As a military spouse and Boca Raton native, I am disappointed by Senator Tommy Tuberville’s continued control over essential military matters and lack of concern for the human toll this travesty is taking on service members and their families.
The former college football coach personally prevented the confirmations of at least 319 military leaders, inflicted direct harm on service members, and caused confusion and frustration throughout the military community. This political grandstanding continues to cause uncertainty for military families like mine and directly threatens our national security.
The military is a family business. Seeing our service insulted, ignored, and belittled by a sitting U.S. senator hurts morale now and will negatively impact retention in the future. Military families like mine have been sounding the alarm about the Tuberville blockade for months, and we need civilians to hear our concerns and join us in calling for it to stop.
They must urge Tuberville to stop playing politics with the military so that all nominees can be confirmed and this unpleasant period of military history behind us.
Alexandra “Ali” Simón, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Las Olas’s makeover was a mistake
As for the proposed $167 million redesign of Las Olas Boulevard, that’s too much money for a design that many don’t like.
From the loss of trees in the downtown area to the narrowing of traffic lanes through the Islands by widening buffer bike lanes to nine feet on each side of the boulevard, this design is difficult for some to accept . And the city spends too much money on consultants to do the work that urban planners should be doing.
Now what’s next? Waste $30 million on a downtown streetcar system? Or waste $4 million to improve the previously improved area south of Tunnel Top Park so that mystical spring waters can flow unimpeded into the New River?
Or spending millions on office rent for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department because of the reckless decision to build the new headquarters on the same valuable property as the old headquarters, rather than on the city’s 60-acre Wingate landfill, where city hopes to collect a measly $50-a-year rent from movie studio operator?
George Mulhorn, Fort Lauderdale
A belief in self-determination
Modern Israel was created by secular Jews. It is a progressive liberal democracy.
However, the land of Israel is fundamental to Judaism. Israel, which defines itself as a liberal democracy and a Jewish state, sometimes maintains a tense balance between religious identity and civil society. Zionism means support for the development and protection of a Jewish nation in the land where Jews are indigenous. Israel is an integral part of the Jewish religion.
Prayers for the return to Israel and Jerusalem are included in daily prayers as well as many holiday celebrations. I agree with Lana Melman’s column in the Jewish Journal: Every Jew should support the self-determination of the Jewish people regardless of their political leanings.
Holly Rothkopf, Boynton Beach
For homeless police officers, a new idea
There was much discussion and disagreement over the location of a temporary headquarters for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Was the former car dealership on East Sunrise Boulevard ever considered?
It is large and has many offices and parking. There are booths that drivers used to check their cars for maintenance. Just think: staff the booths so people drop off paperwork, get it stamped, and receive it right away instead of relying on a problematic postal service. Ah, the possibilities!
Cheryl Fox, Fort Lauderdale
