The Broward Democratic Party Jewish Caucus urges all Democrats to lower the temperature and engage one another with care, respect and good faith.
We support the state of Israel, its security and its right to exist and to flourish as a Jewish and democratic homeland. That support must not be lumped together with unquestioning endorsement of the policies, decisions or actions of any particular Israeli government.
We also affirm the right of Israelis and Palestinians alike to live in peace, safety, dignity and self-determination. Our differences on these profoundly consequential issues are real, but antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab bigotry and political intimidation have no place in our party or our community.
Democratic primaries are for voters to make choices. Once they do, we must unite to defend democracy and protect Jewish values — justice, compassion, human dignity, welcoming the stranger and care for the vulnerable — against a Republican agenda that threatens them.
— Chad Klitzman, Oakland Park
The writer is president of the Broward Democratic Party Jewish Caucus.
Trump and his deferments
A letter writer, Harold Brown, wrote that people who bash Donald Trump did not understand because they did not serve in the military. Did the irony escape? “General Bone Spurs” received five deferments, excusing him from serving alongside those he later characterized as “losers and suckers.”
Brown avers that our U.S. troops are fighting for peace. That’s another ironic statement in a war of choice started by Trump’s fiat. I suggest Mr. Brown stop living in the past and open his eyes to the president’s many constitutional violations and illegal executive orders, which, as we write, are putting our troops, and us, in danger.
— Bob Chaban, Boynton Beach
The writer is an Army veteran, E-4/5, Firebase Nancy, Vietnam, 1969-1970.
Left-hander Tommy John of the Dodgers signs an autograph before a game on Aug. 12, 1977. (AP File)
Tommy John’s legacy
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy John, a veteran of 26 major league baseball seasons who revolutionized how pitchers recover from injuries.
He broke in with Cleveland at age 20 in 1963 and made his last appearance for the Yankees at 46 in 1989, while also pitching for the White Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Athletics.
After John injured his elbow in 1974, he received the first ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery from Dr. Frank Jobe. John returned to pitch in 1976, and won 20 games three times in four years from 1977 to 1980.
He went on to pitch 14 of his 26 seasons after the procedure now known as Tommy John surgery, which has helped extend pitching careers for more than a half a century since first performed. (He was also a long-time Fort Lauderdale resident.)
The lefthander won 288 games, made four All-Star teams and anchored three pennant-winning teams while twice finishing as a runner-up for the Cy Young Award. His 700 games started rank 8th on the all-time list.
— Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach
Benedict Kuehne, left, attorney for Deerfield Beach mayoral candidate Dan Herz, speaks with attorney Larry Davis at a hearing at the Broward County Courthouse on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / Sun Sentinel)
Larry Davis remembered
I love the Sun Sentinel, and I am a long-time subscriber for decades. I value its editorials and its informative articles, and I look up to Steve Bousquet as Opinion Editor.
The tribute to Larry Davis and his life of achievement was beautifully written.
I was never privileged to have known him — or of him — but now I do know him. I wish I had known him.
I love history and especially current events. The Sun Sentinel plays a major role in fulfilling this thirst for knowledge and assists me in forming opinions on our world’s many pressing problems.
— Ann Kreiman, Delray Beach
A delusionary duo
Does anyone but Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who both appear to be more influenced by their political delusions than by scientific facts and reality, truly think climate change is a hoax?
— Bob Mennealy, Lake Worth Beach
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