Letters to the editor | Sunday, July 7, 2020: True patriots wear masks
Show patriotism, wear a mask
Wearing a mask daily in public is not only to protect ourselves from COVID-19’s droplets in the air, but to protect everyone around us from our own possible and undetected infection. Putting on the mask is sacrificing our comfort and personal pride for our fellow citizens. This selfless act promotes the general welfare of those around us, as stated in the Constitution. Wearing the mask is our patriotic duty right now, and it will show our children and grandchildren, our posterity, a daily patriotic example of what a true American does during this current war against a lethal pandemic.
Leopold Aguilera, Modesto
Leave Wood Colony alone
A letter-questionnaire dated June 4 was sent to 160 various residents of Wood Colony regarding an Urban Limit Line. It states, “The Modesto City Council wants your opinion about a very important matter affecting the future of you and your community.” We were told of a ULL map that was filed with the city on May 14 by a landowner who is the former secretary of Agriculture and his attorney which includes almost 1,200 acres of Wood Colony farmland.
The mayor is pushing to get approval at the July 7 council meeting to put the ULL on the November ballot. How can anyone make an informed decision when they don’t send a map? They say, “Do you want to be inside or outside the line?” And then they hand-pick who they send letters to.
My property is affected. I along with many neighbors did not receive the letter. All residents affected should be notified and there should be a discussion. So why the rush to get this done? Oh, that’s right — what Wood Colony doesn’t know won’t hurt them.
Lisa Dovichi-Braden, Modesto
Get control of looting
We have public officials yielding to looters, thieves, and people with moronic demands concerning the history of our country. What can burning buildings, looting stores, and demanding we defund police have to do with BLM? We are seeing that stupidity spreads faster than the virus.
Robert Sample, Modesto
Voting by mail works well
It sure looks like everyone who votes in this November’s general election will do it by mail with only a few exceptions. Since I have been voting this way for many seasons, I endorse this way of voting. It works very well indeed.
Many counties in California already have a majority of their voters vote by mail. Two very dependable and trusted organizations, the Post Office and the county elections office, know how to handle it quite correctly. Postage will be paid, so voters do not have to pay. Just get your vote in the mail before the election deadline. I manage to mail my vote in about two or three weeks before the due date.
Take the time to read the voter ballot statements, do your research, and you can make an informed decision on issues that matter. I like to discuss these matters with others to get different opinions and perspectives. If you do not cast a ballot, someone else will decide for you, and you may not like the outcome.
Daniel Marsh, Modesto
Golden State killer deserves death
So killer Joseph DeAngelo was finally caught. Now he has made a deal with the powers that be that he will be spared the death penalty in exchange for a guilty plea.
What is wrong with this picture? California does not enforce the death penalty, so even if he was found guilty and sentenced to death he would not be put to death. What kind of justice is this? I guess this is an example of the blind justice that we hear about.
Helen Durham, Modesto
COVID blues? Try gardening
Gardening has always been a favorite pastime and hobby for many people. But the new shelter in place we went through has really brought out some new interest in gardening of all kinds. Whether in a large backyard space or apartment patio gardening in containers, I have seen a large spike and enthusiasm in gardening. Seems people of all ages are now asking questions and trying to obtain plants and unusual containers.
Container gardening is a big hit with all ages, and succulents are on top of many lists. You can go horizontal or vertical with plants. Even a small space can become a paradise. Gardeners love to share cuttings and information. It’s a great way to make new friends and also practice social distancing.
So don’t be afraid to get those hands dirty! You will benefit from the serenity and peacefulness and relaxation, and the pride of creating a small masterpiece.
Linda Medeiros, Oakdale
Bad idea, CalPERS
Recently, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed written by Ben Meng, chief investment officer for CalPERS, outlining its new 10-year strategy to achieve the stated 7% annual return goal. Every taxpayer and CalPERS beneficiary should be concerned.
He outlines a two-part strategy. To summarize, he plans to 1) invest more money in private markets which historically have outperformed public markets, albeit with more risk, and 2) leveraging the portfolio, or borrowing money to invest.
This ill-conceived strategy could have disastrous consequences. For years, money has flowed to private markets reducing this advantage, as analyzed in a recent Bain study, and CalPERS is late to this game. Leveraging the balance sheet brings to mind many failed entities employing this high risk strategy, including Orange County in 1994 and Long-Term Capital Management in 1998.
The public employee pension system was poorly designed and managed for decades. We are now in a position to root for this risky strategy to succeed or face continued reductions in services as more and more local tax revenue is required to be sent to Sacramento.
Jeff Burda, Modesto
Watch out for bicyclists
My husband and I have been riding our bikes in and around Modesto over two decades. It continues to amaze us that people don’t know the basic rules for driving when they are near bicyclists so that the bikers are safe. We were turning onto Leonard Avenue from Kearney near the post office when a woman in her car yelled at us to “ride on the sidewalks.”
My understanding is that bikes use designated bike lanes painted green, trails such as Virginia Trail and Hetch-Hetchy trail or ride the streets such as those around the post office. We always use arm signals to indicate our intention to turn.
Please, drivers, respect the laws that will keep riders and drivers safe. Our lives depend on you.
Marilyn and Chuck Rowland, Modesto
Vandals are not patriots
A bumper sticker on my car was defaced while parked in my driveway. Later, a yard sign supporting a political candidate was taken from my yard.
There is much more to being an American than just the enumerated rights in the Constitution. American ideals of liberty, democracy, and equality are part of a social contract. When the expressions of my political opinions were defaced and removed, the social contract was violated. Someone decided that their feelings were more important than another American’s liberty and upholding democracy. If you believe that you have the right to trespass on my property and deface or remove my belongings because you disagree with my opinions, then you fundamentally misunderstand what it means to be American. You are comfortable violating the rights of Americans and no longer living up to American ideals.
I hope you see that we have much more in common than we have differences. I hope you’ll re-examine how you’re exercising your patriotism. Does how you feel change when I tell you that the bumper sticker was for Bernie Sanders and the yard sign was for Rep. Josh Harder?
Roxi Lagos, Modesto
If he’s re-elected, things get worse
If you’re not outraged, you must be watching only Fox News. No respect due, President Trump is a moron. He’s incompetent, corrupt, delusional and a pathological liar. He scares me, as he is a threat to our democracy. He covets total control over everything, attacking the free press, removing all oversight, whistleblowers, and anybody not loyal to him. What historical world figure does that sound like? You pledge total loyalty to the king, but no experience? You’re hired!
Stop defending this excuse for a man. Fake news? Taken out of context? He was kidding? Don’t believe what you’re seeing? I’ve heard them all.
So far we’ve suffered “Trump light.” It gets worse. Re-elected, never facing voters again, imagine the horror of “Trump unleashed/full throttle.” Trump’s dictator buddies will be unhinged also in a second term, while Trump the blowhard paper tiger calms us all with claims of “fake news.” He will sacrifice public health with his campaign virus rallies to feed his massive but very fragile, pathetic, needy ego.
A vote for Trump is a vote for normalizing rampant corruption and the death of independent oversight.
Christopher Aggers, Modesto