Letters to the Editor 07.05.18

Zero Tolerance

Hillel the Elder wrote: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” Those seeking asylum at our southern border, whether at a port of entry or not, are eligible to apply (“In a country of immigrants, the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policies are igniting a firestorm,” June 28-July 4). My grandfather fled pogroms in Poland and now these asylum seekers are fleeing violence in their home countries. America must continue to be their safe haven, and we citizens must make sure of that.

When is the time to raise your voice for the oppressed? Now. And vote in November! Anne Greene | Carmel Valley

A Timeline of Shame:

1600s – The legalization of slavery in colonial America

1830 – The forced removal of Native Americans from their lands

1942 – The internment of Japanese Americans

2018 – The enactment of the zero-tolerance immigration policy

Our current government’s zero-tolerance policy belongs on the timeline because it has these things in common with the other acts: It is racist. It breaks families apart. It relies on baseless fears and the hope of economic gain to be effective. Its harmful effects will last through generations. Please protest against the policy before more damage is done. Peggy Michael | Monterey

Funny how quickly everyone forgets the “illegal” part of “illegal immigration.” Ed Vyeda | via Facebook

Too bad the indigenous people of this land didn’t have the option of a “zero tolerance” policy. Funny how quickly everyone forgets that they are descendants of immigrants as well. Funny how it wasn’t called “illegal” immigration when it was Europeans coming over. Brittney Vaughn | via Facebook

Horrified by family separations on the border? Sheriff Steve Bernal wants to invite the same ICE that’s tearing families apart into Monterey County Jail. California law blocks this now, but it’s being fought by Trump in the courts.

It’s not just Bernal. The long list of politicians who endorsed Bernal in the election effectively endorsed his goal of partnering local law enforcement with ICE. John Phillips, Simon Salinas, Joe Gunter, Tony Villegas, Steve McShane, Jerry Edelen, Nancy Kotowski, Mary Claypool, Mary Ann Carbone. When you see photos of children in cages think of our local politicians, endorsing the man who wants to bring Trump’s racist war on immigrants here to Monterey County. Jason Johnston | Prunedale

I fail to see a problem here. If you want to enter the USA, do so legally. Otherwise, you are an illegal alien. Don’t send your children here by themselves. I don’t understand why so many in the Monterey area are so deadset about letting all these illegal aliens in. Like any other sovereign nation, the USA has the right and the duty to police its borders. If you have a problem with that, then you are part of the problem. Otis Needleman | via web

Out Loud

Thanks Squid for getting this out (“Squid nominates a friendly bulldog for a local water board seat,” posted June 25). Time for a replacement. Barbie Maschmeier | via Facebook

There are many ways to voice an opinion. There is not need to be rude while doing so, especially if you are holding a public position. They are working for everybody, including those, as he says, “lousy” Latinos. Daniel Vazquez | via Facebook

If Squid was reviled at Maxine Waters, your credence would be elevated. Or if you nailed Jimmy Panetta for some of the crap coming out of his mouth, I’d applaud. If an elected Marina Coast Water District official chooses to tweet about things that will offend voters, they can vote him out of office. Scott Cunningham | via Facebook

What’s in a Name

Given my Chicago heritage, trust me when I tell you a hot dog is not a sandwich (“Burning Question: Is the hot dog a sandwich?” posted June 29). It is the pinnacle of human culinary achievement; a cultural totem of sublime gustatory ecstasy. Calling a hot dog a sandwich demeans the art and science of the delicacy and – perhaps – humanity’s quest for meaning and purpose in the cosmos. Craig Malin | Seaside

Beyond Bella

An open letter to Mayor Bill Kampe and Pacific Grove City Council:

Please take immediate action to address the report’s findings (“P.G. mishandled Project Bella hotel development and lost $100,000, grand jury says,” posted June 14). The public is relying on you to take responsibility. The Grand Jury concluded: “… inspired by the prospect of significant revenue for the city, the project was pursued without due diligence.”

Of great importance are the ethical and moral standards the mayor and City Council use to carry out their fiduciary duties. The city manager and city attorney should not be in charge of correcting this problem. That would be the fox looking after the hen house. Anthony A. Ciani | Pacific Grove

Corrections

A story (“Monterey Bay Community Power comes online. It’s green and local, but maybe not as green or local as you’d expect,” June 21-27) misstated the makeup of the MBprime offering. It excludes hydropower of all sizes, not only large hydropower sources, as originally stated.

A story (“State water board puts a possible damper on Pacific Grove’s plan to bank water credits,” June 28-July 4) misstated the sourcewater for P.G.’s water recycling plant. It is wastewater, not stormwater.