Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020: Stanislaus leaders must not gamble with children’s lives

Gambling with children’s lives

“It is not reasonable that those who gamble with men’s lives should not stake their own.” - H.G. Wells

My child is in week 2 of schooling from home. Already they are being told they are only seven days away from TK-6 grade opening as a trial run in Stanislaus County. Why are you rushing this decision to send our children to crowded classrooms? Southern states have tried and failed, with entire classrooms of kids having to be quarantined after testing positive.

When did this become a race? When did the state of the economy and the dollar become more valuable than the lives of our children? Those who make this choice also have cushioned offices or can work from home, yet they are willing to risk our children and teachers when 24% of our county’s cases are school-aged children. They are choosing to willfully put our kids at risk.

So here is my question to the board: If you were charged with the murder of every person who dies from COVID due to schools being opened, or attempted murder for those who get sick, would you make the same decision?

Sandy B. Patterson, Turlock

Abortion no. 1 issue on earth

A very important election comes before us in a few weeks and one of our most important considerations is who we want as our representative in the 10th Congressional District. Our current congressman blindly follows his party’s decisions even to the point of believing that abortion is not murder. These tiny, beating human hearts are stopped and an individual ceases to exist. Some of us are able to live a life and give our best to hopefully help whatever piece of this world we live in, to become better.

For those of us voting in November it is our responsibility to vote out of office any and all individuals who side with those who are pro-abortion. No issue currently on earth is more important. Vote Mr. Harder out of office, vote any one out of office who supports abortion.

Larry Dovichi, Modesto

Support leaders with values

I have truly become ashamed of the lack of leadership from some of our elected officials in Modesto. It bothers me deeply that we have a leader, Ted Brandvold, who is continuing to support Ted Howze, who is an example of what we teach our children to not become. Howze has openly accused Rep. Maxine Water of “hitting the crack pipe too hard.” He has also mocked a Parkland survivor as well as describing Islam as a “death cult.” Instead of taking accountability for his actions, he blamed it on (another).

Mayor Brandvold continues to refuse to retract his endorsement after all of this came to light. This is the exact opposite of the leadership we need in Modesto.

After watching Kamala Harris accept her nomination for vice president, I realize that just as much as we need national leaders, we need community leaders. I am only 14 and I see the need. This November, you have to vote like our values depend on it, because they do.

Keira Bird, Modesto

Defending Democratic convention

Re “It is what it isn’t” (Page 2B, Aug. 21-22): Kathleen Parker is a bitter woman. Her opinion piece is filled with negative, hateful words. She couldn’t say anything nice about someone even if it was Mother Teresa.

Ms. Parker pulled apart the Democratic Convention piece by piece and criticized the very moving speakers and the manner that the convention was presented due to the virus. I thought the convention was surprisingly creative and it had my attention for four days. Her criticism of Joe Biden’s speech was in poor taste. He was not at all weak, in fact I thought it was the strongest he has given and I highly doubt his opposition will come near to his presentation.

Not that she is a fan of the Republicans or Trump, either. She is just a sour pill and her remarks were sour grapes.

Myrna Wachs, Turlock

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 4:00 AM.