Opinion

If you read Central Florida headlines, there was a truly awful one out of Brevard County just over a week ago. A man killed three people, then brandished his gun at police at a party; cops had to use deadly force to end the treat.

Being in recovery, especially in the early stages, has its ups and downs. Dating is not necessarily a top priority for everyone, but it’s nice to have companionship. During the holiday season and coming into Valentine’s, there can be strong emotions about the need and want of a relationship.

Someone I’ve never met (social media, where else?) came up with a phrase for the new year: “Let’s do more in 2024.” I’ve decided to adopt it for my own, because it’s well-balanced, makes logical sense and has good meaning, purpose and intent.

At a recent meeting held by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, area residents were given a grim picture of the current state of Kissimmee’s Lake Tohopekaliga and the even bleaker prospects for improvement anytime soon. FWC staff stated the lake had 70 percent coverage of hydrilla, and over $6 million was needed immediately to fund the spraying and mechanical hydrilla removal necessary to open up the lake. The hydrilla expansion was not news to the over 70 residents who attended the meeting, equally split between lakeshore property owners and lake users, including anglers, waterfowl hunters, and jet skiers.

For many, drinking alcohol during the holiday season is commonplace. Social drinking is widely accepted. Unfortunately, the holidays are a complex time for many. Dry January provides you time to reset.

Dear Editor: As I read a recent letter to the editor (“Hope for the New Year”, Jan. 11) I realized that the letter was written to only a particular group of people. The writer identified this group as American Patriots that will help turn this country around. The writer wishes a year of health and success for the Republican Party.

Disclosure on ads is a good first step—but it’s not enough. There’s a scene in the 1966 film of Ray Bradbury’s ominous novel “Fahrenheit 451” when main character Montag, flees from police in a dystopian dictatorship of the future and hides at a safe house, where he sees himself captured and killed on TV as a robotic voice assures viewers that everyone is safe again.

When I was in prison for my nonviolent anti-nuclear actions, I couldn’t vote while I was incarcerated. But I refused to stop participating in our democracy. If I could convince even two people to care enough to vote who had not been voting even though they were able to, I felt like this was how I was still part of the democracy of my country.

Dear Editor: As we continue our journey into this New Year, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish All American Patriots a New Year that will help turn this country around—a Year of health, and most of all, a year of success for our Republican Party. This will not happen without you and your participation. These serious times call for serious measures. We can sit home and pray, or come out and help and pray together. We need the strongest power to help us, and this is our Lord and Savior. So, it’s time to stand for something instead of stay home for nothing.

We always say it: “Where did the past year go?” This year was no different. It flew by.