Walking with Janet McAliley was such a gift | Opinion

At 5:45 a.m. each weekday for almost eight years, I met my friend Janet McAliley. We walked briskly up and down and around the streets that bordered Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. There were many things I learned about McAliley, who died on Sept. 23 at age 88.

She didn’t just talk about the environment — she took action. If there was a beer can, soda bottle or dirty, old newspaper lying on the ground, she stopped to pick it up and carried it until we reached a waste can.

Because the sun had not risen yet, it gave her a chance to share her awe and wonder for the solar system. “Look up — there’s Venus,” she would exclaim.

She was an ardent patriot, and if we happened to walk on a holiday, she would recite, with expression, the opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. She loved America and all it stands for.

She was an dedicated supporter of public schools and served for many years on the Miami-Dade County School Board, rising to be its chair. Many of our conversations debated the merits of private versus public education.

She loved poetry and often would recite a poem as we walked. One of her favorites was “Ulysses,” by Alfred Lord Tennyson: “ ... Tho’ we are not now that strength which in the old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

That was our Janet.

She made it worth getting up at 5:20 in the morning, made it worth rushing out the door at 5:30, made it worth walking alone — along Bayshore Drive — in the dark, just so I could meet my friend.

Sandra Baer,

Miami

Out of step

Removing Miami Dade College as the leaseholder of Miami’s Tower Theater is a terrible mistake. For years, the Tower has shown films of all sorts (artistic, independent, European, Asian, Latin) that are not available at other venues. Live discussions have been held in the wonderful Art Deco-style theater.

I have been a patron for years, usually also spending money dining nearby. The city should reconsider this decision.

Sonja Davis, Miami

Prisoner swaps

Before Sen. Marco Rubio tries to score points in his bid for re-election, he should either fact-check or hire someone to fact-check his ridiculous comments. While criticizing the recent swap of American citizens held in Venezuela for two convicted drug dealers, he might want to read a history book and learn about the Rudolf Abel-Francis Gary Powers swap in 1962, or Operation Big Switch and Little Switch in the 1950s. He could learn about the 1985 and 1986 Glienicke Bridge spy swaps or the prisoner swaps in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019 or when Trevor Reed was swapped for a Russian drug dealer earlier this year.

Prisoner swaps have occurred many times over the decades, during Democratic and Republican administrations. Most Americans are grateful to get U.S. citizens, wrongly convicted and jailed by our adversaries, home.

Lois Kahn, Coral Gables

Thanks to Rubio

I greatly appreciate Sen. Marco Rubio’s leadership in passing the Paycheck Protection Program, which helped many families and businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 shut down. He also was instrumental in renewing the child tax credit, which has benefited many middle- and low-income families.

As a champion of the Everglades Restoration Project, Rubio has demonstrated a visionary quality. This project will open the flow of fresh water to Floridians as it was years ago.

Francis Mahoney,

Fort Lauderdale

Judicial travesty

At one time, the judicial system was trusted and held in high esteem. The public felt the system would correct wrongs and be a bright light in sustaining our democracy. In recent times, however, the judiciary has become an extension of political parties.

Because of recent rulings by the Supreme Court and, more recently, by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, we realize the courts are nothing more than voices for the party that nominated them.

Art Young,

West Kendall

Look no further

The Herald’s Sept. 25 editorial, “As DeSantis roars ‘Onward, Christian soldiers!’ Dems must get real about religion,” spoke of the need for a counter-narrative to Christian nationalism. The Founding Fathers provided one in the foundational assertion that the Creator has endowed every human with the inalienable right of liberty.

President John F. Kennedy reiterated this in his 1961 inaugural address, referring to it as ✔“the revolutionary belief for which our forebears fought which is still at issue around the world today.” He expressed this belief that ✔“the rights of man do not come from the generosity of the state” — nor from some autocratic leader, nor from the majority.

With our inalienable right of liberty, it is every human’s right to seek the truth. That almost every Republican politician claims to believe abortion is illicit demonstrates they do not respect their right to seek the truth as individuals.

This freedom to seek the truth supports the separation of church and state, the right of everyone to criticize government policies, even the right of the atheist to try to persuade others, though there is nothing more American than insisting that the right comes from the Creator.

Daniel R. Collins,

Hollywood

Diverse society

I have no doubt that Gov. Ron DeSantis was an excellent military officer while serving in the Navy. He is smart, organized and decisive; commendable traits for military leaders. The governor, however, doesn’t seem to understand the difference between the military and a democracy.

To manage military conflict, all members must follow their leader; each individual must be as one. In a democracy, leaders must represent equally all those within their scope of responsibilities. In a diverse society designed for all the people, the rights of one group cannot be allowed to override the rights of others.

Freedom in a society means that different opinions, cultures, ideas and religions must be allowed to flourish, without trampling on the rights of others.

This is a delicate balance that includes the need for respect of laws and science.

Frances Aronovitz, Kendall

GOP not racist

Re Leonard Pitts’ Oct. 2 column, “Racism is part of Republicans’ ideological DNA. It’s just that simple:” Our country is coming apart with divisiveness from the tmedia promoting foolishness such as this.

There are folks on both sides who expose racist outbursts. To cast the Republican Party as completely racist is hogwash. I hope Pitts enjoys his retirement and mellows a bit.

Roger Shatanof,

Coral Gables

Immigrant suit

Re the Sept. 23 story “DeSantis grabs hold of immigration debate but leaves Florida GOP open to attacks:” Sen. Marco Rubio is upset the Martha’s Vineyard “illegals” are suing. Rubio should be aware that those applying for asylum are legalized when they ask for asylum. They are given parole and, according to international law — the United States signed this agreement — they are entitled to their day in court, which will determine if they can stay or not.

Kudos to the Herald for emphasizing this in a previous editorial.

Mark Wickman,

North Miami

Horror stories

Year-round and especially in this season, I am overwhelmed by the amount of horror movies on TV and in theaters. I am inured by the terror, gore and fright they conjure up, but I can’t fathom why people watch them or that there is even a market for something that would so scare me.

Then again, I rush for the morning paper and am fanatical about viewing nightly news. I’m not sure why I can overlook the similarities.

Bruce Shpiner, Pinecrest