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USA Today
12-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Is a prominent vaccine denier the best pick for Health & Human Services?
Jacksonville Florida Times-Union Leaders must commit to proven science President Donald Trump's inauguration speech promoted a healthy America. 'Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy and disease-free.' However, doing so demands that his administration commit to proven principles of health science. Infectious diseases have challenged us throughout history. Smallpox, cholera, typhus and tuberculosis wiped out entire cities. Around 1800, Edward Jenner created an effective vaccine against smallpox, ushering in a new age. By the mid-20th century, vaccines had been developed against common childhood infections like measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. These diseases affect vision, hearing and fertility — they also kill. All have been controlled by universal vaccination. The horror of polio converted the skeptics. During the 1940s, Jacksonville closed parks and swimming pools to control spread. I have friends who were permanently paralyzed. Two decades later, I worked at Boston Children's Hospital helping people my age on the polio ward. Daily survival required an iron lung (predecessor to the ventilator) to assist paralyzed breathing muscles. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Desperate parents clamored for the new polio vaccines developed by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Within years, polio cases disappeared. Today, many parents have forgotten that horror or were born long after the eradication of polio. Childhood vaccines were once mandatory, but now, hundreds of thousands of school children are not protected against horrific but preventable infections. They are victims of vaccine-deniers who — without credible evidence — have eroded confidence and undermined the health of our communities. So, the question for President Trump (and the Senate) is: Should the most prominent denier of established medical science head the Department of Health and Human Services? Stephen Entman, M.D. (retired), Jacksonville Don't close off refugee sponsorship Last month, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending humanitarian parole programs and suspending refugee admissions, my mind flashed back to 2022. Moved by the devastation of the war in Ukraine, I decided to sponsor a refugee family through the Uniting for Ukraine program. Using the Welcome Connect website, I met Grigory, a Ukrainian man looking for a safe place for his family while he remained in Ukraine to fight. My husband and our two friends decided to sponsor his wife, Inna; her sister Liudmyla; and their children, Margo and Max. We welcomed them in September 2022 and Grigory joined us later in January 2023. We helped them secure housing, work permits, jobs and English lessons. In return, they enriched our lives, strengthening our ties to friends, neighbors and a new culture. We still celebrate birthdays and holidays together and both families are thriving in St. Augustine. We had hoped to sponsor Liudmyla's husband and son, but with the recent policy changes, this door to safety has officially closed — not only for this family, but for thousands of Ukrainians simply wanting to reunite with their families. Sponsorship profoundly changes the lives of both the sponsors and the families they welcome. When we close these pathways, we turn away from our core values and deny ourselves the contributions these newcomers bring. America should be expanding, not eliminating, programs that uphold ideals we have always held as a country — the right to freedom and security for all who seek it through the legal pathways we create. Elizabeth Langland, St. Augustine Local support for Operation Christmas Child The overwhelming generosity of the people of Jacksonville helped provide joy to children in need through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season. Across the U.S., the Samaritan's Purse project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries last year, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide. Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, personalized gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God's love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. Across the region, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about more ways to get involved can be found at Although local Jacksonville drop‑off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 17-24, 2025, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at These simple gifts, packed with love, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten. Molly Miller, Samaritan's Purse, Boone, N.C. Tax cuts won't help our kids Assume you have a friend who cannot control his spending. This friend is so reckless that he now has personal debt that is seven times his annual salary and the interest on said debt takes 20% or more of that income. Would you tell your friend to cut his income? You would not. If you were a good friend you would probably suggest he find a way to make more money or just declare bankruptcy and start over. That story is relevant because our national debt is currently $36 trillion, our 2024 tax revenue was $4.9 trillion and our interest cost was $1.1 trillion. The ratios are identical to those of your hypothetical friend. So, why is the current administration pushing to cut taxes? Unlike your hypothetical