that we can watch the best films ever made on the big screen. Who wants to watch movies like “Lawrence of Arabia,” “2001: A Space Odessey,” “The Shining,” “Apocalypse Now,” “The Wild Bunch,” “Psycho” and “The Searchers” — or the "Indiana Jones," "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" movies — on a TV screen?

What about our greatest movie performers? Icons like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Betty Davis, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, William Holden and many others deserve to be seen on the big screen.

The Florida Theatre intends to screen the occasional film as a “special event,” with stars in attendance. So, if you want the Florida Theatre to continue its Summer Movie Classics, let them know and go to a movie. Better yet, if you can sponsor the series, do so. It is time for the wealthy of this city to support the art of film.

Simply put, the people of Jacksonville and our children deserve to see great films on the big screen.

Terry D. Bork, Jacksonville

Open discussion on JEA was needed

Nate Monroe's March 21 column highlighted many of the questions and issues I had in following the JEA trial. I certainly understand the distaste a person might have to disclose that they knew going in what the possible impact of the stock incentive plan might be in a sale and then allowing it to proceed.

Having said that, the reality is that members of upper management and the board were responsible for knowing what the plan was and what the possible outcomes could be. Voting for the sale without understanding the stock plan, having to go on the record about knowing its impact and then claiming you would have voted against it if you had known — all seems dubious at best.

The saddest part of all of this is that there never was an open discussion about what the sale of JEA could raise in proceeds and what could possibly be done with those proceeds as part of a more public sale process. There are several large projects needing city funds — Jaguars stadium renovations, septic tank removal, redevelopment of the Laura Street Trio buildings, school repairs, etc.

In the current inflationary times, I cannot help but wonder how the sale of JEA would play with proceeds tied to these items, versus the probable tax hikes needed to accomplish them. Regrettably, the ability to have that open and honest discussion may have been lost.

Jim Bradley, Jacksonville

GOP budget report shows party’s true colors

The Republican Study Committee report on their budget recommendations shows how their desired policies would impact retirees. This document calls for raising the full retirement age from 67 to 69 for new retirees. Yet, as Social Security gets closer to insolvency, they say nothing about how to prevent it.

Currently income up to $168,000 is subject to Social Security payroll tax deduction, but Republicans don’t support extending payroll tax on income above $400,000. That income is not taxed at all.

Regarding Medicare, Republican strategy would be to replace it with a voucher system that can be used to purchase a health plan. This is a subtle step toward more privatization and gives private insurers a greater role in Medicare. While Medicare Advantage has been a windfall for insurance company profits, many plans reject treatments offered in regular Medicare.

The Republican statement clearly says they want to repeal Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices and eliminate the new $35 cap on insulin. I think it reveals that Republicans are not looking out for the best interests of retirees —only those of health insurance companies.

Doug Diamond, Jacksonville

Understanding Israel and Palestine

The loss of life in Gaza is tragic, but I think the reaction to the conflict by students at many elite universities borders on absurd.

Are these students acquainted with history at all? How can one consider Jews to be colonists when their forbears go back thousands of years in that area? It’s also likely that Palestine would have established its own nation years ago if Arab nations had not made the destruction of Israel their goal from inception. Currently, Iran and its proxies appear intent on the same goal.

Israel's land mass, about 8,500 square miles, is smaller than New Jersey. In contrast, Iran's area is about 636,000; Saudi Arabia's 830,000 and Egypt's 390,000 square miles. Considering the torments Jews have suffered, culminating with the Holocaust, letting them have a secure homeland of 8,500 square miles does not seem unreasonable.

Arabs largely have been locked into an ideological straitjacket ever since the Balfour Declaration of World War I. Overall, I’d say the attitude of the Israeli government toward its neighbors is a lot better than those of Arab countries.

Loren Seeley, Jacksonville

Alternate solution for Israel, Palestine

I’ve given some thought to the proposed two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and I believe there is another way. How about a one-state solution? What if Gaza were incorporated as an Israeli state?

The immediate benefit would be the reconstruction of Gaza, followed by attendant job and educational opportunities, as well as the restoration of basic civil rights. Palestinians could throw off the oppressive yoke of sharia law and — with the Israelis — enjoy a level of peace and security not seen in the region in over 75 years.

There would undoubtedly be significant pushback to such a union, but once exposed to the freedoms and opportunities of a modern society, I believe it wouldn’t take more than one generation for a nearly complete Palestinian buy-in, certainly by the younger citizens. There would also be the worldwide benefit of diffusing one terrorist organization while creating a strong example to help erode the rest of them.

Carlton Higginbotham, Jacksonville

State lawmakers should be ashamed

Gov. Ron DeSantis and many state legislators are taking a victory lap over health care legislation that was recently signed into law. While these bills will be helpful to many Floridians and providers, the sad fact remains that for 10 years Gov. DeSantis and Rick Scott before him — along with the state Legislature — have refused to expand Medicaid.

This would allow low-income adults without children to obtain access to health care. Nearly 400,000 Floridians could be receiving medical insurance with the federal government paying at least 90% of the additional cost. Hospitals are also hurt as they are required by law to provide care even if patients cannot pay.

I'm glad my federal taxes are supporting health care in the 40 states (plus the District of Columbia) that have expanded Medicaid, but I would be happier if my neighbors and hospitals here in Florida were also benefiting. Scott, DeSantis and other Republican legislators ought to be ashamed.

Roy Goldman, Atlantic Beach

Loan forgiveness just more entitlement

On March 21, President Joe Biden announced another $6 billion in student loan forgiveness, bringing the total of canceled debt to roughly $144 billion for 4 million student borrowers. Democrats and many in the media applauded this effort to keep a campaign promise and gain votes in November.

Never mind that this is not the government’s money, but the taxpayers'.

The blind spot Biden and his party have is not understanding “unintended consequences.” They are forgetting those voters who:

• Paid taxes and supported their children’s education cost;

• Decided to forego college and went to work or joined the military; and

• Are retired.

Remember, these people also vote.

This forgiveness is another giveaway program that continues to fuel inflation, creates a sense of self-entitlement and a loss of work ethic. The United States is a diverse country, and that diversity is our strength. Giveaway programs just erode our foundation.

Lanny Felder, Jacksonville

Don't restrict housing assistance

One of the new housing programs presented by Mayor Donna Deegan and the City Council is limited to residents living in Black and Hispanic communities. There is a need for home purchase assistance in all areas of the city. It should not be limited by race and heritage.

Last fall, the mayor served as grand marshal of a parade that does not promote traditional family values and removed a Confederate statue in the dark. Is this another initiative indicating she is mayor “for all the people of Jacksonville?”

Susan Hughes, Jacksonville

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Why would Republicans block vote on resuming aid to Ukraine?