Letters to the editor | Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020: Cure for forest fires found in political will

How to reduce forest fires

Climate change alarmism has caused our political establishment to divert precious resources away from power plant line maintenance, forestry programs that clear dead trees, and controlled burns that would mitigate the effects of forest fires. If politicians would come back to reality and stop the unattainable goal of slowing climate change and go back to the attainable realities of maintaining our forests the way we used to, these efforts would lessen the effect of large forest fires. The point is control the controllable and mitigate the uncontrollable — hard, but it can be done.

It’s a matter of direction. Our political heads can continue with the costly greenhouse gas emissions programs or they can redirect efforts to things that will actually produce results for our quality of life. Everyone wants clean air and water, but to place so much effort and resources to the alarmism of climate change is not a prudent use of taxpayers’ money.

John Mendosa, Ceres

Youths should wear masks, too

I am deeply concerned to see so many children and teens not wearing masks or social distancing. This learned behavior simply defies logic. The idea that this does not affect the young is simply shortsighted since medical professionals have no idea the severity or the long-term consequences of exposure to this virus. In other words, our youth may have a lifetime of what could have been preventable health complications.

I cannot comprehend the visceral reaction to wearing a mask when so many in Stanislaus County profess to be God-loving people. No matter the religion, the love for ones’ neighbor is core to the teaching of those faiths. It is without a doubt the antithesis of loving your neighbors when any adult refuses wear a mask and does not model to our youth how to properly prevent the spread of this horrible virus. COVID-19 is real, it affects people of all faiths, and it is persistent. Protect our community, save lives, and wear a mask.

Joe Bondy, Modesto

Beware pious sinful voting lectures

Re “Warning on sinful voting” (Letters, Sept. 16): The author claims to know exactly whom Catholics should vote for in our upcoming election. I beg to differ.

For one thing, the various “anti” issues he lists, which seem so central to today’s Catholic Church, are based on interpretations of scripture which are not universally shared by other Christians, not to mention other religious traditions or the secular members of our society. They are, historically, handed down from a governing body of mostly older men who have had their own political and social agendas for enacting these “teachings,” and whose human fallibility in more recent years has brought disgrace on the church. The ongoing dependence on this centralized authority for determining one’s beliefs is, I dare say, an impediment to a deeper Catholic spirituality.

After all, the seminal concern for all religious traditions revolves around one’s personal character and public behavior, including such attributes as compassion and concern for others, mutual respect and a commitment to truth-telling. While I think the more appropriate focus on these human qualities (and not church doctrine) absolutely rules out the two candidates recommended by the aforementioned letter-writer, I defend his right to choose otherwise.

Mark S. Haskett, Modesto

What about honesty and integrity?

Re “Warning on sinful voting” (Letters, Sept. 16): I don’t know how old the writer is, but I can remember during the election of 1960, while attending a very large Christian Missionary Alliance church in Oakland, people prayed loudly and tearfully that God would not allow a Catholic (John F. Kennedy) to be elected president. I wonder how this writer would feel if people were praying like that today. He states, “Trump follows mostly Catholic teaching (please tell me how), so it’s clear who a Catholic must vote for.” I find it odd that nothing is said about honesty and integrity.

For those who wonder why our nation has been turning away from God, they might want to look in the mirror and ask themselves about what their own bias and hypocrisy is doing to make people look elsewhere for answers. By the way, whatever happened to separation of church and state? All I can say is heaven help us all.

Gail Wose, Waterford

Presidential panic satire

To avoid a panic, I lied to Americans. I lied about the dangers of COVID-19. When honest information was published, I and my cohorts at Fox News belittled them, called it a hoax and politicized safety measures by suggesting it was a Democratic effort at preventing my re-election. I ignored what I knew was safe and put my supporters in real danger by continuing to hold inside rallies. I mocked simple steps to slow the spread of the virus like wearing masks and refused to be seen wearing a mask. I pretended the virus would miraculously disappear and actually started to believe my own lies. I counted on Republican governors to follow my lead and I attacked Democratic governors for establishing measures to slow the spread.

What panic was I trying to avoid? Isn’t that obvious? I wanted to avoid my fear and my panic if Americans discovered what a weak president I am. Think of my panic if Americans discovered that even during a pandemic I don’t know how to lead but hide it by attacking anybody and anything that makes me look bad. Obviously, I did it for the good of the country.

Warren Council, Escalon

Who’s the real loser?

The idiot in the White House disparages our military by calling them losers and suckers when in fact he had five deferments during the Vietnam War because of bone spurs in his foot. The only bone spurs Trump has are in his head.

Alan Seliger, Turlock

Goriel for Modesto mayor

I’ve known Naramsen (Goriel) my whole life. He always is caring about why people are struggling in a country with such riches like America. He would make us do the right thing, regardless of the circumstances.

He always kept me focused on my work and school despite all the distractions for young people. Naramsen has always been a cordial leader and sacrifices for his own community. I remember when we graduated high school, he had a vision of helping his community. During MJC, he coached an overlooked group of young Assyrians so they could participate in basketball tournaments around the state. He managed his time in an efficient manner without complaints or excuses. When we attended MJC he would persuade us to stay for events, forums, and after-class office hours with the professor.

I believe Naramsen will be a great leader for the city of Modesto because he will get others involved. I have never voted before but I know on Nov. 3 I will be voting for Naramsen.

Sargon Eshaba, Modesto

Harder gets things done

Elections are just weeks away. We have all seen how Congressman Harder has worked hard to make a change in our valley.

When he is not working in Washington he is here fighting for us. He even holds one-on-one drive-through office hours during these hard times. We had never had a Congressman do that. He has worked with our veterans, homeless, seniors and students, and the list goes on. His office is always open for his constituents. He has introduced more than a dozen bills that have passed the House but are sitting in the Senate waiting to be passed, and has cosponsored over 100 bills.

We need to vote to keep Josh in office so he can continue what he has started. Josh is working for his constituents, not for the party. Josh is not just a suit in Washington; he comes to the Valley and rolls up his sleeves and gets work done.

Gina Bentayeb, Newman

Byrd protects our water

MID director Larry Byrd has my support for reelection. Larry is our strongest champion for our local water rights and for district ratepayers. Larry works hard, studies deeply, and voices loudly to protect our best interests.

I ran against Larry for the open seat in 2011. While we were opposing candidates, Larry and I worked together to stop the secret and ill-advised water sale to San Francisco. After winning the seat, Larry finished the job as a director. Today we have a strong mutual respect and continue to work closely on important issues.

I trust and appreciate Larry Byrd’s tireless work as an MID director.

John Duarte, Modesto

Puffer for Turlock Council

I urge voters in Turlock’s District 4 to vote for Bob Puffer for City Council. In the 10 years that I have known him, Bob has demonstrated a deep-felt commitment to the community in which he has attended school, run a business and raised a family. He is dedicated to helping Turlock thrive, and as an accountant, has the skills, expertise and perspective necessary for understanding how to responsibly make that happen. He is also honest and collaborative, willing and able to both listen and learn in order to effectively address the issues and challenges that come before the council.

Katie Olivant, Santa Fe, New Mexico