friend above, our government does not have the option to default on debt. This means that the $36 trillion will be passed to future generations. Every child born today will start with a repayment schedule for roughly $100,000 in debt. Is this fair? We must start paying our bills and stop acting like the national debt is not a problem. For no other reason, do it for the kids. Scott Schleifer, Jacksonville There goes the rule of law Thanks to Donald Trump for again proving that America is no longer a country of law and order. It's bad enough that a 34-time convicted felon can manipulate the legal system, put himself above the law and avoid all accountability by being elected president. But when convicted, violent insurrectionists from the Jan. 6 riots are given not only a complete pass on their abhorrent, criminal actions, but are also consoled for having suffered as 'hostages,' it showcases the stunning and perverse weakness of our entire justice system. Where's the outrage from leading Republicans and police unions? Crickets. So much for the GOP 'backing the blue.' This reprehensible action was not surprising, but it is shockingly disgusting. See ya, Lady Justice — it was nice while it lasted. Philip May, Jacksonville 'Robber barons,' 2.0 Donald Trump's propaganda promises us a new golden age, but we've seen all this before. In the late 19th century, the administration of Grover Cleveland was propelled by the same type of business interests. This was the world of Cornelius Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Jacob Astor, Andrew Carnegie and their ilk. At the recent inauguration, we saw their 21st-century counterparts flanking the new president and cheering him on for their benefit. Two of those tech titans, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, have been appointed to make our government into a business. So brace yourself to be dominated by a new outbreak of "robber barons.' Sharon Scholl, Atlantic Beach
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Arrested Duval Teachers United leaders no reflection on other union members
Jacksonville Florida Times-Union Brady, George don't reflect all teachers I've been a member of a teacher union wherever I've taught. I joined them for the same reason anyone joins a union — to make my individual voice stronger as part of a collective group. Over two decades in Duval County Public Schools, I was the union rep for several years at my school. I gave up one of my personal days each year to accompany Terrie Brady and other members of Duval Teachers United to Tallahassee as a teacher-lobbyist on several occasions. Reading about Brady and Ruby George was both surprising and disappointing. When working with them, I've only experienced dedication and major efforts on behalf of Duval teachers and students. I was shocked to read about their high salaries, especially when compared to leaders of larger unions in South Florida. The first reason I'm writing is that the situation concerns only the individuals involved and should not be used as yet another reason to think less of teacher union members than those of other unions. I can assure you that it does not reflect my values and professionalism nor that of many thousands of teachers I have met over 43 years in education. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. The second reason is my concern that Gov. Ron DeSantis and our legislature will use this to punish Duval County educators and other teacher unions. As retaliatory as he has been, he needs to remember that it is not all about politics, but about students in Florida schools. Singling out teacher unions because they often support Democrats does little to attract educators, nor does it encourage experienced teachers to stay in the profession. We have an enthusiastic new school superintendent and graduation rates are rising. Let's focus on those positives — leave judgment about the two indicted leaders of Duval Teachers United up to the courts. Rhoda London, retired educator, Jacksonville Parents, schools must trust the process On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the St. Johns County School District will hold yet another book appeal hearing — this time for six books that have already been reviewed and retained. Why? Because one person refuses to accept the process, exploiting a flawed policy that allows endless appeals. Nine months ago, I served on the official review committee for 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult. I read the book, listened to concerns and engaged in real discussion. We followed the district's process, voting 7-1 to retain the book, a decision upheld by Superintendent Tim Forson. Yet, the objector filed an appeal. Other districts require appeals to be filed within 14 days, but St. Johns County allows them indefinitely, keeping the process in perpetual limbo. This isn't about protecting students. It's about one person, likely unfamiliar with the book I imagine, following a hyper-conservative agenda to erase diverse voices. These books remain on the shelves in other Florida school districts, proving their accessibility is not unlawful. They help students navigate challenges, foster empathy and provide valuable insights that prepare them for real life. Every appeal wastes taxpayer dollars, diverts staff from their jobs and rehashes decisions already made by a diverse committee — all to satisfy one persistent objector. The district is spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary reviews and hearings, while