LETTERS to the EDITOR 12.21.17

Seeking Sanctuary

Proud to be a part of this community (“Sheriff to end practice of hosting ICE agent at Monterey County Jail,” posted Dec. 18). Ashley Morgan Bawdon | via Facebook

I used to think Monterey was a cool place. You just went to zero with this anti-American act. Shame on all of you. Take a look at what’s happening in Europe; it will soon be here if we don’t get our shit together. Dave Jacobs | via Facebook

Gov. Brown needs to go away and never ever be allowed to hold office again! I hope to hell Newsom doesn’t get elected to replace Brown because that would be a HUGE mistake! Josie Borisow | via Facebook

Shame on Monterey County. Elizabeth Gallino | via Facebook

Very disappointing that our sherrif is bound by the decisions of others who may not really know law enforcement matters all that well. This will only cost our county more to apprehend, convict and incarcerate repeat offenders. Carol A. Stollorz | via Facebook

My brother was killed by an illegal. He was riding his bike. He was 59 years old, retired, helped seniors on his block for free. Build the wall. Shirley Graham | via Facebook

My friend was hit by a citizen while riding a skateboard. Kick out all citizens? Brian Hardoin | via Facebook

China Town

I wish to second a comment made by Daniel Lui (“Letters,” Dec. 7-13). The comments captured in the article he referenced are racist and xenophobic (“Tourism is something Carmelites love to hate, but it pays the bills. The latest wave of Chinese visitors tests Carmel’s patience,” Nov. 30-Dec. 6). I am ashamed that we as a community have not reflected on what occurred here in 1906. In fact, my town still celebrates this atrocious, heartless, land-grab act annually. I personally welcome diversity. That’s not PC, it’s common decency. Jeff Condit | Pacific Grove

Out the Door

Looks like the city is in a crisis mode (“Amid high-profile personnel changes, city manager and fire chief are out in Monterey,” Dec. 14-20). Karl Klein | via Facebook

Monterey is always in a crisis mode. Can’t see to put people first. Julie Law | via Facebook

Bullets Flying

Dangerous and scary job (“Suspect wounded in shootout with Monterey Police,” posted Dec. 18). Glad there are brave souls out there willing to risk it all and do it. Hillary Wheeler | via Facebook

We’re lucky we have good cops in this area. In many other places this guy would have been executed on the spot, with no chance for due process. We live in one of the last bastions of civility in this nation. John Norman | via Facebook

Special thanks for the tidbit on the travel plans of the woman whose car was impounded. It’s rare and nice to have answers for those little questions that arise in such stories. Luana Conley | via Facebook

Science Says

You are listening to Gov. Brown who says our fires are the new norm in California (“Emboldening climate deniers, Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch have set our future on fire,” Dec. 14-20). He is saying that to blame it on our president of the USA. The climate change accord was costing this country billions of dollars by the global warming hoax inflicted on America by Al Gore. Scientists have called out against this plot to enrich the political liars on America. Blaming the fires and hurricanes on the Trump era is laughable. Marilyn Galli | via web

Short Timers

137? When residents need housing? Amnesty THIS (“137 short-term rental violators minimize hefty fines during city’s amnesty period, Dec. 14-20). Carlo Overhulser | via Facebook

There’s one right next-door to my house, an Airbnb with a revolving door of people showing up and being super loud. Brittney Vaughn | via Facebook

Fine the s*** out of them. They are destroying the community. Niels Andrews | via Facebook

Spain Spin

There are six main political parties in Catalonia that will compete for power on the Dec. 21 elections, and two main potential results (“The Spanish crackdown on Catalonian independence is unlikely to resolve grievances and might make the secession effort even stronger,” Nov. 16-22). One is that pro-independence parties win and stay the course towards independence. The second possibility is that the constitutionalists win and return Catalonia to its autonomic condition within Spain for a long period of time. What would really change the panorama for the better is that as a result of elections Catalonians were able to collect their own taxes, afford their expenses, and contribute to a national solidarity fund in much the same way in which the Basque Country does now. Nationalists and pro-independence parties on their part, should reconsider the cultural war waged for well over 40 years now, that makes half of the Catalan population in cities and towns of the region cringe when they see the Spanish flag. Juan José Gutiérrez | Seaside

Editor’s note: Gutiérrez is is a professor of cultural anthropology and director of CSUMB International Service Learning in rural communities of northwestern Spain.

Correction

A mention of Tillie Gort’s (“Quick Bites,” Dec. 7-13) incorrectly reported the restaurant is closing. It is up for sale, but there are no plans to close.