There’s good news and bad news about the new Tuolumne River boat launch | Opinion

Human habitat

“Tuolumne River fish will get $80 million in habitat improvements from MID, TID and SF,” (modbee.com, Dec. 18, 2023)

The good news: In two recent articles in The Bee, we learned that good local leadership, along with cooperation and carry-through by the state government, are going to vastly improve public access to the Tuolumne River, its floodplain and surrounding riparian forest. I am referring to the new boat launch near Neece Avenue and the opening of the Dos Rios Ranch State Park. The prospect of being able to launch an inner tube, kayak or canoe in Modesto and enjoy several miles of scenic river sounds great.

Now, the bad news: In a recent op-ed, we learned that if the irrigation districts have their way, they will implement artificial (and proven inadequate) means to protect native fish instead of doing it the natural way: by leaving enough water in the river to keep it cool, clear and clean. By continuing to divert more water than is healthy, we will ensure that the river is warm, choked with invasive aquarium plants and not navigable by boat.

Please reach out to your irrigation district board representative and let them know that leaving more water in the river is about more than just fish habitat, it’s human habitat, too.

Noah Hughes

Modesto

Is Biden capable of doing his job?

“Biden allies, rivals both want transcript of his special counsel interview released. It could happen,” (modbee.com, Feb. 14)

After the special counsel’s report, if President Biden is so infirm with dementia to not be prosecuted for the crimes of holding classified documents in unsecured locations but deemed okay to continue being president of the most powerful country on Earth, how far will the left allow this to go?

If he’s not capable, who is running the country?

John Mendosa

Ceres

Loyalty to Putin

“NATO leader says Trump puts allies at risk by saying Russia can ‘do whatever the hell they want’,” (modbee.com, Feb. 12)

With great faith in Democracy and the American Constitution, I have to wonder how the GOP became allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demonic tyranny. The GOP of today does not adhere to the classic tenets and integrity of the Republican Party, to which my father and many of his generation were loyal.

Subversive acolytes follow a demented Trump as he genuflects at the feet of Putin. He cemented his loyalty to the Russian tyrant when he sabotaged the passage of a bipartisan initiative to aid the defense of Ukraine, and those who support him are shameful puppets loyal to the destruction of Democracy and the sovereignty of our Constitutional government.

Such loyalty is based on a bankrupt ideology; just as all Trump’s life reflects a bankruptcy of humility, honesty and compassion. His puppet lawyers represent the same disregard for justice by defending unlawful action, as Trump spends millions of his ill-gotten campaign donations to defend his criminal behavior. “Despicable” is too kind an adjective to describe their senseless adoration.

Solution: Responsible Republicans need to shout and bring your voices and bodies to bear since the seeds of tyranny have been sewn on your watch.

Timothy Buchanan

Modesto

A perfect fit

“Donald Trump stands by remarks about not defending NATO members after backlash,” (modbee.com, Feb. 14)

It is no secret that former President Donald Trump is having a hard time finding a song for his campaign. All his past choices have been stricken because the artists want nothing to do with Trump and his MAGA campaign.

Here’s the good news for MAGA: There is an appropriate song from the hilarious movie “The Producers” that fits perfectly with Trump’s platform for autocracy. It is the Mel Brooks song, “Springtime for Hitler.” I doubt there will be any objection from anyone connected with the song. After all, it is a perfect fit.

Brooks Judd

Turlock