pulling teachers, librarians and administrators away from their real jobs. And for what — to let one person dictate what 53,000 students can read? The School Board must trust the process. They must close this loophole and adopt a 14-day appeal limit, like other districts. The review process worked, so let's stop wasting time on politically motivated, frivolous appeals and focus on real education priorities. Anne Tressler, Saint Johns Founding Fathers didn't consider profit The ideas of 'Trickle down economics' and 'The government should be run like a business' are economic theories dating back to at least the 1980s. Over the past 40-plus years, many middle-class Americans have seen their share of the American Dream transferred to individuals such as Elon Musk, Jeff Besos, Mark Zuckerberg, the Koch Brothers and Donald Trump. These men are oligarchs who use their money to influence government policy for their personal advantage. In a democracy, government is a collaborative effort of its citizens to do things that cannot be accomplished individually. Government differs from a business because of its mandate to serve all, not just a selected few. The underlying economic issue in a democracy is not the size of government, but whom the government is meant to serve. A corporation's mission is to make a profit. Government's mission is to provide for the "common good" by building roads, providing public education, maintaining law and order and supporting the defense of our country. Profit is the goal of business, while socially beneficial services (though unprofitable) are the responsibility of government. The preamble to the United States Constitution defines the purpose of our government as to 'establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [sic], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.' Profit is not mentioned once. Karen Adler, Jacksonville Where will political interference stop? I was heartened to see the Jan. 18 article in the Times-Union titled "Professors in Fla. sue to halt ban on DEI aid." The ACLU sub-headline "Free expression at colleges under threat" could not be more accurate. The law being challenged in federal court is the 2023 statute that bans funding for public college and university diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This ban overreaches to control course content as well. It is a clear imposition of the current dominant political party into our higher educational system. Where will it stop? Our public educational system must be independent of whatever political party is in power. The education of our children and young adults must include all points of view and not exclude viewpoints of view sough to be banned by the political party in power. That way those students can develop into free-thinking adults. This law, if unchecked in the state of Florida, may give other states the license to make inroads into the academic freedom we hold dear. My late sister, Dr. Maurianne Adams, founded and developed the DEI program in higher education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is thriving. Her writings on that subject have been published nationally. In her blessed memory, we must ensure that the right to learn and teach without political interference is preserved. Carolyn S. Zisser, attorney, Atlantic Beach City won't be the same without Mousa The death of Sam Mousa leaves a large hole in the fabric of city life and in my heart. I had the pleasure — sometimes pain — of working with and for Sam Mousa over the 21 years I was a city employee. I have so many stories of him, most of them arising from when I (as the enforcement manager for the city's environmental program) had to tell Mousa that enforcement action was coming for one of Public Works' divisions. For many lower-level city employees, the thought of meeting with Mousa could strike fear in your heart. But the man I knew, although strong and sometimes intimidating, was a leader who listened — if you had done your homework and were brave enough to speak up. After a few bumps and bruises, we developed a relationship that was full of respect and admiration, even when we agreed to disagree. I have so many stories and fond, funny memories of Mousa and our interactions — too many to share here. But suffice it to say, he was incredibly smart, funny and a heck of a boss and coworker. He loved Jacksonville. The city will not be the same without him. Dana B. Brown, former environmental enforcement administrator and legislative liaison, Environmental Quality division, Jacksonville Confusing exceptionalism with patriotism In his Jan. 12 Your Turn article, Sohum Sheth argues that the re-election of President Donald Trump is a threat to American exceptionalism. I believe he confused exceptionalism with overseas involvement. American exceptionalism means that our identity is not based not on geography or ethnicity, but on the truth about our God-given inalienable rights. President Ronald Reagan described it like this, from a letter he once received: 'You can go to live in France, but you cannot become French. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.' Exceptionalism is at risk when people reject America's uniqueness. When President Barack Obama said, 'I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism," I think he mistook it with patriotism. Most nations are patriotic; America is exceptional. I think Trump's motto, 'Make America Great Again," is a clarion call to restore exceptionalism. I pray it succeeds. Jorge Miyares, San Marco
