Letters to the Editor 11.08.18

Darkness and Light

The deadly week of rage and violence is most closely related to the provocative hate speech, racism and lies coming from the president (“A nation mourns as hate speech leads to a predictable but tragic outcome,” Nov. 1-7). Reports of pipe bombs being mailed to the targets of Trump’s vitriol began on Monday of that week and continued until the suspected “MAGA bomber” was arrested. On Wednesday a new act of violence was in the headlines. An emboldened white supremacist failed in his attempt to enter a predominantly black church, so he moved on to a Kroger supermarket and murdered two African-American citizens. The violence persisted on Friday but was even more brutal. A far-right extremist invaded a synagogue where a baby naming ceremony was in progress. He mercilessly slaughtered 11 people. He was consumed with rage simply because the Jewish community was helping a group of people Trump has persistently scapegoated – refugees. Nazario Martinez | Prunedale

We are deeply saddened by the attack on worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. All human life is sacred. There are many paths to God, and all the Abrahamic religions provide spiritual paths to make the world a better place. The Live Oak Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) stands with Temple Beth El in Salinas in striving to eliminate the ignorance, fear and hatred that have made attacks like that occurring in Pittsburgh all too common in our nation. Let us live instead with the spirit of divine love that joins us together in peace. Kathleen Fitzgerald | Aromas

The only dark days are the Americans who died in Benghazi during a 13-hour fight with no help, and 9/11/01 when 3,000 Americans died. The mail bomber was a nutcase that President Trump condemned. The hate speech is coming from the Democrats like Biden, Hillary, Booker, Holder and Waters to harass and threaten Republicans. This country has been divided since 2009 and it will never end because of leaders who won’t tone it down, then blame President Trump. Marilyn Galli | via web

In Solidarity

May God bless you and keep you, sir (“Harold Gordon of Salinas speaking outside of Temple Beth El in Salinas California became emotional as he described being taken to Auschwitz concentration camp at age 10. Gordon was one of about 75 people attending a vigil for the 11 people killed at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27,” posted Oct. 30). Ro Hickey | via Instagram

My heart goes out to him, and to the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless tragedy. Debbie Rodarte | via Instagram

Cracking City Hall

File a Public Records Act request for the last two years’ legal costs. That might get someone’s attention (“Greenfield’s mayor has routinely ignored the advice of the city’s own attorneys. Whoever wins this Election Day will have to mend some fences,” Nov. 1-7). James Tarhalla | via Facebook

Taking Shots

No excuses. Get the flu shot (“Free flu vaccines available now as hospitals gear up for another season,” posted Nov. 5). Erich Lehmann | via Facebook

Investigation Age

This is one of the reasons why real victims of harassment aren’t taken seriously. You’re an embarrassment to women and us liberals (“Investigation spurred by Seaside councilmember’s allegations yields no evidence of sexual harassment,” posted Oct. 31). Robin Ryan | via Facebook

How she ever even got elected to City Council is amazing. Apparently voters in Seaside are easily duped. An uninformed voter is as or more dangerous than most criminals, and anyone who knowingly voted for someone so young to help lead a city is truly ignorant. Not saying young people are not smart enough, they just don’t have enough experience dealing with anything of real substance. Eliot Davis | via Facebook

Eliot Davis, two of our county supervisors want to give 16 – and 17-year-olds the ability to vote. I think those supervisors need their heads examined. Richard Beacham | via Facebook

Aging In

Mr. Wells’ comments were obviously completely unacceptable (“A proposal to lower the voting age to 16 leads to threatening calls and a criminal investigation,” Oct. 25-Nov. 1). However, given the manifestly appalling state of public education, how can anybody seriously suggest that 16-year-olds are capable of making informed voting decisions? Andrew Allison | Carmel

Priority List

The homeless issue (“Street Talk: What’s something you would like local government to focus on?” Oct. 25-Nov. 1). Jose Belman | Salinas

More funding for code enforcement, traffic cameras and maintenance services. The roadways are in need of repair and are lined with litter and weeds. It makes the city look slumish. We need an RV park and homeless campgrounds with proper sanitation and disposal dumpsters. It’s just common sense that if we want a better city, we have to create places to put things that are out of place. Norma Ray | Salinas

Under And Over

Can we at least fix the roads first? Maybe fund solar projects over parking lots? You know, things that have an obvious benefit (“Monterey commits to taking a hard look at undergrounding utility wires,” Oct. 25-Nov. 1). Joseph W. Borawski | via Facebook

I’m all for it. Nate Gomez | via Facebook