Cruel decision

The decision by the leaders of Daytona Beach to “unbend” the rules for the homeless on Clyde Morris Boulevard is sad. To not allow a homeless person to sleep in a tent during the winter nights shows a real lack of compassion, and is not something our city should be proud of.

(READ: "Safe zone" regulations enforced)

And what “leader” do I call to unbend the noise ordinance rule during Bike Weeks?

David Anderson

Daytona Beach

 

Homeless in mass

I have several thoughts about the “safe zone” on Clyde Morris Boulevard.

*The News-Journal stated there were about a dozen tents. Have you driven by there lately? There were several dozen tents, including some covering several groups of people. I have to pass it on my way to work. I find it sad, but also find it an eyesore.

*I know people get down on their luck, but come on — I’m sure some of these people can work, but won’t. I’m sure some of them have psychiatric problems, and I’m sure many of them are drug addicts. I personally don’t want my tax dollars helping those who don’t want to work or the addicts. They got there all by themselves. Help the folks with psychiatric problems, by all means.

*People who stop by to give donations have good intentions, but it can also cause some people not to have to work to make their situation better. Strangers just give them money and a place for shelter. If they want to help, bring a family home and give them shelter and food. Help the people and the taxpayers of the city of Daytona Beach.

*There were vehicles parked in there. Now I don’t want to “kick a man when he’s down,” but I would bet these folks don’t have car insurance. That could mean each and every one of us who do are paying exorbitant uninsured motorist premiums. Make sure those vehicles don’t go anywhere on our roads.

*There are police officers who sit there from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. I don’t know anyone who has the luxury of having a police officer sitting in their neighborhood overnight every night.

Let’s clean up this mess. It’s bad enough we have homeless people on every corner of every road in the area, and they know the police won’t move them. Now they are amassing in my neighborhood. I moved from Baltimore to retire to this beautiful area. Help the people who truly can’t help themselves. Make the rest accountable or their actions. Are we doing too much for them?

Diane Chatham

Daytona Beach

Teach critical skills

Leonard Pitts’ Jan. 29 column asserts that although Donald Trump is a demagogue, we don’t need to worry about him because he’s stupid and vain. But he claims we should worry about a clever, intelligent demagogue gaining power. Although Pitts seems to think such a person could only emerge on the right, it is Barack Obama on the left at whom he should point a finger.

After all, it was the Obama Justice Department that all but encouraged blacks to revolt against police so they could step in and “reorganize” those departments. Obama fiddled for eight years while North Korea developed its nukes and missiles. He blinked when Russia seized Crimea and meddled in Ukraine. He drew a line in the sand on chemical weapons in Syria, then flinched when Syria used them. Russia then established a naval base on the Syrian Mediterranean. Then there was Benghazi and Fast and Furious. He opened the floodgates to illegal immigration, which Democrats to this day defend.

Pitts asserts that Trump’s alleged demagoguery resulted in only 22 percent of foreigners expressing “confidence in America” compared with 64 percent under Obama. Of course foreigners would applaud a president who gave the farm away in trade negotiations.

To counter demagogues, Pitts says we should teach kids critical thinking. I wholeheartedly agree, but Pitts should be required to take such a course himself in order to be featured on The News-Journal editorial page.

Milton Snoeyenbos

DeLand