Lawmakers who don’t implement it should be voted out.

This is the language from the ballot on felon voting registration.

“This amendment restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case by case basis.”

[MARK LANE: Lawsuit confirmed that felon voting law is a mess]

I think anyone who voted understood that the conditions are pretty clearly spelled out. It doesn’t say anything about fines or financial restitution. If our lawmakers aren’t going to pay attention to voting on constitutional amendments, what is the point of going to the trouble of even putting them on the ballot? This is the will of the people. Lawmakers who don’t implement it should be voted out.

David Gilardi, Port Orange


Abandoning allies

I read the article in The News-Journal where U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz apparently blames President Barack Obama for the current situation in Syria involving Turkey, and the impending attack by Turkey on the Kurds.

The Kurds fought alongside American troops against ISIS. Now we are apparently going to abandon the Kurds. I would venture to say the blame should go to President George W. Bush (No. 43), Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and former CIA head George Tennant. They were intent on invading Iraq and had no realistic plan on what to do after the invasion.

When forces around the world start withdrawing from countries like Vietnam, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc. a void is quickly filled by the bad guys. Millions of people have been permanently displaced because of these policies. I ask: Where have all the Christians and Jews gone who had lived in the Middle East? President George H.W.Bush (No. 41) along with General Colin Powell and General Norman Schwarzkopf showed the way to conduct military operations in the Middle East. Too bad politicians and the public do not study history anymore.


Don Hartnett, Ormond Beach

Hartnett served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.