Thanks to Miami Herald reporter Denise Hruby’s insightful story “Why monster hurricanes like Milton are happening in the Gulf. It’s not geoengineering.”

For 4,000 years of human experience, humanity has had the wisdom not to build near the sea with the knowledge that sooner or later a storm will wash nearly anything and anyone away. In the 20th Century, we tacitly assumed that we had somehow subdued nature and the age-old rules no longer applied.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton should be the wake-up call, which we ignored with Katrina and Michael.

We all pay the price of this arrogance in terms of higher insurance costs and the general burden on the body politic of cleaning up and repairing the mess.

It will be impossible to deter people from foolishly rebuilding buildings that will inevitably be destroyed again, but making these misguided people pay the real cost of building in disaster-prone areas might give some pause.

Coastal areas must be required to pay the real actuarial price to insure these structures that are certain to be destroyed. This will also provide relief to the sensible people living inland subsidizing fools’ insurance.

Eventually, common sense must prevail.

Martin Motes,

Redland

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, had a passion for justice, an irrepressible spirit and a great sense of humor.

The mother of 11 children, she also touched the lives of countless people worldwide with her generosity and grace and was an emblem of enduring faith and hope, even in the face of unimaginable grief.

I am thinking of the Kennedy family and all those who loved this extraordinary woman.

Ethel Kennedy, RIP

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach

Regarding the 2024 presidential election, this is the year to not be red or blue but to be red, white and blue.

We need to think more carefully about the future of our great democracy so that our children and grandchildren are able to be part of a country that upholds the values of our Constitution.

Lois Kahn,

Coral Gables

Days before the 2000 presidential election, NBC’s Meet the Press host, the late brilliant Tim Russert, was asked on air about the key to winning the election.

He wrote his response on a whiteboard: “Florida. Florida. Florida”

Now, it feels totally fair and accurate to say that the key to winning in this election cycle is to win, “Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania.”

Most election pundits and analysts say that my home state, the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is the key to the election.

In fact, one highly respected website’s election analysis said that the candidate who wins this state has a 90% probability of being declared the overall winner.

Ken Derow,

Swarthmore, PA

The Trump-Putin axis: I think if you vote for Donald Trump you are voting for Vladimir Putin.

Tony Reyes,

Miami Springs

If presidential candidate Kamala Harris was truly supportive of the transgender community, she would have been drinking Bud Light, instead of Miller High Life, on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during her Tuesday appearance.

For those who don’t know, many of its regular customers launched a boycott on Bud Light, the top beer brand in the United States, in response to a social media promotion the company conducted with actress and TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman.

Armando Cortina,

Miami

It should not take catastrophic storms like Hurricane Milton, Helene and Debby for people to prioritize and take action against the rising effects of climate change.

Climate scientists have been warning that events like hurricanes, tropical storms and even heavy rains are being made worse by climate change. These climate-induced events have taken a devastating toll, claiming many lives and causing billions of dollars in property damage. Everybody is talking about the cost to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure, but there is more to it than money.

What about the impact on our health? On Nov. 14-15 Sarasota’s Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) will hold its 4th Annual Florida Climate Conference focusing on Climate and Human Health.

Scientists, healthcare professionals and community leaders will explore the intricate connections between our changing climate and public health. They will share insights into how climate change is already affecting human health, and what we can do to adapt.

For more information about the 4th Annual Florida Climate Conference and tickets visit theclimateadaptationcenter.org.

Melanie Ringle,

Climate Adaptation Center,

Biscayne Bay, a vital part of Miami-Dade’s ecosystem, is being suffocated by plastic pollution. Food and beverage containers made of single-use plastics and polystyrene are among the most common items in our waters.

Much of this debris originates as street litter, which enters storm drain systems and flows into the bay, destroying marine habitats.

Miami-Dade has an opportunity to pass legislation sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins, directing the mayor to eliminate the distribution of single-use plastics and polystyrene in all future county contracts with concessionaires and at county-run concessions.

This measure would significantly reduce the volume of waste entering the bay and offer a critical solution to the county’s broader waste crisis.

Our waste system is already overwhelmed, with low recycling rates that are forcing us to put our trash on trains to North Florida landfills. Eliminating single-use plastics at the source would alleviate pressure on landfills and reduce contamination in recycling streams. This resolution is a proactive step toward addressing the waste crisis while safeguarding Biscayne Bay’s future.

This is a beautiful opportunity for Miami-Dade to prioritize the health of our environment by reducing the plastic choking our waters.

Dave Doebler,

North Bay Village

Florida is threatening to prosecute TV stations over an abortion rights ads supporting Amendment 4.

What they don’t acknowledge is that they are spending taxpayer money featuring an ad with a doctor who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to be on the state board of education and is associated with a Catholic agency (I acknowledge she is entitled to her religious beliefs) but she is also stating inaccurate information to support a no vote which is being paid with taxpayer dollars.

This is an attempt at government suppression plain and simple. Don’t fall for it.

Irene Warner,

Miami

I disagree with The Miami Herald’s endorsement of Republican Tomas Regalado as Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. As my former Miami city commissioner and mayor, I have deep respect for Regalado.

However, as a politician, he owes too many people too many favors and will severely increase the budget and cost to taxpayers to open multiple satellite offices and add extended hours.

After all, the Property Appraiser’s office job is to fairly collect money for the benefit of all residents and commerce in the county and municipalities, not as a political boondoggle. This office requires a vote for Democrat Marisol Zenteno, who is a better choice.

Don Deresz,

Miami

Last October, Miami-Dade County Commission declared that “Every second Monday of every October after that as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Miami-Dade County.”

This year the Miami-Dade Public Library System put out a sign saying the Library would be closed on Oct. 4 for Columbus Day. I informed the director that anachronism had been changed but he said it was a federal holiday and that is how they listed it and sent him the list of federal holidays 2024.

However at the bottom of that list is a note that says Feb. 19th (Presidents Day) is listed as “Washington’s Birthday,” but adds “Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.”

I replied to the library director it seems that should also apply to the communities that have elected to change the anachronism of “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Otherwise, what was the point of the Miami-Dade declaration?

Rob Boyle

Miami Beach

This story was originally published October 11, 2024, 2:31 PM.

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