Letters to the editor | Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019: Lethal force, anti-Semitism, impeachment

Deadly force editorial missed mark

Re “Teen paid too steep a price for running from Ceres officer” (Page 1B, Dec. 8): Too bad the Editorial Board is not out risking their lives chasing a 15-year-old kid, who had no business driving and causing a hit and run. Where are the parents? Why was he allowed to take the car or was it stolen also? So much of the story you aren’t telling, only how bad the police officer acted.

I bet if you could find a story where you could say the police don’t need guns, just talk to the crooks and bad boys, you would make it front-page news: “No more guns for the police. We now have a safe society.” Dream on, liberals. I only hope and pray that some day you encounter a situation where you need a police response and no one comes. Keep pushing your liberal ideas and see where this country ends up.

Oh how I long for the days 50 years ago, when police had the respect of young and old and weren’t criticized by the paper every time they did their job.

Continuing lessons from Holocaust

On behalf of the Jewish community, we are deeply appreciative of CSU Stanislaus organizing and hosting their recent “We Can All Create Light” Holocaust education program, and are grateful to The Modesto Bee for covering this event in the recent article: “Survivor stories to be shared at Stanislaus State program keep a light on Holocaust.” We have seen how anti-Jewish and anti-Israel behavior has been increasing across the country, particularly on many college campuses. Our local university displayed courage and insight by having this event.

Sadly, first-hand accounts of what happened 80 years ago will soon be lost as the few remaining survivors pass away. It is our deep hope that through education and learning, no one, no religion or nationality or ethnicity, will ever suffer another Holocaust. We must all learn from what has happened as we say “never again” and be active in how we learn about each other and embrace differences in our world.

Howze favors border security

A subject on many people’s minds today is border security. While this is a matter of concern, I am very alarmed about the specific issue of human trafficking. We should all be concerned. Human trafficking is happening right here in our county, right now. We read about it in our local papers and hear our county district attorney talk about it in print and in person.

Ted Howze, candidate for Congress in District 10, opposes our uncontrolled borders. I applaud Howze for his strong stand on border security to end human trafficking and other atrocities at our border.

We need Howze as our voice in Congress.

Senate GOP undoes House work

Re “GOP candidate rips Rep. Josh Harder for ‘impeachment circus’” (Page 3A, Dec. 6-7): I was struck by the headline. Opponent Ted Howze claims that Speaker Pelosi is so engrossed in impeachment that nothing is getting done for the Central Valley. Howze should do his homework and fact-check how many bills have been passed by the House and are sitting on McConnell’s desk, who refuses to bring them to a vote in the Senate.

Here are just a few bills awaiting action: HR 987-Strengthening health care and lowering drug costs; HR 7-Paycheck fairness; HR 8-Background checks; HR 9-Climate action.

We have an urgent need for honesty in this country, and I think the news media should step up and make sure people get the truth. There is truth and untruth, facts and lies, and the people deserve to know which is which.

Pelosi, hate and hypocrisy

Speaker Pelosi stated in her press conference on Dec. 5 that she does not hate President Trump. She stated that her upbringing and strong Catholic faith don’t allow her to hate anybody. She stated that she in fact prays for the president all the time. While you can color me a skeptic, I will nevertheless give her the benefit of the doubt.

I am, however, curious how she is able to square that upbringing and strong Catholic faith with her support for abortion on demand, and whether she prays for those babies that have been murdered.

Dems are biased against president

The only way to stop these crazy, vindictive attacks on our president is to vote all Democrats out of office. The nonstop conga line of Trump-hating, opinionated, so-called experts the Democrats are bringing to these hearings is beyond the pale for of any reasonable, fair-minded person.

This president has done more good for this country then the last four presidents combined, Republican and Democrat. President Donald J. Trump is the best president in my lifetime. And if you’re intellectually honest, you must agree.

Don’t condone his vulgar behavior

The bar for common decency and ethical behavior lowers every time Trump speaks. Recently, in front of an adoring, cheering, well-paid crowd of fans, the president moans while reading a pilfered personal private e-mail between two so-called “never Trumpers.” The juiced-up crowd mug for TV cameras and clap their flippers like well-trained circus seals every time Trump shouts an obscenity, threat, smear, or outrageous lie.

In normal times Americans would demand that a president displaying these type of disturbing actions be disciplined. In 2019, Trump’s objectionable actions are not only appreciated but lecherously anticipated by his base. Why do Trump supporters vigorously relish and condone his vulgar, cretin-like behavior? Do Trump groupies identify with their royal liege?

Scientists will be asked to isolate the malfunctioning gene that is responsible for turning the Trump base, who at one time actually loved their country, to willingly lie prone in total submission at the feet of self-appointed King Donald I and unashamedly kiss his ring finger. Lady Liberty is weeping.

Reusing presidential candidates

While it’s really no surprise that Senator Harris has withdrawn from the presidential race, maybe there’s a silver lining to be found here. Our junior senator only experienced two years in the national ring before trying for the big gold ring. It’s been done before, but we are still paying those bills.

Many of the current candidates have excellent qualifications in part of the experiences needed to fill the office. The DNCC and other decision makers should be evaluating these players for where they can best apply their expertise to assist the overall effort to develop a government that helps all our citizens.

Would Elizabeth Warren make a good secretary of the Treasury, Bernie Sanders for Health and Welfare, Boutigieg for Urban Planning and Development?

Start developing a qualified team now that doesn’t resign or have to be replaced for dishonesty, malfeasance, or incompetence every few months.

Companies should pay fair share

Two recent opinion letters to The Bee threaten to damage the hope for quality public education. The most recent article suggests we ignore the loophole in Prop. 13. Loophole is “an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules.” Closing the loophole will finally require megacorporations and billionaires to pay their fair share. If they raise their prices, simply refrain from purchasing their product.

My wife and I are retired public servants who live on a fixed income. We certainly do not want our property tax to skyrocket, which Prop. 13 was intended to safeguard against. It was not supposed to reward the rich at the cost of better public education, which it has also done.

An earlier piece suggested schools don’t need more money and that they just need to get rid of bad teachers and administrators. Such a suggestion reveals a truly simplistic understanding of education, and supports a trend toward making education a homogeneous process, versus development of independent thinkers. Better teacher preparation is a given, but the truth remains California schools have continually struggled with dire money shortages ever since the passage of Prop. 13.

Thanks for traffic help

I am 62. On Dec. 6, I was driving down McHenry Avenue around 5 p.m. and my van died. I usually avoid 5 o’clock traffic, especially on McHenry. I was in the second lane over. I put on my turn signal and someone in the right lane let me over. I could only drift over.

I would like to apologize to all the people trying to get home or get somewhere, for holding up your progress. I apologize to the person who let me move in front and got stuck behind me. I put on my emergency flashers and when the traffic cleared somewhat, I got out and started pushing my van to get off the road. After a time, two tall young men stopped and helped me push. They got my van off the street, and then they were gone. I would very much like to thank them and the considerate young lady for stopping and helping.

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019: Lethal force, anti-Semitism, impeachment."