'Lasting damage' by Pelosi 

In the past several months, Nancy Pelosi has lost a great deal of respect during the impeachment process. She certainly hasn’t demonstrated much statesmanship.

She clearly sees less and less value in negotiating across the aisle. And as for camaraderie, well let’s just say it’s a little too late for that.

However, the most lasting damage she has caused to the speaker’s office, one that I feel will become a bigger part of her legacy than whatever comes out of the impeachment process, is her behavior and antics of the past several days. After talking about the solemnity of impeachment on numerous occasions and offering her prayers for the president, she has been seen gloating, joking, taking candid shots during the signing of the articles and handing out autographed pens to her fellow Congress members.

So much for the stature and prestige of the office that stands second in succession to the presidency.

David Mahoney, Naples

Voting for what in November?

If you want higher taxes, job-killing regulations, open borders, unsustainable debt, universal health care, and appeasement foreign policy, vote for a Democrat.

If not, you know what to do. November will be the voice of the people.

Diane Miranda, Naples

Pier fishing and seabirds' injuries

Stop the madness of pier-fishing induced seabird injuries.

During the past few weeks, the public has been presented with a variety of information regarding seabird injuries from fishing at the Naples Pier. Some injuries are truly accidental, but many are due to carelessness and ignorance.

Experts have provided excellent advice, sharing their knowledge and expressing compassion for the animals, with suggestions such as using braided fishing lines, barb-less hooks, and having part-time resources at the Pier to help capture and transport injured birds to the Conservancy hospital for treatment.

As a Conservancy hospital volunteer, I have experienced the seabird trauma first-hand. Often it is like a M*A*S*H unit; wounded birds are rushed in, assessed, and a treatment plan is created and enacted quickly. After many weeks of in-hospital care, some are released back into nature, but some die. On two occasions, pelicans died in my arms while the vet tech tried to administer lifesaving treatment.

All of this could be avoided, thus freeing up hospital resources to help more needy wildlife. After Hurricane Irma, while the Pier was closed for repairs and no fishing was allowed, there was no huge influx of injured seabirds needlessly suffering or dying.

Why then are people allowed to fish from the Pier? Is it because there is no need for a fishing license? It is time to reconsider this practice and protect our wildlife from harm.

James Eby, Marco Island 

Climate change

The Smokey the Koala cartoon Thursday wanted to tug at our heartstrings, but instead it insulted our intelligence.

Nature has caused the Earth to warm many times in the past, long before humans had any effect on the atmosphere. The Earth has been through many ice ages in our long history and natural warming is simply what happens in between them.

To think humans control the climate of the planet is either the height of arrogance, the depth of stupidity, or both.

Gary Marsh, Estero

Democrats' investigations

Watching the Democrat Party leadership over the past few months is a lot like watching a movie titled “The Three Stooges Meet The Keystone Cops.”

The Russia hoax blew up in the Dems’ faces when "The Mueller Report" showed that the only evidence of collusion with Russia was between the Clinton campaign and Russians through an opposition research firm named Fusion GPS.

And since that colossal failure, the Dems have decided impeachment is the only thing that can stop the Trump train. Pelosi said impeachment was urgent. Later, she said the urgent articles of impeachment would be turned over to the Senate “when I’m ready.”  Hmm, some urgency. Looks more like a circular firing squad featuring Pelosi, Schiff and Nadler.  

The Dems became outraged when Trump took out the world’s worst terrorist, Soleimani, with a precision strike Jan. 3. The Dems were incensed, claiming Trump had no authority to kill this guy, even though he was responsible for the killings of many U.S. citizens. 

I’m going to miss this circus after the next election.

Bob Jacobs, Estero

'All evidence, a fair trial'

Since the U.S. House impeached Donald J. Trump, there have been numerous letters supporting the declaration of Senate President Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., promising there will be no new witnesses and no new documents introduced in the Senate impeachment trial.

This is in spite of continuous new revelations of evidence, none of which are exculpatory of Donald J. Trump, but which relate directly to the Ukraine scandal.

Why would anyone want to hide evidence and witnesses from a trial, except to participate in a cover-up?

American citizens know what a trial should look like and know that all evidence should be included and weighed.

McConnell and the Republican Party are underestimating the country's interest and their expectations for a legitimate and complete review of all evidence — in other words, a fair trial.

Fayrene Leininger, St. James City

'Country before party'

Continually I read the same nonsense about Biden’s son without the reality check of Trump's family dealings.

Trump's family and everyone in his administration are making money on the wheeling and dealings.

Biden is just another target of the rhetoric, as he is well-liked and the closest competitor.

To throw up the taglines of fake news, socialist, Marxist and using four-letter words to rev up the crowd to follow the leader is far from presidential. Worst is for all of you to repeat the nonsense in editorials and in conversations at the bar; shows your lack of understanding.

When did truth and facts vacate our country? The House hearings showed how Trump does business, and you find that acceptable? You can’t possibly think that “style” of business is acceptable for our country. Are you not disturbed by Russia’s interference in our elections, or only if your team wins? What kind of country are you leaving for your kids?

Without truth and honesty, there will be nothing, and your version of God will not save you.

Going rogue is not hearing truth and believing mis-truths and whatever is told.

Get back in the middle. Country before party. Stop the nonsense.

Christianne Murphy, Fort Myers

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