Letters to the editor: On suicide, UCs and Lego League

Suicide, depression no joke

Re “Robin Williams’ death triggers discussion on suicide” (Online): Suicide takes people of all ages all around the world. We need to raise more awareness so we lose fewer people to suicide.

There are many different warning signs to see if people are depressed or suicidal. For example, their behavior might change and they could withdraw from their family and friends for a long period of time.

Stigma is also a very important issue that not many people think about. Making fun of people with depression or using the term as a joke could trigger more thoughts of suicide. I never thought depression was a big deal until I lost my father to it. Losing my father definitely changed my view on a lot of things.

Many people joke about suicide and depression because they aren’t informed enough about it. If we raise more awareness about it, then a lot of the stigma will disappear. Hearing these jokes every day makes me upset because they don’t understand. Suicide is no joke, and awareness needs to increase.

California needs to adequately support UC system

The University of California system is seeking to increase tuition for the academic year 2015-16 by 5 percent each year for five years. For some this may not influence them much, for others this will be the deciding factor if they go to college.

The primary element of this dilemma is the lack of sufficient funding from the state. These steep funding cuts prompted the tuition hikes and cuts in faculty. Public universities are necessary to educating the sheer magnitude of young adults that cannot be supported by private schools. The state is obligated to concede how imperative the UC system is to California’s well-being. The UC fuels much of California’s recovering economy supporting 430,000 jobs and contributing $46 billion. This is all due to the extensive amount of revolutionary research the UC fosters. Anything from more plentiful produce to compact fluorescent light bulbs can be traced back to the University of California. This research is translated to inventions, products, and medical advances that benefit the world as a whole.

For the sake of future generations, California needs to provide adequate, consistent financial support to the UC system so that its research is continued and is allowed to support more students.

Where were Democrats on immigration six years ago?

Re “Tale of two networks”: (Letters, Nov. 23): As a viewer of Fox News, I invite Ken Garst to kiss my “uneducated” butt. Six years ago, when the Democrats were fresh off election victories that gave them full control in Washington, they didn’t care about illegal immigrants. They could have granted amnesty anytime they felt like it. But they chose to spend their time shoving the Affordable Care Act down America’s throat.

Now, fresh off an election that gave the Senate and the House to Republicans, Democrats worry that perhaps in 2016 the Republicans might win the presidency and have their run of full control in Washington. Giving relief to illegals now is just a recruitment tool of the left to create more Democrat votes. Illegals say they have to come to the U.S. to find work. Yet many companies like Chevrolet and Hershey have exported good paying jobs to Mexico. How can both of those statements be true?

Beyer Lego League Tournament a success

The Beyer Robotics program and Boosters would like to thank all of those who helped make our FIRST Lego League Tournament (FLL) a huge success. The Beyer team undertook this tournament to provide a local spot for area Lego League teams to compete while giving them a look at where robotics can take them in high school. We are so grateful to the many teams who competed, the volunteer referees and judges who put in countless hours preparing and giving up their Saturday to support youth robotics.

We hope this experience gave Modesto a glimpse at the amazing world of FIRST robotics and what it can do to grow future engineers, electricians, mechanics and programmers right here in our community. Building a robotics program is an expensive endeavor in both money and volunteer commitment, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our amazing community. The approximately $1,000 raised by the Beyer Robotics Boosters in putting on the FIRST Lego League tournament will enable the Beyer High Iron Patriots to purchase parts for the upcoming FIRST Robotics Challenge season.

Again, we thank the volunteers and teams who joined us Saturday for FLL. We hope you caught the robotics bug!

Why allow drug, gun ads?

I am puzzled at your willingness to run ads for drugs that have not been evaluated by FDA, and by your willingness to run ads for guns, including Saturday night specials at low prices. It appears to me that you lack a sense of responsibility.

This story was originally published November 30, 2014 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor: On suicide, UCs and Lego League."