To the Editor,
It appears that we are not doing well when it comes to the second amendment and the right to bear arms. Surely, the founding fathers had no vision of guns capable of killing scores of victims and wounding countless others in a matter of few minutes. They were dealing with single-shot rifles and pistols. Certainly there were no automatic rifles with 100-round cylinders, bump stocks and other accessories in their minds.
We have been faced by the use of these weapons of war in mass shootings, with more than 50 dead in some instances, for several decades now. There is always an outcry in the aftermath, the public demanding something be done, which dries out after a few days. Nothing significant is done, and we go about our business as usual until the next catastrophe, again, again, and again. No weapon designed and produced for use by the military in conflict should ever have been allowed to become property of the civilian population.
Thomas Stumbaugh
Aptos
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To the Editor,
I taught elementary and secondary school in Watsonville for 35 years, and many of my students became “Dreamers.” It angers me to see the way they are being treated.
Perhaps you are not aware of the terror UC No. 1 (Unindicted Co-conspirator No. 1) has created among the families that are the economic engine of Watsonville. Thousands of hardworking parents have had “The ICE Talk” with their children, telling them what to do if they don’t come home. The talk usually ends in tears, and fear is instilled in the children, knowing that armed men are hunting their parents. Then, of course, they see kids in cages on TV, and they are even more frightened. Considering that UC No. 1 has created this terror, why do you not support impeachment, Representative Jimmy Panetta?
Don Eggleston
Aptos
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To the Editor,
America wasn’t great because (as our “leader” and his followers imply) we were “all white.” It was because we made products that were among the best in the world. Now look at the reality around you.
Look around your own home (including your garage if you have one). Much more is imported than genuinely fully made in the U.S. Purchases are made by cost-effective decisions based upon quality and reputations. Pride in workmanship is important for quality. Why do we no longer all take pride in our work?
Why are we also letting the world continue to run on oil and be ruled by corporations when it should run on common sense and be ruled by the people? We have a state-of-the-art electric car company right here in California that is producing among the best vehicles in the world that are also beneficial to the health of this planet. How come this country isn’t embracing this effort and encouraging others to follow suit? Are we again going to lose our standing of producing a best-in-the-world product due to a lack of common sense and let the rest of the educated world pass us by?
Bob Fifield
Aptos
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