Letters: Floridians could learn from New Orleans’ prep for Barry

Palm Beach Post (FL)

While vacationing in New Orleans during the approach of Hurricane Barry, I saw flooded streets with water sprouting up from the sewers and increasing high river levels threatening the levee system. Despite the anxiety of waiting for the impending storm, I was impressed with the ways New Orleans had prepared for increasing water related problems, which are similar to those in Florida.

For example, they had built flood gates to keep out the water surge and lowered the water in the Mississippi River by pumping out water to keep the river below flood levels. By creating this system, the city protected their citizens from major damage. Floridians could learn from them about how to address our water issues related to climate change like rising sea levels.

Anita Quinn, West Palm Beach

Who serves the country? Not the Trumps

President Trump has stated over and over, "If you are not willing to fight for this country, get out!"

My family has indeed fought for this country from World War I forward, including five deployments from my hero son. We love this country and proudly served so as to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

The Trumps have served themselves -- not this country. No one male or female member has been willing to serve in any branch of our armed services.

Might be time for the Trumps to get out.

Brian Broomer, Lake Worth

In later years, Armstrong became a committed teacher

Thank you for the excellent article about the moon landing 50 years ago. You provided insights into the program and astronauts that many didn't know. However, I would take exception to your description of Neil Armstrong as a "recluse's recluse" in the years after.

Neil became a full professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Cincinnati in 1971 and spent almost a decade there. I know because I was a student there at the time and I spent a lot of time with him. He taught several classes and answered all of our questions about his Apollo 11 experience.

When my oldest son Greg was born, I gave Neil an "It's A Boy!" cigar and he pulled out an official photograph of himself in his space suit and signed it for my son. He was a down-to-earth good and decent man who made our educational experience really outstanding.

Tom Gilmer, Wellington

Pitts has it backwards in knocking Trump

Leonard Pitts continues to be out of touch. All the criticism he states in his column "Is the Republican Party a hate group?" (Sunday) is actually in reference to the Democrats. The Democratic Party has no vision other than to impeach Trump. The media loudly supports the Democrats each time there is fodder to rant against Trump. And the Democrats are so afraid that Trump will be re-elected, that they are helping his campaign each and every time they cast him as a racist.

Pitts fails to expound on Trump's accomplishments because he too is busy criticizing faults.

Sara Klompus, Lake Worth

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